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Columbia College Spring 2012 TODAY

Coeducation: Then and Now hoose as many as you like. C o Business networking o Social mixers for all ages o Lectures and presentations o Meet the author o Concerts o Special meals and wine tastings o Young alumni events o Events with other Ivy clubs o Private museum tours o fun events o Sporting events o Special groups o Broadway shows and of all kinds… backstage tours o …or start your own group

It’s always your choice at the Columbia Club. Come see how the club’s many stimulating activities and events could fit into your life. For more information or to apply, visit www.columbiaclub.org or call (212) 719-0380.

The Club of

Columbia’s SocialIntellectualCulturalRecreationalProfessional Resource in Midtown. Contents

16 COEDUCATION: THEN AND NOW

18 Class of 1987 25 Women at Heralds New the Podium Era at Columbia Coeducation spurred the Women excelled in the recruitment of female College’s first fully faculty members, coeducational class, though parity remains and their impact was a work in progress. only just beginning. By Shira Boss ’93, ’97J, ’98 SIPA By Shira Boss ’93, ’97J, ’98 SIPA

28 Women’s 31 Den Mothers Wisdom A generation after the Columbia College College’s first women Women’s mentorship graduated, some of their program pairs students children are following and alumnae, with in their footsteps. exceptional results. By Karen Iorio

By Shira Boss ’93, ’97J, ’98 SIPA

COVER: Alma Mater and Alexander Hamilton (Class of 1778) take a break on the Van Am Quad. ILLUSTRATION: CHRISTOPHER BURRELL. Burrell is a journalist and illustrator in East Boston, Mass., whose work has appeared in , and The Boston Globe. FEATURES DEPARTMENTS ALUMNI NEWS

3 Message from 56 Message from the Dean the CCAA President Interim Dean James J. Kyra Tirana Barry ’87 Valentini cites the achieve- outlines the CCAA Alumni ments and leadership of Recognition Committee’s College alumnae. mission to honor alumni achievements. 4 Letters to the Editor 57 Bookshelf 6 Around the Quads A new exhibit showcases historical texts and Jason Epstein ’49, ’50 GSAS PHOTO: CHUCK ZOVKO manuscripts featured in the Core Curriculum. 34 Alumni 40 Publishing Icon, Reunion Weekend Perennial Student 48 Columbia Forum: Jacques Barzun: and Dean’s Day Editor and publisher Jason Epstein ’49, ’50 GSAS Portrait of a Mind Alumni Reunion Weekend Marguerite Tassi ’87 and Dean’s Day 2012 offer considers his long and PHOTO: SHAUN PADGETT prolific career an extension numerous chances to Featured: Passing Strange: of a journey that began at reconnect with old friends, , Race, and the College. rediscover the campus and Contemporary America by By Eugene L. Meyer ’64 take a class with outstanding Ayanna Thompson ’94 faculty. This preview in- and Women and Revenge in cludes general information, 46 Political Shakespeare: Gender, Genre, listings for all-class and Strategist and by Marguerite class-specific events, and Robby Mook ’02 works Tassi ’87. contact and registration tirelessly to help Democrats information. A longtime friend and win back seats in Congress. collaborator of Jacques 60 Obituaries By Jonathan Lemire ’01 Barzun ’27, ’32 GSAS praises the scholar’s rare 64 Class Notes and distinguished mind. Alumni Profiles By Michael Murray 66 Dr. Herbert Hendin ’46, ’59 P&S 103 Leilah Broukhim ’00

Like Columbia College on 107 Seth Flaxman ’07 Facebook: facebook.com/ columbiacollege1754 WEB EXTRAS 112 Alumni 5 More Minutes with Mark Mazower Corner Follow @Columbia_CCAA Jacqueline Bryk ’13 Hosts CTV Show Super U Brian C. Krisberg ’81, ’84L on Twitter describes his time as Leilah Broukhim ’00 Dances Flamenco in Spain Carman Hall head resident Coach Talks Columbia Football during the transition to Join the Columbia Alumni coeducation. Association Network on John Jay Awards Dinner 2012 Photo Gallery LinkedIn: alumni.columbia. edu/linkedin college.columbia.edu/cct MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN Alumnae Enhance the College Through Leadership, Philanthropy

ear Columbians, hear about its many accomplishments and goals. With task force This issue celebrates the 25th anniversary of members’ help, we hope to involve more alumnae as fundraising the graduation of Columbia College’s first fully volunteers and alumnae leaders and increase awareness of the coeducational class. I wasn’t at Columbia in 1987, opportunities for alumnae to become more involved in Columbia but by the time I arrived on campus four years lat- College and make a difference in students’ lives. er, it would have been im- CCW was founded by College alumnae Dpossible to imagine Columbia College with- in 1989 to create networks within the alum- out women. Female students have made nae and student communities and build the up 45–50 percent of every incoming class legacy of women at the College. Today, the since 1983, and as a professor of chemistry, I group provides resources and program- have taught more than a thousand women. ming for alumnae and female students My female students have gone on to gradu- through student scholarships and a success- ate school and successful careers in a wide ful mentoring program. This year, as I wrote range of industries. And, like the members in the Winter 2011–12 issue (college.colum of the first coeducational graduating class, bia.edu/cct/winter11/message_from_the_ they have unquestionably left their mark on dean), the CCW mentoring program at- the College. tracted more than 300 female students, who Since becoming dean, I am even more are matched with an alumna individually aware of the talents and accomplishments of or in groups. And a survey conducted last Columbia College alumnae and their dedica- year by the Dean’s Alumnae Leadership tion to the College through their work with Task Force found that more than 600 alum- the Dean’s Alumnae Leadership Task Force nae were interested in volunteering with the and Columbia College Women (CCW). CCW mentoring program. We encourage In 2010, the College founded the Dean’s more alumnae to get involved. (You can find Alumnae Leadership Task Force, a group of out more about the group at college.colum 23 women who aim to shape the future of bia.edu/alumni/getinvolved or by contact- James J. Valentini, Dean of Columbia College alumnae leadership, engage more alumnae and Vice President for Undergraduate Educa- ing Sarah Seredych Trimmer, assistant direc- in the life of the College and broaden phi- tion (Interim) tor, alumni affairs: [email protected] or lanthropy at the school. The group already PHOTO: EILEEN BARROSO 212-851-7977.) has raised a significant amount of for the College. Alumnae giving to the Columbia College Fund s graduation approaches, we also are looking for ways rose 53 percent from Fiscal Year 2009–10 to Fiscal Year 2010–11, to keep seniors involved. In January, at the Columbia and several task force members made large commitments for College Class of 2012 Senior Fund Kickoff, I intro- scholarships. I met with this group in the fall and was excited to Aduced my “3-2-1 Challenge.” I asked seniors to give at least $20.12 to the College for three years, to ask two of their friends to do the same and to have their dollars matched 1:1 by Share Your Memories of an alumni donor. We’ve had a great response so far — 122 seniors donated and 41 signed on to the challenge as of mid-February. I the Move to Coeducation hope some of that response is due to my offer to match any dona- ere you on campus during the mid-1980s, tions made on the night of the kickoff. An alumnus also pledged to give $5,000 when the Class of 2012 reaches 250 donors. Our when Columbia College made the transition to goal is to reach 750 donors by the end of the semester. coeducation from the all-male school that it had W I am looking forward to seeing many of you at Alumni Re- been for more than two centuries? As the 25th anniversary union Weekend, Thursday, May 31–Sunday, June 3. All alumni of the graduation of the first coed class approaches (see are invited to Saturday’s Dean’s Day, one of the many events dur- special section in this issue), we invite you to share your ing reunion, and I hope that you will all be able to attend. In the recollections of that turning point in the College’s and meantime, please continue to write to me at columbiacollege@ let us know about the impact that Columbia has had on your columbia.edu. life. Please submit your memories at college.columbia.edu/ coeducation. Roar, Lions, Roar,

SPRING 2012 3 Letters to the Editor

become superb scholars in their own right Volume 39 Number 3 and successors to your groundbreaking Spring 2012 work in the field of Asian studies. It is for EDITOR AND PUBLISHER that very reason that I am sending you one Alex Sachare ’71 of the unexpected fruits and perhaps un- EXECUTIVE EDITOR intended consequences of your encounter Lisa Palladino with one anonymous student. The en-

MANAGING EDITOR closed book, What the One Reveals to All Alexis Tonti ’11 Arts People — Some Possibilities for Conversation and Action, would probably never have EDITORIAL ASSISTANT been produced except for the widening of Karen Iorio perspective my contact with you and Pro- FORUM EDITOR fessor Keene provided. Rose Kernochan ’82 Barnard Paul Luther ’68 CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bernardston, Mass. Shira Boss ’93, ’97J, ’98 SIPA

EDITORIAL INTERN Japan After the Storm Professor Gerald Curtis’ article “Tohoku Benjamin W. Gittelson ’15 Congratulations on a brilliant and beauti- Diary” in the latest CCT was both fascinat-

DESIGN CONSULTANT ful Japan issue (Winter 2011–12). Terrific ing and inspiring. However, I find it utterly Jean-Claude Suarès work. I like your breadth and depth of ed- amazing that nowhere in its six pages does itorial coverage; [it] makes CCT far more it mention the Fukushima nuclear melt- ART DIRECTOR Gates Sisters Studio interesting, informative, intelligent and down. readable than just a straightforward alum- Next to the great Kanto plain, the Sen- CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS ni magazine. I admire the powers that be dai coastal plain is one of Japan’s most Eileen Barroso at Columbia for providing the resources important agricultural areas. The fact that Michael Dames Daniella Zalcman ’09 to produce such an outstanding quarterly this area is fast becoming a nuclear dead Chuck Zovko publication. zone similar to Chernobyl [and] that ra- Larry Grossman ’52 diation from this disaster is already hav- Westport, Conn. ing health effects on the U.S. West Coast Published quarterly by the would seem to merit some mention. The Columbia College Office of Alumni Affairs and Development for Congratulations on a fine Winter edition Tohoku region is only 100 miles to the alumni, students, faculty, parents and of CCT. The article on Donald [Keene ’42, north. It is not immune to wind-borne friends of Columbia College. ’50 GSAS] was great. And it was nice to radiation from Fukushima. SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR catch up with Gerald Curtis. Kenneth Eardley ’70 OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS AND Wm. Theodore de Bary ’41, ’53 GSAS Underhill, Vt. COMMUNICATIONS Tappan, N.Y. Sherri Jones Keene-sensei Address all correspondence to: [Editor’s note: De Bary, the John Mitchell Ma- [Editor’s note: Albon Man ’40 forwarded the Columbia College Today son Professor Emeritus, provost emeritus and Winter 2011–12 issue of CCT to a longtime Columbia Alumni Center Special Professor in East Asian Lan- friend, retired Bucknell history professor 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530, 1st Fl. New York, NY 10025 guage and Culture, also forwarded the follow- Lu ’54 SIPA, ’60 GSAS, and received 212-851-7852 ing letter, which was addressed to him.] the following letter in response.] E-mail (editorial): [email protected]; (advertising): [email protected]. I was a minor and fleeting student of When I finished Columbia, the commu- Online: college.columbia.edu/cct. yours at Columbia College in 1968 in the nity of Japanese scholars was still rather ISSN 0572-7820 Oriental (Asian) course that small, and I was invited to join its faculty Opinions expressed are those of the you and Professor Keene taught that year. seminar where Keene-sensei was one of its authors and do not reflect official The course and your and his conduct of it regulars. positions of Columbia College or Columbia University. opened my eyes and mind to ideas and In summer 1964, I invited him to come perspectives that have continued to nour- to Bucknell to speak about Chikamatsu © 2012 Columbia College Today All rights reserved. ish my personal and growth Monzaemon at a summer seminar I held ever since. for high school teachers. I knew about his I never became an expert in the field expertise on the Japanese Kabuki theatre, and I did not pursue any advanced de- so nothing surprised me. But when his grees in any fields related to your exper- discussion veered to Shakespeare for com- tise or the content of that course. I will not parison, I was impressed by his ability to appear on the list of students who have cite verse after verse from different plays

SPRING 2012 4 without any notes. He is a superb translator ters” he will have recalled the one he had Professor Selig of Japan’s literary works, because he is so in mind. As one gets older (I’m 94) the You published a letter last fall that called well grounded in the English literature. We mind is a funny thing; whatever you can’t attention to retired Professor Karl-Ludwig had quite a few Japanese students on cam- recall at the moment pops up later. Ver- Selig, who resides in a nursing and reha- pus that summer studying English. Keene mont’s capital stumped me; four months bilitation facility at the corner of West 87th met many of them and remembered their later at 3 a.m. Montpelier came to mind. Street and Riverside Drive. I vacationed in names well enough to call them by name I congratulate you on CCT. It’s a fine Manhattan with my family this past win- the following day. As for those high school publication. I look forward to receiving it. ter holiday, and I took the opportunity to teachers in my seminar, he seemed to have John McCormack ’39, ’40 Business, ’48L visit the professor, who devoted the better had a harder time remembering their Dallas part of his life to teaching. While facing names. In a way he was more of a Japanese the challenges of medical problems, he re- [Editor’s note: According to an obituary pub- than an American even at that time. mains alert and engaging. I am glad that lished in The New York Times in 1985, His passion for things Japanese is un- my teenage daughter had the opportunity Langsam taught at Columbia from 1927–38 mistakable. Columbia College Today’s article to meet a Columbia legend. and later was president of Wagner College, captures the spirit of this rare individual Professor Selig was quite insistent that I Gettysburg College and the University of quite well. alert all Columbia alumni to the fact that he Cincinnati.] David Lu ’54 SIPA, ’60 GSAS continues to welcome both letters and visi- Bell Air, Md. Return of ROTC tors. For those who would like to bring good Hoard, Lion, Hoard cheer to his life, his address is Karl-Ludwig The response of Professor Emeritus Allan Selig, The Kateri Residence, 150 Riverside Your publication of the “Alumni Corner” Silver (one of my favorite teachers when Dr., Ninth Floor, Room 5B, New York, NY article, “Hoard, Lion, Hoard” (Winter I was an undergraduate) to my letter ob- 10024; facility phone: 212-769-0744. 2011–12), about my lion collection, made jecting to the return of ROTC to Colum- Dr. Charles Markowitz ’82 my holiday season a joyous one indeed. bia [Fall 2011] is in effect a roll-out of the Ocean Township, N.J. I have heard from dozens of old friends newest model, an “improved” ROTC, and acquaintances, two fellow lion col- call it ROTC-Lite: no uniforms, no guns, Correction lectors, five collectors of other things who no drills; the trainees are in fact “indistin- The publisher of Jacques Barzun: Portrait of thanked me for validating their aberrant guishable” from other students. Although a Mind was listed incorrectly in Bookshelf behavior and one fellow who just wanted just how other students get “firsthand ex- in the Fall 2011 issue. The publisher is Fred- to assure me that I was nuts. perience” of those who serve from train- eric C. Beil. CCT regrets the error. Read an Michael Garrett ’66, ’69L, ’70 Business ees who are indistinguishable from every- excerpt in this issue’s “Columbia Forum.” , N.Y. one else is a bit obscure. Silver points to war planners who “escaped” Vietnam service as a cautionary tale about “militarized” civilians making Manage Your war policy, but fails to note that almost all planners were veterans of Subscription WWII and/or , including the devis- f you prefer reading CCT online, er of the infamous “strategic hamlets” pro- you can help us go green and save gram, Columbia’s own Roger Hilsman. money by opting out of the print This military experience did not prevent I edition. Click “Manage Your Subscrip- them from expending 58,000 American tion” at college.columbia.edu/cct and I enjoyed the article about Michael Gar- lives in pursuit of objectives that accom- follow the domestic instructions. We rett ’66, ’69L, ’70 Business’ lion collection. plished absolutely nothing in the national, will continue to notify you by email Above is my lion, which I acquired in NYC or other, interest. when each issue is posted online. You on Third Avenue near East 60th Street. It is The larger issue, entirely missed by may be reinstated to receive the print solid silver, 8 inches long, 4 inches tall and Silver, is the enormous and increasing edition at any time by sending a note by an Israeli artist. I bought it in 1992 on dominance of the Pentagon in American to [email protected]. the occasion of my 65th birthday. It’s the and international affairs, as documented best looking lion I’ve seen anywhere. by Professor Chalmers Johnson in his James J. Griffith ’48 recent three-volume treatise on the sub- CCT welcomes letters from readers about Sarasota, Fla. ject, and as quantifiable in its astronomi- articles in the magazine but cannot cal annual budget. Inviting a “stealth” Walter C. Langsam print or personally respond to all letters ROTC back into the Columbia commu- received. Letters express the views of Walter C. Langsam ’30 GSAS may be nity validates and re-institutionalizes the the writers and not CCT, the College or the “Walter” whom Armen Matigan ’35 military-academic complex and sends the University. Please keep letters to 250 is trying to recall (’25–’40 “Class Notes,” the wrong message to the wider public words or fewer. All letters are subject to Winter 2011–12). Langsam left Columbia as to Columbia’s independence from the editing for space and clarity. Please direct in the late 1930s. warfare state. letters for publication “to the editor” via mail or online: college.columbia.edu/cct/ I wouldn’t be surprised if by the time David N. Stern ’66, ’72 GSAS contactus. you give Mr. Matigan a choice of “Wal- Brooklyn, N.Y.

SPRING 2012 5 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY AROUND THE QUADS

A Look Behind the Core Curriculum

he Core Curriculum stands advent of printing, come from a variety Prejudice (1813); and Virginia Woolf’s To out as one of the founding — of RBML collections, including those of the Lighthouse (1926). and enduring — experiments Stephen Whitney Phoenix, George Arthur The Core Curriculum began in 1919 in liberal arts higher educa- Plimpton, Gonzalez Lodge, David Eugene with Contemporary Civilization, a tion in the . With Smith and the Libraries’ first special col- course on war and peace issues that Tits curriculum and teaching methods con- lection. Early materials include a papyrus attempted to deal with “the insistent tinually evolving, it remains as vibrant fragment of ’s The Iliad dating from problems of the present” in light of the today as when it was instituted in 1919. the first century BCE; a manuscript por- “persistent voices of the past.” In 1937, Now, those interested in going deeper tion of the Quran, written and illuminated 75 years ago, what is now known as have an exciting new resource: two online in 1259; a 14th-century fragment from the Literature Humanities joined the Core. exhibitions about the Core, produced by Hebrew Book of Numbers; and a 14th-centu- Other Core courses are University Writ- the Columbia University Libraries’ Rare ry manuscript of Aristotle’s Ethics, Politics, ing, Art Humanities, Music Humanities Book & Manuscript Library. Created by and . and Frontiers of . CC and Lit Karla Nielsen last summer as part of her Other highlights include a copy of Hum are two-semester courses, the oth- work as Association of Research Libraries Herodotus’ Historia (Venice, 1502), owned ers each one semester. CEP Fellow based in the RBML, “Core by Erasmus; a copy of Homer’s Works The RBML, located on the sixth floor Curriculum: Contemporary Civilization” (1517) owned by Melancthon and Martin of , preserves and provides and “Cure Curriculum: Literature Hu- Luther; the first printed polyglot Bible access to important editions of, and in manities” were launched in December. (1514–22); Galileo’s Starry Messenger some cases autographed manuscripts by, To access the exhibits, go to https:// (1610); Shakespeare’s first folio Works the majority of authors taught in CC and ldpd.lamp.columbia.edu/omeka/exhibits/ (1623); Rousseau’s The Social Contract Lit Hum. Additionally, the collections show/cc and https://ldpd.lamp.columbia. (1762); John Jay’s manuscript of Number include subsequent editions, translations edu/omeka/exhibits/show/lit_hum. 5 of The Federalist Papers (1788); Mary and adaptations, which demonstrate The texts and manuscripts in the ex- Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights the transmission and reception of these hibit, some of which date from before the of Woman (1792); Jane Austen’s Pride and works across centuries and attest to their continuing importance. The RBML also holds the papers of many of the important figures in the found- ing and development of the Core, in particular those of John J. Coss (Class of 1908 GSAS) and John Er- skine (Class of 1900, 1903 GSAS). RBML is also home to the papers of Jacques Barzun ’27, ‘32 GSAS; Nicholas Murray Butler (Class of 1882, 1884 GSAS); Harry J. Carman ’19 GSAS; Irwin Edman (Class of 1916, ’20 GSAS); Moses Hadas ’30 GSAS; Douglas Moore; Lionel Trill- ing ’25, ’38 GSAS; Mark Van Doren ’21 GSAS; Jack Beeson; and many others involved in the development of the various branches of the Core. The current CC and Lit Hum Pages from Dante’s Divine Comedy (left) and Hobbes’ translation of Thucydides’ The History of the Peloponnesian War (right). At center, the dust jacket for first British edition of Woolf’s novel, reading lists are available on the published by Hogarth Press in 1926. Core Curriculum website: college. PHOTOS: COURTESY RARE BOOK & MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES columbia.edu/core.

SPRING 2012 6 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY AROUND THE QUADS Delbanco Receives National Humanities Medal

received the 2011 National Hu- his book, , His World and Work. His manities Medal from President essays appear regularly in The New York ’83 in a cer- Review of Books and other journals and emony in the East Room of the he is a Fellow of the American Academy on February 13. of Arts and and a Trustee of the Delbanco was honored, ac- Library of America, the Association of cording to the citation read at American Colleges and Universities and the ceremony, “for his insight the Teagle Foundation. into the American character, His new book, College: What It Was, Is past and present. He has been and Should Be, will be published in . called ‘America’s best social He is working on a book about abolition- critic’ for his essays on current ism and American culture that will be issues and . published by Press. As a professor in American studies, he reveals how classics by Melville and Emerson have Hire Columbians shaped our history and con- ho better to hire Columbia temporary life.” students than Columbia President Barack Obama ’83 awards the 2011 National Delbanco was one of nine Humanities Medal to The Julian Clarence Levi Professor in W alumni? That’s the idea the Humanities Andrew Delbanco in the East Room of the recipients of the National Hu- behind “Hire Columbians,” a new White House on February 13. manities Medal; eight National campaign by the Center for Career PHOTO: OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY CHUCK KENNEDY Medal of Arts winners were Education to get Columbia alumni to honored at the same ceremony. hire students for internships or full- ndrew Delbanco, the Julian Delbanco is a recipient of Columbia’s time positions. For more information, Clarence Levi Professor in the Great Teacher Award from the Society of go to careereducation.columbia.edu/ hirecolumbians. Humanities and director of the Columbia Graduates and the Lionel Trill- A Center for American Studies, ing Award from Columbia students for

COLUMBIACOLUMBIA COLLEGECOLLEGE AALUMNILUMNI RREUNIONEUNION WWEEKENDEEKEND

Come celebrate Alumni Reunion In an effort to reduce costs and be environmentally-friendly, Columbia College Alumni Affairs and your class’s Reunion Classes Weekend 2012. The weekend Committee will communicate with you via e-mail as much 1942 will feature: as possible. 1947 Register today! For more information or to register, 1952 Class-specific panels, cocktail receptions and dinners BIA C please visit http://reunion.college.columbia.edu/. MBI COL 1957 planned by each class’s Reunion Committee; LU LE OL G 1962 CO E “Back on Campus” sessions featuring Core Curriculum If you register before Wednesday, May 2, C 1967 lectures, Public Intellectual lectures and more as part you’ll receive a 10 percent discount on 1972 of Dean’s Day on Saturday; all events, excluding Broadway shows, 1977 entertainment options including New York City Ballet and New York 1982 Broadway shows and other cultural activities; Philharmonic tickets. 1987 All-class programs including: Wine Tasting and AALUMNILUMNI RREUNIONEUNION 1992 Starlight Reception with dancing, champagne and Questions? Please contact Fatima Yudeh, WWEEKENDEEKEND 1997 sweets on Low Plaza; and [email protected] or 2002 Camp Columbia for little Columbians, ages 3–12. 212-851-7834. 2007 SAVESAVE THETHE DATEDATE THURSDAY,THURSDAY, MAYMAY 31–-31–- SUNDAY,SUNDAY, JUNEJUNE 3,3, 20122012

CC_half_page_final_June2012.indd1 1 1/25/12 10:04:38 AM

AROUND THE QUADS COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

ALUMNI IN THE NEWS n Judd Gregg ’69, former for the past three decades. “Top 30 Under 30” young entrepreneurs U.S. senator, congressman Having been on the winning in the July/August issue. Schnidman and two-term governor of side in 1986, 1990, 2008 and Medbery launched her company in 2009, , has been now 2012, and the losing side after wrestling with the challenges of named an international in 2000, Warren says, “The tracking students’ progress during her adviser to Goldman Sachs. Super Bowl is one of those time as a Teach for America teacher in Joining a group of 17 inter- games where the high of New Orleans. As part of her venture, the national advisers, he will winning is so high, but the computer science major developed Kick- provide strategic advice to low of losing is so low.” On board, a software program that allows the firm and its clients and as- the losing end of Super Bowl teachers to make detailed notes and see sist in business development XLVI was Robert K. Kraft patterns in students’ work and behavior. initiatives globally. During Judd Gregg ’69 ’63, owner of the Patriots and Kickboard is in use in 15 New Orleans PHOTO: COURTESY THE his three terms in the Senate, OFFICE OF SEN. JUDD GREGG a Columbia trustee emeritus. charter schools, and Schnidman Medbery Gregg served as the rank- Kraft, who purchased the hopes to expand soon. ing Republican member on committees NFL franchise in 1994, is the first owner in including Appropriations; Banking, Hous- NFL history to have his team n Brothers Courtney Reum ing and Urban Affairs; and as chairman of play in six Super Bowls. ’01 and Carter Reum ’03 in the Budget Committee. He also played the September landed on Inc. roles of Al Gore and in George n Jodi Kantor ’96’s new magazine’s 2011 list of the W. Bush’s preparations for the 2000 and book, The Obamas, has been country’s 500 fastest grow- 2004 presidential debates. Read CCT’s making headlines across the ing private companies for profile of Gregg at college.columbia.edu/ country for its inside look at their liquor business, VeeV cct_archive/jul05/cover.php. the first couple’s lives. The Acai Spirit. The mention (the book, which covers topics business earned spot No. 242) n Miriam Rahali ’05’s resort-wear fashion from faith and family to the was among the latest in a run line, Marena y Sol, debuted last July and unseen influence of Michelle Jodi Kantor ’96 of media coverage that also PHOTO: ANDREW PARSONS/I- has been spotted on celebrities such as Obama on her husband’s IMAGES/ZUMA PRESS/CORBIS included an August feature Hilton and Kim Kardashian as well presidency, was featured in on CNBC’s How I Made My as in the pages of Us Weekly magazine. The The New York Times and , Millions and an October article on the CNN brightly colored and elaborately embel- among other publications. Kantor started Money website (money..com, search for lished swimsuits, sarongs and caftans are her journalism career at Slate in 1998 and “VeeV”). VeeV is the first liquor to be made made in India with materials from Dubai. was the youngest Arts & Leisure editor of from the Brazilian acai , a “superfruit” In an interview with Spectator, Rahali The New York Times; she has covered the known for being rich in antioxidants. Read explained the line is “for all the indepen- Obamas since 2007. She was honored with more about the Reums and their business dent and free-spirited women.” Formerly the Columbia Young Alumni Achievement in the January/February 2011 issue: college. a Teach for America teacher in Award in 2003 and was named one of columbia.edu/cct/jan_feb11/features4. and disabilities advocate with the Victor Crain’s “40 Under Forty” in 2004. Pineda Foundation in Paris, Rahali remains n Sharon Block ’87 has been named by committed to philanthropy and donates a n Julian R. Geiger ’67, ’70 Business was President Barack Obama ’83 to serve on portion of Marena y Sol’s profits to TFA, the named president and CEO of Crumbs the National Labor Relations Board. Pre- Pineda Foundation and UNICEF. Bake Shop in November. Prior to his ap- viously, Block served as deputy assistant pointment, he was a director secretary for congressional affairs at the n Dr. Russell Warren ’62 nev- of Crumbs, a cupcake bakery U.S. Department of Labor. From 2006–09, er made it to the Super Bowl with more than 40 locations, she was senior labor and employment as a player, but on February including one in Morning- counsel for the Senate Health, Education, 5 in Indianapolis he partici- side Heights at Broadway Labor and Pensions Committee, where pated in his fifth title game and West 109th Street. Geiger she worked for the late Sen. Edward M. as the team physician for the also is chairman of the board Kennedy (D-Mass.). Block earned a J.D. New York Giants, 21–17 win- of Aeropostale and previous- from Georgetown, where she received ners over the New England ly was president of merchan- the John F. Kennedy Labor Award. Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. dising for Macy’s East. Speaking of Block and her two fellow Warren, who played on Co- Dr. Russell Warren ’62 appointees, Richard Griffin and Terence lumbia’s cham- PHOTO: EILEEN BARROSO n Jennifer Schnidman Flynn, Obama said: “We can’t wait to act pionship 1961 team, tried out Med­bery ’06 was honored in to strengthen the economy and restore for the Giants but didn’t make it and went August by President Barack Obama ’83 security for our middle class and those to medical school at Syracuse, becoming as one of the White House’s Champions trying to get in it, and that’s why I am one of the leading orthopedic surgeons in of Change Young Entrepreneurs for her proud to appoint these fine individuals the country. He has been surgeon-in-chief education software company, Drop the to get to work for the American people.” at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery Chalk (kickboardforteachers.com). She The recess appointment came in January. since 1993 and the Giants’ team also was named one of Inc. magazine’s Karen Iorio

SPRING 2012 8 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY AROUND THE QUADS Futterman Offers Students Career Advice

hat better way for students the film . to learn about a field than Epstein started out as an assistant and from people already work- writer on NBC’s Homicide: Life on the Street. W ing in it? That’s the idea She and Futterman were writers and ex- behind a series of dinner discussions be- ecutive producers for the third season of ing hosted by the Center for Career Edu- HBO’s In Treatment and are currently de- cation and the Columbia College Alumni veloping a new series, T, for HBO. Association Career Education Committee. The couple hired Kim as their assistant The first event took place on November for In Treatment. He now is in his second 28 at the Columbia Alumni Center, where year working toward an M.F.A. in play- a group of College students interested in writing at The New School. Kim previ- careers in the entertainment industry gath- ously was a researcher at The New Yorker. ered to meet with actor and screenwriter Futterman told students to be wary of Dan Futterman ’89 and his wife, Anya Epstein, Dan Futterman ’89; his wife and co-writer, the maxim, “Write what you know,” and pause on the red carpet prior to the 78th Acad- Anya Epstein; and playwriting graduate instead suggested, “Write what you can emy Awards in on March 5, 2006. student Jason Kim ’08. imagine and expand the horizons of what PHOTO: AP PHOTO/CHRIS PIZZELLO “This sort of support wasn’t that easy you know.” He noted that his and his wife’s to find when I was at the College, but it’s new series, T, features a transgender char- could apply to her work. something I would have loved to have acter, and that they did extensive research Kim came to playwriting after a period had made available to me,” Futterman in preparation. They hope to draw on com- of indecision and an unhappy two-week said. “It’s a pleasure to help today’s un- mon experiences, such as alienation and the stint as a paralegal. He advised students dergraduates.” search for identity, in telling the story. to be open to new possibilities and to Futterman has appeared on Broadway “Be willing to be surprised by what “embrace the uncertainty.” in Angels in America and in films includ- path you take and the opportunities that The series continues this spring with ing A Mighty Heart alongside Angelina come to you,” said Epstein, who added discussions on public relations, health Jolie. He was nominated in 2006 for an that she never thought her job at Homicide care and international development. Academy Award for his screenplay for would teach her so many lessons she Karen Iorio

DEAN’S DAY • SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2012 • NEW YORK CITY

Columbia College and the Columbia College Alumni Association are proud to sponsor Dean’s Day 2012. Scheduled for Saturday, June 2, the program provides the opportunity for alumni and parents to participate in thought-provoking lectures and discussions with some of Columbia’s finest faculty and prominent alumni.

Dean’s Day 2012 is particularly noteworthy, as the Public Intellectual Lectures will explore the theme of “Science and Innovation.” Faculty and alumni will host conversations that explore questions in the field of science and the groundbreaking methods of research and solutions that are being discovered. These stimulating discussions promise a morning of intellectual discourse, which is the cornerstone of the Columbia academic tradition.

Schedule of eventS

8:00 a.m. Registration Opens — Alfred Lerner Hall 8:30–10:15 a.m. Dean’s Continental Breakfast with Opening Address by James J. Valentini, Dean, Columbia College 9:30 a.m. Camp Columbia for Kids

10:30–11:45 a.m. Public Intellectual Lectures Noon–1:30 p.m. Lunch 2:00–3:30 p.m. Core Curriculum Lectures 3:30–5:00 p.m. Affinity Receptions, including Varsity Athletics, Reid Hall Reunion and Columbia University Marching Band

r E giS t E r toDAY! • WWW. COllE g E . COl U mbIA. EDU/ DEANSDAY

CC_half_Deans Day Ad_2012 FINAL.1 1 1/25/12 10:00:46 AM AROUND THE QUADS COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Jacqueline Bryk ’13 Eyes Career in Broadcasting

B y N at h a l i e A l o n s o ’08

ocal television reporters news, she has an acute sense of the seemingly have little in com- of the spoken word,” he says. mon with the authors of the In 2011, Williams wrote a letter of L , but budding recommendation for Bryk that helped broadcast journalist Jacqueline Bryk her secure a scholarship from New ’13, an English and comparative lit- York Women in Communications. As erature major, argues otherwise. a member of the nonprofit’s student On a fall afternoon in Morningside committee, she has helped plan and Heights, after a trip to midtown to run its annual student conference. purchase film equipment for Super U, In addition, since high school, Bryk the health show on Columbia Univer- has been a paid literary assistant to sity Television (CTV; cutelevision.org) Wall Street Journal reporter Lucette that she created, hosts and produces, Lagnado. Bryk described the connection be- Bryk chose the College in part tween her career goals and the classic because she sought a comprehen- texts she has studied in the Core Cur- sive education. “The Core will help riculum and her major courses. me in my professional career, be- “Where can I learn to tell stories? cause being a journalist, I need to be From how the greats tell their sto- familiar with all sorts of industries ries,” says Bryk, who is currently and have some basic knowledge studying abroad at University Col- about them,” says Bryk. “I may lege London. “That’s what reporters walk into a room to interview a mu- do; they tell stories.” sician; I have some history having Last summer, Bryk interned for E! Jacqueline Bryk ’13 is confident studying literature will taken Music Humanities.” Entertainment News, the weekend prepare her for a career in broadcast journalism. Bryk, a self-described “thrill edition of NBC’s The Today Show and PHOTO: ALYSSA BRYK KAPITO ’08, ’10 GSAS seeker” who enjoys skiing and has Fox’s The Five. The last of these, a gone bungee jumping, moved to political talk show, offered the most I think health is a topic that is not cov- New York City from as a valuable experience, she says, because ered much in college, which is where ninth-grader and loves the energy of it was just launching. “It was an in- students are really on their own.” the city. “It’s a huge draw for me to credible experience for an intern who Bryk likens Super U’s format to that be surrounded by so many news or- doesn’t usually get to see that,” says of breakfast shows such as Good Morning ganizations,” she says. “New York is Bryk, who edited scripts, cut graphics America. She estimates that she devotes where everything is happening.” and video clips, conducted research 20 hours a week to the show, which is At Columbia, Bryk is carrying on a and interacted with the anchors. filmed in Alfred Lerner Hall. At press- family tradition. Her mother is attorney In May 2010, Bryk launched Super U, time, five episodes, each five to eight Laurie Wolf Bryk ’78 Barnard, and her which promotes positive health and fit- minutes long, have aired. four older siblings — she is the second ness choices. Episodes usually feature a Bryk was a student at Ramaz H.S., youngest of six — all attended either health expert, and guests have included on the Upper East Side, when she be- the College or Barnard. TV personality Daphne Oz, author of came interested in broadcast journalism “There’s definitely that familial con- The Dorm Room Diet: The 10-Step Pro- through YouthBridge-NY, a leadership nection. Columbia was more like com- gram for Creating a Healthy Lifestyle Plan training program run by the Jewish ing home than really going out in the That Really Works, and actor Reed Alex- Community Relations Council of New world,” says Bryk. “I like to say I was ander, creator of KewlBites, a website York. That experience helped her land born into Columbia.” that encourages kids to eat well. her first industry internship, with Fox “Health has always fascinated me; Business News in summer 2009. Gareth To view videos of Bryk hosting Super U, go my dad is a doctor,” says Bryk, the Williams, the Violin Family Professor of to Web Extras at college.columbia.edu/cct. daughter of Eli Bryk ’78, ’82 P&S, chair- Classics, chair of the classics department man of the Department of Orthopaedic and Bryk’s Lit Hum preceptor, points Nathalie Alonso ’08 is a freelance jour- Surgery at New York Downtown Hos- out that Bryk’s journalistic experience in- nalist and an editorial producer of LasMay pital and a member of the College’s forms her approach to literature. “Given ores.com, Major League Baseball’s official Board of Visitors. “I’ve always been in- her interest in the media and especially Spanish language website. She also writes a terested in topics that can help people. the communicative power of television career blog for women, herfabcareer.com.

SPRING 2012 10 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY AROUND THE QUADS

Dean’s Scholarship Reception Brings Together Donors and Students

early 500 scholarship donors ford and attend a great school.” and student recipients filled Komal Kothari ’12, a double major in Roone Arledge Auditorium on biology and economics who immigrated NFebruary 2 to meet and mingle to the United States from India at 6 and at the annual Dean’s Scholarship Recep- grew up in Edison, N.J., spoke on behalf tion. This annual event brings together of scholarship recipients. The recipient of donors and students in a casual setting so the Isabel and Irving N. Tolkin Memorial the students can thank their benefactors Scholarship Fund as well as the Charles and discuss their experiences. Halstead Cottington Scholarship Fund– “This is a ledger sheet,” said Interim Columbia College, Kothari eloquently Dean James J. Valentini, holding up a expressed how much it meant to her to piece of paper for the room to see. “As of receive these scholarships. yesterday, we spent this year more than “From the moment I entered those $70 million on financial aid. But that’s gates on 116th and Broadway I have felt not financial aid. Those are entries in an engaged and stimulated,” she said. “I have account statement. Financial aid is about Interim Dean James J. Valentini refers to the led- grown so much in these past four years. I helping other people. … I personally ger sheet that notes that the College this year have had access to myriad opportunities thank all the donors for sending us these has spent more than $70 million on financial that I might not have encountered other- students. Without them, life at Columbia aid; Donald Margolis ’63, donor of the Donald wise. The Core has taught me new ways would not be nearly as rich.” Lee Margolis Scholarship Fund, chats with one of seeing the world and cultivated in me a of his student recipients, Kevin Brown ’14. Francisco Lopez-Balboa ’82, benefac- PHOTOS: EILEEN BARROSO habit of inquiry. … The connections I have tor of the Frank and Victor Lopez-Balboa built here will last me a lifetime.” Scholarship Fund with his twin, Victor ’82, make life easier for today’s students. “As I View a gallery of photos from the Dean’s spoke on behalf of donors, recalling how reflected on my Columbia experience, be- Scholarship Reception on the College’s Face- it took 10 years to pay off his College and fore, during and after Columbia,” he said, book page: facebook.com/columbiacollege1754. graduate school loans. Now in a position “it was apparent and really important to to be financially generous, he wants to me to be in a position to help students af- Lisa Palladino

Travel with Columbia ChiNa, TiBeT, aND The RiveR October 20–November 7, 2012

Join alumni and friends on a unique small-group adventure exploring the history, art, and cultures of China and Tibet October 20–November 7, 2012. Limited to just 24 travelers, this intimate journey takes us to Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Lhasa, Chongqing, Dazu, the Three River Gorge, and Shanghai. This air, land, and cruise inclusive travel pro- gram is the perfect opportunity to discover China and Tibet, from the hutongs of Beijing to Tibetan temples and the neon skyline of Shanghai.

For more information about any of our trips, visit alumni.columbia.edu/travel or call 866-325-8664.

Learn more. Stay connected alumni.columbia.edu AROUND THE QUADS COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

Mark Mazower, professor of What else can we take from what is happening to those How many languages do history and the Ira D. Wallach what’s happened in Greece? ideas and those institutions you speak? Professor of World Order It’s a front line in some very today. Is the world becoming Greek, Italian, French and Studies, specializes in the his- big struggles, and they’re go- an ungovernable place and is German … and of course tory of modern Greece, Europe ing to play out elsewhere. We the fault, if it is, in our insti- that’s not nearly enough. I and the transformation of the used to think modern demo­ tutions or in our ideas? ... I should really know Turkish international system. He has cracy was fostered by the was glad to give the lecture, and others to write properly authored numerous books nation state but now it seems because I’ve been muddling on many of the subjects that including Hitler’s Empire: Nazi that power is leaching out of through a book on this subject interest me. But life is short. Rule in Occupied Europe, state and is being and searching for the argu- Are you married? Do you which won the Los Angeles determined elsewhere — ei- ment that I believed was in have kids? Times Book Prize for History, ther in Berlin and Paris or in there, and while I gave the and No Enchanted Palace: Yes and yes. We have twins, a The End of Empire. Born boy and girl, who turned and raised in London, Five Minutes with ... Mark Mazower 3 in December. Mazower earned a B.A. What’s your favorite from Oxford, an M.A. from the Standard & Poor’s rating lecture I had the illusion that place to be? Johns Hopkins and a Ph.D. agency; it’s basically being I had an argument. [laughs] We spend time on an island from Oxford. He has taught at determined by the market. And I haven’t yet changed called Tinos, in Greece. Columbia since 2004. So you have this huge battle my mind. What historical figure would between the politicians and What’s the most valuable you most like to meet? How has spending time the market over the nature of thing a professor can do for I’d start with Venizelos. He in many different parts of democracy. his or her students? was the most important the world influenced your An older generation of Help them to think clearly. statesman in modern Greek perspective? politicians remembered the And write clearly, I suppose. history, a fascinating, mer- I came to history without Depression and the Second It’s one of the reasons I like curial figure, magical with knowing a lot about Brit- World War as two forma- teaching Contemporary Civi- words, charismatic, beloved ish history or any of the tive events that taught them lization. You end up having and loathed. history that most people in that markets need powerful close relationships with the Europe turn to first — say, state institutions to prosper If you weren’t a historian undergraduates, which is the French Revolution or the and to give them confidence. or a professor, what would difficult to emulate in a large Third Reich. Then I became This generation no longer you do? lecture class. immersed in the history of believes that, or they behave I would be swimming every modern Greece. So when I like they no longer believe day, in a large river or the sea. then returned to the history that. So now the question Are there any foods from of these bigger countries, I becomes: Can we recover home that you miss having? was struck by how differ- confidence in governmental It’s always a struggle to find ent they were, the impact of institutions or are we simply Marmite, of course — it’s scale. That’s not an insight going to say, they are not made from yeast extract. that comes if you never leave to be trusted, they are to be Don’t ask. PG Tips are your native shores. whittled down as far as pos- easier, on the tea front. But sible, and we’re now at the Can you elaborate? you can tell your readers mercy of the markets? It’s only in going to the smaller I will happily receive con- neighbor that you can see In November you delivered signments of Marmite. what being a Great Power the University Lecture on the Address them to means for others, whether rise and fall of international the Department of that is the power of political government. What was the History. influence, money, prestigious premise? Interview: ideas or an invading army. Basically I was asking, Alexis Tonti ’11 Arts Living in Greece, you could where did this idea Photo: never pretend that you were in come from that the Michael Dames a place that had ever enjoyed world is a govern- full control over its destiny. able place, and For more conversation Whereas what Americans are that you could with Mazower, and to now coming to terms with create interna- watch footage from his is a big country learning that tional institutions University Lecture, go to lesson. Even big countries are such as were created Web Extras at college. small countries now. in the 20th century, and columbia.edu/cct.

SPRING 2012 12 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY AROUND THE QUADS

Frouman Named Marshall Scholar Alston Wins Prize lex Frouman ’12 has been Frouman, who said he felt “humbled, named a Marshall Scholar. He lucky and grateful,” originally doubted at Sundance plans to use the award, which whether he should apply because of the irector and screenwriter Mack A provides full funding for up to competitiveness of the process. Alston ’87 won the U.S. Docu- 40 recent American college graduates to “It was the support of my friends, who Dmentary Special Jury Prize for study at the institution of their choice in encouraged me, and the notion that you an Agent of Change at the 2012 Sun- the United Kingdom for two to never know,” Frouman said. dance Film Festival in January for his three years, to study economic He also attributes his success documentary Love Free or Die. Alston policy at Oxford this fall. to the faculty who supported was one of seven College alumni pre- The Marshall Scholarship him though the process. senting films at the annual celebration commission announced in “I’m just glad my applica- of independent filmmakers in Park City, Utah. November that Frouman tion resonated with the selec- The Sundance Film Festival selects would study at Oxford, al- tion committee and that my 200 films for exhibition from more than though as of February 16 he interview went well,” Frouman 9,000 submissions, and more than had not received his official said. “At this point, I think it 50,000 people attend those screenings. acceptance. Frouman told CCT was absolutely worth it.” Other College alumni whose works that he would have access to Frouman received a call were screened at the festival were “amazing” scholars at Oxford from the scholarship’s New Ben Cosgrove ’90, executive produc- and added, “My are PHOTO: BENJAMIN SPENER ‘14 York commission chair on er, Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie; definitely still open right now. I November 21. “Hearing that Yana Gorskaya ’96, editor, Celeste and do know I want to do economic policy and I won was one of the happiest moments Jesse Forever; Timothy Greenfield- Sanders ’74, director, producer and I have had exposure to, and experience of my life,” he said. “First I cried a little photographer, About Face; Carley and an interest in, financial regulation, but and then I called my parents, told my ’06, co-producer, Bachelorette; there’s lots of time to change things up.” girlfriend and emailed my professors to Ronen Landa ’01, composer of original Interim Dean James J. Valentini, who let them know and thank them. I could score, The Pact; and Elisabeth Vas- knows Frouman well, described him as a never have won without the inspiration tola ’07, costume designer, Keep the “great kid” and added, “He is richly de- and guidance from my professors and my Lights On. serving of a Marshall, and I’m very proud advisers.” of him.” Benjamin W. Gittelson ’15

“A surgeon’s surgeon.” Kenneth Forde, M.D., a pioneer “Give back to in the field of colon cancer, has educated and inspired generations Columbia. of Columbia doctors. Dr. Forde likes to say, “At Columbia, Because it’s I’ve gone from applicant to student to intern to resident to professor and something we now to Trustee.” Now, he is leading by example once can do, and again—by including Columbia in his will. should do . . .” Join Dr. Forde and others in the 1754 Society, a group of alumni and friends who have made bequests and other planned gifts to the — kenneth forde ’59pS University. UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE To learn more about Dr. Forde and planned giving, visit giving.columbia.edu/plannedgifts or call 800-338-3294. AROUND THE QUADS COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

R o a r , L i o n , R o a r FB Coach Mangurian Stresses “W Word”

ete Mangurian brings more but improved to 5–2 in each of the next than 30 years of football coach- two years, the best two-year conference ing experience, including three record in school history. Cornell finished seasons as the head coach at third in the Ancient Eight in 1999 and sec- Cornell, to his latest challenge — ond in 2000 before Mangurian returned to Pbuilding the Columbia football program. the NFL for 10 more seasons as an assis- “Excellence in football is measured in tant coach. He has coached in two Super wins,” Mangurian declared upon being Bowls, in 1990 with Denver and in 2008 introduced to the Columbia community with New England. Most recently he was as the Patricia and Shepard Alexander an assistant coach with Tampa Bay. Head Coach of Football at Faculty House “Pete Mangurian is an outstanding foot- on December 9. “We’re going to use ‘the Pete Mangurian spoke to fans about his ball coach,” said Director of Athletics M. W word’ around here. We need to expect plans for Columbia’s football program at half- Dianne Murphy, whose ties to Mangurian time of the Lions’ 61–56 basketball win over to win. It has to become part of who we Cornell at Levien Gym on January 21. go back to her days as associate athletics are. We will not be defined by our past. PHOTO: MIKE McLAUGHLIN director at Cornell, where she was on the We will learn from it and move on.” search committee that recommended hiring Mangurian, 56, has done his share of to Dan Reeves with the Denver Broncos him in 1998. “He brings tremendous experi- moving since beginning his career as of- and moved with Reeves to the New York ence with a plethora of impressive mentors, fensive line coach at Southern Methodist Giants and Atlanta Falcons. including Bill Arnsparger, Dan Reeves and in 1979–80. He worked at New Mexico His only head coaching experience Bill Belichick. He has worked in great orga- State, Stanford and his alma mater, came in three seasons at Cornell from nizations under Pat Bowlen, owner of the Louisiana State, before moving to the pro 1998–2000. The Big Red finished last in Denver Broncos, and Robert K. Kraft ’63, ranks in 1988. There, he was an assistant the Ivy League at 1–6 in his first season owner of the New England Patriots. Pete’s

Summer Advising Sessions ne of the relatively recent traditions linking genera- tions of Columbians takes place at the Summer Advising Sessions conducted by the Division of Student Affairs in conjunction with the Center Ofor Career Education and the Alumni Office. These annual sessions provide information about Columbia for incoming students and their so that they may “hit the ground running” when they come to New York, in the words of Dean of Advising Monique Rinere. In one of the sessions’ highlights, alumni are invited to hand out copies of The Iliad, the first reading assignment in Literature Humanities, to the incoming students. Many alumni who have done so say it’s a great way to connect with today’s students and give back to the College. Following is a list of 2012 Summer Advising Sessions that have been scheduled as of mid-February:

Saturday, June 2, Houston Tuesday, June 19, NYC Saturday, June 9, Atlanta Tuesday, June 19, San Juan Tuesday, June 12, Boston Capistrano, Calif. Thursday, June 14, Thursday, June 21, Saturday, June 16, San Francisco Washington, D.C. Saturday, June 23, NYC Sunday, June 17, NYC Sunday, June 24, Seattle Monday, June 18, Los Angeles Sunday, July 1, NYC

Alumni who would like to participate in handing out The Iliad at any of these sessions should contact Patricia Carchi, coor- dinator, student-alumni programs: 212-851-7807 or pc2389@ columbia.edu.

SPRING 2012 14 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY AROUND THE QUADS experience speaks for itself.” Columbia, whose last winning season Women’s Soccer Celebrates 25th Anniversary came in 1996, compiled a 17–43 record in six seasons under Norries Wilson. The Lions avoided a winless season in 2011 by beating Brown in the season finale, after which it was announced that Wilson would not return as coach. Mangurian is undaunted by the recent, and not-so-recent, past. “The first step in this process,” he said, “is going to be an honest evaluation of where we are, how we got here and what we’re going to do Members of the 1986 women’s soccer team celebrated a 25th reunion along with other to move on to the next step. We have to alumnae and members of the current team. change the culture.” PHOTO: DARLENE CAMACHO/COLUMBIA ATHLETICS n REBOUNDING: Mark Cisco ’13 set ore than 80 alumnae, student-ath- cer meant to me and my first thought was, letes and family marked the 25th everything! I’m so grateful for the opportu- a Levien Gym rebounding record when anniversary of Columbia’s first nity to be here with my teammates and so he hauled down 20 boards to go with M varsity women’s soccer team with a dinner many friends. They mean so much to me. I 18 points in a 61–56 win over Cornell on at Faculty House on January 27, hosted by hope this becomes a regular event.” January 21. Cisco broke an arena record women’s soccer coach Kevin McCarthy ’85 Kelly Hostetler ’11 spoke of the impact set by two Brown players in the 1970s, Phil and Columbia Athletics. being a soccer player at Columbia had on Brown in 1975 and Rob Crichton in 1977. Members of that inaugural 1986 team in her college experience. “Columbia women’s attendance were Lesli Allison ’88, Kyra Ti- soccer meant more than just games, wins n WOMEN’S TENNIS: Bianca Sanon ’14 rana Barry ’87, Amy Bevacqua ’88 Barnard, and losses,” she said. “Columbia women’s got the spring women’s tennis season Mary Egan ’89 Barnard, Kristin Friedholm soccer has meant friendship, support and started on the right foot as she won the Bissinger ’90, Lynn Murphy ’90, Kimberly family. We are grateful to those who came Neuhaus ’89, Lauren Nisonson Heller ’88, before us for giving us the opportunity to be Flight A singles bracket at the 2012 Cor- Donna Pacicca ’87 and former assistant part of this amazing program.” nell Winter Invitational January 27–29. coach Shawn Ladda. When asked about the 25 years of The Plantation, Fla., native did not drop a “We are thrilled to welcome back so women’s soccer, McCarthy spoke about the single set on her way to the title, beating many of our outstanding alumnae,” Direc- women who began the program and the athletes from Army, Cornell and Colum- tor of Athletics M. Dianne Murphy said. “We direction in which it is headed. bia. Sanon teamed with Tiana Takenaga hope you continue to visit Columbia, attend “When I took the head coaching posi- ’14 to take a second title, in the A doubles our athletics contests and stay engaged tion, I learned of the history of the Ivy bracket. The Lions also notched two team with the program.” League, that many of the programs were wins to start the dual match season, beat- Recalling her experience in the early days pioneers in the history of women’s soccer. ing Hofstra 7–0 and Massachusetts 5–2. of Columbia women’s soccer, Pacicca said, Our program was no different,” McCarthy “Building up to that first varsity year, we said. “Initially, we set a goal of being a n played anyone and everyone. We looked for model program in our department in terms SAVE THE DATES: Saturday, April 21, pickup games whenever we could. If there of consistency and competitiveness. Now Baseball Alumni Day; Tuesday, May 1, was a patch of space and a ball, we were we have moved beyond just being com- Varsity ‘C’ Celebration. playing soccer.” petitive in the Ivy League. We have won an Joan Campion ’92, formerly president Ivy League championship [in 2006], but we For the latest news on Columbia athletics, of the Varsity ‘C’ Club, said, “I was asked know that is not enough. We all want more. visit gocolumbialions.com. to speak on what Columbia women’s soc- We are ready.” Alex Sachare ’71

Have You Moved? DATE SMART! To ensure that you receive CCT and other College infor- Join the singles’ mation, let us know if you network exclusively have a new postal or email for graduates, faculty address, a new phone num- and students of the ber or even a new name. Ivy League Click “Contact Us” at MIT, Stanford and few others. college.columbia.edu/cct or call 212-851-7852. www.rightstu dating.com 1-800-988-5288

SPRING 2012 15 d u c a t e i o o n c

Coeducation: Then and Now A look at the continuing influence of the College’s landmark decision

n the context of Columbia College’s 258-year history, the era of coeducation is relatively short. Plotted on a timeline that begins with the founding of King’s College in 1754, women’s arrival in autumn 1983 carves a notch nearly nine- tenths of the way down. And yet, for those who are As this special section shows, coeducation’s first walking the campus today, those earlier all- ripple effects are still being felt — by women students male years are difficult to imagine. IPeople see a stu- and the alumnae who mentor them, by female facul- dent body that is split nearly 50-50 between men and ty and the administration that encourages their pres- women, watch women play on 15 varsity teams, fol- ence, by the mothers and children who are forming low their accomplishments in the arts and academ- bonds over a shared undergraduate experience. ics — and wonder, could the shift to coeducation re- It also is worth remembering that the decision to ally have happened so recently? admit women was motivated less by feminist prin- In a way, the seamlessness of the transition is ciples than by the dual goals of increasing application an important reason to mark the 25th anniversary of numbers and improving the quality of life for all stu- the graduation of the Class of 1987. Women’s influ- dents, which it did. Looking at the bigger picture, co- ence on the life of the College was immediate and education, together with guaranteed student housing wide-ranging, and without an understanding of and the revitalization of New York City, has led to a what came before, it is difficult to fully appreciate sustained renaissance for Columbia College. what happened afterward. For this, we celebrate. Alexis Tonti ’11 Arts

I l l u s t r at i o n b y C h r i s to p h e r B u r r e l l

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Class of 1987 Heralds New Era at Columbia

arking the end of the four-year transition from the all-male school it had been since 1754, Columbia College graduated its first fully coeducational class 25 years ago this spring. Nearly half the students who donned sun- glasses and mortarboards on that bright May afternoon were women, and Mwhile the fanfare that had accompanied their freshman year focused large- ly on their presence, the celebration by the end of senior year had shifted to their accomplishments: Most of the Class Day awards went to women, and the valedictorian, salutatorian and class president were all women. Collec- tively, their leadership and academic success made a powerful statement about how women had enhanced the life of the College. And their impact was only just beginning. The era of the all-male College lies firmly in the past, Coeducation in part inspired, and in many ways with reminders only in the realm of alumni, where contributed to, a renaissance at the College that con- any woman past her mid-40s is sure to be a wife or By tinues to this day. U.S. News & World Report now other relative (unless she is Anna Kornbrot ’74E, ’75 Shira ranks Columbia fourth in the nation among national or Ann (Candy) Stein ’78E, ’78, exceptions who were universities (it was 15th in 1983). In a marked turn- accepted into joint programs with Engineering). Boss around from the turmoil of the 1960s and malaise “We broke through that glass ceiling at Columbia, ’93, ’97J, of the 1970s, today’s students are infused with and women continue to break through glass ceilings in school spirit, and satisfaction with alma mater runs many areas, nationwide,” says Julie Menin ’89, chair- ’98 SIPA deep. In a survey last year of graduates of all coed person of NYC’s Community Board 1 and a candidate classes, nine out of 10 described their undergradu- for Manhattan Borough President. “I remember all ate experience and current feeling toward the Col- those times sitting in Lit Hum and other Core class- lege as “good” or “excellent.” A record 95 percent es, and especially my political science classes. Those of seniors last year contributed to the Senior Fund. courses and my experience at Columbia were vital in laying the foundation of what I’m doing today, and my interest in politics and government. It’s why I became a regulatory attorney and why I’m running for office.” The first coed class, 1987, made a grand entrance, starting with admissions and fol- lowing through to graduation. “The women who arrived were extremely motivated to be intellectually, athletically and affectively engaged in the life of the college,” says Han- nah Jones ’87, president of the senior class and now a seventh-grade humanities teacher in Cambridge, Mass. “We had the backing of administrators and peers. What a crop of On break during progressive, and basically nice, men with orientation, whom we went to college. We also had our August 1983. path-breaking sisters at Barnard, who were PHOTO: JOE PINEIRO, already taking Columbia College classes and COURTESY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES living in Columbia College dorms.”

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Donning their beanies, two first-years mark the start of a new era on Au- gust 29, 1983.

Members of the Class of 1987 gathered at the Van Amringe Memorial: (standing, left to right) Kokoro Kawashima, Vania Leveille, Marya Pollack and Shelley Coleman; (seated, left to right) Salutatorian Ilaria Rebay, Valedic­torian Linda Mischel and Class President Hannah Jones.

PHOTOS: JOE PINEIRO, COURTESY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

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Women ac- men on the program were from the administration!” counted In addition to the achievements of the valedictorian for about and salutatorian, women won a great number of the 45 percent awards. “That added to the excitement and to the of the feeling that women in the class had excelled in un- incoming fresh- common ways,” says Mischel Eisner. men Women have shone both on campus and as alum- in 1983. nae ever since. Mischel Eisner, for example, a com- PHOTO: JOE PINEIRO, puter science major, worked after graduation as a COURTESY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES quantitative analyst developing financial software, then earned a J.D. from Yale, was a tax attorney and now is in the public sector as a federal judicial law clerk. “With my Columbia College education to ground me, I am always ready to take on the next challenge,” she says. “Is there any aspect of my life that would be the same if I’d gone to another school? No,” says Kendra Columbia received 55 percent more applications Crook ’95, an M.B.A. prep coach for the nonprofit for the Class of 1987 than for the all-male Class of Management Leadership for Tomorrow. “My intense 1986, and selectivity improved from 40 percent ac- love for New York City, how I approach things, why cepted the previous year to 31 percent accepted. (The I’m good at my job, my appreciation for diversity ... “I felt trend has continued, with 6 percent of applicants ac- How did I go from being a white girl in , with cepted to the Class of 2015.) In 1983, the final tally for not a single black face in my high school, to working proud the incoming class included 357 women, 45 percent now to help minorities get into business school? My for what of the total of 800. The students also were more geo- first-year roommate was black, my suitemate was graphically and ethnically diverse than in previous Asian, a lot of my basketball teammates and class- women years and collectively had a much-improved student mates were African-American and Hispanic. When in our profile in terms of test scores and high school class you live like that on campus, you start to think, ‘This rankings. “The College got better, more diverse and is the way life should be.’” class had rejuvenated in the teaching as well,” Robert Pollack ’61, professor of biological sciences and dean of the ears ago, before coeducation at Colum- achieved by College from 1982–89, told CCT in 2009. “It became a bia, that sentiment was reversed: It was graduation safer, happier, more interesting place.” the College campus that needed to re- “Many of the women Columbia attracted in its flect the reality of the outside world. As in all first coed class were truly intrepid,” says Linda a College student in 1980 noted in a cam- Mischel Eisner ’87, the class valedictorian. “The Ypus survey: “Life is coed, school should be also.” By realms of neighborhood around Columbia today bears only the early ’80s, secular, all-male colleges were nearly Columbia a hint of resemblance to the neighborhood in 1983. extinct; the other Ivies and even the five U.S. mili- New York City’s then-gritty Upper West Side near tary academies were enrolling women. How could College.” Morningside Heights was its own frontier as much Columbia, as part of a large university in the middle as coeducation was.” of a cosmopolitan city, make the transition so late? The first women who attended Columbia were in- In a word, Barnard. The undergraduate school dependent and assertive. They immediately stepped for women had been established in 1889, in part into leadership roles on campus, holding about 75 through the rallying efforts of Annie Nathan Meyer, percent of those positions at the end of their four a student in Columbia’s Collegiate Course for Wom- years. “There was a ‘beat the boys’ mentality among en. (CCW allowed women to enroll in a home-study the women, that perhaps our male counterparts program and sit for exams alongside male students were unaware of — perhaps we had set up a com- for the same credit, but Meyer and others wanted a petition that they did not perceive or felt was irrel- more substantive education for their female peers.) evant,” Jones says. “I felt proud for what women in Starting in 1973, the College and Barnard allowed Opposite: our class had achieved by graduation in all realms of cross-registration of most courses, the Core except- Stand, Columbia Columbia College.” Among the prominent organi- ed, and by the mid-’70s a portion of undergraduate women! The zations with women at the helm were the Columbia housing had become coed through a Barnard ex- first fully coedu- Volunteer Service Center (president, Vania Leveille change program. But the coed experience remained cational class ’87) and the United Minorities Board (chair, Annie quite limited for College first-years, who took Core graduated on Fils-Aime ’87), precursors to Community Impact classes not open to women and most of whom lived May 13, 1987. and the Intercultural Resource Center, respectively. in all-male Carman Hall. A faculty resolution in 1975 PHOTO: JOE PINEIRO, COURTESY COLUMBIA Former University President Michael Sovern ’53, and student surveys in the early ’80s offered some UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES ’55L has joked that on Class Day 1987, “The only of the first concrete proof that the status quo had be-

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come unacceptable to most faculty and unappealing he arrival of the first female students in to most students. As Roger Lehecka ’67, ’74 GSAS, fall 1983 brought much excitement to dean of students from 1979–98, previously told CCT: campus and coverage in the media, and “A vanishingly small number of students came to in the following years, many women Columbia College because it was an all-male col- from the Class of ’87 and other early lege, and many came because they had been led to coedT classes felt proud to be trailblazers. “It was believe that Columbia and Barnard students’ lives a spectacular place, and I couldn’t have felt more were more together than they actually were.” welcome,” says Lisa Carnoy ’89, co-head global Carl Hovde ’50, dean of the College from 1968–72, capital markets, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and and Peter Pouncey ’69 GSAS, dean from 1972–76, pro- a University trustee. “Every opportunity was avail- moted the idea of coeducation, perhaps by merging able to me: every course, activity and leadership or partnering with Barnard. But Barnard was unin- role. And the Dean of Students Office, under Roger terested in such a path, as it had a firmly established Lehecka, made a huge difference.” identity and functioning structure as a women’s col- Others were less attuned to their pioneering status. lege and already offered its students the benefits of Dr. Laura Brumberg ’87, who always had wanted to being part of Columbia University. “In the end, what go to Columbia, recalls her high school guidance coun- many of us failed to un- selor telling her, “You’re derstand is that Barnard in luck, they’re accepting University Presi- wanted to be what it was, a women this year.” Brum- dent Michael women’s college, and Co- berg hadn’t known the Sovern ’53, ’55L lumbia didn’t want to be College had been all-male. (left) told Spec- what it was, a men’s col- In many ways, the first- tator in 1983 lege,” Lehecka said. years in 1983 arrived to that coeducation The turning point came an already changed cam- “ends a tradition in 1980, when Dean Arnold pus. Carman Hall, where that all of us Collery, a strong supporter most of the incoming fe- are delighted to of coeducation, appointed male students would be bring to a close.” a committee of faculty and housed, had undergone PHOTO: JOE PINEIRO, COURTESY COLUMBIA active alumni to examine a nearly $1 million reha- UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES the coed question. Ronald bilitation during the sum- Breslow, professor of chem- mer: new paint, furniture istry and University Profes- and carpeting; repairs to sor, chaired the committee. “Everyone had a feeling radiators, bathroom appliances and locks; and a re- the only choice was to fuse with Barnard, and Bar- designed main entrance and lounge. (Pollack, then nard would be swallowed. It was sort of a stalemate,” in his new position as dean, saw coeducation as an Breslow told CCT in 2009. “From Barnard’s point of opportunity to improve life for all students, and he view, there was no advantage to going coed, but we pushed for renovations to residence halls along with [the College] couldn’t afford not to, from a competitive guaranteed housing for students for all four years.) A standpoint. Collery deserves a lot of credit for deciding new Women’s Health Center was set to open in John something had to be done.” Jay. The College’s Counseling Service was expanded, “Barnard Breslow and his committee replaced assump- and educational programs addressing issues such as tions with research. They looked at about a dozen sexual harassment and staying safe were instituted. wanted to other places where a formerly all-male college in On the athletics front, women began competing on be what proximity to a women’s college had gone coed. In varsity teams as part of the newly established Colum- each case, the women’s college survived. A prime bia-Barnard Athletic Consortium. Its creation was ne- it was, a example was Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s, locat- gotiated by Pollack as a novel solution to Title IX, the ed as Columbia and Barnard are, across the street federal law that requires equal educational programs women’s from each other. and activities at all schools that receive federal fund- college, and The committee also analyzed where College ap- ing. The consortium included women from the College, plicants would come from, and reported that Colum- Engineering and Barnard, and moved existing Barnard Columbia bia College would not compete with applicants to teams from Division III Seven Sisters to Division 1 Ivy Barnard as much as with applicants to schools such League . There were women’s teams in didn’t want as Penn and Princeton. The Breslow committee con- fencing, tennis, basketball, track and field, cross country, to be what cluded that a coed Columbia and a healthy Barnard swimming and diving, volleyball and archery. could coexist. The report was presented to Collery, Women’s presence in the classroom also focused it was, a who “was wildly enthusiastic about it,” Breslow said, attention on imbalances in the curriculum and the and subsequently to Sovern. Sovern took the findings overwhelmingly male faculty (see “Women at the Po- men’s to the University Trustees, who in December 1981 dium”). Both needed updating to reflect the reality, college.” approved making the College coeducational. not only in the College but also in society, that women

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were taking their places as equals. Pollack and Michael Rosenthal, associate dean of the College from 1972–89 and the Roberta and William Campbell Professor in the Teaching of Literature Humanities, met with hu- SPEAKING manities and social sciences departments to discuss the implications of coeducation, sensitivity in the O F classroom, the need for eventual course changes and the hiring and tenure process. Though change in these areas was slower to take hold, a major was added in COEDUCATION... women’s and gender studies, the Institute for Research TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF on Women and Gender was established in 1987 and NOTABLE COLUMBIA WOMEN Core content was tweaked: Jane Austen was added to (answers on page 30) the Literature Humanities syllabus in 1985, Sappho in 1986 (and removed in 1992) and Virginia Woolf in 1990. 1. Which pioneering anthropologist and colleague of The transition to coeducation went smoothly in Franz Boas was the first woman to be appointed to part because the College is, by population, a small part of the larger university. Women undergradu- a full-time faculty position at Columbia? ates had been attending Barnard, Engineering and 2. Who broke ground in 1941 as the first woman to be GS, and student activities and most courses had been named a full professor at Columbia and throughout mixed-gender for years. “When we were at the Col- the Ivy League? lege, we weren’t thinking about how recently the col- 3. Which current chemistry professor was the first lege went coed, except for the number of women’s bathrooms in Hamilton, which everyone made a joke College alumna to join the Columbia faculty? about,” says Claire Shanley ’92. “Our experience was 4. Which alumna is a contributor to ABC News’ Good blended; we had friends at Barnard and Engineer- Morning America and a former White House corre- ing and Columbia College. It wasn’t always palpable spondent for NBC News? that this had so recently been an all-male institution.” 5. Match the movie or TV show with the alumna he College’s single-sex history became who appeared in it: quite evident, however, after graduation, 1 Secretary A MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL ’99 when the relatively few women entered 2 The Whole Nine Yards B JEAN LOUISA KELLY ’94 a nearly all-male alumni pool. “I reached 3 10 Things I Hate About You C AMANDA PEET ’94 out to men, who gave me advice,” Car- 4 Yes, Dear D JULIA STILES ’05 noyT says. “Jerry Sherwin [’55] was my first mock in- terviewer.” 6. Cristina Teuscher ’00, who won Olympic medals in As Jill Niemczyk Murphy ’87 found, some alumni swimming in 1996 and 2000, set an impressive didn’t even realize women were being admitted. After number of Columbia swimming records during her graduating she called a senior partner at a law firm to time as a Lion. How many? try to network. “He said, ‘Well, you couldn’t have gone A 6 B 12 C 17 D 21 to the College,’” Niemczyk Murphy recalls. “In the ear- ly years, you’d tell people you went to Columbia and 7. In which sport did Caitlin Bilodeaux ’87 distinguish they’d say you must have gone to Barnard. It took a herself as a two-time NCAA champion and four-time while for people to internalize that.” NCAA All-American? “The energy of the coed classes is very different,” 8. Who is the only College alumna to serve on the says Kyra Tirana Barry ’87, president of the Colum- University’s Board of Trustees? bia College Alumni Association (CCAA) and the first alumna to hold that position. “Since we graduated, 9. Which female-authored Lit Hum staple begins with the there have been women who’ve been engaged and opening line, “It is a truth universally acknowledged members of the Alumni Association Board of Direc- that a single man in possession of a good fortune tors and the Board of Visitors but it takes time and it must be in want of a wife”? takes numbers to change the culture and see a shift in 10. What British member of the so-called “Radical Enlighten- the cultural tradition. As we hit this mark of being 25 ment” wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women, one years since graduation, the time is right and the energy of CC’s two female-authored requirements? is right for women to have a larger role.” Recognizing that alumnae are a distinct group with 11. What book rests on Alma Mater’s lap? different perspectives and preferences than their male 12. Which alumna inspired the Plain White T’s’ 2007 hit counterparts, the Alumni Office in 1989 helped form song “Hey There Delilah”? Columbia College Women. CCW has grown from a handful of women who met in one another’s apart-

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Women’s athlet- and is more experienced at communicating.” Aside ics has grown from several joint reunion events, alumnae activities from eight of the two schools remain largely separated. teams in 1983 In April 2010, another women’s group was to 15 today, formed, the Dean’s Alumnae Leadership Task Force, including field with a mission to engage more women in the life of hockey. the College. The 23 members have participated in outreach and fact-finding efforts including an alum- ni survey of members of the Classes of 1987–2010. “I think we’d all felt neglected in a way. There weren’t any women who’d been looking out for us,” says Sherri Pancer Wolf ’90, a member of the task force’s regional outreach subcommittee. Wolf hosted a lun- cheon for Boston-area alumnae, which was attended by the dean. “It was refreshing to find out there were ments to a more visible group that has an executive so many successful, interesting women and that they board, runs a sizeable mentoring program for students wanted to be involved and engaged,” Wolf says. (see “Women’s Wisdom”) and funds a current-use Barry, a member of the task force in addition to be- scholarship each year. ing CCAA president, says, “We want alumnae to be “I didn’t make a lot of friends on campus. Once I connected because we want them to have a voice at left Columbia, I felt I should start meeting people, and the table and a leadership role in terms of determining wanted to build an alumni network,” says Siheun how the College moves forward. Women in leadership Song ’07, whose gateway to building that network positions in their careers and in the alumni network is was attending a CCW event at Dylan’s Candy Bar in aspirational for the women coming behind us.” Manhattan. She became involved with the group and Wolf sent her daughters to all-girls high schools. now chairs the CCW executive board. “I’m very com- “I’d only want to see them go to a coed college if it fortable in a group of women, and having a group to has a network in place to support them and guide address women’s issues is really important.” their success,” she says. “I think Columbia has fi- Active participation in CCW, however, still is nally reached that point and it will only get better small compared to the number of alumnae. “Bar- from here.” nard has such great programs. I’d love to sit with them and learn from them,” Song says. “Barnard is Shira Boss ’93, ’97J, ’98 SIPA is a contributing writer more established, has a greater number of alumnae to CCT.

Some moments transcend any era.

PHOTOS: EILEEN BARROSO

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Women at the Podium Coeducation spurred recruitment of female faculty, though parity remains a work in progress

fter Columbia admitted its first women students in 1983, the balance of the incoming classes shifted from all-male to a nearly equal mix, with the Class of ’87 being 45 percent women. The other side of the lectern, however, remained overwhelmingly male: The Faculty of Arts A and Sciences, which includes the College, counted merely 21 tenured women faculty members at the time, representing 7 percent of tenured professors. The decision to go coed inspired the administration to look into hiring and promoting more women faculty but it took a number

By of years for the movement to take hold, and the issue remains a work Shira in progress at Columbia, as it is on campuses nationwide. Boss “When the [New York] Daily News asked me why provost for academic planning, who noted a steady ’93, ’97J, it was necessary that we admit women to the Col- increase over the past 20 years in the proportion of ’98 SIPA lege, I replied, ‘Because half of the smart people in tenure-track and tenured female faculty members in America are women,’” recalls Robert Pollack ’61, the Arts and Sciences. “A central mission of my of- professor of biological sciences and dean of the Col- fice is partnering with the schools across Columbia lege at the time of coeducation. “That remains the to enhance faculty and pipeline diversity.” case. My colleagues here in the Arts and Sciences Progress certainly has been made. Women now and on the Commission on the Status of Women make up 42 percent of the tenure-track faculty of Arts agree we have a lot of work ahead of us if the fac- and Sciences and 27 percent of tenured professors. ulty who teach our students are to be chosen from That’s a long way from the 1970s and 1980s, when the very largest pool of the smartest young aspiring women professors were so few that they networked professors. When that is so, I am confident that half over lunch (and didn’t need a particularly big table). the faculty will be women as well.” “Men would come over and ask, ‘Are you hatching a “Reaching parity requires sustained commitment conspiracy?’” says Joan Ferrante, professor emerita of and concerted effort,” agrees Andrew Davidson, vice English and comparative literature. In a sense, eventually they did. A group of concerned faculty members from across the University formed a committee in 2004 — cochaired by Alice Kessler-Harris of the Department of History and Susan Sturm of the Law School — to advise the new presi- dent, Lee C. Bollinger, on the issue of fac- ulty diversity. Two committee members had been involved in the University Senate’s Commission on the Status of Women, which in 2001 produced what became known as “the pipeline report.” It showed that except Kathryn John- for pockets in the humanities, departments ston, associ- were not hiring women in numbers com- ate professor mensurate with their availability. of astronomy, Out of the advisory committee’s recom- teaches Fron- mendations came a new administrative posi- tiers of Science. tion, vice provost for diversity initiatives, in

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2004, followed by a $15 million fund with which to academia,” Johnston says. “There’s always the ques- “Hiring recruit women and minority faculty in 2005 and the tion of whether you should take a job if it’s offered female Office of Work/Life in 2007. “The initiatives led to dra- under a special program. Will you be stigmatized? matic improvements in diversity,” says Darcy Kelley I came here wanting to work on these issues but not faculty is ’70 Barnard, the Harold Weintraub Professor of Biologi- wanting to be seen as a woman who was hired for cal Sciences, who in 1982 was recruited from Princeton being a woman. And I have never felt that.” wonder- to become the first tenured female professor in the biol- Johnston is among the four women professors who ful, but if ogy department. “It changed the face of the place, par- are teaching the Core Curriculum’s “Frontiers of Sci- ticularly noticeable in the sciences. All of our diversity ence” course to first-years this academic year. The you’re not appointments have been extraordinary.” others are Kelley, Terry Plank ’93 GSAS, a professor of A published account of the committee’s efforts earth science at the College and Lamont-Doherty Earth getting the explained the importance of revamping the Uni- Observatory, and Virginia Cornish ’91, the Helena Ru- women versity’s hiring practices at the departmental level: binstein Professor of Chemistry. (Eight professors total “Nothing is more important for the intellectual vital- teach the course annually.) “It doesn’t hurt for the en- through to ity of a university than the rigor and creativity with tire incoming class, about 1,200 students, to be taught the faculty which searches are undertaken. To produce better Frontiers of Science by [a group that’s] half women — diversity outcomes, every aspect of the process — and spectacular scientists,” Kelley says, pointing to her level to be from where ads are placed to how recruiting visits colleagues’ achievements in their respective fields. are structured — had to be examined,” wrote Jean hired, it’s Howard, the George Delacorte Professor in the Hu- he humanities and social sciences depart- a huge manities and former vice provost for diversity ini- ments are closer to parity than the natural tiatives, who co-authored the account in 2007 with sciences, mirroring the situation nation- problem.” Sturm and two law students. To further raise aware- wide. The Miriam Champion Professor ness, a series of dinner presentations were made to of History Martha Howell ’79 GSAS, who departmental search committee chairs; the presenta- previouslyT chaired the history department, described The Miriam tions showed how many women and minority can- a time during the 1990s when all new hires were inad- Champion didates had been hired by that department in the vertently male, even though close to half of all the new Professor of past 15 years, compared the statistics to departments history Ph.D.s in the country were women. “I chaired History Mar- at peer institutions and discussed tools to improve some of the committees, I was actively involved, I was tha Howell ’79 outreach and recruitment among those same groups. watching what was happening, and we hired all men,” GSAS has been Among those hired in 2006 was Kathryn Johnston, she recalls. “One day we said, ‘My goodness, our junior involved with associate professor of astronomy, who was recruited faculty is all male!’ For me that could be interpreted as hiring faculty from Wesleyan. “I came here thinking I wanted to be a sign that we had become gender-blind. In fact, it was for decades. somewhere that cares about encouraging diversity in a statistical bump: For a few years, the strongest can- didates all happened to be male. … A few years later, the strongest applicants included women and in some cases were mostly women. And so we hired women.” Not all fields enjoy a 50-50 gender mix of graduate students, and the pipeline is a hot topic in diversity: Are enough qualified women and minority candi- dates available to hire, tenure and form faculties that reflect the population as a whole? “You’re - notgo ing to get to 50-50 for a long time, because women weren’t in the Ph.D. pools 20 or more years ago,” Howard says. “You’re going to approach parity very slowly. The status you want is: ‘Are we hiring women now commensurate with the women available in the pool?’” Universities develop the very pipeline that they rely on to hire faculty members, so schools like Columbia must pay attention to and promote the diversity of undergraduates and Ph.D. candidates going into un- derrepresented fields. “Our Admissions Office vigor- ously recruits qualified female applicants in sciences in an effort to continue to fill the pipeline but we also need to strengthen such collaborations as those with the Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science & Engineering in order to prepare girls for careers in science — especially academic careers,” says Kathryn

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Yatrakis, dean of academic affairs and senior associate independent schools for their children. It also provides Darcy Kelley ’70 v.p. for arts and sciences. some emergency backup care and guidance regarding Barnard, the More difficult to solve is the issue of retention. “In eldercare. Several lactation rooms around campus are Harold Wein- the sciences, especially the biological sciences, women equipped with hospital-grade pumps and are in high traub Professor drop out between the post-doc and the first academic demand, mostly by faculty, staff and students who do of Biological position to do things not so draconian in their time de- not have private offices, notes Carol Hoffman, associ- Sciences, works mands,” Kelley says. “That coincides with the push to ate provost and director of the Office of Work/Life. in the lab with start a family.” A continuing challenge is availability of affordable, Ursula Kwong- Johnston says she herself has wondered if she high-quality childcare. As an initial step, Columbia Brown ’10 would have waited to have children until she was ten- has instituted a new annual benefit of a $1,000 grant (middle) and ured, had she been at Columbia when she was starting per family for eligible faculty and staff to help cover Irene Ballagh out in academia and not at a smaller school. “That’s a childcare costs for children under 5. “[Affordable ’08 GSAS. very tricky level,” she says of women in graduate and childcare] is a common problem across academia, and PHOTOS: MICHAEL DAMES post-doc positions. “Hiring [female] faculty is won- particularly in New York because New York is so ex- derful, but if you’re not getting the women through pensive,” Johnston says. “Paying for childcare takes to the faculty level to be hired, it’s a huge problem. I’d an entire graduate student salary for one child, so you like to see Columbia do more at the pipeline level.” basically can’t afford to have children.” Policies that help support women have been bol- Although work-life issues affect both men and stered by the Office of Work/Life. “It was our- par women, they traditionally exert a greater influence ents’ generation and the generation before who really on women’s careers, and benefits are used more had to get in the door, and now there’s a substantial heavily by women, Hoffman notes. presence of women in all faculty. What’s harder now “If we really want to integrate women fully into the is making life work in academia for men and women life of the institution, we need to pay attention to these in a way that fits with everything else you want to needs,” Howard says. Many women faculty members, do,” Johnston says. she adds, “bring enormous distinction and leadership Columbia has improved its parental leave policies ability to the University, the departments they belong and helps faculty navigate childcare and public and to and the wider intellectual community.”

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Women’s Wisdom Columbia College Women matches students with alumnae in successful mentorship program

fter Sherri Pancer Wolf ’90 graduated as a member of the College’s fourth coed class, she went to work on Wall Street and encountered a Barnard grad with an advantage: “She had a mentor at the firm via her Barnard network, and I didn’t,” Wolf says. “I realized what I was A missing. It adds great value to have women out there who can support you and counsel you in your career.” For the earliest coed classes, however, there were no While male alumni certainly have been helpful College alumnae to call upon for advice and network- to graduates of both genders, many women express ing. All alumni past their mid-20s were male. Within a the desire for a network composed of other women. few years of the College becoming coed, a handful of “The workplace is not gender-segregated, and we’re alumnae started meeting — at the urging of the Alum- not advocating that in this program, but there’s a By ni Office — as part of a new group, Columbia College value to women’s communities,” says Claire Shan- Shira Women (college.columbia.edu/alumni/committees/ ley ’92, past chair of CCW. “Men are socialized to ccw). From the start, the group focused on staying in- be networkers in their careers, and women are less Boss volved with the Columbia community by developing comfortable looking out for themselves, celebrat- ’93, ’97J, mentor relationships with female students. “We were ing their accomplishments and being more tactical ’98 SIPA all early in our careers, so a lot of it was what you’d in planning where they want to be in their careers. call peer mentoring,” says Jill Niemczyk Murphy ’87, We emphasize goals, making a career plan and be- among the first members of CCW. ing pragmatic but also strategic about career goals.” After 25 years of graduating classes that have been Nidhi Hebbar ’12, an economics-operations re- roughly half women, the landscape has changed re- search major, says, “In only a few months, my men- markably. The pool of alumnae has increased, many tor, Leora Kelman ’09, has helped me figure out how have reached leadership positions in their careers to establish a work-life balance to fit my interests, my and all have life experience and wisdom to share. The goals and my priorities, both as a woman and as a “The work- CCW mentoring program, meanwhile, has grown student. It’s been incredibly helpful to speak with from 35 one-on-one matches in 1993, its first year, to someone who’s not only experienced in the profes- place is not 180 such matches today; an additional 150 juniors sional world but who’s also shared many of my own gender- participate in group events. (Before this academic experiences as a woman at Columbia College.” year both juniors and seniors were matched one-on- The CCW mentoring program is open to all fe- segregated, one with mentors, but when the student application male seniors and New York-area alumnae. Applica- and we’re numbers climbed upward of 360, program leaders tions from both sides are matched by CCW volun- decided to limit the direct matches to seniors.) teers as they have been since the beginning — one not advo­ “We’ve seen tremendous growth this academic by one, by hand — a careful process that ensures the year. Women are realizing the importance of - most compatible fits are identified. Last year, it took cating that working and putting yourself out there,” says Si- six people two months to complete the job. in this heun Song ’07, chair of the CCW executive board. “I have been increasingly and pleasantly surprised “It’s great to see the network of women support one by how well the matching process succeeded in pair- program, another and make friends. It is a network that helps ing similar personalities,” says Adria Schulman-Eyink women find solutions when navigating a complex, ’12, a political science major. but there’s modern world with many demands.” Often a student’s career interest is aligned with a a value to “CCW has been an amazing way for me to get mentor’s professional experience, but not always. Mary to know not only alumnae but also my peers,” says Rutledge ’07, for example, works in finance for Citi- women’s Negin Navab ’12, an economics major. “It’s created a group and was matched her first year with a student great sense of community among women in the Col- interested in publishing. “We connected on so many communi- lege and really just a great sense of pride for being other levels: We both grew up in the South, both love ties.” part of that community.” to run and have a lot of other interests in common,”

SPRING 2012 28 d u c a t e i o o n c

Nadia Majid ’02 (left) and Victo- ria Fox ’12 take a walk around Morningside Heights.

Elizabeth Chu ’12 (left) and Dr. Laura Brum- berg ’87 meet for coffee and conversation at Le Monde.

PHOTOS: DANIELLA ZALCMAN ’09

SPRING 2012 29 d u c a t e i o o n c

says Rutledge, who is also chair of the mentoring between mentors and mentees tended to fall off after committee. “It’s not just professional mentoring.” that point due to busy schedules. The program was Nadia Majid ’02 works in digital business develop- reorganized in 2009, however, to ensure more contact ment for the NBA and has mentored for the past three between students and their mentors as well as among years. One mentee was interested in film, another as- mentors themselves. A contract lays out the respon- pired to broadcast journalism and the third, children’s sibilities of each side — for example, that a student programming. “All very different and not necessarily must respond to a phone call or email from her men- areas I’ve had experience with directly,” Majid says. tor within 24 hours. “Part of what we’re teaching is re- “The mentoring program is not centered on getting a sponsibility and professional behavior,” says Dr. Laura “Mentoring job, but it’s about developing the skills and having the Brumberg ’87, who has mentored for the past decade. support network that help you to get a job.” “Mentoring reminds you why you went into your reminds That the mentoring program does not function field and reminds you how much you’ve learned and as a job placement service is something the CCW how much you have to share,” Brumberg says. “It’s in- you why executive board has worked hard to clarify both teresting to come to an end point and say, ‘If I’d known you went to students, who can be panicky for employment, this at the beginning, it would have changed my life, so and to potential mentors, who often suppose that if I’m going to tell you at the beginning.’” into your they’re not in a position to hire a graduate, they are One of her nuggets of wisdom: The most important not useful to the program. “We help with network- thing is to attend to one’s own happiness and let the rest field and ing in general,” Majid says. “Students don’t have a of life flow from that, rather than the other way around. reminds grasp of how to navigate those opportunities.” She “It took me a long time to realize that,” Brumberg says. adds that mentors guide students in how to build “We’re taught to defer happiness. But it’s not peripher- you how and maintain a professional relationship. al, it’s essential. The response I get from my mentees is, Majid didn’t participate in the mentoring program ‘You’re teaching me a new way of looking at things.’” much while she was on campus because she hadn’t known you’ve about it, an issue for many students through the years. n addition to individual mentoring, mentor- Program participation, driven by student demand, mentee pairs are grouped by career interest into learned and has more than doubled in the past three years in part teams of five or six pairs. Team leaders organize how much because CCW has enhanced its on-campus presence. group get-togethers once per semester, creating Two student CCW board members help get the word an opportunity for both students and mentors you have out to the student body, and CCW alumnae board Ito make additional contacts. members, along with mentor-mentee pairs, hold infor- Group events have included trips to the Tribeca to share.” mation sessions on campus. CCW also uses Facebook Film Festival and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, a and LinkedIn to connect with students and alumnae. brunch and a chef Bobby Flay-style bake-off at alum- Members of the Dean’s Alumnae Leadership Task nae’s apartments, an author reading, office tour and Force — a 23-member alumnae group that aims to more. The legal group last year spoke with a female engage more women in fundraising and leadership federal judge, and among the attendees was Nida Vi- roles — also have made it part of their mission to re- dutis ’12, who plans to attend law school. “Her life sto- cruit mentors and to be mentors themselves. Through ry, which included a plethora of jobs, made me realize a 2011 alumni survey and other fact-finding efforts, the just how much could await me if I used my law degree task force “found there were many women who hadn’t correctly,” she says. “Seeing such a concrete example returned to Columbia or hadn’t stayed connected but of success and happiness helped make my own intan- that there are a number of ways women are interested gible future seem a little more real, and realistic.” in being involved with the school,” says Julie Menin In the winter and spring, everyone in the mentor- ’89, chair of the task force’s survey and communica- ing program gathers again for main events. February tions committee, “and the No. 1 way is by mentoring.” 2011 featured “Stand Out Style” at Saks Fifth Avenue. Mentors and mentees meet in the fall of the stu- Alumnae who are hiring managers reviewed students’ dent’s senior year at a launch event. In the past, contact resumes and conducted mock interviews, and a fash- ion presentation demonstrated how to dress appropri- ately and affordably for a variety of workplaces. Answers to “Speaking of Coeducation …” quiz on page 23 Many recent graduates are returning to the pro- 1. Ruth Benedict; she was appointed an assistant professor of anthropology in 1931, and in 1937 became the first woman tenured faculty member when she was pro- gram as mentors, and many mentors and mentees stay moted to associate professor. 2. Marjorie Hope Nicolson of the Department of Eng- in touch beyond the bounds of the one-year contract. lish and Comparative Literature. 3. Virginia Cornish ’91, who was named an assistant “I don’t shake them. They’re not my mentee for professor of chemistry in 1999. She was promoted to associate professor with tenure one year,” says Lisa Carnoy ’89, a University trustee in 2004 and professor in 2007. 4. Claire Shipman ’86, ’94 SIPA. 5. 1- A, 2- C, 3- D, 4- B. 6. C- 17. 7. Fencing; Bilodeaux also was selected by the NCAA as the woman fenc- and longtime mentor. “I’ve seen one, Pooja Agarwal er of the decade in celebration of the first 10 years of women’s athletics in the ’02, through internships, law school, working at a NCAA. 8. Lisa Carnoy ’89, who became a trustee in 2010. 9. Pride and Prejudice. law firm, a move to Philadelphia, and now she’s en- 10. Mary Wollstonecraft. 11. The Bible. 12. Delilah DiCrescenzo ’05, ’11 CE. gaged. We’re joking that I’m the grandmother.”

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Den Mothers Columbia College alumnae join ranks of legacy parents

n the years since the Class of 1987 graduated, Columbia alumnae have excelled in fields from business and law to philanthropy and the arts. Amid their journeys, many have had children, a handful of whom now attend the College themselves. We spoke to four students, some of the I first to have the College legacy gene passed down from mom, and their mothers to learn how this bond shapes their lives. While their academic and extracurricular interests may be different, the pairs share experienc- es from reading the same lines of The Iliad to living in the same residence hall more than a quarter-century apart. VIVIAN JONOKUCHI ’90 derscored when she witnessed the graduation of the AND ALEX JONOKUCHI ’14 first coed class during her freshman year. After moving from Queens to suburban as Vivian took advantage of all that the College a teenager, Vivian Jonokuchi ’90 missed the excitement and New York had to offer, especially in the arts. “I By of city life. When she applied to college, she says, “I remember singing in groups, going out to comedy Karen knew I wanted to be in a diverse environment. And clubs and seeing Broadway shows in the student there was no better school in the city [than Columbia].” nosebleed seats,” she says. “Not only are you learn- Iorio She also couldn’t believe how long it had taken ing about the arts in class but you’re also actually for the College to accept women, a fact that was un- living and enjoying them. It was very exciting.” Now a fitness and dance instructor, Vivian never pressured her son, Alex ’14, to apply to Columbia, though she saw similarities in their decision process- es. Like his mother, Alex grew up outside the city — in his case, Greenwich, Conn. “His high school was homogenous in terms of cultural diversity,” Vivian says, and Alex was ready for a change. “[Diversity] is not something you know you’re missing until you have it,” he says of his transition to college. “You appreciate that you aren’t limited to one mode of thinking anymore.” Alex also expanded his horizons by joining a fra- ternity, thus participating in a different social world than his mother did. “I had no idea I was going to pledge a frat,” says Alex, a member of Beta Theta Pi. “A fraternity isn’t everything it’s made out to be in the movies — and that’s a good thing. I’ve formed some really im- portant relationships that are probably the deepest bonds I have with anyone at school.” Vivian Jonoku- Alex works in a neuroscience lab studying neu- chi ’90 (center) rotransmitters and social behaviors in mice and visits campus plans to become a neuroscience major. While he with her daugh- didn’t dive into the humanities aspect of the Core ter, Olivia, and like his arts-minded mother, he enjoys knowing they son Alex ’14. shared that experience. “I’m grateful to have taken

PHOTO: EVAN those classes,” he says. “I see the value in the Core. JONOKUCHI It keeps me balanced.”

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Batia earned an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. from the Business School and went on to teach at NYU’s Stern School of Business, where she has been a professor of man- agement specializing in orga- nizational change for 19 years. In addition, she is the Margolis Family Fellow. Batia also met her husband, Howard Wiesenfeld ’87L, on the Columbia campus. They have four children, and Yael, the oldest, never thought she would follow in her parents’ footsteps: “I sorta had a desire not to go,” she says. But when she was 14, the Wi- esenfelds moved from New York City to Westchester; Yael realized how much she missed living in the city and wanted to go back for college. “I had more in common with my parents than I thought,” she says, adding that she always thought her mother had “the most boring job in the world.” But now, Yael says, “I have to admit, I did love my class.” While her mother uses eco- nomic principles to solve busi- ness problems, Yael plans to use them in her own way. Batia Wiesen- “I want to be a fashion de- feld ’88, ’96 signer,” she says. “I will probably Business (right) pursue a double concentration in returns to alma visual arts and business manage- mater alongside ment, since fashion combines art her daughter, and business.” Yael ’14. The mother-daughter bond PHOTO: COURTESY OF extends beyond the classroom. YAEL WIESENFELD ’14 “We both lived on Carman 11,” Batia says. “It was hugely senti- BATIA WIESENFELD ’88, ’96 BUSINESS mental moving her in. I knocked on the door of my AND YAEL WIESENFELD ’14 old room just to see it. It’s incredibly affirming that Batia Wiesenfeld ’88, ’96 Business remembers feeling we lived in the same place.” pride and affection for Columbia from a young age, ever since she started hearing about the experiences DR. DIANE HILAL CAMPO ’87, ’91 P&S of her father, Mishan ’61E. Born in Syria, AND CYNTHIA CAMPO ’15 Mishan graduated from college in Israel before com- For Dr. Diane Hilal Campo ’87, ’91 P&S, being part of ing to the United States to earn a master’s in indus- a Columbia family is nothing new. Growing up, Diane trial engineering at Columbia. Batia says the Univer- knew of the College’s prestige from her late father, Dr. sity was her father’s “first introduction to America Sadek Hilal, who was director of neuroradiology at and the first step of the rest of his life in America.” Columbia University Medical Center from 1975–95. An economics and major, Batia says her “He was a big reason I went to Columbia,” she says. experience at Columbia opened her to the possibility She matriculated with her twin, Peter Hilal ’87, ’91 of becoming a professor herself. “[The Julian Clar- P&S. The College quickly proved even better than she ence Levi Professor in the Social Sciences] Seymour had imagined. “The administration bent over back- Spilerman told me I should be an academic,” she ward to make women feel comfortable,” she says. says. “He was very influential.” Diane took advantage of the opportunities newly d u c a t e i o o n c

open to women. As a first-year she was president Nicole was elated when the College became coed in of Carman Hall, and in later years was an organic time for her to apply. “I felt privileged to be able to ap- “All people chemistry TA and chair of the Student Council’s ply as a woman,” she says. “It was my first choice.” who go to Academic Affairs Committee. “Everybody was very Like her parents, Nicole also met her spouse, Dr. welcoming to anything we wanted to study or get Erik Goluboff ’86, on campus — “on my first day as Columbia involved in,” she says of her professors and advis- a freshman in my first class.” ers. And the boys? “Are you kidding? They were As a philosophy major, Nicole was surprised her feel con- thrilled to have more girls on campus.” favorite class turned out to be a course on the history nected by After medical school, Diane did a year-long intern- of science. “My professor had a lab with instruments ship in internal medicine at Columbia University Med- he had recreated. They were functional replicas of the Core ical Center followed by her residency in ophthalmol- ones the ancient Greeks used to study astronomy ogy at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She opened her and physics,” she says. “Reading the philosophy classes, own ophthalmology practice in Bergen County, N.J., and then replicating the scientific experiments blew and that’s in 1996. “Columbia gave me the confidence to accom- me away. I spent hours and hours in that laboratory.” plish anything I wanted to do,” she says. “I never felt Nicole earned a J.D. and then practiced commer- magnified like there was something I couldn’t do.” cial litigation. When her son, Justin ’15, was born, when there When it came time for her oldest daughter, Cyn- she started litigating on a telecommuter basis and thia ’15, to go to college, Diane didn’t want to push her became a grassroots advocate for telecommuting. are people toward her alma mater (and that of Cynthia’s father, “I promote telework as a law practice management Diane’s former husband, Richard Campo ’84, ’86 PH). strategy and look at the implications of telework,” in your But after touring schools around the country, Cynthia she says. family who chose to apply early decision to Columbia. For Justin, the decision to attend the College was “Both my parents had a really good education,” easy. He had visited campus with his family from a experienced she says. “I was inspired by them.” young age. “I grew up knowing that I wanted to go Cynthia recalls standing next to her mother in an art [to Columbia] and now I’m here,” he says. that.” gallery in Paris: “My mom knew all about the paint- Nicole enjoys seeing Justin carry on the Colum- ing we were looking at. I asked how she knew all of bia lineage. “It was incredibly moving and powerful this, and she said she remembered it from Art Hum.” to see alumni deliver The Iliad to new students [at Cynthia was surprised that her physician mother also a summer advising session],” she says. “All people had such a strong background in the arts. “I wanted who go to Columbia feel connected by the Core that same well-rounded education,” she says. classes, and that’s magnified when there are people Cynthia is enjoying creating her own Columbia in your family who experienced that.” experience. “I’m interested in majoring in math or Though Justin differs from his mother with respect science,” she says. “I play the flute and I want to try to his major — he plans to declare math and physics — out for wind ensemble.” She adds that she can’t help he believes their experiences will be similar. “There’s but think about her parents as she walks the same always the Core,” he says. “The beauty of Columbia is paths they once did: “It’s hard to think of them being that you can always talk about the Core.” silly teenagers,” she says. As for Diane, she’s revisit- ing her time at the College with new eyes. “The surrounding area is much nicer and safer now,” she says. “Move-in was unbe- lievable. They had people with dollies helping out. When I was moving myself in, there was no organization and no one to help you. I’m proud of the school, and it’s only gotten better.”

NICOLE GOLUBOFF ’87, ’90L For Justin Gol- AND JUSTIN GOLUBOFF ’15 uboff ’15, his Nicole Goluboff ’87, ’90L grew father, Erik ’86, up with dreams of attending Co- brother Isaac, lumbia. Her parents, Joel Belson and mother, ’54, ’64 GSAS and Abby Belson Nicole ’87, ’90L, ’56 Barnard, ’59 GSAS met in Columbia is a school, and she attended Lions family affair. football games with them as a kid. PHOTO: HAL GOLUBOFF ourteen classes will gather this spring Highlights of the weekend will include: for the College’s biggest event of the n Campus and library tours; year, Alumni Reunion Weekend. The n Class-specific panels, cocktail receptions four-day celebration, Thursday, May and dinners; 31–Sunday, June 3, offers the chance n New York City cultural options including Ffor alumni to continue conversations with old Broadway theatre, ballet and the New York friends and begin others anew; to rediscover Philharmonic; the campus and the city where they spent so n much of their time; and to reconnect with the “Back on Campus” sessions featuring Public part of themselves that was found and fostered Intellectual Lectures, Mini-Core Curriculum within the gates at Morningside. Lectures, presentations, affinity receptions Celebrating this year are alumni from classes including ones for the Marching Band and ending in 2 and 7 from 1942–2007. Reunion and varsity athletics, and more as part of Dean’s Dean’s Day events (the latter are open to all Day on Saturday; n alumni) will take place on campus and through- All-class programs including the Wine Tast- out New York City all four days. ing and the Starlight Reception with dancing, For an idea of what to expect at Alumni champagne and sweets on Low Plaza; and Reunion Weekend and Dean’s Day, check out n Camp Columbia for little Columbians, ages the 2011 Highlights on the reunion website. 3–12.

Thursday, May 31 – Sunday, June 3 Register online (reunion.college.columbia.edu) or return the forms you will receive in the mail.

“Reunion is a terrific time for alumni — I mean former students — to reconnect with one another and the College. You will have the opportunity to hear lectures from many faculty members, some of whom were your professors when you were here, as well as from prominent alumni. I look forward to seeing lots of former students at the reunion, ideally all 45,000 of you.” James J. Valentini, Dean of Columbia College and Vice President for Undergraduate Education (Interim)

SPRING 2012 34 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND 2012

General Information

REGISTRATION ON-CAMPUS LODGING COLUMBIA ALUMNI Register for Alumni Reunion REGISTRATION DESK: Housing is available at Carman CENTER Weekend online (reunion.college. ALFRED LERNER HALL Hall (West 114th Street between Visit the Columbia Alumni Center columbia.edu) or by returning the All participants should make Broadway and and at 622 W. 113th St., between Broad- forms you will receive by mail. It Lerner their first stop. Registra- adjacent to Alfred Lerner Hall) for way and Riverside Drive. Enjoy is recommended you register online tion, housing information, event $123.03 per night for a room (two a cup of coffee or tea, get advice if you are purchasing tickets for the tickets, general information twin beds and a bathroom) or from an alumni-benefits concierge, ballet, theatre or the New York Phil- and merchandise are located in $246.06 per night for a suite (two relax or read in cozy library chairs, harmonic, or going on the Chelsea Art Lerner. Late arrivals must make rooms, each with two twin beds, access the Internet and peruse Co- Gallery Crawl. Availability is limited arrangements in advance. Regis- and a bathroom). To make arrange- lumbia lore. Special reunion hours: and will be allocated on a first-come, tration hours: Thursday, May 31: ments for Carman Hall, please use Thursday, May 31: 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; first-served basis. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday, June 1: 8 the form you will receive in the Friday, June 1: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; and a.m.–9 p.m.; and Saturday, June 2: mail or call Conference Housing: Saturday, June 2: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT 8 a.m.–8 p.m. 212-854-0365. This is dormitory-style Register by Wednesday, May 2, to housing. DIETARY RESTRICTIONS receive 10 percent off, excluding ATTIRE There also are a number of ho- Vegetarian meals always are avail- ballet, theatre or New York Phil- Casual dress is suggested for tels close to campus. Refer to the able, and special arrangements are harmonic tickets. daytime activities. Business attire reunion website and the brochure not necessary. Kosher meals cannot is recommended for dinners and you will receive in the mail for a be guaranteed if arrangements are CONFIRMATION receptions. detailed listing. not made by Monday, May 14. Upon receiving your registration materials, the Alumni Office will CHILDCARE email you a confirmation letter indi- “By coming back to campus we renewed If you would like more personal cating the events you have selected childcare or childcare during times as well as the addresses of off-cam- our feelings for Columbia as a place for not covered by Camp Columbia pus venues. You should receive this learning, thanks to the Mini-Core Lectures, (see page 37), arrangements may within two weeks. For those register- be made directly with the Barnard ing after Monday, May 14, confirma- in addition to renewing many of the Babysitting Agency (212-854-2035), tion materials will be emailed and also barnardbabysitting.com, or Sit- available at registration. friendships we formed years ago.” tercity (sittercity.com; use promo code COLUMBIA12 for 10 percent CANCELLATION Stephen Easton ’56 off the registration fee; parents and A full refund will be granted only sitters negotiate rates directly). if you cancel by Monday, May 14. Between Tuesday, May 15 and CHANGING ROOMS DODGE PHYSICAL COLUMBIA COLLEGE Tuesday, May 29, a 50 percent On-campus changing rooms will FITNESS CENTER MERCHANDISE refund will be granted. After be available on Saturday, June 2. The Dodge Physical Fitness Center Merchandise will be available for Tuesday, May 29, no refund will Please visit the registration desk for will be open to alumni on Friday, purchase at the Columbia Book- be granted. more information. June 1, and Saturday, June 2, from store throughout the weekend. 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Access to the track, PARKING SPECIAL NEEDS basketball and squash courts, RELIGIOUS SERVICES Parking is available in two campus Should you require assistance weight rooms, exercise machines A listing of local religious services garages on a first-come, first-served during your campus visit, we will and pool is granted with a ticket will be available at registration. basis each day. Parking passes will be pleased to help with accommo- available at registration. be mailed or emailed to all regis- dations. However, to ensure that trants with their confirmation letter. your needs are met, please contact CLASS PHOTOS ALUMNI OFFICE If you register after Monday, May us by Monday, May 14, to secure Photos will be taken during class STAFF CONTACT 14, you will be sent the parking pass the necessary arrangements. Di- dinners on Saturday, June 2, unless Fatima Yudeh, alumni affairs via email only, or you may obtain rect all requests to Fatima Yudeh, indicated otherwise. If you wish to assistant: 212-851-7834 or one at the registration desk in Al- alumni affairs assistant: 212-851- appear in the photo, please arrive [email protected]. fred Lerner Hall. 7834 or [email protected]. by 6:30 p.m.

SPRING 2012 35 ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND 2012 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

All-Class Events

or details on all events, re- approximately 3 p.m. Not recom- fer to the Alumni Reunion “The piece de resistance for me was dancing mended for children under 12; re- F Weekend materials you will to a live band on Low Plaza at midnight.” quires considerable walking. receive in the mail, go to reunion. college.columbia.edu, contact Mark H. Hansen ’81 the alumni affairs staff member 11 a.m. handling your class, reunion. college.columbia.edu/contact, or on a treacherous mission to bring Back on Campus Sessions 8 p.m. refer to the box at the top of your him home. Back on Campus sessions are free for Class Notes column in this issue. reunion attendees but pre-registration Broadway Theatre New York City Ballet, New York is required. Tickets are available on a first-come, Philharmonic and Broadway the- Mini-Core Courses first-served basis. atre presented in partnership with Contemporary Civilization: Mod- Thursday, The Best Man the Columbia Alumni Arts League (alumniarts.columbia.edu). eling the State on the Self: Plato A play about power, ambition, politi- and Rousseau, with Carol Rovane, May 31 cal secrets, ruthlessness and the race professor, religion for the presidency, ’s The Art Humanities: The Body as Ma- 7:30 p.m. Best Man makes its return to Broad- way in its first major revival since its Friday, June 1 sterpiece, from the Greeks to the critically acclaimed run in 2000. Present, with Francesco de Angelis, New York City Ballet 9 a.m. associate professor, Roman art and Jeu de Cartes, /: and Bess Now renamed The Gershwins’ Porgy archaeology A whimsical display of classical Essentials of Estate Planning and Bess, this legendary musical technique, Jeu de Cartes pairs fleet- Breakfast: What you need to Alumni Book Forum: Toni Morri- comes to Broadway for the first footed choreography with Stravin- know without paying expen- son’s A Mercy, with Farah Jasmine time in more than 35 years in a new sky’s boisterous and wildly rhyth- sive legal fees to learn it Griffin, the William B. Ransford staging. The classic story by DuBose Professor of English and Compara- mic score. New Millepied, Muhly/ Michelle Cass, Columbia’s execu- and Dorothy Heyward is set in tive Literature and African Ameri- Millepied: Choreographer Benja- tive director for gift planning, will Charleston’s fabled . can Studies min Millepied will create a new address the group and answer War Horse ballet to a commissioned score by questions. Global Core: Ancient and War Horse travels from the ver- his frequent collaborator, Ameri- Medieval Global Seafaring and dant English countryside to the can contemporary composer the Traveling Tale, with Patricia Tchaikovsky Suite fields of and at 10 a.m. Nico Muhly ’03. Grieve, the Nancy and Jeffrey No. 3, the outbreak of WWI. A boy’s be- Tchaikovsky/: Marcus Professor of Humanities, loved horse has been sold to the Opening on a romantic note, each Chelsea Art Gallery Crawl Department of Latin American and Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3 cavalry and shipped to France. section of An interactive conversation with Iberian Cultures and chair, Sub- The boy, now a young man, can- swells with ardor, culminating in a collector and an artist. Tour Committee on Major Cultures a radiant, majestic finale. not forget his horse, and embarks includes lunch and will end at Engineering Lecture The New York Philharmonic From Sorcery to Science: How at Lincoln Center University Archives Exhibit: Coeducation Hollywood Physics Impacts the Carmina Burana: Conducted by Sciences, with Eitan Grinspun, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, this n recognition of the 25th anniversary of the graduation associate professor, computer program features Falla: Selections of Columbia College’s first fully coed class, the University science from Atlàntida and Orff: Carmina Archives will be displaying photos, newspaper articles Burana. Featured artists are Erin I Butler Library Tour and other materials from its collection. This is a rare op- Morley, soprano; Nicholas Phan, Campus Tour tenor ; Jacques Imbrailo, baritone; portunity to see how the Columbia community handled this Orfeón Pamplonés, chorus; Igor important time in the College’s history. These documents Northwest Science Ijurra Fernández, director; Brook- will be on display in the University Archives, located in Butler Building Tour lyn Youth Chorus, chorus; and Library’s Rare Book & Manuscript Library, sixth floor, during Taste of New York Dianne Berkun, director. Alumni Reunion Weekend. Sample foods from all over the world.

SPRING 2012 36 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND 2012

All-Class Events

Lectures spur dialogue on science 2 p.m. 7 p.m. 3:30 p.m. and the public interest. Not lec- Back on Campus Sessions tures at all, these will be conversa- Campus Tour Tri-College Shabbat Services tions among faculty, alumni and Back on campus sessions are free for and Dinner audience members that map the Affinity Group Receptions reunion attendees but pre-registration Join alumni from the College, Bar- horizons in fields where Columbia n Columbia University Marching is required. nard and Engineering for services is breaking new ground and will Band Mini-Core Courses to welcome Shabbat, followed by explore what such breakthroughs n Varsity Athletics Literature Humanities: The After- a traditional Shabbat Dinner and may mean for all of us. n Afternoon Tea and Music of world in Homer, Vergil, Dante and program. Columbia Concert , with Teodolinda Baro- lini ’78 GSAS, chair, Department of 2–3:30 p.m. 5:15 p.m. Italian, and the Da Ponte Professor Saturday, of Italian Mini-Core Courses Wine Tasting: “A Passport to Frontiers of Science: The Manhat- Music Humanities: ’s June 2 the World” tan Project: Then and Now, with Fifth Symphony: Transfiguration Our sommelier offers a sampling Emlyn Hughes ’87 GSAS, profes- of the Classical Style, with Walter of wines from all parts of the 8:30 a.m. sor, physics Frisch, director of Graduate Stud- world; all are affordable and read- ies of Music and the H. Harold Dean’s Continental Literature Humanities: How Liter- ily available at local wine shops. Gumm/Harry and Albert von ature Humanities Makes Us Wise, Tilzer Professor of Music Breakfast This all-class convocation will with Christia Mercer, the Gustave 5:30 p.m. Frontiers of Science: The Brain feature Interim Dean James J. M. Berne Professor and Chair of and Its Mysterious Ways, with Valentini delivering a State of the Literature Humanities Tri-College LGBTQ Tea Ivana Hughes, lecturer in disci- College Address. The President’s Contemporary Civilization: All are welcome to mix and mingle pline, chemistry Cup also will be presented. Science and Human Nature in over tea on the Barnard campus. Café Humanities: Happiness in CC: Aristotle, Hobbes, Hume, Hellenistic Philosophy, with Katha- with Matthew Jones, the James 9:30 a.m. rina Volk, professor of classics and R. Barker Associate Professor 10 p.m. chair, Department of Classics of Contemporary Civilization Camp Columbia for Kids and Chair of Contemporary Starlight Reception Engineering Lecture Columbia has hired Corporate How Our Future Computers Will Civilization Low Plaza is transformed into a Kids Events, a leader in national Run on Light, with Keren Bergman, ballroom under the stars, complete and international corporate child- Music Humanities: ’s with champagne and sweets. the Charles Batchelor Professor of care, to provide children ages Don Giovanni and the Literary Electrical Engineering and chair, 3–12 with a day full of creative Imagination, with Elaine Sisman, Department of Electrical Engineer- and enriching programs, ensur- the Anne Parsons Bender Profes- ing ing fun and safety for all Colum- sor of Music and Chair of Music Sunday, June 3 Manhattanville Briefing bians. Program ends promptly at Humanities An overview of Columbia’s plans 10 p.m. The Magill Lecture in Science, 9:30 a.m. for expansion into Manhattanville. Technology and the Arts Special Collections Library 10:30 a.m. This lecture explores the synergy Reunion Brunch: The New Tours between art and science and is a York Times, Bagels and Lox Tour special collections in the celebration of the pioneers who Do what any self-respecting New Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Admissions Presentation and Annual ARC Reception bridge the gap between artistic and Yorker does on a Sunday morning: Library and the C.V. Starr East scientific endeavors. Sip a cup of coffee, nosh on a bagel, Asian Library. Dean’s Day 2012 cream cheese and lox, and read a Facilities Tour , cancer research, Center for Career section or two of The New York Times. Go deep underground for a tour brain mapping, the size and na- Education Presentation It’s a casual gathering to bid class- of what keeps the University run- ture of the universe — from the in- mates and friends farewell. ning. This tour involves going up and credibly tiny to the unimaginably down several staircases. vast, this year’s Public Intellectual

SPRING 2012 37 Indicates a child-friendly event. ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND 2012 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

Class-Specific Events

or details on all events, re- mates and friends at their water- fer to the Alumni Reunion Reunion 2012 on Your Smartphone front Hoboken home. F Weekend materials you will receive in the mail, go to reunion. eed reunion information on the go? Find it on your college.columbia.edu, contact smartphone. The free mobile application has a 7 p.m. the alumni affairs staff member number of interactive features that put Alumni Re- handling your class, reunion. N Class of 2002 Reception union Weekend 2012 at your fingertips, including the com- college.columbia.edu/contact, or Classmates gather at Slate. refer to the box at the top of your plete schedule of events, directions and a “Who’s Coming” Class Notes column in this issue. list for each class. Those who use an iPhone, iPod Touch or Class of 2007 Reception iPad can search Apple’s App Store for “Columbia Alumni Classmates gather at Lerner Party Space. Reunion Weekend” for the app. BlackBerry, Droid and other Wednesday, smartphone users can view mobile-friendly reunion infor- mation by clicking reunion.college.columbia.edu on their May 30 mobile browsers. Friday, June 1

50th Reunion Only 9:30 a.m. Thursday, the midtown home of a fellow 6 p.m. Columbian for an evening of fun Class of 1962 Cruise and May 31 and nostalgia. Luncheon Class of 1962 Opening Class of 1967 Reception Reception Robert and Pamela Rosenberg 11:45 a.m. Classmates gather with members host classmates at their home for 4 p.m. of the administration for a special cocktails. reception at the President’s House. Class of 1962 Picnic Class of 1972 Museum Tour Class of 1972 Tour and Join classmates for a tour of the Reception renovated American Wing at the 1:30 p.m. (select one) Join classmates for a casual stroll Metropolitan Museum of Art. “Columbia will once along the High Line Public Park, Classmates meet in front of the main Class of 1962 Tour of Baker followed by a private reception at hall in the lobby of the Metropolitan again offer the best Athletics Complex the Yossi Milo Gallery in Chelsea. Museum of Art promptly at 4 p.m. of the city and the Class of 1962 Tour of Campus 6 p.m. College during 4:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. reunion. See old Class of 1977 Tour and Reception Class of 1967 Reception Class of 1962 Panel The Ivy Lounge at Faculty House friends, make new Classmates gather for a tour of the Discussion Northwest Science Building, fol- Join classmates and their guests for ones, take a class lowed by a reception at Pisticci. a riveting and timely conversation 5:15 p.m. or enjoy a cultural moderated by two classmates. Class of 1982 Reception Classmates gather at the Thomson Class of 1987 High Line Tour event. I hope you can Reuters building. 5:30 p.m. Class of 1992 Reception join us.” 6 p.m. Class of 1957 Reception Classmates gather at Locanda Verde. Kyra Tirana Barry ’87 Jim Barker hosts classmates and Class of 1952 Dinner friends at the New York Yacht 6:30 p.m. The Library at Casa Italiana President, CCAA Club. Business attire required. Class of 1957 Dinner Class of 1962 Reception Class of 1987 Reception 15th Floor Foyer (SIPA) Join friends and classmates at Kyra and Dave Barry host class-

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Class-Specific Events

Class of 1962 Dinner Class of 2007 Reception Class of 1947 Class of 1982 Bill Campbell hosts classmates at Lucky Strike Lanes; bowling before Tauber Room, Butler Library – Wien Reference Room 311, Butler Smith and Wollensky. the Young Alumni Party. The class photo will be taken after the Library luncheon. Class of 1972 Reception Class of 1987 Richard Kurnit hosts classmates at 10 p.m. Class of 1952 Il Teatro, Casa Italiana his midtown office. Faculty House Class of 1992 Young Alumni Party Class of 1957 15th Floor Foyer, SIPA The U.S.S. Intrepid is the young Library, Casa Italiana 6:30 p.m. Class of 1997 alumni port-of-call for College sail- Class of 1962 C.V. Starr East Asian Library, Kent ors and mates. Join Engineering, Bar- Il Teatro, Casa Italiana Hall Class of 1977 Tour and nard and GS friends and classmates Reception for dancing, flight simulation, food Class of 1967 Class of 2002 Join classmates for a tour of the and limited open bar. Tickets will be C.V. Starr, Butler Library South Lawn West Tent Museum of Modern Art, followed available for $25 in advance at college. Class of 1972 Class of 2007 by a reception hosted by Bill Gray columbia.edu/intrepid or for $35 at the 15th Floor Foyer, SIPA South Lawn East Tent at his office. Intrepid on the night of the event. All reunion dinners include the all-class Class of 1982 BBQ Wine Tasting, class-only cocktails, University lawn 2–3 p.m. class-only dinner and the all-class Star- Class of 1987 Reception Saturday, June 2 Class of 1972 Discussion light Reception. Classmates gather for cocktails at Your Second Career: 40 Years The Standard Hotel. 12 p.m. After College, Time To Figure the Class of 1992 Reception Next 40 Years. Join classmates for Sunday, June 3 Alumni Luncheon an open mic session modified by Held on the University’s lawns. Richard Kurnit. 7 p.m. The Classes of ’77, ’82, ’87, ’92, ’97, 9:30 a.m. ’02 and ’07 may participate. 5 p.m. Class of 1997 Reception Class of 1962 Brunch and Class Luncheons Farewell G2 Lounge at Gaslight Class of 1982 Reception Class of 1942 Faculty Room, Low Library Join classmates for cocktails and Class of 2002 Reception Core Conference Room, Hamilton hors d’oeuvres on the steps of Hudson Terrace; a private event Hall – The class photo will be taken Hamilton Hall. before the Young Alumni Party. after the luncheon. 12 p.m. Class of 1962 Tour of WTC p m 6:30 . . Construction Site Classmate Stan Lupkin, integrity When Columbia Football Ruled the Ivies Class Cocktails and Dinners monitor for the construction of es, there was a time when Columbia football Class of 1952 1 WTC, formerly known as the stood atop the Ivy League. The year was 1961, and Tauber Room, Butler Library “Freedom Tower,” has arranged for the seniors on that team, members of the Class Class of 1957 a VIP tour of the WTC construction Y Faculty House site. Space is limited and is available on of 1962, are preparing to celebrate their 50th reunion. a first-come, first-served basis. Trans- In December, the , the student Class of 1962 portation to and from campus will be newspaper of Columbia University, published an extensive Rotunda, Low Library provided. Tour will end by 2 p.m. lookback at Columbia’s only championship football team, Class of 1967 Events, locations and times are subject to written by Jim Pagels ’13: “The Only ‘Columbia’: Remem- Northwest Science Building change. A final schedule will be provided to you at registration at Alfred Lerner bering the Ivy League Champions from 1961.” Read it at Class of 1972 Hall. For events with bus transportation, Library, Casa Italiana departure times will also be available at columbiaspectator.com/2011/12/09/football-champion registration. ship-50th-anniversary. Class of 1977 PHOTOS: EILEEN BARROSO AND MI- Faculty Room, Low Library CHAEL Di VITO

SPRING 2012 39 Indicates a child-friendly event. COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

Jason Epstein ’49: Publishing Icon, Perennial Student His long editing career is an extension of his Columbia education

B y E u g e n e L. M e y e r ’64

Jason Epstein ’49, ’50 GSAS emerged from Columbia College a bright, young graduate in a postwar world with- out a lens into his future. Despite Columbia honors that would come to him years later, he seldom went back to campus. Still, the spirit of Columbia never left him. As a distinguished book editor, publisher and entrepreneur, Epstein contin- ued to learn and, although he might be reluctant to say so himself, to become

Jason Epstein ’49, ’50 a learned man. “It was as if Columbia never stopped,” he GSAS in his Centre Street living room with his says. “The authors I admired and benefited from are the 6-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Hamlet. Epstein’s life’s ones I could learn something from. They did all the work, work as an editor and pub- lisher can be seen in the and I ended up learning all about it. It was like being back thousands of books that fill his two homes. at Columbia. Columbia is really an ongoing experience.” PHOTO: CHUCK ZOVKO

SPRING 2012 40

JASON EPSTEIN ’49 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY “I immediately took to the College. It was totally absorbing, thrilling, changed my life.”

In what other field, he asks, could one continue to learn so where he felt there was a flaw. Then you’d look at this little flaw much from so many? That is a modest self-assessment from an and it would grow in magnitude, and you’d realize he’d put his iconic figure in the world of books, the man who edited and finger on a very important issue.” published Norman Mailer, Gore Vidal, E.L. Doctorow, Alice Wa- ters, Paul Goodman, Jane Jacobs and Philip Roth. “I was W.H. pstein was born August 25, 1928, an only child, and grew Auden’s editor — not that he needed one,” Epstein says. “I pub- up in , Mass., where his father was a partner in a lished an awful lot.” textile factory. Milton, a southwestern Boston suburb, was He has done much more than that. He is the start-up king of the Ethen populated largely by upwardly mobile Irish-Ameri- literary set. With Anchor Books, Epstein invented the trade paper- cans. “I think I was the only Jew and there was one black fellow,” back. He worked with critic Edmund Wilson to start the Library he recalls. “When my friends went to catechism, I traipsed along of America. He created The Reader’s Catalog, with 40,000 backlist behind them.” Epstein, who graduated from high school at 15, titles. He co-founded The New York Review of Books. Most recently, had a cousin who was working for Columbia University Press, he moved into print-on-demand with the Espresso Book Machine. and he followed him to Morningside, arriving in 1945. Tuition “I like to start things. I don’t like to run them,” Epstein confess- was $400 a term. es. “I’m not good at running a business. I’m very disorganized.” Epstein settled into a 10th-floor single, room 1005, in Livingston­ But in the space of one singular career, Epstein, 83, has time- Hall. He was just a babe in arms, a young kid on a campus crawling traveled from the centuries-old era of the Gutenberg printing with veterans five and 10 years older. “There was a kind of sophis- press to the new age of e-publishing, while never losing his focus tication atypical of freshman classes,” he remembers. “This supple- on content, whatever the format. “To Jason Epstein,” reads the mented what I got from [faculty] staff.” Full professors taught hu- simple dedication in Doctorow’s Depression gangster novel Billy manities and the Core Curriculum. His teachers included Quentin Bathgate. And Saul D. Alinsky, who wrote the still-in-print book Anderson ’37, ’53 GSAS; Joseph Krutch ’24 GSAS; Mark Van Doren Epstein edited on community organizing, dedicated Rules for ’21 GSAS; Eric Bentley; and Jacques Barzun ’27, ’32 GSAS. Andrew Radicals to him “for his prodding, patience and understanding, Chiappe ’33, ’39 GSAS taught him Shakespeare. and for being a beautiful editor.” “I was in awe, in retrospect,” Epstein says. Of Alinsky, Epstein says, “I liked him. He was charming, a solid The College was, he recalls, “a very intimate place. The school character who was basically a conservative, as I am, who wants to seemed tiny, with maybe 400 in a class year. There was great spirit. protect what’s worth protecting. Those right-wingers think he was Everyone wanted to learn something. I immediately took to it. It a raving Bolshevik. He was anything but.” Which reminds him, by was totally absorbing, thrilling, changed my life. I never thought the way, of Jacobs’ influential The Death and Life of Great American for a moment what I would be doing for a living. But the rest of my Cities, which he also edited. “She was the same kind of conserva- life reflects that first exposure to the humanities program.” tive Saul was. I recently wrote an introduction to the 50th anniver- Epstein studied history and literature and was involved in the sary edition” of Jacobs’ book, originally published in 1961. humor magazine Jester. He remembers “stumbling” into Philo- Epstein also cooks and bakes, and he wrote a 2009 memoir, lexian, the literary debating society, which gave him its Award Eating, that combines recipes and recollections. He’s even been for Distinguished Literary Achievement in 2007. In 1988, Epstein known to send pastry-dough-covered manuscripts back to writ- received the College’s prestigious John Jay Award for distin- ers. He’s a great storyteller who spices his anecdotes with sen- guished professional achievement. tences that begin “my friend” Rosset, referring to the Epstein’s bachelor’s came with special distinction in Eng- iconoclastic publisher of the long-gone, once avant-garde Grove lish. Another year in graduate school at Columbia earned him Press; “my friend” Robert Lowell, the American poet; and “my a master’s in English literature. His thesis was titled “Anatomy old friend” Gore Vidal, whom “I haven’t spoken to in years to of Melancholy.” But melancholic he was not, just unsure of what preserve what’s left of our friendship.” to do with his life. One day, after browsing in the old Dauber & Norman Mailer, “on the other hand, takes all your advice and Pine used bookstore on lower Fifth Avenue, he drifted to the the- then ignores it completely. Oh, what the hell. I loved him. His loss ater next door; it was showing a movie, The Scoun- is a terrible thing to me, because I loved publishing his books. drel, based on the life of Liveright, publisher of Ernest Basically, he was a very decent guy, a family man, who liked to , Theodore Dreiser and Gertrude Stein. “I saw the pretend he was nuts. Underneath it, he was a nice Jewish kid movie and decided that was the business for me. I could make from Brooklyn.” a living. I spent lot of time at the Columbia bookstore, so I knew Many of the luminaries with whom Epstein associated are gone. what a bookstore looked like.” “You’d have to be in heaven to find most of them, I think,” he says. Epstein is relating all of this at his kitchen table, where he is But fortunately, not all. There is, for one, Edgar L. Doctorow, the sipping a Diet Coke, his beverage of choice. He lives in a spacious acclaimed novelist, whom Epstein calls “sweet, a pleasure to work and airy five-room apartment in the former NYC police head- with.” Doctorow, reached at his Upper East Side residence, returns quarters — a Beaux Arts building converted in 1988 to 55 co-op the compliment. units in the middle of Little — with his wife of 18 years, “Through several books he was quite an editor,” Doctorow former New York Times reporter Judith Miller, and their 6-year-old says. “He would ask very mild questions about small things black Cocker Spaniel, Hamlet.

SPRING 2012 42 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY JASON EPSTEIN ’49

“He’s an encyclopedia. He’s unbelievable,” Miller says. “There of Freedom, was an attack on McCarthyism by Francis Biddle, a is nobody like him. I’ve met so many world leaders, great think- former attorney general and the primary judge at the Nuremberg ers; he’s a class unto himself.” Trials. It was published in 1951 and reviewed on the front page of They are in a sense the odd couple: They disagree over many The New York Times Book Review. political issues but are intensely loyal to one another. Her cover- age of the lead-up to the was controversial and regarded diting, Epstein says, came naturally to him. “It’s a compli- as pro-war. He wrote an early piece in The New York Review of cated skill that involves more than helping the writer find Books in opposition. a voice and organizing a paragraph,” he says. “It requires “I wish she’d paid more attention to it. We might not have gone Etact. Some writers accept advice gratefully. Others don’t. to war,” he says. But Epstein is fiercely proud of Miller’s decision to The trick is to avoid the latter. My task is to ask the right questions go to jail to protect a confidential source in the Valerie Plame affair. and their task is to answer them. In this way we both benefit.” During her incarceration, he visited her regularly at a federal facil- Early in his editing career, Epstein had an epiphany. “My so- ity in Alexandria, Va. “It was harder on him in some ways than it phisticated friends at Columbia on the GI bill couldn’t afford to was on me,” she says. “He’s a very sensitive individual, hates noise buy the books they had to read,” he recalls. “I said, ‘Why not a and bright lights. It was hard for him seeing me in jail.” paperback series? A good paperback edition, not pulp?’” He pro- Epstein says he paid about $1 million for their apartment. A posed the idea to Ken McCormick, editor-in-chief of Doubleday,

Epstein with Allen Ginsberg ’48 at Epstein’s Random House office in the early ’60s. Epstein displays this photo in his home. PHOTO: COURTESY JASON EPSTEIN ’49, ’50 GSAS four-bedroom unit there was recently listed for $14.5 million. The as they were walking across . “McCormick said, ‘Oh, couple also has a home in Sag Harbor, on eastern Long Island, go ahead and do that.’ That was the beginning of Anchor Books, where they were married and where Epstein likes to garden, which, to my amazement, revolutionized the book business. Be- growing mostly herbs. fore other publishers piled on, we’d established ourselves as the Epstein has wispy, snow white hair, and he is wearing a gray main thing.” It was 1953. Epstein was 25. sweater and corduroy pants, looking like a professor emeritus. “Time went by,” Epstein says, by way of transitioning into an- On the table are three paperbacks: The Road: Stories, Journalism, other story of literary luck. As it happened, Anchor Books had and Essays, a recently published collection by the late Soviet writ- published in paperback Edmund Wilson’s To the Station, er Vasily Grossman; A Writer at War: A Soviet Journalist with the about the run-up to the Russian revolution, and the two had be- Red Army, 1941–1945, also by Grossman; and Edward P. Jones’ come friends. Epstein and his then-wife, Barbara, were visiting novel The Known World, which won a Pulitzer. “He has the gift,” the author in Wellfleet, on Cape Cod, when Wilson took down Epstein says of Jones, whose book about a black antebellum slave from his study shelves two manuscripts. One was a racy nov- owner he was just finishing. “He’s a genius.” el by Vladimir , who at that point wanted to remain To find his first job in publishing, Epstein thumbed through anonymous. “It was Lolita, of course,” Epstein says. “I read it and the phone book, alphabetically noting first Appleton, then Dou- thought it was very funny. But in those days, you published a bleday. He was the second trainee hired by Doubleday and Co., book like that at your risk.” He showed it to McCormick. “We and soon after an editor there; the first book he edited, The Fear agreed it was a hot potato.” So instead of publishing the book,

SPRING 2012 43 JASON EPSTEIN ’49 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY In his 1999 seminal library lectures, Epstein recalls, “I said the future would be digital and that would change everything.” they published an excerpt in The Anchor Review, a quarterly peri- zine” on a shoestring. Silvers credits Epstein also with setting up odical of stories and essays. a company to publish the Review in such a way that business con- “I did it without checking with the president of the company,” cerns did not trump editorial freedom. he says. Disillusioned with Doubleday, “I said, ‘The hell with this.’ I “He did all this while still being a senior editor and wildly quit. Of course, nobody went to jail because [part of Lolita] was in An- admired editor at Random House,” Silvers says. “He had the chor Review. Lolita was later published by Putnam to great acclaim.” idea and the crucial plan for setting it up, and, by the way, he That year, 1958, fate came calling once more in the form of Ben- wrote in that first issue a very good article on W.H. Auden, a very nett Cerf ’20, the longtime head of Random House who was then finely done piece that showed Jason’s appreciation of poetry and busy being a television personality — primarily as a panelist on knowledge of Auden’s work.” Epstein has written regularly for the game show What’s My Line? — and giving talks. Cerf offered the Review in the years since. “He’s a very serious student of the Epstein what was essentially the top job at Random House with history of the city and also of its problems,” Silvers says. “He’s the stipulation that he could start his own publishing house, so also written about the history of books and about publishing.” long as it wasn’t competitive. Epstein’s Book Business: Publishing Past Present and Future ap- Epstein’s Random House office, he recalls, was “a -wonder peared in 2002. It was based on a series of lectures he had given ful townhouse mansion on Madison Avenue.” In fact it was the at the New York Public Library three years earlier on the future 1884 building commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Villard, of the industry, in which he forecast the digitized future. “To my today a historical landmark. Random House occupied the north- utter amazement,” he says, the book has been translated into 10 west wing, where “authors would come and wander around. We languages and remains in print — in paperback and, electroni- had [James] Michener and [John] O’Hara and Robert Penn War- cally, on Kindle, ’s e-reader. ren. It was [like] being back at Columbia, but making a living, not In the seminal lectures, which drew a mostly younger audience, much of a living, but enough. Those years were pure joy.” Epstein recalls, “I said the future would be digital and that would On the side, Epstein started a small children’s book business, change everything.” The technology, he added, would radically de- Looking Glass Library, publishing in 1961 The Phantom Tollbooth, centralize the marketplace. The lectures, first published inThe New by Brooklyn architect Norton Juster. It was illustrated by Jules York Review of Books, prompted a call from a man in St. Louis who Feiffer and, Epstein notes, “became a classic, a big success. We had invented a device to print books on demand. Epstein made a sold that business to Random House” in 1960. deal to purchase the patent, and there are now some 60 Espresso Book Machines in bookstores here and abroad. The device is about he New York newspaper strike of 1962–63 gave rise to as big as a full-sized office copier. A high-speed printer prints both The New York Review of Books, now a biweekly magazine sides of a sheet, at a speed of 100 pages or more a minute. A finish- on culture, literature and current events. The first issue ing device receives the pages, trims and binds them. The content is T was thrown together in a few weeks to fill the vacuum all transmitted electronically from publishers. All paperbacks, the created by the strike. Robert Lowell and his wife, Elizabeth Hard- books cost approximately $10–$25. Though Epstein is chairman of wick, were by then Epstein’s neighbors. “Lizzy had just written the company, print-on-demand books are hard to find in his own a piece in Harper’s saying how terrible The New York Times Book vast home library. “Most of my books pre-date the machine,” he Review was. All of us said together at once, ‘We have an obligation explains, though he does keep an Espresso copy of Einstein’s book to do one.’” on the theory of relativity. Epstein and Lowell went to the latter’s bank; Lowell with- Epstein also boosted the book business by helping to found drew $4,000 from his trust fund. Epstein “put in a little.” They the Library of America in 1979. It began when he met Edmund sold $10,000 in ads and had “enough to pay the printer.” They Wilson at the Princeton Club bar for drinks. Wilson asked why solicited top writers to write — for free — and a dozen signed up. this country couldn’t have — like France — a complete canon They put out the first issue in 10 days, 100,000 preprinted copies of . Epstein said, “Good idea, but we need a lot of that “sold out immediately,” Epstein recalls. Key to the operation subsidy to create the inventory.” Their initial fundraising efforts were the co-editors, Epstein’s then-wife, Barbara, and Robert Sil- were unsuccessful. But Epstein knew McGeorge Bundy, who had vers, who had edited Harper’s Magazine. They continued together served as national security adviser to Presidents John F. Kennedy until Barbara died in 2006. Silvers is still at it. The Review’s “very and Lyndon B. Johnson, and who was leaving the Ford Foun- influential” circulation today is 130,000–140,000, Epstein says. dation, where he’d been president. Bundy offered to throw in Silvers recalls how Epstein recruited him with a single phone $50,000 in Ford funds if it were matched by the National Endow- call. “Jason said this is the only time that a new book review can ment for the Humanities. And it was. be started,” because of the newspaper strike. Silvers agreed and “I got it going, gave it shape,” Epstein says of the library, which recruited Barbara. (She and Epstein had a son, Jacob, an author has published more than 200 books. “I’m not involved now, but and TV writer, and a daughter, Helen ’86 GSAS, an author, teach- I’m very proud. It’s an indispensible part of our heritage.” er and molecular biologist.) “It was Jason’s inspiration,” Silvers Epstein also initiated The Reader’s Catalog, an annotated list- says, “to see this was one moment you could put out the maga- ing of 40,000 books. The idea was to have buyers call a toll-free

SPRING 2012 44 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY JASON EPSTEIN ’49

number to place their orders. But due to shipping and handling Epstein has an office in the apartment but, aside from a plaque costs, “the more books we sold, the more money we lost. Project- in the bathroom honoring her commitment to the First Amend- ing losses in the hundreds of millions, we gave it up.” The catalog ment, there is no sign of Miller. She works instead at the Manhat- now is available on Amazon. tan Institute, a conservative think tank, and has “my own area” at the Sag Harbor house, among his books and her extensive col- ven as he embraces new technology professionally, Ep- lection of old typewriters. stein remains personally wary of it. His wife has an iPad; Officially, Epstein retired in 1999, but he’s editing a work he doesn’t. “I had a Kindle. It depresses me. I don’t even about the New Testament Book of Revelation by Princeton’s Eknow where it is now.” He says that such devices are OK Elaine Pagels, the Harrington Spear Paine Foundation Professor for ephemera. “But I think it’s very important to keep physical of Religion. (He also edited Pagels’ previous book on the Gnostic books,” of which he admits to having, perhaps, too many, in his Gospels.) Her latest, which he calls “the capstone of her career,” apartment and in his home in Sag Harbor. is to be published by Penguin. “We’ve been working on it for a An iPad or Kindle is fine for books you “leave at the summer couple of years; it’s very revealing about the history of Christian- house or read on the train” but not for those “that speak to our ity,” Epstein says. With Pagels, Epstein is once more on the learn- civilization, without which we wouldn’t be human, or we’d all be ing track but, of course, it’s a two-way street. savages again. That would be the end of all I loved in Columbia.” Pagels, who is used to writing academic papers, says she has Notwithstanding the notion that all knowledge can reside in the learned a lot from Epstein. “First of all he’s brilliant, quite remark- ether, Epstein warns that while “digital storage may be a wonder- able; he actually taught me how to write in lot of ways. He’s an

Epstein’s latest venture is working with On Demand Books to get its Espresso Book Machine, for which he owns the patent, into more bookstores domestically and abroad. The above machine is at McNally Jackson Books on Prince Street in New York City. PHOTO: CHUCK ZOVKO

ful innovation, it’s very fragile.” He asserts, “Books have to be scat- extraordinary editor, with great detail, great precision and a tre- tered around to become permanent and survive dictators.” mendous eye for how writing moves. I feel everything I know Epstein’s books are indeed scattered around. In his apartment, about writing I know from Jason. they are shelved in floor-to-ceiling built-ins in a large open space. “He can look at [a manuscript] and immediately know what a A large oak table he bought in a London antique shop is covered reader is going to enjoy, appreciate and understand, and what is with low-lying stacks. Only one smaller mahogany table, tucked too wordy or technical. He really works for clarity. I have in my in an alcove, is free of them. “I’ve learned to throw out books,” office at Princeton a picture of Jason sort of looking and smiling. he says, alluding to presidential biographies (“They’re all fakes, I enjoy having that picture there as I write. I think I have to meet anyway”), but the words lack conviction. Still, he says, “I have to. Jason’s standards. I always think of that as I write: Jason looking There’s no place to put anything. … I put them in boxes and in down or looking at me with that ironic smile.” storage in the basement of this building. Some I put in the trash.” After completing the Pagels book, insists Epstein: “I’m not go- Some wind up in his son’s barn in New England. ing to edit anymore. But if somebody comes along with some- “Look at this,” Epstein says, gesturing at his surroundings. thing really, really interesting I could learn something from, it’s “It’s a total mess.” like free tuition, right?” Of his voluminous book collection, his wife says, “You’ve only seen part of it. The real library is in Sag Harbor. I recently bought Eugene L. Meyer ’64 is a former Washington Post reporter and edi- two more bookcases — one for Sag Harbor, one for New York.” tor, an author and the editor of B’nai B’rith Magazine.

SPRING 2012 45 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY Robby Mook ’02 Works To Turn the Country BLUE B y J o n at h a n L e m i r e ’01

he map of the United States is a battlefield. Mook was appointed to the DCCC post 16 years after he caught But instead of combat zones, there are 435 the political bug. He grew up in Norwich, Vt., a town of just 3,500 Congressional districts. Instead of air strikes, that sits along the New Hampshire border. As a high school fresh- there are TV ad buys. Instead of ammunition man, he joined a production of Imaginary Invalid, which was di- factories, there are fundraisers. And instead rected by , whose day job was state legislator. of enemies, there are Republicans. “That fall, as I ran for my first re-election, it became clear that Robby Mook ’02 views the 50 states in while Robby was very talented in the theatre, he was much more those stark terms as the executive director for interested in the political side of things,” says Dunne, who remem- the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Ap- bers Mook as “one of the funniest people” he’d ever seen on stage. pointedT in December 2010, he has a clear mission: wrest away at “When the production ended, he volunteered for my campaign. least 25 Republican-controlled seats this November so the Demo- And, yes, he was 14.” crats can regain control of the House of Representatives. Mook was hooked. Drawn to the College for its diversity, At 32, Mook is remarkably young for such a high-profile, Mook became a classics major and while he never took a political high-intensity job — but the man who introduced him to the science class (“Pretty funny, come to think of it,” he says now), national stage is convinced the fresh-faced political operative is campaigning was in his blood. up to the task. After his freshman year in Morningside Heights, he returned “The winds can blow quickly in a very different direction, and when you have support, lock it in. Sometimes you learn more from losing than from winning.”

“He’s pretty unflappable, and he’s got a good personality for to Vermont and Dunne hired him as the first staffer for the state getting the work done. He puts the focus on the job, not himself,” legislature’s Democratic caucus. Mook moved to Burlington, says , the former governor of Vermont — Mook’s found a tiny apartment and dove in, going door to door and or- home state — who employed Mook in his 2004 presidential bid. ganizing the first fundraisers many of the legislators ever had. He “I can’t imagine someone doing that at his age,” Dean says. sharpened his skills back on campus, too, working for the College “But at the same time, when it comes to Robby, I can see it. He’s Democrats and jumpstarting the organization’s first electronic file very, very bright and people will work hard for him.” of voters and volunteers. The DCCC is the campaign arm of the House Democrats, “That was a level of sophisticated voter-contact that was un- charged with recruiting candidates, raising funds, researching heard of on college campuses in 2000,” says Sam Arora ’03, who the opposition and coordinating strategy in close, or politically worked alongside Mook as an undergraduate. significant, races. “Robby was one of those students at Columbia you just knew “We’re a booster rocket,” Mook says. “We can’t run a campaign was going to change the world, and you felt proud to know him,” from Washington. It has to be on the ground and it has to match says Arora, now a state delegate. “With his powerful the candidate. But we are there to help push people over the finish combination of heart and mind, I think all of Robby’s friends line.” knew he would rise quickly.”

SPRING 2012 46 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY ROBBY MOOK ’02

Mook returned home after graduation, working for the state Democratic Party and for Dean, the governor who made such a memorable splash in the 2004 presidential primaries. Mook ran Dean’s New Hampshire campaign and helped coordinate the on- line efforts of a campaign that was among the first to fully use the Internet’s ability to organize supporters. “That was a national campaign very early on. We had to bottle lightning, as we knew there was a lot of energy and excitement in the campaign,” Mook says. Even the campaign’s quick implosion was a teaching moment. “That campaign taught a very important lesson to me early on: The winds can blow quickly in a very different direction, and when you have support, lock it in,” he says. “Sometimes you learn more from losing than from winning.” Mook then ran a get-out-the-vote effort in for nomi- nee John Kerry and, four years later, took on far more responsi- bility for . He ran her primary campaigns in three states — , and — and attracted a legion of loyal followers who dubbed themselves the “Mook Mafia.” The group, a loose collection of staffers who have worked for Mook across the country, frequently meet for drinks and celebrate a bond forged in the political trenches. “Robby inspires a lot of loyalty,” Dunne says. “His team is willing to work hard for him.” It’s going to take much of that hard work for the Democrats to win back the House, a challenge that Mook now calls his own. “The DCCC in many ways is a thankless job, because you’re invisible unless you don’t succeed,” says Dunne, who launched an unsuccessful bid for governor of Vermont in 2010 and now works for Google. “Robby is working against a variety of exterior variables that are challenging, to say the least. But he understands how to look at resources and navigate these . If anyone can do it, it’s him.” Mook too, is confident. He dismisses the Democrats’ September defeat in New York’s Ninth Congressional District — ’s former seat — as a unique race that was swayed by local issues. As November approaches, Mook will coordinate a national strategy to raise money and direct it to the candidates who have a chance to unseat Republican in- cumbents, fighting them on issues such as and tax breaks for big corpo- rations. He’ll oversee it all from his war room in Washington, D.C., a far cry from a tiny town in eastern Vermont. “Like any campaign, we move the majority of our resources late, so we’ll be in constant communication with our rac- es to track progress and help push them over the top,” Mook says. “Election Day itself is always one big contradiction: Ev- erything you’ve been pouring your heart into for two years comes to a finish, but if you’ve done your job right, there’s ab- solutely nothing for you to do except sit and wait for results. “So it’s the most anxious,” he says, (Top) Robby Mook ’02 works the phones as executive director of the “but least busy day of the entire two-year cycle.” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. (Above) Mook’s goal is to put more blue on the national map of Congressional districts. Jonathan Lemire ’01 covers politics for the New York Daily News. PHOTO AND MAP: COURTESY OF DCCC

SPRING 2012 47 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

[ COLUMBIA FORUM] A Rare Mind, Rarer Now Jacques Barzun: Portrait of a Mind

Jacques Barzun: Portrait of a Mind (Frederic C. Beil, 2011) is the result of a long collaboration between author Michael Murray and Jacques Barzun ’27, ’32 GSAS, one of the most distinguished scholars in Co- lumbia’s history. Barzun, a cultural historian who also was provost, was named Uni- versity Professor in 1967 and is the author of the 2000 bestseller From Dawn to : 500 Years of Western Cultural Life 1500 to the Present, among other Michael Murray PHOTO: SEAN FERGUSON books. Murray, editor of the acclaimed collection A Jacques Barzun Reader: Selec- tions from His Works, also is the author of Marcel Dupre: The Work of a Master Organist and French Masters of the Organ. He teaches a graduate course in library research and bibliography at Ohio State. Murray and Barzun, not surprisingly, met over a book. Murray was writing a study of Dupre, and Barzun, whose father had known Dupre’s teacher, Charles- Marie Widor, started to correspond with him in 1977. The first flurry of missives grew into a decades-long friendship. Right from the beginning, the librarian and the scholar were, as Murray puts it, “in sympathy.” Their rapport was strong; there JACKET IMAGE OF JACQUES BARZUN BY CLEVE GREY; COLLECTION NEUBERGER was much laughter as they spoke at least once a week for years. This strong and con- MUSEUM OF ART, PURCHASE COLLEGE, SUNY, GIFT OF JACQUES BARZUN ’27, ’32 GSAS stant relationship led first to their collaboration on an anthology of Barzun’s work, A Jacques Barzun Reader (HarperCollins, 2001), and then to Murray’s meticu- lous intellectual biography, Jacques Barzun: Portrait of a Mind. (Opposite) Of meeting Jacques Barzun ’27, ’32 Barzun’s mind, Murray points out, is of a type that is “rarer and rarer now.” In these GSAS, Michael Murray says: “At seventy-one, he was Internet-driven times, intellectual thinking is increasingly fragmented or specialized. distinguished in appear- ance — suit pressed, tie knotted carefully, gray The type of wide-ranging scholarship that Barzun achieved during the course of his hair neatly combed — and his manner was at once career — moving easily from to , covering science and race, art and the genial and courtly. His most striking feature was not his — has all but vanished. Murray calls his friend “one of the last eyes, which showed the lively intelligence one would great comprehensive minds.” In the following excerpt from Jacques Barzun: Portrait expect, but his voice” — a pleasant baritone. of a Mind, he describes his relationship with and impressions of this legendary figure. PHOTO: COURTESY JACQUES BARZUN ’27, ’32 GSAS Rose Kernochan ’82 Barnard

SPRING 2012 48

JACQUES BARZUN: PORTRAIT OF A MIND COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

acques Barzun rose from his desk and ex- the youth I then was, seemed ominous. Like many of tended a hand, as I entered his seventh-floor my generation, I feared the future. Of recent memory were the office at Charles Scribner’s Sons — a corner riots and assassinations of the 1960s, the war in Vietnam and in- office in the old beaux-arts Scribner Building cursion into Cambodia, urban blackouts, shortages, and at 597 Fifth Avenue. Now retired from teach- acute monetary . Since Barzun had devoted a lifetime to ing history at Columbia, Barzun spent Tues- the study of the modern West, who better to give reassurance or days and Thursdays at Scribners as its liter- warning? Hence at our first talk I asked whether he thought a cat- ary adviser. We were already friends, having aclysm — nuclear war, ecological catastrophe, terrorist-induced long corresponded, but were meeting for the economic chaos — likely to end our civilization. first time. I found him to be taller than his “A cataclysm is certainly possible,” he replied, “in fact likely.” dust-jacket photographs suggested, and a “You’re pessimistic?” big man, though not corpulent. At seventy- “I’ve always been — I think any student of history almost one, he was distinguished in appearance inevitably is — a cheerful pessimist. That is, the evil of the day — suit pressed, tie knotted carefully, gray doesn’t eat into you and make you go around with a hangdog hair neatly combed — and his manner was look. ... Still, nowadays the powers of synthesis, of organization, at once genial and courtly. His most striking of reasoned order, are outborne ... by the number of people to feature was not his eyes, which showed the handle, the number of difficulties to cope with, the very size of lively intelligence one would expect, but his everything. ... The interesting question in my mind is whether voice. Its pleasant baritone carried an accent our greater knowledge and our ... extensive awareness of what’s Jthat mixed Mayfair with refined New York, going on everywhere at once are going to be helpful or harmful.” and when, in explaining some point, he needed a moment to “Doesn’t knowledge always have a good result? Isn’t truth un- call up the right word, he would light- der all circumstances more valuable ly clear his throat or lightly cough — than non-truth?” a tic observable in our scores of talks In such books as Of Hu- “No. I think that’s an assumption over the following thirty-two years. commonly made, but it isn’t so. The That first talk, on a bright October man Freedom and The Cul- possible harm of knowing too much is afternoon in 1979, was jovial and se- that it excludes possibilities that might rious by turns. It touched on music ture We Deserve, Barzun’s work. You say: ‘Oh, we can’t do that! and painting, and on the difficulties Look at the statistics!’” of writing about the arts. For Barzun concern with the present By the time we met, Barzun had was a cultural historian, a practitioner concluded that the West was in decline. of a discipline he had helped to create, matches his familiarity In 1957, he had lectured at Princeton in which the arts bulk large. Not that on the pathology of intellect. In 1973, history with a cultural component was with the past and his un- he had lectured at the National Gallery unknown before the 1930s, when Bar- on the fragmentation of art. In 1974, he zun began to publish. Voltaire, Burck- derstanding had lectured at the University of Cali- hardt, and Macaulay, among others, fornia, Berkeley, on decay in politics prove the contrary. But their of their connections. and morals. Shortly after our talk, he differ from cultural history in subject- would lecture at Northern Kentucky matter and proportioning. In Barzun’s University on the “cracks in our civi- practice, cultural history was an all-inclusive synthesis: not only lization.” Eventually, in 2000, his conclusion reinforced by events kings, battles, , and statistics, but also habits, beliefs, influ- and attitudes of the 1980s and 1990s, he would publish From Dawn ences, and tendencies, in art and literature, manners, morals, to Decadence as background and summary of his views. Its sur- science, and religion, and the social setting in which these were prising success — half a million copies bought in hard cover — found. suggested to some that a reversal might ensue if corrective ideas Barzun was not only a cultural historian, he was also a cul- spread widely. But this was to miss Barzun’s point. tural critic. In such books as Of Human Freedom and The Culture Though cultural decline was nothing new, and thinkers long We Deserve, his concern with the present matches his familiarity before Spengler or Nietzsche had deemed the phenomenon in- with the past and his understanding of their connections. His un- evitable, Barzun’s decline was distinctive. For one thing, Barzun derstanding was commensurate with his sensibility, to persons as meant not an end, but only a falling off. Once the ground was lev- well as to art and ideas, and commensurate with his tact. By tact eled, some new idea could spur construction. In the meantime, he I mean his fine discrimination among ideas, and also his good posited a loss of originality, of new thought about art, literature, manners. These embodied what he thought to be the common- government, morals. Even if a new idea might occasionally ap- place duties of civilized life — good temper, serenity, yielding pear, it would be lost in the disarray. The genuinely new could to others and generally refraining from self-assertion — and to- not stand out till the surrounding landscape was cleared. gether with his cheerful bearing, handsome features, and charm, Barzun also paid little attention to phenomena that other led many people to find him affable. But others found him coldly writers thought pertinent: the religious revivalism of the 1920s aloof. He would have seen no paradox in this. Every personal- and after, the widespread interest in horoscopes, palmistry, and ity is multifaceted, and it is merely a convenient evasion to call other necromancies and cults, the murderous violence of popular someone a bundle of contradictions. sport, the disillusionment with party politics and their corrup- But the workings of his mind interested me less — early in tion by vested interests, and to the parallels of such phenomena our friendship — than some of the conclusions they led to. To with previous civilizations in decline. Nor did he suggest that

SPRING 2012 50 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY JACQUES BARZUN: PORTRAIT OF A MIND

the West would be overrun by the East, by force of arms or not, Mutiny was to honor his teacher by naming a destroyer after him or that Western culture was metamorphosing into some wholly — never forgot Barzun’s “humorous irony” inside the classroom technological form. Nor did he see in the computer the cultural and outside. Barzun was interviewing Wouk for entrance into an monolith others saw. Digital technologies pervaded daily life, but honors seminar in literature. He asked what Wouk was currently were mere adjuncts to the forces in play. reading. The reply was The World’s Illusion, by Jakob Wassermann. He could not decide whether the leveling required a cata- “Well, what is the world’s illusion?” Barzun asked. Wouk’s reply, clysm. “We can’t judge probabilities by historic examples,” he about the futility of seeking happiness through love or power, told me, “because we know too little about former civilizations, elicited a glance that Wouk interpreted as humorous irony — the the Medes, Hittites, Egyptians. It has happened before that a same quality he found in Barzun’s quip years later that the nine declining civilization becomes soft in the way we have become hundred pages of From Dawn to Decadence were the accidental soft. But we are still inventing, especially in the scientific, - product of longevity and insomnia. logical realm. There’s no lack of progress there.” Still, it was “per- And Harry Boardman [’45], who before joining the Council on fectly possible that mankind will destroy itself, by stupidity or Foreign Relations was to be Barzun’s assistant provost, recalled other cause.” Certainly “the march of mind has no ultimate goal. Barzun’s undergraduate instruction as notable for “the degree There is no such ultimate goal.” It was an old idea and false that of animation it evoked from the students.” Nearly always Bar- the race was perpetually advancing. The race was advancing in zun would begin Boardman’s freshman class with “a substan- some ways, declining in others. Similarly, Western culture might tive question that was provocative. You would answer, and your well be unraveling, but it was “an endless series of opposites — answer would cast you into difficulties — into taking a position in religion, politics, art, morals, and manners” — and not “a solid which he would force you to defend, and which he would suc- block having but one meaning.” The historian was rash who tried cessfully assail. He would get you into a corner, and ... get you to be a prophet. to think more deeply about your ideas and their implications.” His views were hardly reassuring, Boardman adds that though Bar- early in our friendship or late. I came zun was cordial in class, “warm, ani- to believe, thanks to him, that West- Former students mated, interested and engaged,” once ern culture is less likely to die by cata- the bell rang “he became an iceberg.” clysm than by our frittering away of its concur that Barzun was Other students also recall him as hard central ideas, and that civilization ap- to approach, as unwilling to relax and proaches a turning-point comparable interested in his students, be friendly. In fact Barzun believed to the fall of Rome. friendship to be possible only between that in class he entered equals: the teacher-student relation precluded it. Still, toward the end of a erious topics notwithstand- into true dialogue with student’s college days he might some- ing, we laughed often, at that times unbend, as he did with Fritz first meeting, for Barzun was them, that he always Stern [’46, ’53 GSAS]. The future - always quick to see the comic nent historian came from a long line side of things and laughter seemed willing to learn of physicians and had enrolled in the Swith him came easily. This trait served pre-med curriculum despite a strong him well in his years as Dean of Facul- from them. interest in history. It was Barzun’s very ties and Provost at Columbia, which detachment from students, coupled followed his decades in the history de- with his obvious interest in their wel- partment. So did his knack for squaring his mind with the minds of fare, that led Stern to seek him out: “One could ask him such a colleagues or students. Like many an able teacher, he could grasp a deep question as ‘What am I going to do with my life?’ and know student’s meaning while it was struggling to take shape in words, he would take the question seriously. And with him you needed and as quickly see deficiency and remedy. And yet, though by all not half an hour but five minutes. His five minutes were worth accounts a superb teacher, he did not “love” to teach: he found anybody else’s hour.” teaching to be damnably hard work and less a pleasure than a What should Stern do? “Marry medicine,” said Barzun, “and compulsion. It was far easier to lecture, “and in symposia to point make history your lifelong mistress.” A few months later, still things out, and then as it were wash my hands of it, leaving the undecided, still drawn to history and teaching, Stern again vaccination either to take, with the student, or not.” asked for advice. “All right, go ahead. I think you would make a Students nevertheless found him memorable — Theodore good historian.” A stint of teaching high school, Barzun added, Caplow [’40], for instance, the distinguished sociologist. As a might serve to test the vocation. “A friend of mine is head of sophomore, Caplow took Barzun’s course on the historical back- the Lawrenceville School. Would you want to teach there?” — ground of English literature. The class was asked to read “a long “Yes.” But a month after Stern received his B.A., at age twenty, series of excerpts from notable authors, together with Trevelyan’s he began teaching Contemporary Civilization at Columbia, History of England, but the class discussions took an unexpected where he would take his advanced degrees and then teach for turn. At the first meeting ... Barzun introduced Byron’s irregular half a century. sonnet beginning ‘She walks in beauty like the night’ to illustrate Stern, Boardman, and others concur that Barzun was inter- the method of relating a literary work to the historical setting in ested in his students, that in class he entered into true dialog which it was produced. The class ... found so much to consider with them, that he always seemed willing to learn from them. in the piece that its eighteen lines and their historical background Memorable above all — we learn from another student who remained our topic for most of the term.” achieved renown, the historian Carl Schorske [’36] — was Bar- Another sophomore, Herman Wouk [’34] — who in The Caine zun’s “riveting” ability to make “every person or element pre-

SPRING 2012 51 JACQUES BARZUN: PORTRAIT OF A MIND COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

sented sing its difference, its uniques, even as it was related to up.” Auden and Barzun had met on some lecture platform, inci- some larger whole.” dentally, and their bond was sealed when, in the question period, Barzun was asked when he would like to have lived. When he replied: “Around 1830,” Auden spoke up: “You did! You did!” ith students, and with colleagues or friends, Barzun never forgot their “talk and laughter and lunching” and Barzun relished argument. The life of the Auden’s birthday parties on St. Mark’s Place, “where the floor mind, he said, could not exist without conver- was so curved and flexible that everybody thought it would sation — “the rarest pleasure and the finest crack under the crowd.” achievement of human society.” He defined Other friends too bespeak breadth of interests: George Russell Wconversation as Dr. Johnson did: a vehement scrimmage over Shaw, an arborist who wrote an excellent book on the pine and ideas, new works, or philosophical positions. And his scrimmag- shared Barzun’s love of sailing; Polykarp Kusch, the - ing, like Johnson’s, was gentlemanly as well as vehement; he de- winning scientist whom Barzun induced to write poetry and plored the modern tendency to argue not issues but motives — a whose course in nuclear physics he audited while dean; Marjorie symptom of the psychologizing characteristic of the times — and Hope Nicolson, an expert on the English Renaissance; the phi- to mistake contention for animus. The tone of this letter, to a lin- losopher Susan Haack, with whom Barzun enjoyed debating the guist, Donald J. Lloyd, with whom he had been disputing in the pragmatisms of James and Peirce; Hiram [’42 GSAS], with pages of The American Scholar, is typical: whom for decades on the editorial board of The American Scholar he fought “like cat and dog but without heat”; Irita Van Doren, Your chief points seem to be that I overlook the flu- whose irresistible charm was surpassed only by her competence idity of language ... and that in some mysterious as chief editor of the New York Herald Tribune books section; way I have no locus standi in discussions of language [’27, ’28 GSAS], the biographer and transla- because I am not a professional tor, and his wife, the novelist Shirley philologist. That I think really Hazzard; Arthur Krystal [’70 GSAS], reprehensible, destructive of the essayist and critic; Peter Bloom, all intellectual life. Do you sup- The life of the mind, David Cairns, Joan Peyser [’56 GSAS], pose that I own History because and Katherine Kolb, authorities on I have taken a few degrees in it Barzun said, could music; Mark LaFlaur, the writer and and written some essay exhibit- editor; Cleve Gray, the painter, and the ing, we hope, the method and not exist without author and critic Francine du Plessix the conventional stigmata of Gray; [’25], whose the guild? Every subject-matter conversation — “the love of literature was as boundless surely belongs to everyone who as Barzun’s and with whom Barzun exhibits an interest in it. Each rarest pleasure and the shared a lifelong affection; and Lionel is greater than any one gang Trilling [’25, ’38 GSAS], who for more of professionals, and history finest achievement of than forty years was Barzun’s close in- shows that salvation has repeat- tellectual companion. edly come from the dauntless human society.” Not that Barzun was a paragon amateur who kept his eyes open of amiable forbearance. His manner while the initiates were sleepily betrayed, in Trilling’s words, an “in- chanting their old formulas … tention of precision” that some took I am looking forward to ... belaboring you once to be hauteur. Others interpreted as disdain his habit of pursing again. … I’ll send you a carbon, and hope it will keep his lips and looking down his nose when examining an idea. (He you awake nights. Meantime, warm good wishes for made the same gesture when amused, which suggests that he the New Year. may have cultivated it as a young immigrant, as an alternative to the ubiquitous American grin that Europeans regarded as silly.) Not surprisingly, his geniality and his breadth of interests And witnesses recalled that he could be an ogre, that ninety-five brought him friends of many kinds. With Lord Snow he en- percent was never good enough for him, that he always insisted joyed discussing the putative gulf between the humanities and on order, and that at faculty meetings he would not hesitate to the sciences. With Alfred North Whitehead he enjoyed hearing tell you if you were playing the fool. If you were on the receiv- at first hand about the philosopher’s esteem for . ing end of his rifle, it was said, you remembered it to your dying With Harold Nicolson he enjoyed looking at the differences be- day. He would not lose his temper or raise his voice. He would tween British manners and American. Manners were important become more and more upright, more and more cold, more and to Barzun — his own were urbane — and surroundings too: he more self-controlled, and the scalpel would go down to the bone. enjoyed Sir Harold’s club. But his view was never superficial and he was rarely fooled by appearance. Witness his esteem for such unkempt geniuses as Allen Ginsberg [’48] and W. H. Auden. is university career spans half a century. He entered His friendship with Ginsberg began while the poet was a stu- Columbia in 1923 and was graduated in 1927. A dent and continued till Ginsberg’s death. One of the secretaries in month after receiving his B.A., he was teaching a Barzun’s provost’s office — in the days when secretaries wore hat course in Contemporary Civilization. A year later and gloves to work — recalled her astonishment when Barzun he received his M.A. and, in 1932, his Ph.D. Ap- first took the young beatnik to lunch at the Faculty Club. Auden, Hpointed lecturer in history in 1928, he was then made instructor too, came more than once, and she always “wanted to scrub him (1931), assistant professor (1938), associate professor (1943), full

SPRING 2012 52 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY JACQUES BARZUN: PORTRAIT OF A MIND

Cultural historian, essayist and critic James Sloan Allen ’75 GSAS has said that Barzun is “the most far-ranging, penetrating and possibly the most profound and enduring cultural critic of the second half of the 20th century.” PHOTO: ALAN R. EPSTEIN professor (1945), Professor of History (1960), and Univer- with Auden and Trilling, founder and director of a book club. At sity Professor (1967). In 1955 he became Dean of the Graduate Fac- Columbia a chair in history is endowed in his honor. A Jacques ulties, in 1958 Dean of Faculties and Provost. He left administra- Barzun Prize in Cultural History was created by the American tion in 1967 and retired in 1975, the year he began his eighteen-year Philosophical Society in 1993. The Jacques Barzun Award was stint at Scribners — where Charles Scribner called him the best edi- established by the American Academy for Liberal Education in tor he had ever seen. Barzun became an American citizen in 1933, 1997. In 2003, President Bush awarded him the Presidential Med- and twenty years later published God’s Country and Mine by way al of Freedom. In 2011, President Obama [’83] awarded him the of a thank-you to his adopted land “for its welcome, generosity, National Humanities Medal. everything that I had encountered from the very beginning of my Eminence came with his scores of articles for such magazines career” — and by way of signaling to skeptical Europeans that the as The Nation, Encounter, Saturday Review, The New Republic, Atlantic United States could boast cultural riches and refinement. Monthly, Partisan Review, The American Scholar, Life, and The Satur- He was president of the American Academy of Arts and Let- day Evening Post, and with such best-selling books as Darwin, Marx, ters, member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Extraordinary Wagner: Critique of a Heritage, The House of Intellect, and Teacher in Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge, member of the Advisory America, not to mention two books of which he was particularly Council of the University of Buckingham, Chevalier of the Legion proud: Berlioz and the Romantic Century and A Stroll with William of Honor, member of the Académie Delphinale, director of the James. Moreover, in such books as Classic, Romantic and Modern, Sci- Council for Basic Education, director of the Macmillan publish- ence: The Glorious Entertainment, and Race: A Study in Superstition, as ing company, member of the Authors’ Guild Council, member of James Sloan Allen [’75 GSAS] has remarked, Barzun shows himself the Boston Athenaeum, trustee of the New York Society Library, to be “the most far-ranging, penetrating and possibly the most pro- trustee of the Peabody Conservatory, trustee of Bennington Col- found and enduring cultural critic of the second half of the twenti- lege, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement eth century.” Little wonder his books remained in print for decades of Science, president of the Berlioz Society, history consultant and that his readership grew vast and diverse. to Life magazine, chief literary critic for Harper’s Magazine, and, His readership grew large thanks also to his conviction that

SPRING 2012 53 JACQUES BARZUN: PORTRAIT OF A MIND COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY history should remain a branch of literature and address the non- t may seem odd that he never achieved a vogue. He was of specialist reader, and that history could be transcendent. “History course well known: he once appeared solo on the cover of is formative. Its spectacle of continuity in chaos, of attainment in Time and his books sold in the millions. But usually authors the heart of disorder, of purpose in the world is what nothing else who achieve a vogue stand for some single startling view, provides: science denies it, art only invents it. ... Reading history whereas his views, though sometimes startling, take in not remakes the mind by feeding primitive pleasure in story, exercis- Ione subject but many. Even his theme of decadence comprises ing thought and feeling, satisfying curiosity, and promoting the disparate motifs. Further, as he once observed, everybody calls serenity of contemplation. ... It is a spiritual transformation.” for an independent thinker, yet more often than not “the most To read history is also to hone one’s judgment of contemporary approved authors of the day form a pair of clusters opposing events — “a permanent good, not because history repeats ... but be- each other, which suggests rather little independence.” He was cause the ‘tendency of things’ shows an amazing uniformity with- in fact a modern thinker not captive to modern thought. In an in any given civilization.” This being so, “when the foundations of age of specialism, he was a non-specialist. In an age often given the republic shake under of misgovernment and world to despair, he maintained a sense of humor and of proportion. crises,” history may strengthen the fainthearted. Cultural history, And in an age of skepticism, he believed in the power of mind to in any case, encompasses everything and has no method: its limits set right. Besides, decades of reflection gave him a broad view of are fixed only by the practitioner’s knowledge, eloquence, and tact. the effects on modern culture of “scientific” thinking, the fall of That Barzun treats such a variety of topics may at first glance intellect as institution and social force, the loss of direction in the seem unaccountable: social and political theory in his earliest arts, the bias of materialism, the ease with which our politics are books, and then a defense of Romanti- directed by ill-defined labels, and the cism, a life and times of a composer, tribulations of our schools. several volumes of contemporary cul- Accordingly, his was almost always tural criticism, including three books a “third” position. For example, he was on teaching and learning, a critique of In an age of an early believer in feminist principles modern science, a critique of modern and throughout his life deplored gen- art, a defense of narrative history, and specialism, Barzun der bias. But he kept to the traditional a re-interpretation of an American phi- use of “man,” convinced that gender- losopher. In addition to his books, he was a non-specialist. neutral usages damaged prose style penned essays by the hundred on ar- and did little to eliminate prejudice. chitecture, painting, sculpture, music, In an age often given Again, he admired liberal institutions, biography, translation, and language but in his politics was at once liberal, — not to mention baseball, a sport he to despair, he socialist, and conservative. “My poli- loved. But we find a guiding thread: tics are Olympian,” he once laugh- “All I have ever done,” he wrote on No- maintained a sense ingly declared. In any case, “there is vember 29, 1984, to Professor William no worse fate for a writer and thinker H. Nolte, of humor and of than to elicit general agreement,” as he proportion. remarked to his friend and bibliogra- relates to the history of European pher, John E. Adams. “It is worse than thought and culture since 1750. silence, because the neglected may be My various books and many of discovered and revived, whereas the my articles and introductions approved are sunk in acquiescence that use a figure or a movement as a core around which is forgotten the morning after.” to organize facts or perceptions bearing upon those Then too, we expect our great to fit categories of accom- two centuries — their art, philosophy, social thought, plishment and Barzun is a maverick and impossible to peg. manners, superstitions. From my dissertation in 1932 His fellow historians cannot wholly claim him, nor can musi- to my latest work ... a continuous account could be cologists, critics, or sociologists. He is not of the social “scien- fashioned, delineating the main currents of creation tists,” like C. Wright Mills, or the -named literary and opinion between L’Esprit des Lois and the Decline critics, like , and his writings on music address of the West. I admit the piecing together might be labo- music-lovers rather than the academic cognoscenti, just as rious, but I am confident that a composed panorama his book reviews and social commentaries address the non- would emerge. As for my articles and lectures on con- specialist reader. If one insists on a category, the most apt is temporary topics, they are obviously soundings in the the nineteenth-century English man of letters. That ideal man same or in fresh cultural movements. (or woman) was devoted to literature, history, poetry, or phi- losophy, and is distinct from the mid-twentieth-century intel- In truth, he did not write a line on any subject outside his lectual because not linked to leftist politics, not necessarily an purview. academic, and definitely not a pedant. Carlyle thought him a Moreover, for all their scope and depth, his books were mere hero, and he remained a figure in English thought even while preliminaries. He had conceived as early as graduate school the his standing declined. Though the term has fallen into disuse, summa that became From Dawn to Decadence. Looking back, he the man of letters is by no means extinct, and Barzun fits that saw that the books preceding it were “contributory.” They had time-honored model well. served his ultimate purpose by directing his research and by hon- ing his skill at narration. They built up the fund, he liked to say, Excerpts from Michael Murray’s Jacques Barzun: Portrait of a Mind/reprint- on which his big book would draw. ed by permission of Frederic C. Beil, Publisher.

SPRING 2012 54 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY THE HIDDEN REALITY

56 Message from the CCAA President Alumni 57 Bookshelf 60 Obituaries 64 Class Notes News 112 Alumni Corner

PHOTO: COLIN SULLIVAN ’11

COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

MESSAGE FROM CCAA PRESIDENT KYRA TIRANA BARRY ’87 CCAA Alumni Recognition Committee Seeks To Honor Alumni Achievements

he Columbia community is rightfully back to the College is natural for Doug. Upon his re- proud of its College students and turn to Boston in 1991, he interviewed prospective alumni and their accomplishments students as a member of the Alumni Representative on campus and after graduation. Committee and participated in events at the Colum- Many Columbians have a significant, bia University Club of New England. The natural positive impact on their personal and progression was to the CCAA board, which provides Tprofessional communities. The Columbia College a greater opportunity to interact with students, fac- Alumni Association Board of Directors has the op- ulty and administration, work with College alumni portunity to learn about many of our peers’ success- and stay in closer touch with the College. Doug also es as well as to make recommendations for awards provides a valuable perspective to the CCAA as an and programs. active contributor who is not based in the New York Several years ago, in order to broaden and deepen area — including events, communications and other our awareness of College alumni achievements, the Gerald Sherwin ’55 ways to improve our outreach. He brings fresh vi- board created the CCAA Alumni Recognition Com- sion and valuable experience to facilitate connec- mittee. Its goal is to support the College in tracking tions between alumni and the College. alumni and bringing forward those who should re- The Alumni Recognition Committee meets regu- ceive recognition or who could, in turn, help alumni larly to discuss ways to identify alumni, review alumni and students. Under the leadership of co-chairs Ger- profiles and make recommendations to selection com- ald Sherwin ’55 and Doug Wolf ’88, the committee mittees for various awards. It also makes recommen- has identified many alumni whose participation dations to the offices of Alumni Affairs and Develop- would be valued. Jerry and Doug exemplify Colum- ment, Student Affairs and Career Education when they bia College alumni who have a great impact on their seek alumni participation. community and, to our benefit, the College. With more than 45,000 living alumni, no small Jerry’s long career in communications and mar- group can track the myriad accomplishments worth keting at agencies and companies such as Grey Ad- highlighting. Our committee is eager to identify vertising, Block Drug Co., Lehn & Fink, Bozell and more ways to learn about College alumni and what WINS Radio was perfect training to become the Doug Wolf ’88 they are doing. It therefore has established a portal most active alumnus at the College, and he comes PHOTOS: EILEEN BARROSO on the CCAA board website (college.columbia.edu/ in contact with a ccaa/nominations) to take nominations and updat- Alumni Recognition large portion of our alumni. ed information to add to the alumni database. We welcome input Committee Members He has been a president, chair from all alumni and hope that you will use the nomination form or board member of about a to help Columbia acknowledge its alumni’s outstanding achieve- Gerald Sherwin ’55, co-chair Doug Wolf ’88, co-chair dozen boards and committees ments. We welcome your suggestions and recommendations. Rohit Aggarwala ’93, at Columbia, including presi- ’00 Business, ’02 GSAS dent emeritus, CCAA; chair James Brandt ’79 emeritus, Board of Friends– Craig Brod ’77 Double Discovery Center; past Camille Warmbrodt DeLaite ’01 president, Varsity ‘C’ Athletic Christopher V. Della Pietra ’89 Winners Club; and president Awards, Events and Boards Daniel Tamkin ’81 CCT and class correspondent, he Alumni Recognition Committee welcomes suggestions Burtt Ehrlich ’61, ’62 Business Class of 1955. His enthusiasm Michele Esposito ’96 from all alumni for consideration for a variety of awards for connecting students and Frederick Kushner ’70, ’74 P&S T and boards as well as for speakers for Columbia occa- Andy Lebwohl ’04, ’07L alumni is boundless. Being an sions. Following is a partial list: avid athletics fan is part of this Stephanie Lung ’04 AWARDS BOARDS Nat Nisonson ’03 mix. No one is better suited for Alexander Hamilton Award Columbia College Alumni Assn. Roy Pomerantz ’83 this committee. John Jay Award Columbia College Young Alumni Scott Koonin ’02 Doug is a shareholder at the Alumni Medal (University) Columbia Alumni Association Genevieve Thornton ’02, IP firm of Wolf Greenfield in AACA (Asian alumni) Award Columbia Univ. Club of NY ’09 Business Boston and chair of its Trade- BAC (black alumni) Heritage EVENT SPEAKERS David Walker ’80 mark and Copyright Practice Award Columbia College Class Day Mark Wojciechowski ’76 as well as the Small Business LAACU (Latino alumni) (with Student Affairs) Alan Freeman ’93, affiliate Practice. Always grateful for Award Baccalaureate Ceremony his time at Columbia, giving

SPRING 2012 56 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY Bookshelf

Surprise Was My Teacher: dubs himself a “21st-century Ben graphy, examining everyday sights civilian reconstruction, Zakheim Mem­ories and Confessions of a Franklin,” doles out snippets of and sounds to draw broader con- takes the Bush administration to task Television Producer/Director Who the borough’s trademark wisdom clusions about the city (University for mismanaging Afghanistan’s post- Came of Age During Television’s alongside comical illustrations of Press, $49.95). war reconstruction (The Brookings Adolescence by Merrill Brockway (White Poppy Press, $15.95). Institution Press, $32.95). ’48. The host of the PBS series Dance Until the Blue Kingdom Comes in America reflects on his time work- Making Sense of People: Decod- by James Rosenberg ’66. A recently Hollywood Left and Right: How ing with artists from Ruby Dee to ing the Mysteries of Personality retired rabbi, Rosenberg reflects on Movie Stars Shaped American Pol- George Balanchine (Sunstone Press, by Dr. Samuel Barondes ’54. A psy- subjects from mangos to the Lone itics by Steven Ross ’71. Ross dispels $19.95). chiatrist and neuroscientist, Bar- Ranger in this short collection of the notion that the movie industry ondes lays out a list of simple tools his poetry (Xlibris, $19.99). has been exclusively a bastion of Fitting Form to Function: A Primer for forming functional, satisfying liberalism, describing how movie on the Organization of Academic relationships (FT Press, $25.99). Cecil Andrus: Idaho’s Greatest stars from both sides of the aisle Institutions by Rudolph Weingart- Governor by Chris Carlson ’68. have influenced American politics ner ’50. Weingartner explores the The Limits of Ferocity: Sexual Through a series of anecdotes, (Oxford University Press, $29.95). complicated structures of institu- Aggression and Modern Literary Carlson, Andrus’ longtime press tions of higher education and offers Rebellion by Daniel Fuchs ’55. secretary, outlines Andrus’ rise to Leon Trotsky: A Revolutionary’s 27 maxims for how they can be best Fuchs examines issues of sexual- governorship and lasting impact Life by Joshua Rubenstein ’71. Ruben- organized (Rowman & Littlefield ity, violence and the rejection of on politics in Idaho (Caxton Press, stein depicts Trotsky as an “all-too Publishers, $44.95). societal norms in the works of D.H. $17.95). human” political figure in this ac- Lawrence, Georges Bataille, Henry count of the Russian revolutionary’s The Modern World-System IV: Miller and Norman Mailer (Duke Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne fall from power, exile and assassina- Centrist Liberalism Triumphant, University Press, $26.95). Dominion by Eric Van Lustbader ’68. tion (Yale University Press, $25). 1789–1914 by Immanuel Wallerstein Rogue secret agent Jason Bourne ’51. The author takes a fresh look at 101 Ideas & Insights for Triathletes needs the help of longtime friend Neon Panic: A Novel of Suspense global history in this volume of his & Duathletes by Steven Jonas ’58. General Boris Karpov as he tries to by Charles Philipp Martin ’76. When Modern World-System series, tracing The author, a preventive medicine hunt down an elusive group of ter- a woman’s body appears in Hong the of contemporary professor and avid triathlete, offers rorists plotting to destroy America’s Kong Harbor, inspector Herman political ideologies from the 18th advice on subjects from equipment natural resources (Grand Central Lok thinks it is just a young fisher- to the 20th centuries (University of to nutrition and training (Coaches Publishing, $27.99). woman. His investigation, though, Press, $26.95). Choice, $19.95). turns up secrets that could put his Seven Days in Rio by Francis Levy life at risk (Vantage Point, $14.95). Lives and Letters by Robert Gottlieb Cancer Dreams by Dr. Paul Winick ’69. In Levy’s absurdist novel, Kenny ’52. Gottlieb, a former editor of The ’59. Winick, a pediatrician, tells the Cantor, a C.P.A. and “sex tourist” va- Stories for Peace by Mark Binder New Yorker and at Simon & Schuster story of his wife’s and his patients’ cationing in Rio de Janeiro, searches ’84. In this book for children and and Knopf, profiles leading minds battles with cancer to deliver the for the “perfect” relationship: one adults, Binder offers solutions to — from Charles and John message that the disease is not where he pays a woman for sex conflict and bullying, with illustra- Steinbeck to Tallulah Bankhead and an ending but a new beginning (Two Dollar Radio, $16). tive stories ranging from “The Mae West — from a broad array of (AuthorHouse, $24.59). Bully and the Shrimp” to “The Two creative disciplines (Farrar, Straus A Vulcan’s Tale: How the Bush Ad- Monks and the Gross Slimy Mon- and Giroux, $30). Urban Tomographies by Martin ministration Mismanaged the Re- ster” (Light Publications, $14.95). Krieger ’64. Krieger takes a closer construction of Afghanistan by Dov Brooklyn-ese Proverbs & Cartoons look at Los Angeles’ infrastructure S. Zakheim ’70. A former Department Backward Ran Sentences: The by Lawrence Harte ’53. Harte, who and communities through tomo­ of Defense coordinator for Afghan Best of Wolcott Gibbs from The

SPRING 2012 57

BOOKSHELF COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

Alumnae Explore Race, Revenge in Shakespeare

or Marguerite Tassi ’87 and Ayanna Thompson ’94, two alumnae with critical works on Shakespeare published last year, inspiration came from posing Fquestions that nobody else was asking. Tassi, the Martin Distinguished Profes- sor of English at University of Nebraska- Kearney, was planning to teach a course on revenge in literature — including Shake- speare’s plays — when she asked herself: “Does gender make a difference in revenge? Could there be virtue in vengeance? Could revenge be a substantial element in justice?” Thompson, an English professor at Arizona State University (ASU), became curious about what she saw as the playwright’s dichoto- Ayanna Thompson ’94 mous role in contemporary society: He is “the PHOTO: TOM STORY standard bearer of all things classical” and often associated with the elite, yet his plays can be accessible, even transformative, for a Thompson began Columbia with the intention of studying law far broader range of people. She wondered: “How can both exist or business. But during an internship at an firm the as polar opposites?” summer before her junior year, she found herself furtively reading The pursuit of these questions led both scholars to the pub- classic novels under her desk. The need to change paths was lication of their new books, the second for each. In Women and clear. Revenge in Shakespeare: Gender, Genre, and Ethics (Susquehanna She enrolled in the two-term Shakespeare course taught University Press, $69.50), Tassi uncovers evidence of women by Ted Tayler, now the Professor Emeritus in the seeking justice even when they seem most disenfranchised — Humanities (college.columbia.edu/cct_archive/may04/cover.php). consider Ophelia’s songs of madness in Hamlet. Thompson’s Tassi also took the class and fondly remembers Tayler’s “lively Passing Strange: Shakespeare, Race, and Contemporary America mind.” For Thompson, the experience was memorable for a dif- (Oxford University Press, $55) probes the meaning behind the ferent reason: After his infamous “killer midterm,” Tayler asked many intersections of Shakespeare and race in today’s culture. five members of the class to stand. While the rest had struggled She draws on examples from the stage — “colorblind casting” with the exacting test, these five — Thompson included — had by regional theater companies — as well as less conventional excelled. “‘They are clearly nerds,’” Thompson recalls Tayler an- arenas, for example, the significance of a dog named William nouncing to the class. “It was flattering and humiliating.” Shakespeare in the 2003 movie Bringing Down the House. But the label of critical, attentive scholar was not one Thomp- Both women, who graduated as English majors seven years son would escape. She was awarded a Marshall Scholarship to apart and came to their majors through different paths, credit study in England at the University their College education for their ability to ask engaging questions of Sussex, earning an M.A. in and conduct innovative research. 1995; a Ph.D. in English at Har- For Tassi, the decision to major vard followed in 2001. At ASU, in English was easy. She had she doubles as the associate always loved literature and was dean of faculty in the College of excited to pursue English at her Liberal Arts and Sciences. dream school, which, she says, Thompson says her College “fortuitously became coed the year education encouraged her to “be I applied. It was an exciting time politically engaged without losing to be at the College. There was a attention to historical nuances.” sense of a big transition at work.” It is with that eye for detail that Her English classes and Core she approaches Shakespeare in requirements reinforced her love of her book, balancing close reading the classics, and she earned a mas- of the plays with analysis of their ter’s from the University of Virginia role in contemporary culture. in 1989 and a Ph.D. from Claremont Take the William Shakespeare Graduate School in 1993, both in of Bringing Down the House — English. “I continued returning to a French bulldog. He is owned classical literature and honoring that Marguerite Tassi ’87 by a white, racist character and tradition,” she says. PHOTO: SHAUN PADGETT is first seen wearing a starched

SPRING 2012 58 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY BOOKSHELF

New Yorker, edited by Thomas Children of Paranoia by Trevor Vinciguerra ’85. The editor gathers Shane ’98. In this dystopian action a generous selection of the work of novel, Joseph, a professional assas- Gibbs, a member of the Algonquin sin in a secret war, is forced to run Alumnae Explore Race, Revenge in Shakespeare Round Table and The New Yorker’s from the killers he’s fought beside notoriously sardonic theatre critic his entire life in order to protect (Bloomsbury USA, $22). the girl he loves (Dutton Adult, $25.95). Elizabethan collar. Thompson writes, “The joke seems to be The Ghosts of Watt O’Hugh by based on the idea that it is only natural for a racist to come Steven Drachman ’87. Watt O’Hugh The Imperial Messenger: Thomas up with the name ‘Shakespeare,’ and that an interest in the III returns to his home city of New Friedman at Work by Bélen Fernán- classics goes hand-in-hand with conservative social values.” York as the star of a Wild West show dez ’03. In the tradition of Puritan In other words, a Shakespeare that is reserved for a specific, and ends up facing murder charges polemical writing, Fernández stereotyped audience. and Chinese mysteries in Drach- criticizes the oeuvre of the Pulitzer However, Thompson also studied the positive effects of so- man’s fantasy adventure novel Prize-winning New York Times called “Shakespeare reform programs,” in which the Bard is (Chickadee Prince Books, $14). columnist and author (Verso Books, brought into non-traditional spaces. Los Angeles fifth-grade $16.95). teacher Rafe Esquith, for example, each year stages a full-length The Politics of Equality: An Intro- Shakespeare play with his students, many of whom come from duction by Jason Myers ’89. Myers Nobles in the Land of low-income, immigrant families and do not speak English as explores the socialist, communist, Enchantment by Everett Patterson their first language. The regular rehearsals serve as a language- and social democratic ideals and ’06. In this graphic novel, Tonya, learning tool for the students and, in general, suggest a far more values that shape modern-day po- Theo, Greg and Kafir — members inclusive Shakespeare. litical debates in this introduction of garage band The Savage Nobles Thompson was impressed by the cultural sensitivity of Es- to egalitarian political philosophy — find themselves stranded in quith’s and other programs, and how the practitioners found a (Zed Books, $26.95). New Mexico after witnessing a way to make Shakespeare meaningful for such different groups. government conspiracy (self-pub- She concludes that the dichotomy of Shakespeare may not be Patient Citizens, Immigrant Moth- lished, $15). as clear-cut as imagined, and that gray areas exist in society as ers: Mexican Women, Public Pre- individuals reimagine what Shakespeare means today. natal Care, and the Birth-Weight After Tobacco: What Would Tassi similarly revises the scholarly conversation about Paradox by Alyshia Gálvez ’95. From Happen If Americans Stopped Shakespeare by looking at the meaning of revenge. When she an urban public hospital to the Smoking? edited by Peter Bearman, began her research she found there was little criticism on the Mexican state of Oaxaca, Gálvez the Jonathan R. Cole Professor subject. examines the “Latina health para- of Sociology; Kathryn Neckerman; “The book I wanted in the library wasn’t there,” she says. “I dox” — that Mexican immigrant and Leslie Wright. This collection was surprised that I could make a contribution to Shakespeare women in the United States have of essays delves into the effects studies. The field felt so full.” less complicated pregnancies and that reduced tobacco Tassi’s work addresses the moral issues associated with better birth outcomes than more in the United States would have revenge and analyzes how male and female characters seek privileged socioeconomic groups on pressing social issues and on revenge differently in the Bard’s plays. Traditionally, Shakespear- ( Press, $24.95). the tobacco industry (Columbia ean revenge calls to mind the tragedies, where vengeance is University Press, $35). viewed as a means for male characters to defend their glory or The Obamas by Jodi Kantor ’96. Kan- seek private justice — think of Othello’s betrayal-fueled, though tor, a veteran New York Times journal- From Financial Crisis to Global ultimately misguided, murder of Desdemona. But while Tassi ist, paints an intimate portrait of Recovery by Padma Desai, the speaks to these plays, in which women often are victimized and the personal and political struggles Gladys and Roland Harriman lack agency, she also explores the unique role of female ven- of Michelle and Barack Obama ’83 Professor of Comparative Eco- geance in the comedies and romances. In those plays, she says, during his first three years in office nomic Systems and director of the “Female characters commit revenge to protect their chastity, (Little, Brown and Company, $29.99). Center for Transition Economies. honor and integrity.” Desai traces of America’s The Merry Wives of Windsor proved to be a perfect example Last Man in Tower: A Novel by recent , assesses whether of what revenge means for women. After the scheming Falstaff Aravind Adiga ’97. When real estate the economy is truly on the up- attempts to seduce three married women, Tassi says, “They developer Dharmen Shah offers to swing and compares the current need to protect their reputations as loyal and chaste wives. pay off the residents of a crumbling economic situation with the Great They seek revenge against the seducer who put their reputa- Mumbai apartment complex, a re- Depression (Columbia University tions in jeopardy.” Among other indignities, he winds up being tired schoolteacher refuses to leave Press, $27.50). tricked into hiding in a dirty laundry basket (then dumped with even though his neighbors stop at its contents into a river) and dressing as a woman. nothing to get their paychecks in Elective Affinities: Musical Es- Tassi further shares her passion with her Nebraska students this, Adiga’s second novel (Knopf, says on the History of Aesthetic in her course, “Wild Justice: Women and Revenge in Western $26.95). Theory by Lydia Goehr, professor Literature.” It covers subjects from the classics to Quentin of philosophy. Drawing on Johann Tarantino’s 2003 movie, Kill Bill. “Revenge is a powerful phe- Where Justice Dwells: A Hands- Goethe’s novel of the same name, nomenon in human nature, with us since time immemorial and On Guide to Doing Social Justice Goehr examines “elective affinities” in current political conflicts,” she says. “No one is indifferent to in Your Jewish Community by — the strong relationships that form that subject.” Jill Jacobs ’97. Jacobs’ guide offers under changing conditions — in Apparently, Thompson agrees. Her next project? “I’d like to advice on how Jewish people can philosophy and music (Columbia write a book on revenge.” act on their ideas of social justice to University Press, $24.50). Karen Iorio protect society’s poorest, weakest Benjamin W. Gittelson ’15 and most vulnerable (Jewish Lights Publishing, $24.99).

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COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY Obituaries

1932 private practice he traveled with his 1942 was spent as an internist with the wife, Rhea, to China, Japan, Israel, Alan E. Baum, retired radiolo- Mt. Kisco (N.Y.) Medical Group. Egypt and Europe. He served on gist, Fort Pierce, Fla., on October He also was s.v.p. of the Northern the boards of the Dallas Symphony 10, 2010. Baum was born on July Westchester Hospital Center. Later Orchestra, Temple Emanu-el, the 26, 1921, in Fairfield, Conn. He he worked for General Foods and American Jewish Committee, Jewish earned a degree from P&S in 1945 for the Joint Commission and is a Welfare Federation and Jewish Fam- and was a Navy veteran of both past president of the Westchester ily Services, among others. Wolfram WWII and Korea. He had a long County Medical Society, the West- is survived by his wife of 68 years, and distinguished career on Long chester Division of the American Rhea; sons, Michael, Steven and Island, N.Y., having a private Heart Association and of the Wac- Richard; and eight grandchildren, practice in Westbury, Hicksville cabuc Country Club. Healy helped including Matthew ’01E. and Huntington. Baum resided to establish the Greenburgh Health for more than 50 years in Oyster Center in White Plains, N.Y.; served 1937 Bay, N.Y., and was a parishioner of on the vestry of St. Mark’s Church; Dr. Julius Wolfram ’32 Bertram Fuchs, retired gastroenter­ Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in was a reading coach for Literacy ologist, Marathon, Fla., on October Palm City. He served as president Volunteers of the Low Country, in Julius Wolfram, physician, Dallas, 18, 2010. Born in Jersey City, N.J., of the New York Chapter of the South Carolina; and was a trustee on March 16, 2011. Born in Brooklyn, Fuchs was a graduate of Hemp- American College of Radiology; of the Stepping Stones Foundation. N.Y., Wolfram entered Columbia at stead H.S. in Hempstead, Long as professor of clinical radiology Healy’s passions included golf, the 16 from Townsend Harris H.S. After Island, and SUNY Downstate Medi- at the State University Medical New York Giants, Indian cooking earning a degree in 1936 from P&S, cal Center (1949). Fuchs practiced in School in Stony Brook, N.Y.; and as and bread making. He is survived he joined the Army and ultimately Mineola, N.Y., for 30 years, retiring chief of radiology at the Veterans by his wife of 62 years, Audrey; became chief of medicine at the 5th in 1987, at which time he moved to Hospital of Northport, N.Y. Baum children, Audrey, Tracy and Jeff; Ferrying Command at Love Field, Marathon. He was an Army veteran enjoyed golf, gardening and Civil five grandchildren; and sister, Helen Dallas. He was discharged from and served during WWII. Fuchs War history. He is survived by his McLaughlin. WWII service as a major. Wolfram is survived by his wife, Sophie wife of 64 years, Cecelia Jane (née 1943 remained in Dallas, where he Schalet, whom he married in 1952; Connolly); sons, Gregory, Douglas practiced internal medicine and car- children, Marc and his wife, Betsy, ’81E and his wife, Sally, Alan Jr. Albert W. Cayot, sales manager, diology for more than 60 years and and Ronnie Fuchs and her husband, and his wife, Cathy, and William Boxford, Mass., on November 22, was clinical professor of medicine at Sandy; brother, Morton Fox; and and his wife, Susan; daughter, 2010. Cayot was born in New York Southwestern Medical School. After four grandchildren. Reyne Brezinski; 10 grandchildren, and earned an M.B.A. from the his family and medicine, his greatest including Stephany Cecelia (Baum) Business School. He was a veteran, 1941 loves were classical music, , na- Reborn ’07; and four great-grand- serving as a captain in the Army ture and ornithology. Wolfram was Douglas L. Gruber, retired talent children. during WWII and the Korean War. an avid tennis player and enjoyed agency owner, Sun City Center, Cayot was a sales manager with golf and hiking. After retiring from Fla., on October 11, 2010. A 1942 Kimberly-Clark Co. An active mem- alumnus of the Journalism School, ber of the St. Rose of Lima Church Gruber was an officer in the Navy community in Topsfield, he served Obituary Submission in WWII and served on both a on many committees, was a lector, Guidelines destroyer in the Atlantic-European Eucharistic minister and taught Columbia College Today theater and on a cruiser in the religious education for many years. welcomes obituaries for Pacific war zone. He remained ac- In 2010, just a few weeks before his College alumni. Deaths are tive in the Naval Reserve after the death, he was honored by St. Rose noted in the next available war, retiring in 1968 as a lieutenant and the St. Vincent De Paul Society issue in the “Other Deaths commander. In his professional ca- as its “Man of the Year.” Cayot was Reported” box. Complete reer, Gruber was associate editor of instrumental in the Refugee Immi- obituaries will be published in The N.Y. Sales Executive magazine gration Ministry and taught math an upcoming issue, pending receipt of information. Due and managing editor in McGraw Dr. Robert E. Healy ’42 and English courses in the prison to the volume of obituaries Hill’s international division before system. He was predeceased by his that CCT receives, it may starting his own talent agency in wife, Marydell (née Zimmermann) take several issues for the 1955. His company serviced the Robert E. Healy, physician, Ames- and sister, Mary Mihapov, and is complete obituary to appear. advertising and entertainment bury, Mass., on October 16, 2010. survived by his daughter, Claire M.; Word limit is 200; text may be fields through 1988, at which time Born on June 23, 1922, in Brooklyn, sons and daughters-in-law, Albert edited for length, clarity and he sold his business and retired. N.Y., Healy attended Xavier H.S. W. and Eva, and Paul P. and Debra; style at the editors’ discretion. Gruber was a longtime resident of At the College, he was a member of four grandchildren; four great- Click “Contact Us” at college. Purchase, N.Y., before moving to Beta Theta Pi. He graduated from grandchildren; sisters, Edie Ialeggio columbia.edu/cct, or mail materials to Obituaries Editor, in 1992. He is survived by Cornell Medical School in 1944 and and Jane LaBella; and several nieces Columbia College Today, his wife, Priscilla; daughters, Mary was a veteran of both WWII and and nephews. Memorial contribu- Columbia Alumni Center, Elizabeth, and Cathryn Long; and the Korean War, witnessing the tions may be made to Refugee 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530, two grandchildren. A brother, Har- Japanese surrender at Truk, and Immigration Ministry, 142 Pleasant 1st Fl., New York, NY 10025. old, predeceased him in 1992. was a medical officer in the occupy- St., Ste 203, Malden, MA 02148. ing force. The bulk of Healy’s career

SPRING 2012 60 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY OBITUARIES

1947 Medical Supply Corps during Henry G. Burger, retired anthro- the Korean War, serving a year in pologist, automated word-finding Korea and then a year in Japan. expert, Overland Park, Kan., on Morrison moved to Pittsburgh in October 14, 2010. Burger was born 1958, where he eventually became on June 27, 1923, in New York. His president and CEO of May Stern & time at the College was interrupted Co. An avid amateur violinist, he by WWII, and he served in three underwent rotator cuff surgery in combat zones: Papua, Leyte and his 70s to ensure he could continue Luzon. He returned to the College, playing. He was on many classical then earned an M.A. in 1965 and music boards including that of a Ph.D. in 1967, both from GSAS the Y Music Society, the Mendels- in anthropology. From 1967–69, sohn Choir and the Pittsburgh Burger worked in New Mexico as Symphony Orchestra. Morrison the first anthropologist of the re- and his wife, BeeJee, were patrons gional educational laboratories. He of classical music, establishing a did fieldwork with Navajo Amer- Fine Instrument Loan Fund for indians and was adjunct professor PSO string musicians, underwrit- at the University of New Mexico. ing Metropolitan Opera radio His resultant book, Ethno-Pedagogy: broadcasts on WQED-FM and A Manual in Culural Sensitivity, supporting local chamber music has appeared in eight versions. In initiatives. An accomplished tenor- 1969, Burger was asked to establish baritone, Morrison traveled for the anthropology department at years to officiate as a cantor on the the University of Missouri-Kansas Jewish High Holidays. He was on PORTRAIT: ROBERT SHETTERLY, AMERICANSWHOTELLTHETRUTH.ORG City. He remained there until re- the board of Montefiore Hospital tirement, when he was appointed for many years and served on the Richard Grossman ’65, Professor Emeritus of Educa- finance committee of the United tion and Anthropology. Burger Jewish Federation. In addition to Anti-Corporation Activist also was a leader in the field of his wife, Morrison is survived by automated word-finding, a branch his daughters, Lesa and Abby, and ichard Grossman ’65, on Corporations, Law, and of the emerging technology called two nieces. a radical activist and ar- Democracy in 1995, a group informatics. He developed the dent opponent of corpo- that “instigates democratic 1951 R WORDTREE, a two-way diction- rations’ influence on American conversations” and challenges ary that points from a word to its Jerome K. “Jerry” Chase, car deal- politics, died on November 22, the authority of corporations meaning, as does a normal diction- ership owner, Wayland, Mass., on 2011. He was 68 and lived in to govern. He continued his ary, but also from a mere meaning October 29, 2010. Lee Iacocca origi- West Hurley, N.Y. advocacy work into his 60s, or part-meaning to the word best nally hired Chase to purchase land Born on August 10, 1943, founding Frackbusters NY and expressing it. Burger is survived by nationwide for Ford factories and in Brooklyn, N.Y., Grossman the Sovereign People’s Action his wife, Barbara; brother, Chester; dealerships. Chase transferred to majored in English at the Col- Network to draw attention to and several nieces and nephews. Ford’s Boston sales region in 1966 lege and was editor-in-chief and criminalize the process of and quickly moved up the corpo- of Jester. After graduation, he hydraulic fracturing (“frack- Gerald S. Lesser, professor of child rate ladder. Iacocca offered him volunteered with the Peace ing”) in New York state. development, Lexington, Mass., several promotions to bring him Corps in the Philippines. Grossman also was a pro-­ on September 23, 2010. Lesser back to Detroit, but Chase turned Grossman began his lific author of books and was a WWII Navy veteran and a him down, eventually fulfilling his long and varied career as a pamphlets on legal history 1949 alumnus of GSAS. He was a own dream of owning a dealership community organizer and and corporations, publishing professor of child development at in 1971, when he founded Fram- activist in the 1970s, when he Defying Corporations, Defining Harvard and one of the original ingham Ford with a partner. As the founded Environmentalists Democracy: A Book of History developers of Sesame Street and business grew, Chase handled local for Full Employment, a group & Strategy and Taking Care other educational programs. He and state police contracts, outfit- that worked to reconcile the of Business: Citizenship and is survived by his wife, Stella (née ting cruisers with racks, sirens and interests of environmental the Charter of Incorporation, Scharf); daughter, Nina Duprey, lights; he later sold that business. activists and union members. among others. and her husband, Peter; son, Chase’s son, Jerry Jr., joined his fa- In the 1980s, he worked and His brother Lawrence ’52 Theodore; grandson; and niece. ther about 22 years ago and bought taught at the Highlander Re- says he saw Richard as a “pas- Memorial contributions may be the business almost 10 years ago. search and Education Center, sionate and uncompromising made to National Head Start Asso- In retirement, Chase spent time in a social justice leadership idealist who consistently took ciation, 1651 Prince St., Alexandria, his garden and serving at St. Ann’s school that trained Martin on huge world challenges that VA 22314. Church. He is survived by his wife Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and were too big to be dealt with of 56 years Anne (née Buckhout) other Civil Rights movement by any one person.” 1949 Chase; children, Jerry Jr. and his leaders during the 1950s. He Grossman is survived by Perry E. Morrison, business wife, Laurence, Nan Alphen and also was executive director of his wife, Mary L. MacArthur; executive, violinist, Pittsburgh, on her husband, Paul, Clay and his Greenpeace. daughter, Alyssa; brothers, August 24, 2010. Born on May 18, wife, Karen, John and his wife, By the late 1980s, Gross- Lawrence ’52 and Daniel; 1929, Morrison attended the Bronx Louise, Bill, and Wini; nine grand- man shifted his focus to op- grandson; aunt, Shirley; and H.S. of Science and earned an children; and brothers, George and posing corporate personhood. nieces, nephews and cousins. M.B.A. from the Business School Peter. Memorial contributions may He founded the Program Benjamin W. Gittelson ’15 in 1950. He was in the Army be made to Parmenter Health Cen-

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OBITUARIES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY ter, 266 Cochituate Rd., Wayland, 1955 1958 inventiveness is seen throughout MA 01778 or St. Ann’s Church. Alan D. Pasternak, consultant Donald Festa, retired colonel, his work, including his comic nov- and lobbyist, Lafayette, Calif., on Oakland, N.J., on October 14, 2010. el Superstoe, published in 1967, and Muir N. Weissinger Jr., author September 24, 2010. Pasternak Festa was born in Paterson, N.J., on his 2008 novel, Dancing with Bears. and poet, St. Augustine, Fla., on graduated from the Ethical Culture September 5, 1932. He enlisted in Borden produced many short July 2, 2009. Weissinger was born Fieldston School in New York City, the Air Force and was stationed as stories, appearing in more than 30 in London, England, in 1928 and then earned a B.A from the College a radar operator in the Korean War literary magazines and winning lived in many countries before set- and a B.S. in 1956 from Engineering. for four years. He graduated from the PEN Syndicated Fiction Prize tling in St. Augustine in 1998. He While at Columbia he rowed on the the College with honors. Festa grad- and the Writers Voice Fiction Con- was the author of two editions of varsity lightweight crew. After col- uated first in his class with the rank test. His poems appeared in more a well-received book, The Failure of lege Pasternak was an officer in the of 2nd Lieutenant from the Marine than 80 literary magazines and Faith, exploring the ideas behind Navy from 1956–59. He earned a Corps training center and received 20 anthologies. Borden also was faith and ideology and was close Ph.D. in chemical engineering from a Bronze Star for leadership during a successful playwright, writing to completing another book, com- UC Berkeley. Pasternak was chosen a conflict in the Dominican Repub- more than 37 plays. He is survived menting on totalitarianism, at the by Gov. Jerry Brown to be one of the lic. In 1966, Festa and his Ninth by his wife, Nancy Lee-Borden; a time of his death. He had a great original appointees to the California Marines landed in Vietnam. He brother; three children; and seven appreciation of good food and Energy Commission, where he commanded the Alpha Company, grandchildren. Memorial contribu- wine, and never turned down the served from 1975–79. He previously labeled “The Walking Dead” by Ho tions may be made to the Authors opportunity to try unusual foods. was a member of the scientific staff Chi Minh. Festa was commended Guild Foundation or the Global He spoke many languages, wrote of Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, for his leadership with the Gal- Polio Eradication Initiative. poetry, was an expert in several where he worked on the develop- lantry Cross, the Purple Heart and 1961 periods of history (especially ment of new energy technologies, the Silver Star. He went on to have WWII), was a self-taught Egyptol- including coal gasification and the a long and distinguished career in Donald G. Roesch, retired attorney, ogist and played tennis. Weissing- use of methyl alcohol for fuel. After the military; among other assign- Woodside, Calif., on September 19, er is survived by his wife, Murrell; leaving the Energy Commission, ments, he served at the Pentagon, 2010. Roesch was born in Kansas sister, Pam Crary; brothers-in-law, Pasternak was a consultant and the in Denmark as an operations officer City, Mich., and grew up in the Richard and Hank; and a number lobbyist and technical director of for NATO and in Okinawa as a Midwest. His family settled in the of nieces, great-nieces and great- the California Radioactive Materi- senior planning officer for the U.S. San Francisco Bay Area, and Roesch nephews. als Management Forum, where Pacific Command Center. Festa was graduated from Sequoia H.S., he worked for the remainder of predeceased by his wife, Yoko, and Redwood City. He developed a love 1954 his career. In 1990 he returned to a brother, Nicholas. Survivors in- for the outdoors as a member of Thomas E. Sinton Jr., retired Livermore part-time to resume his clude his brothers, James L., Charles the Boy Scouts of America. Roesch business executive, Mahwah, N.J., work on energy policy. Pasternak is C. Jr., Robert P. and Peter; sisters, earned a law degree from Hastings on November 11, 2010. Sinton survived by his wife, Meta L.; chil- Rose DeLisi and June Leonardi; University Berkeley in 1965 and was born in New York City on dren, Jeremy, Benjamin and Emelia; and nieces, nephews, grand-nieces became an attorney in 1966. He August 26, 1932. He attended and two grandchildren. and grand-nephews. Memorial served with the county’s Public De- Fordham Prep and earned a degree contributions may be made to the fender Program, was temporarily a from the Business School in 1955. 1956 ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd St., New York, judge and taught a law class at the Sinton commenced a career with Joseph A. Parker Jr., engineer, Toms NY 10128-6804. College of San Mateo. Roesch was Arthur Young in New York that River, N.J., on November 11, 2010. a longtime member of Kiwanis In- year and retired in 1992, as a Parker earned a degree in 1957 from John J. Rothschild, cardiologist, ternational, San Mateo County Trial partner, from its successor Ernst Engineering and was then commis- New York City, on November 4, Lawyers Association, the American & Young. He then joined Bankers sioned second lieutenant in the Air 2010. Born in Cologne, Germany, Bar Association, Kings Mountain Trust as a managing director and Force. He flew C-124s, a B-57 and a Rothschild came to New York as an Art Fair Board of Directors and the board member of related funds C-141. Parker was deployed in 1967 infant. A graduate of SUNY Down- Kings Mountain Association. He management businesses until his to the Vietnam conflict and flew state Medical School, he dedicated served as lieutenant governor of retirement in 2005. Sinton was a more than 200 combat missions as nearly five decades to providing pa- Kiwanis International from 1995–96 longtime resident of Upper Saddle an electronic warfare officer on the tient care and medical education at and was president and legal counsel River, N.J., and a longstanding EB-66, earning the Meritous Air Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Rothschild for KMA. His favorite hobbies were member of both Hackensack Golf Medal. At the conclusion of his tour, is survived by his wife, Barbara; reading and home projects. Roesch Club and The New York Athletic he finished his graduate work at children and their spouses, Andrew is survived by his wife, Kari; daugh- Club. He is survived by his wife, . Parker went on to fly C-5 ’92 (Barbra), Spencer (Julie) and ter, son-in-law and granddaughter, Susan (née Creter); daughters, Jill Galaxys as a navigator, stationed at Juliet (Matthew Weissman); mother- Anna, Alan and Emily Tubbs; and Polansky and her husband, Ron- Dover AFB. He retired as a major and father-in-law, Fannie and Albert brother, sister-in-law and nephew, ald, Sally Sinton and her husband, in 1980 and continued to work Kishter; and eight grandchildren. Warren, Peggy and Whit Roesch. Thomas Lorenzen; mother-in-law, for the Department of Defense at He was pedeceased by his daughter Margaret Creter; four grandchil- Fort Monmouth, N.J., finishing his 1960 Lisa Marie. Memorial contributions dren; brother, Donald, and his civilian career at Ilex in 2008. Parker William V. Borden, playwright, may be made to the Kings Moun- wife, Patricia; brother-in-law, is survived by his wife of 53 years, novelist, poet and English profes- tain Elementary School KMAP, 211 Joseph Daly; daughter-in-law, Margaret “Rita”; children, Steven sor, Rockwall, , on October Swett Rd., Woodside CA 94062. Trudy Sinton; and cousins, nieces and his wife, Cassandra, Robert and 23, 2010. Borden was born in 1938 1962 and nephews. He was predeceased his wife, Lynn, and Tana and her in Indianapolis. He was a profes- by his son, Thomas E. III, and husband, Frank; sister, Ann Hogan; sor of English at the University Eugene V. “Vic” Wolfenstein, sister, Audrey Daly. Memorial and six grandchildren. Memorial of North Dakota for 27 years, the professor, psychoanalyst and contributions may be made to the contributions may be made to St. fiction editor of the North Dakota writer, Beverly Hills, on December Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, Quarterly from 1986–2002 and 15, 2010. Wolfenstein was born New Jersey Chapter, 400 Morris 2200 Church Rd., Toms River, NJ received the Chester Fritz Distin- in Cleveland on July 9, 1940. He Ave., Ste 251, Denville, NJ 07834. 08753. guished Professor award. Borden’s earned a Ph.D. in politics from

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Princeton in 1965; his dissertation formed the basis of his first book, OTHER DEATHS REPORTED The Revolutionary Personality: Lenin, Trotsky, Gandhi. Wolfenstein went Columbia College Today also has learned of the following deaths. Complete obituaries will be to UCLA in 1965 as an assistant published in an upcoming issue, pending receipt of information. Due to the volume of obituaries professor of political science and that CCT receives, it may take several issues for the complete obituary to appear. became a full professor in 1979. 1935 Norman F. Ramsey Jr., physicist and professor, Wayland, Mass., on November 4, 2011. He spent his entire academic 1941 Dante A. Bove, career at UCLA, where he had a retired engineer, Toms River, N.J., on January 4, 2012. prolific writing career, including Arthur C. Kragen, retired ob/gyn, South Orange, N.J., on October 7, 2011. eight books and numerous articles. Albert Rosenblum, Yonkers, N.Y., on October 7, 2011. 1942 His final work was Talking Books: Elliott C. Levinthal, physicist, inventor and professor, Palo Alto, Calif., on January 14, 2012. Toni Morrison Among the Ancestors. William A. Mazzarella, retired IRS employee, Oceanside, Calif., on January 2, 2012. 1943 In 1991, Wolfenstein received the Edward M. Buyer, electrical engineer, Adamstown, Md., on February 4, 2012. 1944 UCLA Mortar Board Faculty Excel- Allen M. Fisher, dentist, Brookfield, Wis., on January 11, 2012. lence Award and in 1994 UCLA’s Peter G. Rozakis, retired insurance sales representative, financial planner and consultant, Harriet and Charles Luckman Greenville Junction, Maine, on October 9, 2011. Distinguished Teaching Award. John T. Williamson, geologist and travel agency executive, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on Wolfenstein also was a practic- November 3, 2011. 1945 ing psychoanalyst. He earned a Robert C. Hehn, retired purchasing manager, Yonkers, N.Y., on September 18, 2011. second Ph.D., in psychoanalysis, Eric Jenett, retired engineer, Houston, on October 20, 2011. 1946 from the Southern California Harry W. Fritts Jr., physician, professor and chair emeritus, Northport, N.Y., on April 22, 2011. Psychoanalytic Institute in 1984 and George H. Pretat, engineer, Bowdoin, Maine, on July 26, 2011. 1947 taught there from 1988–2002. He George W. Haefelein, retired economist, Newark, N.J., on January 6, 2012. 1948 is survived by his wife of 42 years, George W. Carey, professor, Old Chatham, N.Y., on January 10, 2012. Judy; children, Laura (Karl Shal- Stanley L. Johnson, engineer, Uxbridge, Mass., on January 20, 2012. liker), Leonard (Lyla), Gabriel and Mace Siegel, Beverly Hills, on October 26, 2011. Moses; four grandchildren; uncle, 1949 James R. Condina, retired data processor, Carmel, N.Y., on December 21, 2011. Lincoln (Wilma); and half-siblings, Richard W. DeBruin, retired editor and financial executive, Quincy, Mass., on December 16, 2011. Marlene (Bruno) Borghi, Robert George Sayer, engineer, Hillsboro, Ore., on October 9, 2011. and Karoline (Cyril) Postel-Vinay. 1953 Richard “Dick” Gershon, retired advertising executive, , N.Y., on November 15, 2011. Memorial contributions may be Carl T. Witkovich, and loans executive, San Mateo, Calif., on , 2011. made to UCLA’s Department of 1955 Philip D. Bleser, Bonita Springs, Fla., on October 28, 2011. Political Science for an award to be 1956 Donald R. Nunziato, civil engineer, developer and contractor, Amherst, Va., on December 22, 2011. established in his name. 1957 Walter C. Rabe, Floral Park, N.Y., on January 10, 2012. 1958 Howard V. Dubin, dermatologist, Ann Arbor, Mich., on October 16, 2011. 1971 1960 Louis G. Gladstone, social services worker, Menands, N.Y., on February 13, 2009. Paul C. Jamieson III, former attor- Donald S. Keller, sheet metal fabrications executive, Wayland, Mass., on November 6, 2011. ney, amateur chef, Stamford, Conn., Robert R. Morgan, retired teacher, New York City, on December 10, 2011. on October 8, 2010. At Columbia, George E.B. Morren Jr., anthropologist and professor, Rocky Hill, N.J., on September 29, 2011. Jamieson was a member of the ice 1961 Joel J. Karp, international tax and estate planning expert, Washington, D.C., on January 16, 2011. hockey team, crew and Alpha Delta 1962 John E. Zucker, allergist, Washington, D.C., on December 27, 2011. Phi. After graduating, he and his 1963 James F. Brogan Jr., Charlestown, Mass., on December 26, 2011. future wife, Pam, traveled around 1964 Alan B. Reis, attorney, New York City, on March 30, 2010. Europe for a year. Later Jamieson 1968 Nathaniel M. Semple, political staff member, Washington, D.C., on January 3, 2012. attended The New England School 1969 Dean P. Dark, consulting geophysicist, Tyler, Texas, on November 8, 2011. of Law, graduating in 1976. When 1972 Richard B. Kaplan, dentist, Caldwell, N.J., on November 30, 2011. his children were born, Jamieson 1977 Damien C. Bona, Academy Award expert, writer, New York City, on January 29, 2012. left the practice of law to stay home. 1980 Jordan Pfister, Brooklyn, N.Y., on February 26, 2011. He took pains to invest with equal 1981 Raymond E. Morrison, financial planner, Detroit Lakes, Minn., on November 26, 2011. ardor in each and every meal, shopping daily. He also donated his cooking skills to the community; 1979 CIA, for which he was honored Central H.S. A scholar and educa- for The Long Ridge School, which Jonathan M. Kayes, chief learning with several medals. He enjoyed tor, Fettman has been memorial- he attended at 5 and with which he officer, Vienna, Va., on August 5, long weekend morning walks with ized with a scholarship in his name maintained a lifelong connection 2010. Kayes earned a degree in the family dogs, music, reading, at Rockland Community College in and was board secretary, he hosted 1981 from SIPA and also studied the and Chinese New York, where he taught ESL for a Teacher’s Appreciation Luncheon at Middlebury and in Taiwan. His food. Kayes is survived by his 20 years. He is survived by his chil- annually. He also loved to sail. career included 27 years of service wife of 24 years, Karen; daughters, dren, Victoria and Steven; brother, Jamieson is survived by his wife of in the CIA. In the decade before his Lauren and Alison; mother, Barry; Eric; and cousins, Sally Colon, 39 years, Pam; daughter, Katie; son, death, Kayes focused on his pas- brothers, Matthew and Ethan; and Gordon Winer and Jeffrey Winer. Andrew; and brother, Matthew. sion for learning, including serving nephews and nieces. Memorial contributions may be Memorial contributions may be as the CIA’s first chief learning made to RCC Foundation, Attn.: 1987 made to The Long Ridge School, officer and later the chief learning Lillian Piskun, ESL Department, 478 Erskine Rd., Stamford, CT officer of the Learning Consortium. Edward S. Fettman, ESL teacher, Rockland Community College, 145 06903-1599 or The Cancer Institute A gifted linguist and manager, he Bridgeport, Conn., on June 21, College Rd., Suffern, NY 10901. at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, 7601 spent a distinguished career with 2010. Born in Bridgeport on May Lisa Palladino Osler Dr., Towson, MD 21204. the Operations Directorate at the 31, 1965, Fettman graduated from

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COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY Class Notes

Columbia College Today Amendment and Howard’s helping to move the U.S.S.R. to a have been read in a theatre club, but Columbia Alumni Center Pulitzer-Prize nominated book friendly economic democracy. not commercially produced. My 25 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 The Amendment That Refused to Die: “I am chairman of Windsor Pro- main activity is reading — trying to 40 New York, NY 10025 Equality and Justice Deferred (1973). duction Corp., retired CEO of the catch up on all I could not do while [email protected] In his introduction, Haworth N.Y.S.E.-listed companies Seagrave in school or when I was a practic- neatly summed up Howard’s Corp. and Vista Resources, and a ing lawyer. I devote an hour or two Columbia College recently realized many accomplishments, saying: director of a number of charitable every day to that and to sending gifts of more than $5 million toward “Meyer is a towering scholar and corporations. … I was a Columbia messages on my computer. I read endowed financial aid from the thinker in a small, 96-year-old University Alumni Medalist in the San Francisco Chronicle daily, as estates of Shepard Alexander ’21 body. [When he moved] to West 1964 and I hold honorary Ph.D. de- well as The Nation and several other and his wife, Patricia. Marin, few knew that this articu- grees from Hofstra and Adelphi.” publications. Alexander, who died on Sept­ late, charming man was a two-time Columbia’s Institute of War and “I have a house in a small em­ber 21, 2001, at 100 (college. Pulitzer Prize-nominated author, Peace Studies, founded in 1951 residential city near San Francisco. columbia.edu/cct_archive/nov01/ a legal authority, social and civil under the sponsorship of President I am in good health, walk for 30 nov01_obituaries.html), was rights historian, retired attorney Eisenhower, is named for Arnold, minutes every morning and swim among the most active alumni and arbitrator, former assistant to and in 2003 he was awarded the when the weather allows. For in Columbia history, a familiar two U.S. attorneys general in the Order of Honor by President Eduard about five years, until I was 80, I face on and off campus and at the era of WWII, and a member of the Shevardnadze of , the coun- led monthly hikes on trails for the Baker Athletics Complex, where American Society of International try’s highest honor to a foreigner. Sierra Club and twice-yearly hikes he was one of Columbia football’s Law. Of his many books and some Bob Saloschin ’40 writes, for the Berkeley Hiking Club. As a most ardent supporters. He was 70 articles published in prestigious “Within a month of hitting 92, my member of a local volunteer musi- a member of the College’s Board publications, he has been well time and energy are divided be- cal society, I was chairman of its of Visitors and a recipient of the known as a social activist.” tween the usual household matters, Composers Workshop and house Alumni Medal in 1961 and the manager (eliciting help from fellow John Jay Award for distinguished elders to move the piano front professional achievement in 1991. and center for performances, then In 1998, he and his wife endowed Sol Fisher ’36 has written half a dozen plays, the back to the wall afterward). I have the first coaching position at Co- basic script for an opera on the Holocaust and a reduced my theatre-going to one lumbia, the Patricia and Shepard local symphony orchestra and one Alexander Head Coach of Football. number of one-act shows. local opera company but, of course, Alexander was a generous bene- I watch and listen to broadcasts; factor, serving as his class’ fund several years ago, I donated all of chair for 50 years and endowing Arnold Saltzman ’36, who is efforts to stay mobile with some my records, discs and videotapes to numerous scholarships in addition featured in a nearby photograph help from physical therapy, trying the music department of the local to his support of annual giving and carrying the 1936 banner at last to finish a book that I agreed to community college. athletics. A trust was set up to sup- year’s Alumni Parade of Classes at write several years ago and trying “I also raise and harvest apples, port his wife, and when she died Class Day, submitted a brief biog- to keep up with the significant parts pears, grapes, oranges, plums and on September 16, 2011, Columbia raphy. He writes, “I’m married to of the news. The book reflects my lemons in my backyard orchard, received an additional $1.25 mil- Joan Saltzman and have lived with tendency to be an optimistic pes- and have made plum jam and lion to support financial aid, in her in Nassau County since 1947. simist. It summarizes the problems dehydrated apples and pears. For addition to the $4.4 million Alex- We have a daughter, Marian, and that face our country, possible ap- Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, ander had previously arranged to two sons, Eric ’69 and Robert ’67. proaches to solutions and ways the which I spend with family and support the College. Grandson Gabriel ’11 also followed reader might help. I hope the book friends, I also bake a dozen yams Altogether, Alexander and his in the family footsteps. will be spiced by some references to and freeze a tiramisu.” family have donated more than $8 “I was a naval officer in WWII wonderful people, such as Bobby Also writing from San Francisco million to Columbia, a lasting legacy. and served five presidents in a Kennedy, William Rehnquist, John is David Perlman ’39, ’40J, science Howard Meyer ’34, ’36L, of range of policy-level diplomatic Atanasoff, the inventor of the editor for the Chronicle (college. Bolinas, Calif., recently gave an and economic assignments, and I electronic computer — whom I columbia.edu/cct/nov_dec09/ interview to Elia Haworth of received a Presidential Commen- taught to fly at his request — and features). He expanded on his Original Minds, a program on dation for my efforts on the Inter- Ralph Linton, a Columbia professor update from last issue: “I write community radio station KWMR. national Nuclear Non-Proliferation of anthropology whose insights about all kinds of science — been They discussed Howard’s career, Treaty. I carried out diplomatic benefited me throughout my legal, covering Mars since the Mariner focusing largely on the Fourteenth assignments in , naval and civic careers. Bless them Missions, orbiters, rovers and all the Soviet Union, South America, and many more. the other , too. Write about Central America and Vienna. … I “We have lived in the same house earthquakes, oceanography, space, Class Notes are submitted by also was appointed as the adviser in Bethesda, Md., since 1962. For the climate, evolution, fossils and more. to the New York State Congres- benefit of any classmates who enjoy I try to annoy the - alumni and edited by volunteer sional Delegation in Washington traveling by boat or renting a small ers and climate change deniers class correspondents and the and chairman of the Speakers plane, we have enjoyed both, includ- (does anyone notice how often staff of CCT prior to publication. Committee of the Assembly in ing cruising the Chesapeake Bay and they’re the same folks?). Anyone Albany. My function in both cases the Intracoastal Waterway between wanting to see what I write can go Opinions expressed are those of was to propose legislative agenda Florida and Maryland with junkets to sfgate.com and use the search individual alumni and do not to benefit New York state. … to offshore islands in the Bahamas box. When the Chronicle was rich, “The first westerner invited by and off the coast of Massachusetts.” I got to go all over — Antarctica, reflect the opinions of CCT, its the USSR in early 1985 to explain Sol Fisher ’36 reports, “I have Alaska, China, Galapagos, Ethiopia class correspondents, the College the change coming in Soviet policy, written half a dozen plays illuminat- and so on — but now the longest I spent much of the next five years ing historical events; the basic script voyage is to far-off Silicon Valley or the University. as an honest broker between the for an opera on the Holocaust; and a or across the wide, wide waters to United States and the U.S.S.R., number of one-acts, some of which Berkeley. I’d be delighted to hear

SPRING 2012 64 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

from anyone from my class, either Thursday, May 31–Sunday, June College or the Journalism School.” 3. As you all know, it’s a great Share your memories and news chance to see campus and catch up with friends and classmates by with old friends. Our class-specific sending a Class Note to the postal lunch on Saturday is sure to be a or email address at the top of the highlight. Saturday also is Dean’s column, or, even easier, by submit- Day, which means you’ll have the ting it online through CCT’s easy- opportunity to participate in Mini- to-use webform: college.columbia. Core Curriculum and Public Intel- edu/cct/submit_class_note. lectual Lectures and other events. Lots more is still in the works. For the most up-to-date informa- Robert Zucker tion — and more importantly, to 29 The Birches sign up! — go to reunion.college. 41 Roslyn, NY 11576 columbia.edu. You can also contact [email protected] the Alumni Office staff listed at the top of the column. And be sure to check out the special reunion pre- Dr. Charles Plotz, the youngest view section in this issue of CCT. member of our class, celebrated his Columbia’s exciting 35–28 double Arnold Saltzman ’36 and his son, Eric Saltzman ’69, carried Arnold’s 90th birthday in December and is overtime football victory over Brown class banner during the Alumni Parade of Classes at Class Day 2011. a consultant for the Social Security at Wien Stadium on November 19 PHOTO: ETHAN ROUEN ’04J, ’11 BUSINESS Administration. He is the second meant the Lions finished with a 1–9 of four generations of Columbians. record and avoided a winless season His father graduated from P&S in — a fine farewell for the seniors on Princeton. liam; sister, Joan Vogel; and five 1900. Charles commented that he the team. It brought back memo- I have more sad tidings than grandchildren. We send condo- hopes the Core Curriculum will ries from 29 years ago, when on usual to report, beginning with H. lences from our classmates to remain for his descendants. I am November­ 20, 1982, I attended the James Sondheim, who passed away Jim’s family, and to that I add my sure his classmates would join in final game at the old Baker Field. On on August 6 in Trumbull, Conn. I personal sense of sadness and loss, this wish. that date, we also played Brown, but had known Jim since 1935, when as well as gratitude for a friendship Roy McArdle’s daughter, Eliza- lost 35–21.With me in the wooden we met as students at Horace Mann of 76 years. Farewell, old friend. beth Solomon, advises that Roy is stands were my best pals, the late School. Jim served in the Army Dr. Steinberg — for enjoying life with Helen, his wife Gerald Green — famous novelist, Air Corps during WWII and then many years an ob/gyn on the staff of 61 years, and some of his descen- NBC television producer and author earned an M.B.A. from the Stern of Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC — dants, who live in beautiful Hawaii. of The Last Angry Man and Holocaust School of Business at NYU. Jim died on October 22 in Palm Beach, He apparently can still remember — and lifelong friend Ray Robinson worked at CBS in New York, then Fla. At Columbia, I knew Myron as the names of his six children, 19 ’41. Robinson is a veteran magazine at FM radio station WAAT and TV a brilliant pre-medical student. He grandchildren and one great- editor (Seventeen, Good Housekeeping), station WATV in Newark before was admitted to P&S a year early grandchild. biographer of Lou Gehrig ’23 (Iron returning to the city to help establish on the “professional option” (no On a sad note, Dick Kuh died in Horse: Lou Gehrig in His Time) and au- WQXR, one of the most prominent longer available) and earned an November. His obituary appeared thor of The Home Run Heard ’Round classical music stations in the nation. M.D. in 1944. He was predeceased in The New York Times: Dick was for The World: The Dramatic Story of the He then worked at NBC Television by his wife, Helen, and is survived many years a Manhattan prosecutor 1951 Giants-Dodgers Pennant Race, before returning to his radio career by his children, Michael, Alan and briefly was the Manhattan dis- about the Bobby Thomson homer at Infinity Broadcasting, where he and Leslie; a brother; two sisters; trict attorney; more recently he was that gave the New York Giants remained until retirement. and several grandchildren and a partner in a New York law firm. the 1951 National League pennant Jim was a member of Broadcast great-grandchildren. Myron was While at Columbia, Dick was on the over the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ray, a Pioneers and of the International a member of the John Jay Society. Student Board and was the editor of devoted fundraiser for research in Radio and Television Society. He Our condolences to Myron’s family our yearbook, the Columbian. He was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also and his wife, Dorothy, enjoyed and friends on their loss. a combat infantryman in Europe and known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, international travel with Elder- I received a note from Winston graduated from Harvard Law. celebrated his 91st birthday in New hostel, and he also was an active Gaffron ’46 reporting the death of By the time this appears I will York City on December 4. participant in AA for more than 30 his brother, John Milan Coleman have returned from a 10-day trip to Like our 2011 football team, the years, supporting and encouraging Gaffron ’42E, on September 28 in Israel with my companion’s family 1982 team finished with a record of many AA members. He was an Georgetown, Texas. Jack was 91. and a Club Med Ixtapa trip with 1–9. Our only win that year came accomplished amateur photog- He graduated with a B.S. in min- my 26-member family. I will be over Princeton, 35–14. The captains rapher, going back to his student ing-engineering, was a member of raring to write news of class mem- in 1982 were Jim Gavin ’82, who years at Horace Mann, where he Phi Gamma Delta and rowed on bers’ activities. Keep me posted. became an executive with Procter was photographic editor of the our great crews in 1940 and 1941. & Gamble, and Mike Scavina ’83, literary quarterly. At Columbia, Jim Jack began his career at Freeport who earned a medical degree from was a member of ZBT and worked Sulphur in 1942, then enlisted in the REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 Ohio State and became a cardiolo- at radio station CURC, then in Navy and served for three years as ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS gist in Ohio. its early years. He was coxswain an officer on board a small carrier ALUMNI AFFAIRS Nick Mider Baker Field was replaced by Wien on the freshman lightweight and (CV57); he engaged in several major [email protected] Stadium, thanks to generous donor junior varsity lightweight crews, battles in the Pacific Theater. In 212-851-7846 Lawrence Wien ’25, ’27L, while the participated in The 1946, Jack returned to Columbia’s DEVELOPMENT Allen Rosso playing field was later named for and debate council, and wrote for Graduate School of Mines, where [email protected] generous donor Robert K. Kraft ’63, the Columbia Review. He earned a in 1947 he earned an engineer of 212-851-7947 owner of the New England Patriots. well-deserved Silver Crown for his mines degree, followed by a degree Melvin Hershkowitz On September 22, 1984, in the first many contributions to under- in petroleum engineering. He 22 Northern Ave. game at Wien, we lost to Harvard graduate life. Jim also was a loyal resumed his career at Freeport 42 Northampton, MA 01060 35–21, an ominous start to our now alumnus; he went to many Home- Sulphur, working on the Texas Gulf [email protected] famous 44-game losing streak. Our comings at Baker Field and Wien Coast in the oil and gas department. first victory at Wien Stadium, in fact, Stadium, and he attended several In 1964, he was named v.p. of the did not come until four years later, class reunions with his wife. Freeport Oil Co., serving in that We are just three months from our when on October 8, 1988, we man- Jim is survived by his wife; capacity until his retirement in 1980, 70th reunion, which will be held aged a dramatic 16–13 victory over daughter, Susan Mohr; son, Wil- after which he worked for 10 years

SPRING 2012 65

CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

Dr. Herbert Hendin ’46, ’59 P&S, Is Pioneer in Suic ide Research

B y K a r e n K e l l e r ’05J

on’t try to tell Dr. at NYU (he also earned a certifi- study a very different popula- ogy. Next, he switched to the Herbert Hendin cate in psychoanalytic medicine tion: “You had a nice time with psychiatry department at New ’46, ’59 P&S, one from P&S), he met a beautiful wealthy Scandinavians. Now York Medical College so that of the world’s girl in her late 20s who was rich come study African-American he could focus more on his foremost suicide and smart, but who wanted to suicide,” he recalls her saying. own research. At NYMC he Dexperts, that it’s time to retire. kill herself. He couldn’t under- Since then, Hendin has sowed the seeds of his current The fact that he’s 85 just stand why a person with so written 10 books and hundreds work, steering a research and makes him want to work harder. many advantages in life would of research articles that have treatment program for combat Plus, he’s doing what may want to end it, he says. helped mental health profes- veterans of the Vietnam War be his most important life work with PTSD. right now: helping to stem the Now Hendin hopes to bring tide of military suicides, which his expertise to help military has spiked alarmingly in recent members who fought in the years. In 2009 more military nation’s most recent wars. members took their own lives In December, he received than died in enemy combat, the first installment of a two- according to congress.org. year, $686,000 grant from the If the grim trend seems like Bristol-Myers Squibb Founda- an inscrutable puzzle to outsid- tion to treat military combat ers, to Hendin — who has stud- veterans in Houston and study ied severely depressed people suicide in the military. A month from Harlem to China — vet- later, he stepped down as CEO erans just represent another of SPI to focus on the work. subculture with an explainable He still sees patients before 9 emotional geography. Among a.m. and after 4:30 p.m., those with post-traumatic the best hours for his current stress disorder (PTSD), he says, research. the ones most likely to take Dr. Herbert Hendin ’46, ’59 P&S, an international suicide expert, at “I’m doing only work that their lives are those who feel the Upper East Side headquarters of one of his foundations, Suicide I enjoy. I don’t have to go to Prevention Initiatives. disturbed by what they did administrative meetings any- PHOTO: KAREN KELLER ’05J or didn’t do during combat more,” Hendin says. — those who feel they did Recently Hendin connected something morally wrong. Eager to unlock the riddle, sionals in their work with with U.S. Military Veterans of Yet despite decades of Hendin embarked on his first patients at risk of suicide. He Columbia University (known on expertise with a subject some major research project into also founded two national campus as “Milvets”), vets who see as upsetting, suicide didn’t suicide. A Danish psychiatrist foundations, Suicide Preven- served in Iraq and Afghanistan always fascinate him. knew Hendin was interested tion Initiatives (SPI, suicidepre- and who now study at Colum- As a pre-med student, in the cross-cultural contexts ventioninitiatives.org) and the bia on scholarship aid. The Hendin’s favorite teachers of suicide and invited him to American Foundation for Suicide group is working with SPI on a were Mark Van Doren ’21 GSAS do research on the “Scandi- Prevention (afsp.org). He is one fundraising walk called “Walk and Otto Klineberg ’28 GSAS, navian suicide phenomenon”; of just two researchers on the for Life,” scheduled for May 5 a world-renowned social psy- the suicide rate in and topic who has worked with the in Riverside Park. chologist who taught Hendin’s Denmark was triple the rate World Health Organization. He abnormal psychology class. “I in . Hendin wound up spent time in rural China, for ex- hroughout his life, Hen­din was fascinated by the material, spending several summers ample, teaching local workers at has carried a sense of and had a response to it that interviewing patients in each of simple triage units to recognize T purpose that energizes led him to encourage me to go the three countries to discover signs of suicidal people so they anything he does, whether on into a career in psychiatry,” what made them tick. could be sent to the nearest career-related or not. Hendin recalls. (Those were the On his way home from his large hospital to get help. As a senior at Columbia, he days, 1943–45, when College final stint in the Nordic coun- During the more than six was the best player on the var- students studied year-round tries, in 1964, Hendin flew to decades in his field, Hendin sity tennis team. “He was very because the Navy program was New York on a separate plane also worked in academia. From hard to beat,” says Bernard on a schedule of three 16-week from his data, just in case 1960–76, he held a position at Sunshine ’46, Hendin’s long- terms a year; Hendin started either plane went down. (He the Columbia University Medi- time friend and a CCT class Columbia at 16 and graduated chuckles today that he took cal Center, lecturing medical correspondent, who recalls at 18.) himself so seriously.) Once students, supervising psychiat- Hendin’s quick anticipation of The topic of suicide only back in Manhattan, the chief ric residents in their treatment the ball on the tennis court. grabbed his curiosity when, dur- of psychiatry of a Harlem of patients and teaching a Sunshine was team manager. ing rotations in medical school hospital challenged Hendin to course in research methodol- Starting in the 1960s, Hen-

SPRING 2012 66 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

as a consultant to Continental Oil in emy Award in 1958 for his screen- more hiking, music and traveling.” Houston, including visits to Dubai, play of I Want To Live!; and wrote The Rev. A. Ensign Leininger also Saudi Arabia and the United Arab several original television scripts, got in touch. He recalls, “I finished Emirates. including some for Marcus Welby, Columbia College in October 1943. Dr. Herbert Hendin ’46, ’59 P&S, Is Pioneer in Suic ide Research Jack was elected president of M.D. in 1967 and Ironside in 1969. Only 40 of us were left from our class the Society of Petroleum Engineers Bill became a research investigator of 500. Most were away in uniform. B y K a r e n K e l l e r ’05J in 1969, served as an elder of the at Rockefeller University and later At our graduation ceremony in Earl Presbyterian Church and was an was a distinguished rheumatolo- Hall, Nicholas Murray Butler (Class din served as the volunteer enthusiastic golfer, bridge player gist at Cornell Medical School and of 1882) presided and shook our and gardener. He was predeceased New York Hospital. hands (quite an honor). chair of the Columbia Tennis by his first wife, Lucretia Gaffron, Happy birthday to these distin- “I was pastor/teacher/counselor Center Executive Commit- in 1995. In 1997 he married Doris guished classmates! with the Presbyterian Church (USA) tee — a post he held for 20 Kent Ferguson, who survives him in the Philippines and in Chicago. years. He coaxed close to a along with his brother, Winston I retired in 1989 healthy as a horse, million dollars from donors, ’46; daughters, Anita Hughes and G.J. D’Angio and have traveled to Jordan, Egypt mostly alumni, to build more Marietta Eskridge; two grandsons; 43 Department of Radiation and Mexico. I also spent a year as a tennis courts, an air dome two granddaughters; and five Oncology volunteer in the Philippines. Now and a club house at Baker great-grandchildren. Hospital of the University in Chicago, I am a counselor to Field. No stone was left un- Jack was a kind and loving man, a of Pennsylvania, Donner 2 churches in transition, sing in the wonderful father and a loyal friend. 3400 Spruce St. Messiah and work with ministries to turned in Hendin’s efforts: He We send condolences to his family Philadelphia, PA 19104 the hungry and homeless. For fun, I sent 200 handwritten letters, and to his friends and classmates. [email protected] drove around Lake Michigan, a trip one to each member of the The Thanksgiving holiday of 1,000 miles in this beautiful area. Columbia varsity tennis team brought greetings from four loyal My wife and I have eight children, going back to the 1930s. Lion classmates: Art Wellington I’m pleased to say I heard from none of whom studied at Columbia “I don’t know if we would in Elmira, N.Y.; Bob Kaufman in several classmates in time for the College, sad to say.” have had a tennis center Scarsdale, N.Y.; Don Mankiewicz column, though I still think our My wife and I went to the Neth- if Herb hadn’t done that,” in Monrovia, Calif.; and Dr. Wil- group can do better. Please take erlands in October for a medical Sunshine says. liam Robbins in Grand Island, Fla. a few minutes and write me with meeting in charming Amsterdam, Art, who will be 92 in May, news about what is going on in thence to Sittard in the south of Tennis ended up helping entertained 14 members of his your life these many years after the country. There we visited Hendin’s game off the court extended family, the youngest be- graduation. In the meantime, here her brother’s grave in the British as well. Strangers whom ing his 1-year-old great-grandchild. are some updates from your fel- War Cemetery, probably for the he found himself playing Bob, who turned 91 in January, low Lions. last time. We also hired a car and against, and then befriended, visited with his two sons (both Yale Benjamin Senitzky writes, “After driver to take us the few miles into became instrumental to his alumni) in Westchester and New teaching at Polytechnic University Germany to the site where he was foundation work, offering Jersey. Don, 90 in January, called to (now Polytechnic Institute of NYU) killed, along with all his tank crew, free legal help, for example. say he was doing well and had “a Hendin, a father of two houseful of guests” in Monrovia. Bill, who turned 90 in October, who is married to his longtime reported that he was a charter Rev. A. Ensign Leininger ’43 is a counselor to churches sweetheart, Josephine ’68 member of “Tim Tebow Nation,” in transition, sings in the Messiah and works with GSAS, and lives in New York having enjoyed Tim’s career at City, still plays matches with the University of Florida and now ministries helping the hungry and homeless. friends from his Columbia with the Denver Broncos. days, including John Nelson All four classmates served on ’45, ’54 GSAS, the former chair active duty during and after WWII. for 23 years, I semi-retired to Tucson, in November 1944. The country- of the Italian department. For Art was a Marine artillery officer where I taught as adjunct profes- side now is peaceful farmland. One years he also played regu- in the Pacific campaigns, Bob was sor from 1989–99. Since then I have cannot imagine the horrific scene a shipboard officer in the Navy fully retired to pursue my two main 67 years ago, the same month that larly with Seymour Waldman and Don was an enlisted NCO in hobbies: hiking and chamber music. the Allies invaded Germany. ’48, ’50L, a labor lawyer who an Intelligence unit in the Army in We are surrounded by four ranges: We then went to Auckland, passed away in 2009. Europe. Bill, meanwhile, studied at the Tucsons, Catalinas, Rincons and New Zealand, for another medi- Despite the difficult career Cornell Medical School from 1942– Santa Ritas. Each one has many cal meeting. New Zealand is our he has dedicated himself to, 45, then did an internship for a year trails, with hikes ranging from a few favorite country. It has so many Hendin always has been an before serving as a naval medical miles to 20 miles round-trip. I try to nice things; even if I took the rest of energizing force, Sunshine officer from 1946–48; he worked at climb a 10-mile trail with a 4,000- or this column, I could only begin to says. “You can see it come a hospital in Memphis and aboard 5,000-foot elevation change on my name them. Auckland Bay reminds on when the smile begins to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin D. birthday, although I must admit, the one of Seattle’s Puget Sound or Roosevelt in Norfolk, Va. mountains are getting higher every Sydney, Australia: many small form on his face. No matter After the war, Art became an year and my hiking buddies are islands, hundreds of sailing vessels the topic, he has something optometrist in Elmira, N.Y., a part becoming more reluctant to join me. large and small, and ferries moving funny to say about it.” owner of the Elmira Pioneers “I’ve been lucky to find fellow slowly across the waters. We ate a minor league baseball team and musicians here. We get together pleasant lunch at a winery on one Karen Keller ’05J is a a harness racing enthusiast. Bob once a week to play string quartets of the islands. The meal was made freelance journalist based in graduated from Yale Law and rose (I play the violin). My wife of 60 even better by a great white wine the New York City area. Her to v.p. and counsel at the ABC years, Jeanne, had Alzheimer’s and stupendous views. work has appeared in The News and Sports Television Net- for the last 10 years of her life. She That wound up our foreign trav- Daily, AOL News, amNY, The work. He also worked with Roone passed away three years ago. I was el for 2011. We were thrice across Arledge ’52 to create several fa- able to care for her at our home the Atlantic and once the Pacific. Star-Ledger, Fortune, Travel & mous programs, helping to pioneer so she never went to a nursing Enough already! Leisure and other publica- extensive reporting of world news, home. In the last couple of years October and November were tions. Keller is the author of Monday Night Football and coverage I have traveled to Israel, where I busy at home in other ways. We Portuguese For Dummies. of the Olympics. Don won the 1955 have great-grandchildren, as well had 14 persons drop in for over- Harper Prize award for his novel, as to Ireland, Italy, Costa Rica and nights or weekends; it seems we Trial; was nominated for an Acad- Mexico. I’m looking forward to run a pretty good B&B, so come

SPRING 2012 67

CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY see us here in Philadelphia. distinguished legal career, as I see occupied consulting with other in life from feeling the important We spent Thanksgiving Day that one of the benefits of Class major American corporations, impact of telling one’s story in the with my son in Pittsford, N.Y. All Notes is the vicarious pleasure sitting in on executive committee one-on-one intimate environment nine members of our immediate one gets from reading about the meetings and as a member of the of psychotherapy?” family were there. It’s a rare event accomplishments­ of classmates. management team of an interna- Len, a provocative thought for that finds all of us in one place at Alas, I haven’t heard back, but he tional company. today’s world. the same time. made me recall a time when the “Through case histories from Stuart Tears wrote from Fort Finally, I have sad news to report. freshmen lightweights were rowing private practice and my work with Worth, and recalled hiking to and Edward M. Marwell, a business on the Harlem. A cruise boat came major corporations, the book tells from Riverside Drive with the freez- executive from Mount Kisco, N.Y., along, and the guide said through how I applied psychoanalytic ing wind blowing against him. He passed away on September 7. Our his bullhorn: “And there is the expertise to help organizations and relates that his brother was working condolences to all who knew him. Columbia varsity crew practicing!” their employees manage stress and on the Manhattan Project in Pupin Whereupon all eight of us caught address issues stemming from cor- Hall, and “one day my mother — crabs. (For the non-rowers, that’s porate restructuring, merger-caused not one to be stopped when she Henry Rolf Hecht what happens when an oarsman conflicting work cultures and facto- made up her mind — almost got 11 Evergreen Pl. feathers inadequately, and it’s not a ry closures’ affecting communities. shot when she broke into the office 44 Demarest, NJ 07627 good thing; depending on the speed It includes material of public and to see him. The guards had their [email protected] of the boat and the angle when the professional interest that has never guns drawn, and I might have been blade strikes the water, the effect been published. While writing, I without a mother.” Because of WWII dislocations, ’44 can lift a person right out of the was inspired by the advances in Stuart was on the swim team and always has been a relatively small boat!) neuroscience that define the neural expressed particular fondness for class. And with the inevitable I had planned to call some class- substrates through which psychia- coach Ed Kennedy. passage of time, as we hardy (and mates to fill out this column, but try produces adaptive changes. I His comment caused me to turn hearty) survivors move into our unfortunately I spent a week in the could now describe the scientific to our yearbook, which has a full- late 80s or even early 90s, we really hospital with pneumonia (the old principles underlying the process page article about team captain Eu- are down to a select few. But be- man’s friend), septicemia, a-fib and of engagement with patients and gene Rogers. As a Lion swimmer, fore, as I once said, we all “become so on. When I got home, the things clients, and the psychodynamic Gene recorded 56 victories in his one with Hamilton and Jay,” let I had left undone made me think techniques I used successfully for career. His only defeat was to Alan us resolve to stay in touch as long of the Augean stables. So bear with more than 50 years. Ford of Yale, though the contest was as we can. So I ask each of you me. I’ll do better next time. “A few chapter headings follow: so close they posted the same time, to let me know regularly what is You can help, too, by sending “‘Man Hanging At The Tombs’ 2:11. Gene later swam for the U.S. happening in your life. Even things me your news. assesses the relationship between team at the Olympics in London. that seemed trivial a decade or so the overcrowded prison environ- Our faithful correspondent in ago (including keeping in touch) ment and the suicidal behavior of Post Falls, Idaho, John McConnell, are more precious now — so share Bernard Sunshine inmates. In four years as consultant offered up some regional flavor by them as you can. 165 W. 66th St., Apt. 12G to the NYC Board of Corrections, sending in local newspapers with For instance, prolific writer (and 46 New York, NY 10023 I conducted 44 post-mortems headlines such as “Wolf War De- correspondent) Joe Cowley included [email protected] of inmate suicides. My reports clared”; “Wolves Bring Huge Public in his Christmas greeting that he had contributed to improvements in Safety Challenge to Idaho”; and sent his adaptation of ’s I asked Leonard Moss to brief us methods of suicide prevention and “800–2000 Wolves in Idaho Alone.” The Scarlet Letter for ESL students to about his forthcoming book, Manag- led to the closing and remodeling Then there was an unrelated head- the publisher and is now tackling ing Stress in Times of Uncertainty. Len of The Tombs (Manhattan House of line: “Boise Man Loses Hunting Tolstoy’s The Kreutzer Sonata. Joe’s says the book is clearly a product Detention). License for Life … 3 Times.” comment: “Got to keep busy (old of his Columbia education, and he “‘The Art Of Constructive Wor- John’s comment: “Life in the rocking chair is beckoning).” has particular praise for the Core rying’ includes my original formu- Pacific Northwest, Bernie.” And may I add, friends: A rock- Curriculum; medical school, mean- lation of the stages of suicide risk ing chair is a perfectly fine place while, challenged him to make a and explains how to stay in touch REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 from which to contact me with class diagnosis from medical history with the patient’s level of suicidal ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS news. alone, and psychoanalytical training motivation. ALUMNI AFFAIRS Nick Mider Larry Ross, now affiliated with encouraged his empirical bent. He “‘Hotel On A Volcano’ describes [email protected] ’46 but art editor of the 1944 Colum- described the six years of writing the hazards I experienced while 212-851-7846 bian, is eager to acquire a copy of and rewriting as difficult but said consulting on-site on an 88-story DEVELOPMENT Allen Rosso the ’44 yearbook. He did all but two he was relieved to learn that Ernest oil production platform in the [email protected] of the marginal illustrations for that Hemingway rewrote the ending to turbulent Norwegian North Sea 212-851-7947 edition and would love to show A Farewell to Arms 39 times. — an extraordinary seven-year them to his grandchildren. So any- Len writes: “I began my office assignment for Mobil Explora- Columbia College Today one able and willing to help Larry practice in New York in 1955 and tion Norway. The findings and Columbia Alumni Center by selling (or perhaps even lend- soon learned the art of engaging research that followed shaped the 47 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 ing) a copy, please contact him at persons in crisis through ‘construc- industry’s labor practices as well as New York, NY 10025 [email protected]; home phone, tive worrying.’ I found it remark- the health and living conditions on [email protected] 561-736-3422; or cell, 561-676-5912. able that I could form a relation- all oil production platforms. My email is anxious to hear ship in one session that was strong “I conclude the book by ques- Mark your calendars: The Class of from you (and a phone call or snail enough to deter that person from tioning whether the universal use ’47 will celebrate 65 years of Colum- mail also is welcome). committing suicide. Corporate of social networks will negatively bia pride at Alumni Reunion Week- clients began asking me to help impact the experience of intimacy end, Thursday, May 31–Sunday, employees deal with stress in situa- that is the driving force in the psy- June 3. The schedule includes Enoch Callaway tions ranging from the factory floor chodynamic experience. It remains cocktail receptions, special tours, 87 Barbaree Way to the boardroom. In 1970 I made to be seen how the anonymous assorted entertainment and a 45 Tiburon, CA 94920-2223 the critical career decision to leave sharing and visual demonstra- class lunch on Saturday. Note that [email protected] office practice and become the tion of one’s intimate thoughts, Saturday also is Dean’s Day, which in-house consulting psychiatrist behavior and sexual experiences means you’ll have the opportu- I received a long letter from Cy for Mobil Oil. This developed into will affect the capacity for intimacy. nity to participate in Mini-Core Bloom ’47, in which he reminisced a unique relationship between a Will telling one’s story on the In- Curriculum and Public Intellectual about our days on the lightweight psychiatrist and a major corpora- ternet and getting responses from Lectures and other events. crew together. I wrote him back tion that continued for almost three numbers of anonymous persons For the most up-to-date informa- with a request for details about his decades. Later I found myself fully preclude that young person later tion and to register, go to reunion.

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college.columbia.edu. You also to interpret pornography was too in May. My major outside activity rather exciting, announcement of can contact the Alumni Office staff tempting a subject to ignore. We is chairing the board of the Louis the new football coach, whom we listed at the top of the column. asked Professor Trilling for an August Jonas Foundation, founded now know to be Pete Mangurian. Finally, be sure to check out the interview and he graciously com- by George Jonas ’19, the 1977 Alex- Only a few days earlier, Gene had special reunion preview section in plied. We did get the story about ander Hamilton Award recipient; informed us all of the extraordi- this issue of CCT. Trilling’s adventure published the mission of this full scholar- nary success of our basketball team George Borts sent the following: in Spectator. I don’t know how ship international program is to in winning the Centennial Classic “I am employed at Brown. I teach many Columbia undergrads were promote responsible leadership in in Los Angeles; they had an unde- half-time, giving me more time to attracted to study English in the outstanding teenage boys and girls feated record. be with my wife, Dolly, our three hope of following in his footsteps.” for the benefit of society. The rest With all the serious consider- children and three grandchildren. Finally, if you are interested in of my time is spent teaching and ations that engage our attention, it is “I am writing mainly in the hope becoming CCT’s Class of ’47 cor- pursuing research at P&S.” a refreshing break to recognize the you will publish a remembrance of respondent, please contact Alexis News of honors also comes to us athletics program for its meaning- Edward Gold, whose death was Tonti ’11 Arts, managing editor: from Frank Marcus, who received ful contribution to the “glue” that reported in the Winter 2011–12 alt2129@colu mbia.edu or 212-851- two awards in the last year. The first keeps us, from undergraduates to issue (college.columbia.edu/cct/ 7485 for more information. was the Outstanding Achievement old alumni, together in our love and winter11/obituaries). Ed was a Award, which was presented by continued loyalty to our school. fellow exile from the Bronx and an the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Yet again, on the serious side of enjoyable companion. In 1946 we Eric P. Schellin Society at a ceremony in Paris on the ledger, I received a long and were juniors and Ed was writing 2506 N. Harrison St. April 11. The second was the Pio- detailed communication from Art for Spectator. We came upon an 48 Arlington, VA 22207 neer in Pacing and Electrophysiol- Nolan in the furtherance of the Pro- article in The New York Times that [email protected] ogy Award, which was presented at fessor Franz conversation. mentioned that Professor Lionel the Heart Rhythm Society Scientific As you may recall, Art began Trilling ’25, ’38 GSAS had served as [Editor’s note: Due to health con- Sessions in San Francisco on May 6. this discussion in the November/ an expert witness in a pornography cerns, Eric P. Schellin has decided On a sad note, Harry Ekblom December 2010 Class Notes (college. case. It involved prosecution of this will be his last column for CCT. passed away on August 28 in columbia.edu/cct/nov_dec10/ the publishers of Memoirs of Hecate We thank him for his 11 months Oster­ville, Mass. Richard Calame, class_notes) and, over time, others County, authored by Edmund Wil- of service to his class, the maga- Sears Edwards, Fred Morrison have joined the “fray.” Professor son, a well-known author and critic zine and the College. If you are and Jack Thomas attended the Neumann has a genuine resume of of the time. The story was told years interested in stepping into the class funeral. See the class column in the accomplishment, from his service later by Louis Menand ’80 GSAS, correspondent role, please contact Winter 2011–12 issue, page 57, or in the prosecution of the Nurem- writing for The New York Review of Alexis Tonti ’11 Arts, managing go online to college.columbia.edu/ burg trials to his inspirational Books: editor, at [email protected] or cct/winter11/class_notes to read teaching at Columbia; the question “‘The book’s legal troubles 212-851-7485 for information. You Harry’s obituary. of his possible relationship with began only four months after it also can send updates for the next the KGB, however, continues to was published, when copies in issue to that same email address or hold interest. New York City bookstores were to Alexis c/o Columbia College Today, John Weaver As undergraduates we lived seized by plainclothes policemen Columbia Alumni Center, 622 W. 2639 E. 11th St. through the reality of the hot war. acting on a complaint by the New 113th St., MC 4530, 1st Fl., New 49 Brooklyn, NY 11235 The cold war that followed lasted York Society for the Suppression of York, NY 10025, or via CCT’s easy- [email protected] a great deal longer and remains a Vice. A trial in the Court of Special to-use webform: college.columbia. source of controversy. But contro- Sessions followed, at which Lionel edu/cct/submit_class_note.] Here we go again, writing almost versy is not a bad thing. It elicits on the eve of winter for your meaningful discussion and enhances spring reading. It hasn’t snowed our understanding with regard to yet but there is certainly a chill the history that has taken us from The Scientific Assembly on Pediatrics presented in the air. However, that chill has then to now. Robert Mellins ’48 with its 2011 Founders Award for not dampened Gene Straube’s We have heard from another enthusiasm for Columbia College voice that had been quiet since a his significant contributions to the field. athletics. He posted an email to reunion or two ago, Donald Me- alert us all to the pending, and hus. Don sent me a copy of a bio-

Trilling testified to the literary David N. Brainin writes, “I have merit of the description of wom- stopped representing clients (as a en’s “sexual parts,” on grounds lawyer) and am limiting my prac- HELP SUPPORT CCT that if a story was about sexual- tice to acting as a neutral arbitrator COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY brings you news of your alma mater ity, a description of sex organs and mediator. Thanks mainly to might be considered necessary one of my sons and his children, and profiles of its people you won’t find anywhere else. for “accuracy” and “precision.” I have nine grandchildren and Wherever you are — Los Angeles, Louisville, London or the The court was unpersuaded, and seven great-grandchildren. Two of Lower East Side — CCT is the best way to stay connected it pronounced the book obscene. the grandchildren are my oldest with your classmates and with Columbia. The decision was upheld on appeal daughter’s girls. I’m in the 49th year by the State Supreme Court, and of my second marriage, and I look YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION helps make all this in 1948, the Supreme Court of the forward to time with my recently possible. CCT remains free of charge — no donation is required United States sustained the deci- retired wife and to keeping up with to receive the magazine or to access our website (college. sion, on a tie vote, four to four. ... the rest of the family.” columbia.edu/cct). But if you choose to support us, you may The decision made it impossible Robert Mellins says, “At the do so online (college.columbia.edu/cct/giving), by phone for Doubleday, Wilson’s publisher, risk of seeming immodest, two (212-851-7852) or by mailing a check, made payable to to reprint the book, and so, despite things stand out in the past year: the commercially advantageous First, the Scientific Assembly on Columbia College Today (Columbia College Today, Columbia publicity, it died. When Wilson Pediatrics — a subdivision of the Alumni Center, 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530, 1st Fl., New York, reprinted it, in 1959, it was still American Thoracic Society — pre- NY 10025). All donors are recognized each fall, after the close banned in New York.’ sented me with the 2011 Founders of the fiscal year on June 30, on the CCT website. “What an effect all of this had on Award at a gala during the annual the imagination of a pair of teenage meeting in May. Second, P&S pre- WE GREATLY APPRECIATE your support and ask that you stay reporters! The thought that profes- sented me with a Distinguished in touch and share news at college.columbia.edu/cct/contactus. sors of English were called upon Service Award at graduation, also

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY graphical sketch that appeared in Metro Health into a nationally move to a retirement community in John A. Handley came to the Scandinavian-American Bulletin. renowned medical institution.” Irv’s a warmer climate such as Florida or Columbia from a quiet Midwest- It details his history from before area of specialization is rheumatolo- Arizona. Also, my wife, Marjorie, ern town seeking adventure. After his arrival on Morningside Heights gy, a subject on which more than 165 volunteers with the Metropolitan graduation he found it with a through his long and illustrious ca- of his articles have been published. Museum of Art, and I don’t know six-year tour of duty in the Navy reer as an educator. Don is the son what she would do without it. during the Korean War and a of Norwegian parents. Being aware I have two married daughters, subsequent 13 years in the Naval that this correspondent is married George Koplinka Nancy and Catherine, whose com- Reserve. His experiences included to a young woman of Norwegian 75 Chelsea Rd. pany I enjoy. Since my retirement flying F-8 Crusaders, with plenty heritage, he wanted to share this 51 White Plains, NY 10603 from the practice of law 15 years of time on aircraft carriers. When personal history. In a time when [email protected] ago, I’ve lived a quiet life, managing a civilian career with Proctor & education is a subject of the highest my personal affairs, reading and Gamble came along, John resigned order of interest and concern for Our 60th reunion last year provided enjoying the company of friends.” his commanding officer’s job and our nation, I think we must give an opportunity to keep in touch A note from Arnold H. Leibow- moved to Germany. A German homage to one of our own who with many members of our class. itz: “My professional education firm, Farbewerke Hoechst, later devoted his life after graduation to Here are some of the biographical included Yale Law (1954) and the hired him to return to New York the pursuit of knowledge and the comments from those who attended University of Heidelberg, School City as a member of a start-up commitment to teaching. or who passed along information of Jurisprudence (1958–59). In the company, Hoechst Fibers. Another “It’s spring again, and birds on for this column. course of my professional career, eight years on, he received a call the wing again” goes the lyric. With Joseph V. Ambrose Jr. wrote, I have been the v.p. for develop- from a California company and the rebirth of the season, may you all “I received a law degree from ment, Overseas Private Investment accepted the role as v.p. of applied find new and interesting reasons to Columbia, completed two years of Corp; director, Office of Technical magnetics. John finally retired in drop me a note. If you wait to share Army life with a long tour in Japan Assistance, Economic Development 1999, following an association in around the breakfast table on Dean’s and then worked seven years at Administration, U.S. Department at Morgan Stanley. His Day (Saturday, June 2; college. an NYC law firm. Subsequently, of Commerce; and general counsel, marriage to Mary Rose Clemens, a columbia.edu/deansday), it will be I joined a privately owned paper U.S.- Commission on girl from his hometown, produced too late for my next deadline. manufacturing company as assis- the Status of Puerto Rico. As part a family of five children, all grown tant general counsel for six years. of the Senate Subcommittee on up, and includes a Navy admiral, a In 1969 I joined Corroon & Black Immigration, I wrote the initial draft lawyer, a teacher, two medical doc- Mario Palmieri Corp., a publicly owned New of what became the Immigration tors and a lot of grandchildren. 33 Lakeview Ave. W. York-based insurance brokerage Reform Act of 1986. At one time or In case you missed it, there was 50 Cortlandt Manor, NY firm, as v.p. and general counsel, another I have represented all of the an interesting article in the Winter 10567 became a director in 1984 and territories before the federal govern- 2011–12 issue about Joe Sirola. [email protected] remained there until my retirement ment and was adviser to the Guam Written by in 1994. and Virgin Islands Constitutional ’85, ’90 GSAS, a New York Times Ray Annino continues to wield his “In 1961 I married Dorothy Conventions. contributor, the photo and full- watercolor brushes and has posted Neimeyer of Forest Hills, N.Y. “My practice remains in Wash- page profile documents the long 10 new works on his website, ray Since 1968 we have lived in Irving- ington, D.C. I was a contributing career Joe has had in theatre, narra- annino.com. Ray invites all class- ton, N.Y., where we raised three editor to the Bureau of National tion of radio and TV commercials, mates to visit and sign his guest- daughters. Since retirement I have Affairs newsletter Immigration and “Red Rose”-sponsored social book. In addition to the new kept active by teaching ESL and Policy and Law. I edited the first activities (college.columbia.edu/ paint­ings, you can review previous traveling the world, in most recent casebook in immigration law, Cases cct/winter11/alumni_profiles0). showings of his New York state years to Antarctica, Finland, Rus- and Materials on Immigration and If you can bear with a little landscapes, seascapes, harbor sia, China and Alaska. Have given Refugee Policy, in 1983, and wrote editorializing, I’d like to comment scenes, lighthouses and scenes of up on playing tennis!” Defining Status: a Comprehensive on some recent happenings at the fishing and skiing activity. After completing a Business Analysis of U.S. Territorial Relations College. The dismissal of Norries in 1989. My wife, Sandra, and I are Wilson as coach of the Lions the proud parents of two sons and football team was not unexpected two daughters.” after an almost winless season in Irving Kushner ’50 has been inducted into the W. Fred Kinsey III completed 2011 and previous undistinguished MetroHealth Medical Hall of Honor for his long two years of graduate study at seasons. In all fairness to a coach Columbia in anthropology. Then at any scholastic institution, the and productive career in medical research. his Uncle Sam said, “I need you!” comments of a recently retired So Fred spent two years proving coach at Middlebury College make to the Army that he was essential sense. He said coaching can only Ashbel Green, although nomi- School degree in 1954 and a subse- to our country’s military efforts. do so much; if you don’t have nally retired, keeps his hand in by quent career in advertising in New Two years later the serious part of the talent to begin with, you can’t doing freelance editing assignments York, Richard Houghton attended his career began with employment produce a consistent winner. As for Alfred A. Knopf. Ash spends Drew University and Princeton by the Pennsylvania Historical for Columbia’s so-called scramble some time each year in Key West, Theological Seminary and earned and Museum Commission as state band, the members deserve a 15- Fla., where he meets and occasion- a master of divinity degree. His archaeologist and later as chief yard penalty for unsportsmanlike ally lunches with Congdon. ministry provided a second career curator of the Pennsylvania State conduct, and maybe even ejection Irving Kushner, emeritus profes- with pastoral assignments at Dela- Museum. In 1963, Fred began a 27- from the playing field. Meanwhile, sor of medicine at Case Western ware and First Oxford Presbyterian year career at Franklin & Marshall congratulations to Columbia’s new Reserve University, has been Churches, proving the value of his College in Lancaster, Pa., where he football coach, Pete Mangurian, recognized­ for his long and produc- Columbia activity with The Varsity was director of the college’s North who inherits what could be an tive career in medical research by Show and the University Chorus. Museum and a professor of anthro- insurmountable task without hav- being chosen for induction into the Now retired and living with his pology. He found time to return ing received a $4 million per year MetroHealth Medical Hall of Honor, wife, Ann, at Leisure World in Sil- to graduate school for a Ph.D. and contract, a country club member- in Cleveland. MetroHealth Medical ver Spring, Md., Richard has time complete a five-year term as chair ship and automobile stipend like Center is the teaching hospital of to spend with their three children of F&M’s Department of Anthro- Urban Meyer at Ohio State! Case; Irv has worked there for more and eight grandchildren. pology. He now holds professor Here’s wishing Alexis Tonti ’11 than 50 years. His election to the Hall Mervin Ross wrote, “I live in emeritus status with both the col- Arts a long and successful career of Fame was based on “excellence the same apartment in NYC that lege and the North Museum and on the staff of Columbia College in research, clinical and academic I’ve lived in for more than 40 years, finds time for activity in a variety Today. Alexis, as the recently hired accomplishments and for shaping never having had the temptation to of community organizations. managing editor, will have to put

SPRING 2012 70 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

up with the likes of writers like me, emphasis, “Gentlemen you are the lost his Class of ’52, 40th reunion cialty; in fact, the word was coined who never seem to understand chosen of God.” commemorative wristwatch? I around that time. Before his death deadlines! To keep CCT financially Well, that may be debatable, recently retrieved one in perfect con- in 1958 my father was the first chief healthy our class members should but we sure can boast for the most dition from an antiques store here in of neoplastic disease, as oncology make haste to their checkbook part: “We done good.” San Francisco. As much as I could was then called, at a general hospi- and support this magazine with a Dr. Arthur E. Lyons writes: “I not bear to leave it, I am equally tal (Montefiore Medical Center in contribution. Please send a check, recently retired from the private mystified how it got there.” the Bronx). made payable to Columbia College practice of neurosurgery in San Dr. John Laszlo sent the follow- “In 1959 I moved to Duke to Today, to Karen Iorio, Editorial Francisco after 45 years. I still have ing: “I entered with the Class of ’52 complete training in internal medi- Assistant, Columbia College Today, my teaching appointment at UCSF but left for Harvard Medical School cine, and joined the faculty a year Columbia Alumni Center, 622 W. as associate clinical professor and in 1951 thanks to a summer session later. I remained at Duke Univer- 113th St., MC 4530, 1st Fl., New enjoy teaching medical students. at UC Berkeley. I never experienced sity Medical Center for 27 years York NY 10025, or give online: col As the saying goes: ‘To teach is dorm life, unfortunately, because in a variety of positions, including lege.columbia.edu/cct/giving. to create a space in which the I commuted from home near East professor of medicine and chief of obedience to truth is practiced.’ I 96th Street and Madison Avenue. medicine at the Durham VA Medi- attribute this idea and a lot more Nonetheless: I enjoyed my courses, cal Center; later I became director of REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 to my experience on Morningside, especially the humanities, worked clinical programs of the Duke Com- ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS which I look back on frequently. on Spectator and played varsity ten- prehensive Cancer Center, which ALUMNI AFFAIRS Nick Mider “After Columbia — which I left nis. Gilbert Highet was my favorite I helped found. It was an exciting [email protected] for medical school after only my teacher, and he helped me develop place to be and to be able to teach, 212-851-7846 junior year — I spent four years an appreciation for scholarship, conduct basic and clinical research, DEVELOPMENT Allen Rosso at Vanderbilt. I always will regret great literature and Scottish humor. and also do extensive patient care. [email protected] missing my senior year but my ad- His war stories about Churchill Those were very busy years and I 212-851-7947 viser, Mark Van Doren ’21 GSAS, at Yalta and Hitler’s bunker were would not trade them for any other Sidney Prager recommended I enroll in medical most interesting. professional experience. Marriage 52 20 Como Ct. school to avoid being drafted. “My life largely has been blessed and three great children — Rebecca, Manchester, NJ 08759 (Remember the Korean War?) I by good fortune. Regrettably my Jennifer and Daniel — followed as [email protected] have been in San Francisco ever later family would not be shared I witnessed the transition through since, although I spent two years by my beloved parents, since both integration in and Just a reminder that our 60th Col- as lieutenant commander doing died young of cancer. Perhaps this elsewhere. I also participated, in a lege Alumni Reunion Weekend neurosurgery in the Navy. factored into my becoming a hema- small way, in the emergence of the will be Thursday, May 31–Sunday, “I have been president of the tologist/oncologist and a specialist leading medical center in the South. June 3. In preparation, the first San Francisco Medical Society and in cancer research. My research laboratory made a reunion planning meeting for our the San Francisco Neurological So- “After medical school I trained number of basic scientific discover- class was held on November 1, ciety and have had time to indulge at the Clinics ies about growth regulators and the and in the months since we have my hobby of collecting antiquarian and began my research career at effects of chemotherapeutic drugs continued our efforts to coordinate medical books in my field of neu- the National Cancer Institute. The on cancer cells. We introduced a activities that are entertaining and rology and neurosurgery. I get to NCI was a great career launcher number of important new drugs intellectually stimulating — in NYC occasionally to attend meet- and also enabled me to meet my to clinical practice thanks in part to many cases, both at once! ings of the Grolier Club, on East military obligation in the U.S. collaboration with Burroughs Well- As always, reunion offers a 60th Street, where I have exhibited Public Health Service. I was the come scientists, the company hav- great chance to visit campus, catch some of my books and hobnob first to study human leukemic cell ing moved nearby to the Research up with friends and take part in with fellow collectors. I recently metabolism and the effect of the Triangle. Two of our colleagues multigenerational and class-specific returned from where I and chemotherapeutic drugs thereon (Drs. George H. Hitchings and activities, including our ’52 dinner other members of the International (1956–58). Those days were just the Gertrude Elion) were awarded the on Saturday. Saturday also is Dean’s Association of Bibliophiles spent a beginning of oncology as a spe- Nobel Prize for drug development Day, which means you’ll have the couple of weeks; we visited librar- opportunity to participate in Mini- ies and private collections of rare Core Curriculum and Public Intel- books that fortunately were spared lectual Lectures and related events. the depredations of WWII. Columbia School Designations For the most up-to-date information “I don’t think I could have had a — and most importantly, to sign up! better education than at Columbia, In Class Notes, these designations indicate Columbia — go to reunion.college.columbia. where my intellectual curiosity was degrees from schools other than the College. edu. You also can contact the encouraged and actively stimulated Alumni Office staff listed at the top by our marvelously talented and Arch. School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation of the column. Be sure, too, to check skilled teachers. I will never forget Arts School of the Arts out the special reunion preview Irwin Edman ’17; Jacques Barzun Barnard section in this issue of CCT. ’27, ’32 GSAS; and Van Doren, Business Graduate School of Business As it turned out, much of this whose giant minds and ideas were CE School of Continuing Education issue’s alumni news is devoted to and remain an inspiration. I am Dental College of Dental Medicine classmates of one profession — reminded of this virtually every day namely, medicine — the reason since I graduated. (And frequently E The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and being that they were willing and I pity my colleagues for not having Applied Science even eager to provide updated ma- had such great minds to teach them.) GS School of General Studies terial. Medicine is a noble profes- Although I am vastly proud of my GSAS Graduate School of Arts and Sciences sion and it’s clear these classmates two sons, I was disappointed that J Graduate School of Journalism have done much to maintain that neither consented to continue our L School of Law nobility during their careers. family’s Columbia tradition. My fa- Nursing School of Nursing In general, the effect of Colum- ther, Alfred L. Lyons ’24, served as a bia College on the Class of 1952 has surgeon and lieutenant commander P&S College of Physicians and Surgeons been remarkable and has helped in the Navy and was killed in 1945 PH Mailman School of Public Health produce many successful and in the Battle of Okinawa when his SIPA School of International and Public Affairs prominent men in a variety of oc- ship, the U.S.S. Pinckney, was hit by a SW School of Social Work cupations. I recall one of the faculty crashing kamikaze plane. TC Teachers College speakers at a freshman orienta- “With our 60th reunion approach- tion meeting saying, with great ing, I wonder whether anyone has

SPRING 2012 71

CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY in cancer and anti-virals. experience as a nursing professor Not a day goes by without my feel- of a newspaper article with the “In 1986 I left Duke for New to develop some novel products, ing the influence of the Core Cur- headline, “W.Va. Highlanders Per- York and joined the American Can- but it was quite difficult to get our riculum in some way. I am looking form for Patriot Flag Ceremony.” cer Society as head of its research French colleagues to accept new forward to our 60th reunion.” The article notes: “Wearing program. Divorced, I remarried in ideas coming from an American Your reporter thanks you for their traditional colorful kilts, the 1988 to Patricia Holleran Laszlo; doctor with no business experi- your contributions and wishes Highland pipes and drums played we then moved to Atlanta with ence. So we righted the company everyone good health. Amazing Grace at Fairmont State her daughter, Kaitlyn, as the ACS from its downward spiral and University after listening to a relocated its national headquarters sold it to a French businessman. moving address by New York City from New York to Atlanta. The It was an unusual experience for Lew Robins fireman Joe Terrillo, who survived ACS position was more admin- us and challenging in many ways. 53 1221 Stratfield Rd. the collapse of the Twin Towers on istrative, and for a time I missed We miss going to Paris four or five Fairfield, CT 06825 September 11, 2001.” doing my own research and the times a year but do not miss the [email protected] I’m sure the Class of 1953 joins patient-care teaching you do when- frustrations associated with French me in encouraging Don to keep up ever you work in a large organiza- business practices, as seen by an Wonderful news! Larry Harte and his good work. tion. The benefit was not having American scientist. Tony Robinson published new Sad to report, I received the fol- to work 12-plus hours a day for “Our four children have turned works in 2011. Larry’s third book, lowing note from Carl Witkovich’s seven days, which took a toll on out to be great people; they are Brooklyn-ese Proverbs & Cartoons, wife, Joyce: “Carl died on May 3, family life. socially responsible, productive citi- was inspired by Benjamin Frank- 2011. He loved the Class of 1953, “During my Duke career I had zens; gainfully employed; and have lin’s autobiography and is filled including his roommate, Phil Wil- written about 250 peer-reviewed health insurance! What more can with sparkling, warm and witty son, who is also deceased. Carl was publications and many book chap- you ask these days? I hope for some proverbs, aphorisms and sayings. president of three California savings ters. Later I wrote several books for more healthy years so I can continue Just reading a few will make any- and loans. He loved his work but lay audiences: Understanding Cancer; to enjoy retirement and family. My one who has any relationship with was cut short because of the great The Cure of Childhood Leukemia: Into very best to all my classmates, who Brooklyn smile in recognition: “If savings and loan failures.” the Age of Miracles; and The Doc- doubtless have similar goals!” you have lemons, make lemonade. Joyce says she is managing OK tor’s Doctor: A Biography of Eugene Dr. Martin Liebowitz shares … Success comes from a positive but is terribly lonesome. At the A. Stead, Jr., M.D. These projects that after Columbia, medical school mental attitude. In college, I told time of Carl’s death, they had lived allowed me to pass on some of the at NYU and an internal medicine my dad I was majoring in philoso- in San Mateo, Calif., for 51 years. knowledge I had accumulated and residency at the Peter Bent Brigham phy. He said, ‘Come home. I’ll put try to inspire young people to turn Hospital in Boston, he spent two you in a truck for 14 hours a day.’ I toward medicine and research as years in the Army. Following his changed my major. … Tight clothes Howard Falberg great career opportunities. There military service, he embarked on come from a hot dryer or too many 54 13710 Paseo Bonita are so few serious books on medical what became a nearly 50-year donuts.” Poway, CA 92064 subjects in bookstores and lots of career in academic medicine. Larry practices orthodontics [email protected] in New Jersey. In a recent letter, he recalled, “As chairman of the While “time marches on,” some of governor’s Public Health Council, our classmates still lead the pack as Larry Scharer ’54 completed the Chicago Marathon, I was involved with a controversy a result of running. Larry Scharer, has finished seven New York City Marathons and that became known as the ‘raw egg who works full-time in the practice Caesar salad debacle.’ Before it was of medicine (pulmonary and looks forward to more of the same. over, the controversy ended up on general), recently completed the Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show and Chicago Marathon. He has finished the council rescinded the vote. The seven New York City Marathons nonsense about how to shed pounds Martin explains: “That career children of Johnny’s band leader, and looks forward to more of the and inches in days or how to cure began at the Albert Einstein Col- Doc Severinsen, were my patients same. Larry gets together with a arthritis miraculously through lege of Medicine in New York and and, when it all ended, Doc said to number of classmates from time to herbal diets. then continued at Stony Brook Uni- me, ‘Larry, you can’t win ’em all!’” time, though recently he unexpect- “Since retirement I have enjoyed versity where, starting in 1971, I As the other end of the creative edly found himself sitting next to a quiet life in Atlanta with Pat. I devoted myself to teaching, admin- spectrum, Tony Robinson’s rivet- Bert Horwitz and his wife, Dawn play tennis and exercise frequently istration and patient care. I retired ing seventh novel, The Floodplain, ’55 Barnard, at the Metropolitan in the gym despite two ‘store- formally in 2008 as Professor of tells the story of a professor whose Opera. Our classmates get together bought’ knees and a past torn Medicine Emeritus but I continue wife, a fledgling psychotherapist, in the best locations. Achilles tendon. We are involved to enjoy the privilege of meeting becomes romantically involved Herb Hagerty retired in 1990 with the Michael C. Carlos Mu- with second- and third-year medi- with her mentor. When the darker from a career in the Foreign Service. seum at Emory University and cal students several times a month. side of the mentor’s nature is This involved postings in a number the Columbia Book Club, and we “I was fortunate enough to marry revealed, she falls into a severe de- of locations including London (as travel frequently to see our four my high school sweetheart in 1953. pression, ultimately shooting her- political adviser to the commander children and four grandchildren, Marion graduated from Barnard in self with her husband’s shotgun. of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe), who are scattered around the 1954 and earned an M.S. from Sarah To make matters worse, shortly New Delhi, Oslo, , country from East to West Coasts, Lawrence. She had a fulfilling career after his wife’s death, the professor Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Fol- North and South. We have a small as a genetic counselor while raising discovers that the same mentor is lowing his retirement, Herb taught apartment in Manhattan near the three very accomplished children. flirting with his 16-year-old daugh- at the Foreign Service Institute in New York Public Library (East She, too, is now retired. That allows ter. Events near the end of the story Virginia and continued thereafter 42nd Street). I consult in biotech- us to attempt to keep up with our result in a murder and a trial. My writing and reviewing documents nology on DNA vaccines, which nine grandchildren, who delight and prediction is that classmates won’t for declassification. I hope that Herb I have enjoyed; attend medical amaze us at all times. be able to stop turning pages as the shares some of his experiences with conferences for fun; and go to a “Marion and I continue to live in murderous story unfolds! us at our next reunion. One note of senior university where Pat and I our East Setauket home and benefit Don Smith sent a copy of a sadness is that Herb’s wife, Ann, take all sorts of interesting courses. from the attractions of a college heart-warming picture of the Smith passed away last August. One never should stop learning. town. Our New York City apart- family celebrating Don’s 80th Bruce King and his wife, Adele, “For a number of years Pat and ment keeps us close to family, a birthday with a Scottish birthday live in Paris in an apartment over- I ran a small skin care company, large part of which lives in the city. party at Graceland Mansion. Don looking Canal Saint-Martin. They based in Paris, which I inherited “My Columbia education and is a drummer and the band chair- both write , and from my French aunt. I used my experiences were highly influential man of the West Virginia High- Bruce expects to soon finish his third scientific expertise and Pat’s in molding the person I became. landers, and he also sent me a copy book on Indian literature. They enjoy

SPRING 2012 72 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

travel and will continue their stays covering. Neil and his wife, Nancy, agent in FDR’s White House. My Night was held in Midtown. Alum- in New Orleans for JazzFest and have three children. They belong to Air Force career became especially ni (both young and a little older) Croatia (the island of Hvar) for the a church in Lewes, Del., where Neil meaningful in its last two years, talked about careers in education. summer. is a member of the men’s chorus. when I served in a nuclear security Quite stimulating. Larry Gartner retired from Chi- He is pleased to note that another squadron. At the time (pre-missile In December, a Café Science lec- cago in 1998 after being there 18 member of his church is from the era), the Air Force was the main ture, “The Quest for the Cure: The years, with 13 years as chairman Class of 1960 and played on our strategic force of the United States.” Science and Stories Behind the Next of the Department of Pediatrics. football team. This young man Perhaps we will have Walt at Generation of Medicine,” was held. Larry and his wife, Carol, moved keeps Neil updated on the team’s our next reunion. I’d love to hear The Café series of lectures have to a ranch in San Diego where performance. Thank heavens this more about his experiences. gotten more and more popular; see they grow organic fruit and veg- past season ended on a high note. A note of sad news: Herb Wit- the list of upcoming ones: college. etables. Larry lectures on neona- Ron Sugarman retired five tow’s wife, Sandra, passed away in columbia.edu/alumni/events. tology around the country and years ago after 45 years with the Denver last August. She was an ex- More recently, the seventh annu- does medical-legal consulting. He Interpublic Group. Ron and his traordinary person and an artist of al CAA at Sundance reception took writes that “retirement has been wife, Hisako, enjoy life and see great renown in the United States as place in Park City, Utah, where the fun, about as much fun as when I Herb Frommer often in West- well as a great inspiration to Herb chair of the Film Program at the did research in the lab, and much hampton, Long Island, where they throughout their years together. School of the Arts helped celebrate more fun than being chairman.” have homes down the street from Well, that’s all for now. If you student and alumni achievements Dick Bernstein continues his one another. Ron wrote, “I’ve been haven’t written lately, please keep in film. The event was “better than medical work as a director emeritus unbelievably lucky. Columbia in touch. ever.” of the Peripheral Vascular Disease was the perfect place for me. The Do members of our class remem- Clinic of Jacobi Medical Center in Air Force took me to Japan for 2 ½ ber Japan scholar Donald Keene ’42, New York. He also treats patients at years. Work gave me the opportu- Gerald Sherwin ’49 GSAS? Well, the University Pro- his diabetes center in Mamaroneck, nity to be headquartered in Lon- 181 E. 73rd St., Apt. 6A fessor emeritus retired from Colum- N.Y. By the time these notes ap- don with European responsibilities 55 New York, NY 10021 bia at 88 and will spend the rest of pear, Dick’s eighth book, Diabetes for two years, to do two separate [email protected] his life in Japan (college.columbia. Solution, will be published. Dick stints of a combined six years in edu/cct/winter11/features1). keeps in touch with Max Siegel, Tokyo and to do a dozen years in Columbia has become the preemi- How is our interim dean of the who moved to Kennett Square, Pa. Atlanta and a couple of years in nent place of higher learning in the College, James J. Valentini, doing? When my wife and I lived in Con- NYC. Travel was always part of world. In November, the school’s According to students, faculty necticut, Dick was both a friend and the job. I did business in more than sixth Global Center opened in members and alumni, quite well, a medical adviser. 50 countries on five continents. I Istanbul, where President Lee C. Bol- thank you, and fitting into the job Sheldon Cherry and his wife, owned a home in Maui, where my linger and other luminaries attended very nicely. Carolyn, recently relocated to a ‘made in Japan’ son was born. So ceremonies dedicated to Columbia’s Our classmates remain active, new medical school, the FIU Her- all in all, it’s been a very good ride, intellectual expansion in the Middle participating in a lot of different ar- bert Wertheim School of Medicine which continues.” East. (Be on the alert, there may be a eas. Herb Cohen continues to teach, in Miami, where he is professor of I hope, Ron, that all of us can Global Center coming to your neigh- see a few patients and serve on ob/gyn and Carolyn is associate feel the same way. borhood, Abe Ashkenasi.) various local and national advisory dean for women in medicine. They Paul Schulman has been retired The Columbia Alumni Associa- groups as an emeritus professor of have four daughters, who in turn for 15 years. He lives in Charleston, tion’s Travel Study Program is as pediatrics and rehabilitation medi- have provided them with eight S.C., and would like to get together strong as ever. In 2012 it will feature cine and an emeritus director of the grandchildren. Shelly and Carolyn with those who are either residents “Changing Tides of History — Rose Kennedy University Center on are prolific authors, and Parents or visitors. Paul travels quite a bit. Cruising the Baltic Sea” with guest Developmental Disabilities. magazine has consistently named Attendees of October’s Society him a “Top Doctor in America.” of Columbia Graduates Great Steve Sobel retired from the Teacher Awards Dinner included practice of law and now teaches Bill Kronick ’55 published his fifth novel,The Art Don Laufer, Berish Strauch and, business law at the Montclair State of Self Deception — and produced an epic YouTube we believe (all the way from Pitts- University School of Business. I will burgh), Joe Vales. always remember Steve as a star of film. On the West Coast, Bill Kronick our fencing team, and he continues informs us that he has published to be involved with the Columbia his fifth novel, The Art of Self Decep- program. He was inducted into the Last year it was Vietnam, Cambo- lecturers Mikhail Gorbachev and tion. He has also produced an epic Columbia University Athletics Hall dia, Laos and Turkey, the last as Lech Walesa; Cruising the “Danube YouTube film that went on the of Fame in 2010. Steve also inter- part of an alumni trip. Paul collects River and the Habsburg Empire,” Internet a short while ago. views applicants for Columbia as antiques and, a new passion, 17th- with stops in , Slovakia, The monthly dinners in and part of the Alumni Representative century Dutch paintings (shades Germany, Poland and more; around New York City with our Committee (studentaffairs.colum of the Frick Collection). He would “Islands & Sanctuaries of the Gods: fellow ’55ers continue with attend- bia.edu/admissions/alumni/vol like to take part in Columbia activi- An Exploration of Greece & the ees such as Anthony Viscusi, Dick unteers.php). Steve wrote, “I have ties. Admissions Office, take notice. Greek Islands”; and “Coastal Life Ascher, Stu Kaback, Roland Plot- many fond memories of my years at Walt Bossert now makes his Along the Adriatic,” which travels tel and Ron Spitz, among others. Columbia. I remember Humanities home in Lincoln, Mass. I remember to Venice, the Dalmatian Coast and Bob Pearlman, in addition classes with Mark Van Doren ’21 him as an outstanding attorney. Dubrovnik, with guest speaker to his professional activities as GSAS, who was so inspiring that I I gather from his note and his Gen. Wesley Clark. There are many an attorney, has been an adjunct also took his course in poetry. One stationery that he is a historian as other events being planned for professor at Engineering for 40 afternoon I was daydreaming when well. Walt noticed a number of Columbia alums. years, teaching a course in law for he called on me. I hadn’t heard the Class Notes and recalled Air Force In November, Ken Jackson, the engineers and scientists. This is question, so I asked him to repeat it. ROTC as well as the Navy in “our Jacques Barzun Professor in History the longest-running course in the In reply, he apologized for not mak- campus days.” He writes, “About and the Social Sciences, brightened school taught by the same profes- ing the class interesting enough for 20 of us were commissioned at Van up the Columbia University Club sor. Bob is active with a northern me to pay attention! What a great Am Quadrangle in June 1954. The of New York by giving a stirring New Jersey alumni group. He is professor.” AFROTC was commanded by Lt. lecture to an overflow crowd. The not the only classmate to be seen Neil Hansen recently celebrated Col. McNamara, who had a second professor will return at a future date in Levien Gym. Jesse Roth made a his 80th birthday and is feeling office in The West End, where he to be determined. cameo appearance when the Lions well. He had a stroke eight years regaled us with stories of his early Also in November, a highly played Swarthmore a short while ago, and in some ways is still re- career as a young Secret Service attended Columbia Networking ago. We hope to see Jesse at other

SPRING 2012 73

CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY sporting events. You want to be in your best shape. reports that the conference explored designating your gift for the Class We heard from Igou Allbray, a We are getting closer to our 60th ways to make the interview process of ’56 Scholarship Fund, so the semi-retired attorney in Brooklyn, reunion, another big one. more meaningful, including the money goes to support deserving who waxed nostalgic about CC, Love to all, everywhere. possibility of giving more weight students. Humanities and Music Humanities to alumni interview reports when I am again asking all class mem- and claims that these courses have considering an applicant’s potential. bers who want to keep in contact to guided his life. Stephen K. Easton Anyone interested in volunteering update their email addresses with From the great city of Rochester, 56 6 Hidden Ledge Rd. in this capacity, please contact Bob Lou Hemmerdinger, our class co- N.Y., Beryl Nusbaum, who still Englewood, NJ 07631 at [email protected] or go to ordinator ([email protected]). This travels a lot, made his periodic [email protected] studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admis seems the best way to stay in touch phone call to inquire about the state sions/alumni/volunteers.php. for many people, and it’s important of Columbia’s athletic teams. We’re It may have been a long, hard win- The other attendees were Danny that our information is current. doing all right, for the most part. ter, but have faith, spring is around Link and myself, representing the If you have news to share, please Alan Sloate is still plying his the corner. To our classmates who Class of ’56 and the Class Agent email me and I will make sure it legal trade in Westchester County are lucky enough to vacation in Program. We heard an address by gets in the next Class Notes. and making plans for our 60th southern climes, or to spend the Dean James J. Valentini in which he Wishing that we all age grace- reunion. winter months in Florida, we wel- emphasized what the College can fully, in good health and in good The Columbia College Fund’s come you back. This includes Lou do for us, the alumni, rather than spirits. most recent complete fiscal year, Hemmerdinger, Murray Eskenazi what the College would like from which ended last June 30, is reported and Stan Manne. Unfortunately, us; he mentioned meeting more REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 on in the 59th Columbia College An- Danny Link was not planning to often with alumni, promoting a ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS nual Fundraising Report (fund.college. spend the usual amount of time in more open exchange of ideas and, ALUMNI AFFAIRS Nick Mider columbia.edu/annualreport). It Florida, as his partner, Elinor Baller, most significantly, responding to [email protected] shows how well our class perform- was scheduled for knee surgery. I issues that alumni are and should 212-851-7846 ed. Tip of the old hat goes to the wish her a complete recovery. be concerned with in a timely DEVELOPMENT Allen Rosso Class Agents who worked diligently Our October class lunch, held way. I was impressed with Dean [email protected] to get our class participation to 40.63 at Faculty House, was attended by Valentini’s presentation, sincerity 212-851-7947 and hands-on interest in getting things done. Herman Levy Dr. Jesse Blumenthal ’56 was reunited with a man Ron Kapon, our resident peri­ 7322 Rockford Dr. patetic oenophile, has two new 57 Falls Church, VA 22043 whose life he saved in Vietnam more than 44 years ago. projects that may be of interest. The [email protected] first is a website he helped to create, oldernotdead.com, which covers Plans for our 55th reunion pro- percent — the third highest among the usual suspects — to wit, Peter a variety of topics for us pre-Baby ceeded apace throughout the fall. all classes. A hearty “Great job!” goes Klein, Bob Siroty, Al Franco ’56E, Boomers. Ron also is the acting the- For those of you who have not yet to Jim Berick, Larry Balfus, Dick Ron Kapon, Ralph Kaslick, Lou atre reviewer for the site. His other marked your calendars, the dates Kuhn, Elliot Gross, Lew Mendel- Hemmerdinger and myself. project is an online wine course that are Thursday, May 31–Sunday, June son, Bob Pearlman and Don Laufer. For the next two luncheons, held he developed in conjunction with 3. The schedule is almost final, and Everyone should know that Al in November and December, we Fairleigh Dickinson and The New it will include class-specific panel Momjian’s son, Mark Momjian moved downtown to the Columbia York Times. It will be available in the discussions, special tours, assorted ’83, ’86L, recently was awarded University Club of New York (West spring. For more information, con- entertainment and, of course, our the coveted Alumni Medal, which 43rd Street, between 5th and 6th tact Ron at [email protected]. class dinner on Saturday. Note that honors distinguished service of 10 Avenues). They call it the Princeton In a real human interest story, Saturday also is Dean’s Day, which years or more to the University. Club, but we really know “who Jesse Blumenthal was reunited means you’ll have the opportunity (What is the saying about the apple owns New York!” The club has last April with a man whose life to participate in Mini-Core Curricu- not falling far from the tree?) been renovated, and we met in the he saved in Vietnam more than 44 lum and Public Intellectual Lectures Herb Cooper practices medicine Tiger Bar on the third floor (to be years ago. The man, Paul Devault, and other events. as chief of medical service at Salem renamed the Lion Bar, at least for lives in Fort Worth, Texas, and he For the most up-to-date informa- Hospital in Massachusetts. the days we are there). searched Jesse out after all this time tion and to register, go to reunion. Ron McPhee and John Naley All of these lunches have been because he wanted to thank him college.columbia.edu. You also were seen at the basketball alumni well attended, with at least 10 class in person. They met in New York, can contact the Alumni Office staff weekend on campus. They did not, members as well as lively discus- and the story made NBC News. listed at the top of the column. however, try to relive their youth sions. I invite any classmate who In another Jesse story, he was Finally, be sure to check out the by playing in the “old-timers” has a couple of hours to spare once working at the now-closed St. Vin- special reunion preview section in game, tempting though it was. a month to join us. The lunches are cent’s Hospital in Greenwich Vil- this issue of CCT. Back on the West Coast, Harry informative, interesting and conve- lage at the time of the first World Yours truly participated in two Scheiber is a professor of law at nient to anyone who lives or works Trade Center bombing. My son, teleconferences of the Reunion UC Berkeley. in Midtown. Please contact me for Loren, was scheduled for surgery Committee, on October 12 and When can we expect you to pay more information. In addition to that same day. When all hell broke November 16. Other participants us a visit on the East Coast, Harry? the above-named attendees, Alan loose, Jesse attended the injured in the October meeting were Some sad news to report from Broadwin, Jerry Fine, Danny Link, coming in from the World Trade Fisher, Alvin Kass, David Kinne, Florida: Neil Opdyke informed us Mark Novick, Alan Press and Len Center while still guiding my son Neil McLellan, Art Meyerson, that Denis Haggerty passed away Wolfe have joined us. We will be through his surgery. I, too, can say Carlos Muñoz and Paul . several months ago. Neil and Dick missing Buzz Paaswell, one of our “Thank you, Jesse.” Other participants in the Novem- Carr attended the funeral, which regulars, until the fall semester, As always, I believe that we as ber meeting were Neil McLellan, was held in Titusville, Fla. Others when he returns from a year-long College alums have a responsi- Art Meyerson, Carlos Muñoz and who played on the football team teaching sabbatical in London. bility to give back if we feel that Paul Zola. Nick Mider, the Alumni with Denis were Bob Mercier, Ben On October 22, three class mem­ Columbia has been a positive force Office’s events coordinator, chaired Hoffman and Bob Dillingham. bers participated in Columbia Alum- in our lives. I also think that, as we both meetings; Patricia Carchi, Our condolences go to Denis’ fam- ni Leaders Weekend. Bob Siroty rep- get older, giving is more important another member of the Alumni ily and friends. resented the Northern New Jersey than getting. In that spirit, each class Office’s alumni affairs team, also Dear members of the Class of Alumni Representative Committee; sets annual goals for giving, and attended the November meeting 1955: he is responsible for interviewing ours is approximately $100,000 for while Paul Staller, at that time a Stay strong! Exercise! College and Engineering applicants 2012. Anything you can contribute member of the Columbia College Remember your diet. in the northern New Jersey area. Bob will be appreciated. I also suggest Fund staff, participated in the

SPRING 2012 74 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

October meeting. The hard work is Georgetown, Texas. Steve gives us as a legacy or two. This year’s par- spectrum antibiotics, namely the sure to pay off, and I encourage all the following update of his activi- ticipants included Phyllis and Ar- side effects due to killing commensal of you to attend. ties: “In 2011, my wife, Margaret nie Abrams ’61, Nancy and Mike bacteria and the induction of new Now for the news: Marty Fisher Livens Kornguth ’57 Wellesley and Berlin ’59, Joan and Peter Cohn, strains of resistant bacteria. This is writes, “November 9 was an almost I were blessed with the opportu- Carol and Barry Dickman, Eileen both an intellectual challenge and a perfect New York autumn day; nity to see our daughter, Ingrid and Joe Dorinson, Allan Gardner chance to do some good.” it formed the backdrop for our Taylor, contribute to the field of ’59, Alice and Richard Gochman Second, Eric writes, “My wife, final class luncheon of 2011 at the education policy on a national level ’63, Charles Goldstein, Karen and Naomi, and I welcomed a grand- University Club. The following 16 and our son, David Kornguth ’87, Peter Gruenberger, Linda Lynn, son, Eric Etenraku Babakhanian- classmates attended and enjoyed a contribute to the area of radiation Kane and Martin Nussbaum ’67, Jakobsson, known to those of us couple of hours of good fellowship oncology. It is also a joy to see Nancy and Bernie Nussbaum, who love him as ‘Eten.’ Etenraku is and exaggerated reminiscences our grandchildren maturing into Anita and Howard Orlin, Shelly a Japanese word meaning ‘music in Midtown: Jim Barker, Stan creative thinkers and problem- Raab (Judy was temporarily on brought from heaven.’ The reason Barnett, Alan Brown, Ted Dwyer, solvers. My research efforts at the the DL), Miriam Katowitz and Art for the name choice is that, at the Joe Feldschuh, Marty Fisher, University of Texas-Austin focus Radin, and Joan and Mark Weiss. time that he became more than a Sal Franchino, Alvin Kass, Bob on developing objective measures And thanks to the Brods from all of gleam in his parents’ eyes, his moth- Klipstein, Neil McLellan, Art Mey- of the effects of sleep deprivation us for being such great hosts and er was engaged in a composing erson, Carlos Muñoz, Steve Ronai, and other stresses on complex deci- for providing such a terrific view project in the style of Etenraku. Eten Mark Stanton, Ed Weinstein and sion-making. New technologies in from their balcony! is our second grandchild to have a Paul Zola. neural imaging and bioinformation Speaking of the Nussbaums, name related to heaven. His cousin “Two additional notes about Al- promise new understandings in Bernie’s daughter, Emily, has left Rania’s mother was a classics major, vin. He broke a collarbone in a fall these areas.” New York magazine to become the and Rania means ‘heaven’ in on an icy Brooklyn sidewalk last television critic for The New Yorker; Greek. I love this type of naming of winter, and now is fully recovered she joins film critic David Denby children, that is, naming them after and back to swimming a daunting Barry Dickman ’65 on the magazine’s staff. virtues or beautiful concepts.” number of laps practically daily. 25 Main St. The class lunch is held on the He continues: “I am slowed He also was honored by the Jewish 58 Court Plaza North, Ste 104 second Wednesday of every month down a little by chronic sciatica police chaplaincy of NYC at its Hackensack, NJ 07601 in the Grill Room of the Columbia (a cyst on one of my vertebra and centennial as the longest-serving [email protected] University Club of New York, 15 a bulging disc, combined with a Jewish chaplain in NYPD history.” W. 43rd St. ($31 per person). Email congenitally narrow space for my Marty continues: “On November We begin with a correction: I don’t Art Radin if you plan to attend, spinal cord) and advanced osteo- 16 I left for Florida for six months. remember where the misinforma- up to the day before: aradin@ arthritis in my right knee (heritage My loneliness will be assuaged by tion came from, but Morrie Amitay radinglass.com. from a sports injury in my youth), visits from any ’57 alumni who is not retired; he is working as but only a little. To paraphrase happen by Boynton Beach, includ- hard as ever on his law/ what one of our most famous Co- ing Neil McLellan, whose joy at practice and his pro-Israel activities. Norman Gelfand lumbians said, ‘I consider myself the St. Louis Cardinals’ improbable His son, Steve ’87, has his own law c/o CCT one of the luckiest people on the run to their 11th world baseball practice, which operates out of Mor- 59 Columbia Alumni Center face of the earth.’ championship knows no bounds. rie’s Capitol Hill offices. Breaking 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 “Of course I have some com- (The Mets, by contrast, will go from with an apparent family tradition, New York, NY 10025 plaints. My greatest concern is for merely ‘bad to dreadful,’ according Morrie’s daughter, Rae, will be [email protected] society at large. I am alarmed at to a recent New York Times column.) graduating from Berklee College of what seems to be an anti-science I look forward to the start of spring Music in Boston and is aiming for a Eric Jakobsson reports that two movement in the United States, as training, the real baseball season musical career. important things have happened manifest in the determined and and our reunion.” Bob Levine has written his since he last wrote. First, he received organized denial of evolution and Yours truly attended Mac Gim­se’s fourth book, Resurrecting Democ- a new grant from the National anthropogenic climate change. De- display of sculpture he created for racy: A Citizen’s Call for a Centrist Institutes of Health, “Genetically pending on whether and how this Laureates and Third Party. The book is out in Specific Therapy Against Micro- movement grows, it seems to me recitation of his poetry from memory paperback and as an ebook, the bial Pathogens.” He explains, “The to have the potential to undermine at Luther Place Church in Washing- link for which is on his website basic idea of the work is that we the foundations of our civilization. ton, D.C., in October. Mac is profes- (robertlevinebooks.com) along will design antisense RNA specific I am troubled by the thought that sor emeritus of art at St. Olaf College with his blogs in support of a third in . The event was for party. Bob adds that the blogs have D.C.-area St. Olaf alumni, about 20 of been picked up by two centrist whom attended, and was followed sites, riseofthecenter.com and Eric Jakobsson ’59 received a grant from the NIH, by a reception. themoderatevoice.com. “Genetically Specific Therapy Against Microbial Mac passed around some of his Bob Tauber ’62 Dental reports sculptures, including a wax model that Butler Library’s Tauber Room Pathogens.” of one that will be cast in bronze. is named for his father, Maurice His poetry presentation was quite Tauber Ph.D., who was the Melvil dynamic; in one poem he had the Dewey Professor of Library Service to knocking down critical genes in Rania and Eten, and all their cous- audience chime in with the refrain. at Columbia. Bob is an assistant a microbial pathogen and de- ins, and the descendants of all of Several times he spoke ecstatically clinical professor in the Division of liver them in a synthetic virus-like us of that generation, may inherit a about his days at Columbia and Restorative Dentistry at the Dental particle — essentially a synthetic significantly degraded world. the Core Curriculum. He recited School. bacteriophage — but engineered to “I hope all is well with others. the immortal words, “Long may An annual ’58 tradition, the be in some ways more focused and As I get older, my thoughts return Columbia stand, honored through- Homecoming party, took place at powerful than naturally occurring to Columbia more than they did out the land.” Those were his part- the apartment of Ruthie and Ernie bacteriophage. My collaborators when I was middle-aged. As much ing words to me. In my dozen or Brod last October. The game? are Jeff Brinker, a nanoscientist and as I try to focus on the present and so years as class correspondent, I Fuhgeddaboutit. But the gather- materials scientist from Sandia the future, my mind has a mind have not heard a classmate express ing was scintillating, as always. National Lab, and Stanley Maloy, a of its own, and it turns despite me his enthusiasm about his Columbia Although the party began decades microbiologist from San Diego State. toward rerunning the tape of my experience with so much sincerity ago as a Spectator reunion, it has The work is designed to be a proof of life and putting it in some kind of and conviction. expanded to include a broader a concept for an alternative approach perspective.” In November, I met Peggy and spectrum of attendees, both from to antibacterial therapy that will From Ben Miller: “I am pleased Steve Kornguth for dinner in ’58 and neighboring classes, as well eliminate the weaknesses of broad to report that my company’s

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Hawaiian plant, Big Island Carbon, our side, I think. three years ago along with every- in November, let me add a few was completed in August. It is the “On the home front, my wife, one else at her trading desk. (Does words about my family. NYU culmination of a nine-year dream, Pat, is doing as well as can be anybody know how she can return opened a new campus in Abu Dha- which I financed with the help of expected. [As I write this,] we are to work?) Celeste is a triathlete bi last fall, and my oldest son and the ample trust fund of a sister Ivy, on the last legs of a multi-month and has completed at least three his wife obtained positions there. along with one of her most famous chemo regimen, the last part of triathlons. She also has completed His first year was very busy; it was alumni. After a much too long and which is six weeks long, five days a the Alcatraz to San Francisco swim the first year for the school, his first too costly construction period, we week. I am not a religious man, but twice. Our last child is Christopher teaching job and, of course, it all finally went into operation in Au- I do believe in the power of prayer, ’01, who is getting an M.A. in took place in a city that was new for gust. Albeit still in the shakedown so say one for us at this special public policy at the University of him and new in a real sense. Many phase, the facility is impressive, time of year. In June we celebrated Chicago. of you have probably seen pictures both in terms of its technology and our 50th anniversary with a week’s “We live in Bronxville, N.Y., 30 of Abu Dhabi’s impressive skyline; equipment, and its site on the Kona cruise to nowhere with the family. minutes from midtown, and we it rivals that of New York. Hard to coast: it sits on a 100-foot bluff It was for the grandchildren, but take full advantage of the city — imagine that, 40 years ago, there overlooking the straits between we had to bring the children along, the Philharmonic, Broadway, the was little there but desert. I visited the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui. too. Kidding aside, we had a great Metropolitan Opera and all the them in April and had a wonder- On almost any day, the massive time! We sailed from Fort Lauder- great restaurants. My wife is a staff ful experience; it feels good to be silhouette of the volcano Haleakala dale on the Freedom of the Seas, the developer in the New York City able to learn about a new place. My is visible to the west on Maui, second-largest of the Royal Carib- Public School system. She guides daughter works in New York doing while behind us not more than 30 bean cruise ships. Let me tell you, teachers, young and new, in the good things for a good cause. My miles away is Mauna Kea’s 14,000- it’s an adventure just exploring the art of teaching elementary school youngest son is in Bismarck, N.D., foot summit, the site of one of the ship. There were three ports of call children. All of this at the same working for the Dakota Wizards of world’s best astronomical observa- in the Caribbean, and neither Pat public school where she started her the NBA Development League. He tories; to the south lies Mauna Loa, nor I left the ship. teaching career in Chinatown 50 is interested in a career in basket- a close-to 14,000-footer, with its “We have four wonderful years ago. ball operations and he has to start always-active Kilauea crater spew- grandchildren: Kayla (12), Bennett “I am in fair health, except for somewhere. ing lava into the Pacific. All this for (11), Annie (10) and Megan (9). The some annoying arthritic problems For those who are reading this a boy from Roselle, N.J., who at 17 three young ladies have a great that probably are to be expected at column for the first time in March, thought the Hudson River was the variety of interests. My grandson 74. I am an avid Mets, Jets, Giants it probably means that I don’t have boundary of the Western world! [It says he wants to study history at and Knicks fan. I read avidly, as your email address. If you send it isn’t? — NMG] Columbia. Not a scientist in the lot! a Columbia College graduate to me at [email protected], I’ll “The original idea of Big Island Where did those genes go? And should. I take frequent classes add you to my email list. You will Carbon was to contract for all time is going even faster now that at the Bronxville Adult School then get the Class Notes about the waste macadamia nutshells we can go faster than light! and the Heyman Center for the three months before publication. I discarded by the macadamia nut “Classmate visitors to the Big Humanities at Columbia, another will not forward your address to processing industry on the island; Island who have some interest in venue that provides marvelous Columbia without your permission. [we saw it] as a way to convert what we are doing should let me educational opportunities for an environmental nuisance into know and I will try to set some- Columbia College graduates. a high grade of activated carbon thing up for a visit to the facility. “Regards to all my classmates.” Robert A. Machleder for special pollution clean-up The view itself is worth it.” From John (Jack) Kauderer, “I 69-37 Fleet St. applications, which would pay From Ray LaRaja: “It was great welcomed my third grandchild, 60 Forest Hills, NY 11375 the premium price that we would to see so many classmates at our Sabeen, on September 30. I have [email protected] charge. That still remains a central 50th Alumni Reunion Weekend. I another granddaughter, Eleni (3), element of the company’s business am a retired general surgeon who and a grandson, Gabriel (5). For Kudos to Tom Palmieri. Fordham plan, though, as we all know, graduated from NYU School of my wife Kathleen’s 70th birthday Preparatory School, Tom’s alma new things happen when you do Medicine in 1963. I spent the next a few months ago, our sons, Jim, mater, elected him to its Hall of something new. five years as a surgical resident at Dave and John III, and all the Honor, a recognition for merit “About a year-plus ago, we the NYU/Bellevue surgical resi- grandkids were present. I retired bestowed on its alumni. Since the began to appreciate that the key to dency program, where I was chief from medicine in August 2005 after hall’s inception in 1841, only 100 electric car technology was some- or so graduates have received this thing called an ultracapacitor, the distinction. At the induction at the 21st-century version of the mun- Fordham Preparatory School, Tom Palmieri ’60’s New York Botanical Garden last dane micro-farad capacitor that we November, the following statement grew up with in our physics days. alma mater, elected him to its Hall of Honor. acknowledged Tom’s contributions Ultracapacitors now are available to medicine: commercially in 10,000-farad units “Dr. Palmieri has been a promi- packaged in a cylinder a little big- resident from July 1967–June 1968. 35 years of practice. I keep busy nent hand and upper extremity ger than a D-cell battery. Yes, far- Upon completion of the program I attending continuing ed classes surgeon for many years. He insti- ads! I did say that. A growth factor went immediately to Vietnam and taught by and for seniors. I’ve also tuted the first Hand Surgery Clinic of 10 billion in a little over 10 years. was there for one year, July 1968– discovered the joys of the Kindle, at Long Island Jewish Hospital, And it is all because activated car- August 1969. It is difficult for me to and since its purchase last January the first such clinic on Long Island bon, with its enormous active area, express adequately my experiences have read more than 70 books.” making medical care available for can store 10 billion times as much during that war where I saw every- Steve Trachtenberg keeps busy the poor, especially for children charge as the itty-bitty capacitors thing imaginable. It was rewarding with presentations at various con- born with deformities of the hands we grew up with. Now buses, but, at times, very, very sad. ferences and frequent appearances and upper extremities. Dr. Palmieri trains and cars all over the world “After returning from Vietnam in the pages of The New York Times. has been the emeritus physician- are using them as supplements to I was assigned to Kimbrough The honors keep pouring in. He in-charge of hand surgery at Long the battery, which gives the vehicle Army Community Hospital at Fort recently received notice of his elec- Island Jewish Medical Center, distance, while the ultracapacitor Meade, Md. I have been married tion to Doctor of Letters Honoris where the first Long Island Hand gives it start-stop oomph. So, we to the same great lady, Adriana Causa by the Student Senate of the Surgery Clinic was started. Dr. are looking hard at making maca- (73), for 48 years. We have three Bucharest University of Econom- Palmieri is an adjunct associate damia nutshell-activated carbon children. Ray (45) is a professor of ics. Unfortunately, he was unable professor of clinical surgery at the for the electric vehicle market and political science at the University of to pick up the diploma last fall. Albert Einstein College of Medicine. other such applications, and we Massachusetts. Celeste (43) worked Maybe soon. After graduating from Columbia seem to be making good progress. at Morgan Stanley for a decade Since I (Norman Gelfand) had College, Tom went to the State It’s too early to tell, but time is on before having her job terminated only a few responses to my request University of New York Downstate

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Medical Center where he received note its changes and reflected that his medical degree.” his hair had seemed to grow softer, Recognition for achievement has like his mother’s. followed Tom over the years; regu- Bob was dedicated to the class larly he is listed among “America’s and was one of the group that Top Doctors” and “Top Doctors initiated the First Thursday of the in the New York Metro Area.” Month Class Lunches. Even during Although Tom maintains a private, his illness, he strove to attend as community-based practice that many of the lunches as his health focuses on surgery and diseases would permit. Art Delmhorst of the hand and upper extremity, notes, “He was one of those who he now is semi-retired and enjoys put a great deal into planning our boating on Long Island Sound. The 50th reunion. He singlehandedly proud father of two daughters, Tom put together one of the events, a advises that Tracy is a consultant at seminar in which some seniors Deloitte and Maureen is a CFO of spoke about looking forward an investment firm. from their Columbia experience Stickball & Egg Creams: Our and some of our classmates spoke Brooklyn Boyhood, Ivan Koota’s about looking back on it. Sadly, second book of illustrations of his the day of the event, Bob was not remembrances of Brooklyn, was strong enough to lead it and he released in October. Adding to asked me to fill in at the last min- Ivan’s delightful and strikingly ute. It was well-attended, a great colorful illustrations are stories success, and I remember repeat- by his collaborator, Lenny Mintz. edly giving Bob all the credit. His Ivan’s work was on prominent contribution was well understood display in Low Library during our by all who were there. Fortunately, last reunion. If you took the op- he attended a luncheon a day or portunity to view his work at that so later and was able to hear this time, you will surely love the book. directly from classmates.” And if you missed that opportunity, In fact, Art touches on what for you can see the first 25 pages of the many of us was the most moving book here: blurb.com/bookstore/ moment of the reunion. During detail/2600806. As anyone who has our class lunch that Saturday (or experienced an egg cream knows, was it Sunday?), as all were settling the proper exclamation is: “Enjoy.” into their seats, Bob made his entry The peripatetic Bill Tanenbaum in a wheelchair. Claudio Marzollo continued his adventures with a trip had picked Bob up and accompa- Jeff Riker ’61 and Bob Rennick ’61, ’62E, ’64E honored their Art Hum to Europe. Venice, Florence, Tuscany, nied him to campus to ensure that heritage at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gar- Portofino and Cannes were on the he would not miss the reunion dens in San Marino, Calif., in December. PHOTO: LISA RENNICK itinerary. Bill experienced the flood- entirely. In his own beautiful re- ing of San Marco Square caused by membrance of Bob, Claudio writes high tides, marveled at the elaborate of that afternoon: “Bob enjoyed it out and loved reminding me Prince Street in Manhattan. You costumes worn by hundreds in the visit and treasured seeing old that I had missed the best part. We can observe some of his work here: Lucca on All Saints Day, and, with friends.” did make up for it by attending paintingsbybob.com. a cousin who lives in Cannes, He continues: “Like it was for together all of the Ring Cycles at The class extends its deepest explored every town and village many of us, Bob’s time at Morning- the Met from the early ’80s to the condolences to the friends and fam- between Monte Carlo and St. Tropez. side was transformative in the best current one. Last spring, Bob and ily of Bob Morgan, and particularly Two sad notes: possible sense. I remember Bob I saw Walkure together, for the last to his beloved and devoted sister, Don Keller died on November walking around campus with a and umpteenth time. Nancy, and to the friends and fam- 6. Don was a manufacturer of sheet book of St. Paul in one pocket and “An avid traveler, Bob visited 48 ily of Don Keller. metal fabrications. He is survived a book of Nietzsche in the other, states and six continents, missing To all, be well. And write. by his wife, Judith, and sons, David, the result of classes with Professor only Australia. He especially loved Gregg and Todd. Jacob Taubes. He and Professor his winter sojourns in Puerto Rico. Bob Morgan died on December James P. Shenton ’49, ’54 GSAS An engaging person with wide- Michael Hausig 10. The cause of death was cancer were the two who made the most ranging interests, he was blessed 19418 Encino Summit of the Merkel cells, a disease that lasting impression on Bob. with many circles of friends.” 61 , TX 78259 afflicted him and which he resisted “Another teacher he enjoyed Josh Pruzansky captures Bob’s [email protected] for several years. The disease took having — whose name unfortu- essence best in this remembrance: his life but never his spirit. He nately I have forgotten — was “How tragic that we have lost this Philippe de La Chapelle and his continued to carry on with equa- Rudy Bing’s assistant at the quiet, funny, courageous, talented wife, Doria, were honored by the nimity and sense of humor intact. Metropolitan Opera, who taught classmate. Although he appeared enthusiastic attendance of several He provided his friends with at GS. Bob and I took a couple of at our 50th reunion wheelchair- Class of ’61 alums, including Jim periodic updates on his condition, opera courses with him and ea- bound, it did not diminish his Ammeen and Richard Neel (and his treatment, his discussions with gerly followed the discussions for infectious wit, laughter and opti- their spouses, Marcia and Coco), and evaluation of his doctors, and the construction of the new house mism. I shall never forgive him for at Doria’s book signing for Preppy: his research on the subject. He did at Lincoln Center, which was reneging on his promise to attend Cultivating Ivy Style, which was so with an almost clinical detach- then in the planning stages. This our 55th.” held at T. Anthony in New York ment, a quiet scholarly precision instructor got us tickets to some Bob, who came from Danvers, City on November 30. Despite and always the element of hope dress rehearsals, and I remember Mass., pursued two careers. He the presence of President Barack and optimism. The serenity, grace going to Walkure with Bob in 1959. was a social studies teacher in the Obama ’83 in town and the light- and sense of humor — oh, always In those days my appreciation of New York City public school sys- ing of the Rockefeller Center tree, the sense of humor — that were his Wagner was minimal since I was tem for more than 30 years, and he our dauntless bibliophiles came measure never left him. A wonder- devoted to the Italian repertory, was a talented artist. His paintings through as the genuine preps that ful portraitist and photographer, so after the incredibly long and and photographs were exhibited they are! he made photographs of his face to boring second act, I left. Bob stuck at the Ward-Nasse Gallery on Art Humanities had a lifelong

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY influence on Jeff Riker and Bob ter construction site at Ground Zero his solo in the ode to friendship, John says, “it was a good time for Rennick (see nearby photo). The and more. Saturday is also Dean’s Bridge Over Troubled Water, fans still a change. My attention has since two alums soaked in culture at the Day, which means you’ll have the get goose bumps. To be sure, Paul turned to travel, reading, golf and Huntington Library, Art Collec- opportunity to participate in Mini- Simon wrote that hit. But Garfun- time with our children, Kevin and tions, and Botanical Gardens in San Core Curriculum and Public Intel- kel’s academic training sharpened Holly, and six grandchildren. It’s Marino, Calif., in December. Bob lectual Lectures and other events. his sense for the mathematical rela- hard to believe nearly 50 years and his wife, Lisa, were visiting For the most up-to-date information tionships in music. “In a recording have passed since we left Morn- with the Rikers for several days. and — most importantly — to regis- studio in 1969 I calculated for Paul ingside Heights and what was in Doug McCorkindale was ter, go to reunion.college.columbia. that the original version of Bridge retrospect a very benign but happy appointed as the lead director at edu. You can also contact the Over Troubled Water simply would four years. Our vote to dissolve Lockheed Martin, not a big deal Alumni Office staff listed at the top not work. Because he agreed with student government and Castro’s according to Doug, but he indicated of the column. And be sure to check my logic, he added another verse,” visit to the campus created a small that it keeps him off the streets and out the special reunion preview Garfunkel said.’” degree of excitement but not as doesn’t interfere with his golf game. section in this issue of CCT. Peter Krulewitch maintains a much as winning the Ivy League Stuart Sloame and Max Cohen You will never have another op- lively, eclectic blog, millbrooktimes. football championship.” have started a friendly golf game portunity to participate in a gather- com, as well as a link to his oral Bob Meyers (rmmeyersaia@ and have played six times since ing like this one, and all of New history book. By going to oldnew sbcglobal.net) reports, “As of our reunion last June. York will be at your fingertips. Sign yorkstories.com, you can find Halloween, I retired from my San Gerry Elkind has lived in New up now! Peter’s interviews with Professor Francisco architectural-city plan- Zealand since the 1970s, when ning practice. Now, as my wife he accepted a position in the law notes, I’m ready to be ‘rewired’ for department at the University of the next phase of life! Hoping to Auckland. He attended our 25th Carl Jakobsson ’62 continues his work as chairman attend reunion — haven’t been to and 50th reunions, both times of the political action committee of his local campus in 40 years.” earning the distinction of being the Jim Spingarn’s note was a les- classmate who traveled the farthest NAACP branch. son in understatement: “Nothing to attend. Gerry now has four de- much new. Just some traveling: grees: a B.A. from Columbia, a J.D. Southern Africa on photo safari; from NYU, an L.L.M. from King’s What a grand surprise! Through Emeritus of History Western United States to Moab, College, London, and an L.L.D. the good old Post Office, this note ’49 GSAS and University Professor Utah, Durango, Colo., and Santa from Auckland (that’s three law arrived from Les Moglen: “Our Emeritus Jacques Barzun ’27, ’32 Fe, N.M., including zip-lining in degrees!). His L.L.D. is based on 50th class reunion is coming up, so GSAS as well as many others. Colorado, which was lots of fun; four books and countless articles I thought it was time to crawl out Bob Glassman (glassman@ and a cruise to the western Carib- that he wrote, not a thesis. He is from under my rock and check in. lakeforest.edu) teaches and does bean with son Robert ’89, ’92 Busi- working on a fifth book. If I had the insight to know that research at Lake Forest College, ness’ family. The cruise gave him Gerry taught at Auckland for my Columbia years would be the where he is a professor in the De- a little time off from being chief 24 years before retiring in 1997. He best years of my life, I would have partment of Psychology, Neurosci- analyst of aerospace and defense now considers himself an author savored them more intensely. When ence Program. His email included at Credit Suisse New York. Then to by profession. He and his wife, my tennis days at Columbia were files that illustrated his recent France with daughter Liz ’92 Busi- Jean, have two grandchildren and up, I went to medical school at the teaching-research in neuroscience, ness; her husband, Oliver Stanton; eight step-grandchildren. They University of Louisville, where I a presentation in China and a and their three children. I planned plan to remain in New Zealand. acquired a taste for Kentucky poster presentation at a Society for to go to Cambodia and Vietnam On a sad note, Robert LaFian- belles and Jim Beam. I survived Neuroscience meeting in Washing- this winter on a Columbia trip and dra passed away on September 3. bankruptcy, Vietnam and marital ton, D.C. then I hope to China next fall. I Robert was a physician and lived separation. I have five great kids While in D.C., Bob and his wife, work in the brokerage business (50 in Middlebury, Vt. (self-supporting most of the time) Harriet, visited their son, Mark, a years now) with Stifel, Nicolaus in and three adorable grandkids, lawyer with the FTC, his wife, and Florida and Garden City, N.Y., but all here in California. I’m eagerly Bob and Harriet’s three East Coast on a part-time basis. I am looking REUNION MAY 30–JUNE 3 looking forward to the reunion and grandchildren. For Thanksgiving, forward to our reunion.” ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS rekindling some of those wonderful they flew to California to see their Mike Waters (dogashley3@ ALUMNI AFFAIRS Robin Vanderputten memories and magical moments.” two West Coast grandchildren; verizon.net) sent this delightful [email protected] So wonderful to hear from you, their daughter, Jill ’02 SW, a bio- note: “Writing every 50 years or 212-851-7399 Les; many have asked about you. statistician; and their son, Dan, a so might not even rise to the level DEVELOPMENT Allen Rosso John Golembe (evjohn@t-online. businessman and writer. of infrequent. After many years [email protected] de) notified me of a delightful news Bob writes: “It seems yesterday practicing law in New Jersey, I 212-851-7947 story about Artie Garfunkel ’65. we had our 45th reunion. Jill was resigned as a partner in my firm John Freidin John writes, “Our local paper in then completing her master’s in and become of counsel. My wife, 1020 Town Line Rd. Heidelberg, Germany — the Rhein- social work at Columbia. During Sara, and I plan to spend summers 62 Charlotte, VT 05445 Neckar-Zeitung — focused on Artie’s the reunion I introduced her to in Chatham on Cape Cod and win- [email protected] Columbia mathematics degree in Richard Toder and his wife, Joan. ters in Manhattan, when we’re not an article about his 70th birthday. Joan, Harriet, Richard and I met as traveling or visiting our six daugh- When we met 53 years ago, Dwight Here is my wife’s translation of counselors at a summer camp in ters, four granddaughters and Eisenhower was president of the the headline and part of the article: the Catskills in 1959. During that one grandson. Whenever I travel, United States, “digital” was an ‘Hits Obtained with Mathematics: Art 45th reunion I explained to Jill that pick up a good book or linger in a adjective referring to fingers, panty Garfunkel Turns 70 Today — He Never it could have turned out that the museum, I am reminded of how raids were de rigueur, and the Pill Wanted to be a Rock Star. “I was only marriages went the other way, in much I was shaped by Columbia. remained an upperclassman’s a shy intellectual who loved rock which case Richard would be her The legacy of the Core is a life of dream. So much changed during and roll,” Art Garfunkel once said. father. Richard didn’t miss a beat; exploration and enrichment.” our years at Columbia and since This was certainly a major under- he exclaimed, ‘But then you would Amen! — and now it’s time to gather for statement. His mathematics degree be taller!’” “This is my first time writing our 50th reunion. The dates are from the elite Columbia University After 40 years practicing law, to Columbia College Today,” Jeff Wednesday, May 30–Sunday, June was not responsible for his success primarily representing banks in Milstein (Jeffrey_Milstein@msn. 3. Plans are in the works for special with Simon and Garfunkel. … commercial loan activities, John com) writes. “When I arrived at class dinners, panel discussions, a Garfunkel’s smooth and distinctive Joyce ([email protected]) retired Columbia in 1958 from Denver, boat trip through New York harbor, voice gave the duo an unparalleled in 2005. “Considering what has I had quite a culture shock. The a VIP tour of the World Trade Cen- sound. Whenever he begins singing happened in banking since then,” diversity, pace and population den-

SPRING 2012 78 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

sity of New York was both exciting ington and cessation of the practice Black; Richard Gochman and his Gujarat Vidyapith, a university and bewildering. The College of sending convicted criminals to wife, Alice; Larry Neuman; Phil founded by Mahatma Gandhi in offered such a variety of interesting contractor-operated prisons. Satow; and Walter Stein and his 1920, provided a subvention to courses, taught by eminent schol- Carl writes: “The NAACP has wife, Helen, under the Big Tent. We publish the entire bibliography in ars, it was hard to choose a major. opposed the death penalty for a bumped into Jerry Dwyer and his multi-volume book form through I wound up in government, but long time, and has become more wife, son and grandchildren on the Manohar Publishers in New Delhi. took many courses in chemistry, active in the effort to abolish it way to the game. These enterprises all began as physics and biology. I am ever- since the execution of Troy Davis It’s hard to believe but by the seeds at Columbia. grateful for the Core Curriculum. in Georgia last year. You probably time you get this, we will be only “Last September, I flew to And I learned much from the city recall that some of the key wit- 15 months from our 50th reunion. Ahmed­abad to conduct additional as well. Four years at Columbia nesses against Davis in his original I hope that you all have marked research on the processes of city in New York really did change trial recanted their testimony while your calendar for Thursday, May planning, funded by a fellowship my outlook. To this day I read The Davis was on death row. Neverthe- 30–Sunday, June 2, 2013. We’d like from the American Institute of New York Times daily, and have had less, the state of Georgia refused to see you all for this milestone. Indian Studies. I should be here for several of my letters to the editor to reconsider his conviction. Con- Also, if you’d like to join our newly about a year. I welcome visits from published there. sequently, if those witnesses told formed Reunion Committee, fellow alumni, and I look forward “I pursued graduate studies at the truth when they recanted their please send me an email — we’d to visiting Columbia’s new Global Stanford and earned a Ph.D. in original testimony, there remains welcome your ideas and company. Center in Mumbai.” political science with a focus on reasonable doubt about the guilt of Howard Spodek writes, “My Paul Lehrer writes, “I am a international relations. I wrote a the defendant.” serious academic study of India clinical psychologist and professor book on the topic that gripped us Carl is grandpa to 22 grandchil- began when I was an undergradu- of psychiatry at the University of all back then, Dynamics of the Viet- dren, a husband, an after-school ate and took the fabulous courses Medicine and Dentistry of New nam War: A Quantitative Analysis tutor and a Sunday school teacher. ‘Oriental Humanities’ and ‘Orien- Jersey. After all these years I think and Preselective Computer Simula- He hopes to “make it to the re- tal Civilizations,’ which were both I have finally figured out how to tion, and subsequently spent much union, but is not sure, because our newly designed complements to do it, so I’m not planning to retire of my career on the subject of war finances are tight, and it is expen- Western Humanities and Contem- anytime soon. For the past 40 years and peace. sive to travel across the country. porary Civilization. (By the time I have done research and clinical “I taught international relations, But it’s always good to hear from my son, Josh ’93, took these courses practice in what has become known first at Michigan State and then Columbia.” they had been renamed ‘Asian as ‘mind body medicine,’ as well at Yale. I took a leave of absence Lawrence I. Lubkin of Tucson, Humanities’ and ‘Asian Civiliza- as cognitive behavior therapy. I from Yale in 1972 to work on the Ariz., passed away on September tions.’). Many great teachers taught recently received funding from the policy planning staff at the State 27, 2010, after a courageous battle in these programs. For me, Ainslee National Institutes of Health for a Department and found I liked with cancer. He was born in Brook- Embree was the professor who two-center randomized controlled being a player on the field of lyn, graduated from Stuyvesant revealed their richness. trial of biofeedback therapy as a government more than a spectator H.S., Columbia and North Carolina “My graduate studies contin- treatment for asthma. After teaching in the stands of academia. So I fol- A&T State University, where he ued at Chicago, and since 1972 I all this time at one institution, I lowed a career in government for earned a master’s in biology. Larry have been a faculty member in the am beginning to see my students 33 years — a long leave of absence! taught high school chemistry and history department at Temple in receive support for similar research, After a varied civil service career biology at Jersey Academy in New Philadelphia. and I have collaborated with several doing mostly policy and strategic Jersey until his retirement in 1996. “The payoffs from these courses of them on their projects. Nothing analysis in seven governmental de- In 2002, he and his wife, Alice, continue. I wrote a college-level could give an old professor more partments and agencies (the White vacationed in Tucson and decided textbook, The World’s History, pleasure. House, State, Commerce, Treasury, to stay. There, Larry enjoyed his Energy, CIA and Defense), I retired. favorite pastime, bicycling, year- “I now enjoy taking courses at round. At 65 he completed the 36- nearby George Mason University mile Tour of Tucson in two hours, Paul Lehrer ’63 is a clinical psychologist and professor in Fairfax, Va., where I once taught. averaging 17.8 mph! Larry was an of psychiatry at the University of Medicine and I enjoy spending time with my six astute observer of local and national children and six grandchildren, government, and enjoyed talking Dentistry of New Jersey. all but one of whom live within about politics. He is survived by his 15 miles. And I very much enjoy wife of 27 years, Alice; daughters, living with the love of my life, Ruta, Jennifer Lubkin and her husband, published with Prentice Hall and “My wife, Phyllis, continues whose career in anthropology, James May, Margaret, and Andrea now in a fourth edition. Then, last her concert and teaching career computers, science, art and writing Maricich and her husband, Mitch- year, I published Ahmedabad: Shock as a pianist and piano pedagogue in and out of the government ex- ell; and grandson, Gavin Maricich. City of Twentieth Century India, through Westminster College of ceeds my own in variety. We enjoy Two of his students wrote: “He was with Indiana University Press — a the Arts at Rider. We have five traveling, concerts, art, walking our one of the best teachers at Jersey somewhat more indirect result of lovely grandchildren, two in near- dog and all sorts of conversation. Academy — brilliant. So glad he the study that began at Columbia. by Princeton — where our son-in- Luckily, we both are in fairly good was part of my world!”; “Didn’t “I also published a translation, law is an administrator and our health. And we are well aware of know what science was until Mr. with co-translators Devavrat N. daughter teaches the piano — and how fast the sands of time are run- Lubkin. I dissected my one and Pathak and John Wood, of the three in Tajikistan, where our son is ning out. Hence, carpe diem! only frog thanks to him. I enjoyed six-volume Autobiography of Indulal a USAID officer and our daughter- “Please email me if you’ll be in being a student of his!” Yagnik, an important second-tier in-law takes care of procurements Washington so we can get together. political leader in the Gujarat re- for the U.S. embassy. I give a pretty good tour of D.C. gion of India through much of the “In the past few years I have kept And I very much look forward Paul Neshamkin 20th century. The translation, from up with three good friends from to seeing and hearing all of you 1015 Washington St., Apt. 50 the Gujarati, was actually more or Columbia: Richard Weisman, who of 1962 roar at our 63 Hoboken, NJ 07030 less completed in 1985, thanks to a teaches sociology at York University 50th reunion.” [email protected] grant from the Smithsonian Institu- in Toronto; Robert Martin, who Carl Jakobsson, retired now, tion that was made available to recently retired as professor of continues his dedicated work as Homecoming brought back the scholars in a few selected research philosophy at Dalhousie University chairman of the political action usual group of die-hard Columbia libraries in the United States and in Halifax; and Peter Winokur ’64, committee of the Bremerton, Wash., ’63 football fans, all hoping (in India. (This was the era before a retired teacher who lives in New branch of the NAACP. He is work- vain) for a victory. At least it was a computer word processing. The York. It is wonderful that such im- ing on two projects: abolition of the beautiful fall day. My wife, Ruth, materials were in typescript and portant ties continue to thrive.” death penalty in the state of Wash- and I joined Steve Barcan; Henry Xerox copies.) Finally, last year, the Harley Frankel, who runs the

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY nonprofit College Match — a television industries, and played know that the subject will still be cc63newsletter081406.htm). I had no mentoring program for disadvan- solo concerts and chamber music. there tomorrow for another try. idea this was considered the case. taged high school students in Los I worked extensively with Frank “The high point of my career was There was no notice anywhere, Angeles — sends his latest results: Zappa and performed under Pierre reconstructing the lost daguerreo- not even on a milk carton. Then I “We are pleased to report that our Boulez. I’ve been a member of The types from John Charles Frémont’s thought of ’s line, ‘Not all 2011 graduating seniors have done Simpsons orchestra for 21 years, and fifth expedition of 1853, which trav- those who wander are lost.’ quite well in college acceptances work on shows such as Family Guy. eled through the Rocky Mountains. “In 1973, my favorite ex- despite this admissions cycle being Since 1982, I have been music direc- The result of six years of the most girlfriend threw me out of New one of the most competitive and tor and conductor of the Topanga pleasurable work imaginable was York and I moved to a beach to difficult in our nation’s history. Symphony. Our concerts feature a book, Sights Once Seen, which get over it. Beaches, actually. They This has been our most successful nationally known soloists and often contains reproductions of 121 of included Miami, Tampa, Key West, year including the following: 51 include world premieres of works my daguerreotypes, and a museum Fort Lauderdale, Montserrat (pre- percent of the 2011 College Match by Los Angeles composers. show that opened in Santa Fe and volcano), St. John, St. Thomas, El seniors were admitted into an Viejo San Juan and now Cabarete, Ivy League university or an Ivy- on the north shore of the Domini- equivalent such as MIT, Stanford Rick Alexander ’64 has lectured on and can Republic. My adult life has and Wellesley. Almost two-thirds gone through many distinct and of our seniors (65 percent) have Scientology in 28 cities worldwide. adventurous stages, of which I will been admitted to colleges ranked speak another time. Meanwhile, be higher than any UC, including UC it known, though I am not missing, Berkeley. Virtually all of our 2011 “Daughter Jennifer is a French traveled the country for five years. I may be lost.” seniors were admitted into one top hornist, promoter of musical “While working on the Frémont Our regular second Thursday tier college. During the past three outreach and intellectual symposia, project, I came across an lunches are a great place to recon- years, our students (including our blogger and yoga teacher. She has containing some 100 sketches by nect. If you’re in NYC, try to make 2011 seniors) have raised their av- performed with the Berlin Philhar­ the topographic artist Richard one of the next few. They’re sched- erage SAT scores by approximately monic and at the Newport Kern, made in the field while he uled for March 8, April 12 and May 350 points. Important note: The Festival, and is an Abreu Fellow of was employed on the Gunnison 10 — always the second Thursday. total amount of financial assistance El Sistema USA at New England expedition of 1853. The album Check our website, cc63ers.com, that our seniors received repre- Conservatory in Boston. Daughter now is in the Newberry Library for details. sents a 2,000 percent return on our Amy has worked with autistic in Chicago, an unknown national In the meantime, let us know investment.” children and is completing her treasure that constitutes the first what you are up to, how you’re Ezra Cohen writes, “Not much doctorate in physical therapy in Los extensive visual documentation of doing and what’s next. is new and, at this stage of life, Angeles. She’s married and, when the Rocky Mountains. Since sum- having no news is good news. I’m not immersed in her studies, plays mer 2000, I have been searching practicing bankruptcy law in At- beach volleyball. out the views Kern depicted in the Norman Olch lanta. I have practiced at the same “In 2007, I married Joyce Miller drawings and photographing them 233 Broadway firm (Troutman Sanders) for my (mother of four, grandmother from his point of view. The field- 64 New York, NY 10279 entire legal career, except for about of 10). We live in the foothills work now is probably concluded, [email protected] four halcyon years as a bankruptcy above Los Angeles. Whenever and I am almost finished with the judge in the 1970s. For me, the time permits, we travel. Favorite writing; publication is planned I write this note as 2011 draws to practice of law is a heady mixture U.S. destinations have included for 2013. I seem to have returned a close and, by the time you read of commerce and scholarship. I the California coast, the San Juan to my college major, art history, it, we will be well into 2012. Nev- have always loved it and now, with Islands, NYC, the Adirondacks although of a peculiar sort. When ertheless, please allow me to say a less pressure, I am enjoying it. and Florida. Abroad, we’ve visited asked my occupation, I now call belated Happy New Year, and to “My wife and I are raising our England, Ireland, France, Italy, myself a ‘visual historian of West- wish each of you and your families granddaughter, now a teenager, and Israel, Mexico, Costa Rica and ern exploration,’ and if pressed a healthy, happy, prosperous and that has been a rejuvenating experi- islands of the Caribbean. My travel further I add: ‘specializing in the peaceful 2012. ence. Fortunately, my wonderful photography (some award-win- year 1853.’ Retirement is in the air. Michael wife is doing the heavy lifting in ning) appears in exhibits and on “I used to miss good bagels, Friedman has retired after more that endeavor. I’ve been in touch collection walls in California. for no such thing is available here than 40 years as a social worker recently with Richard Gochman, “In recent years, I have stayed commercially and the published and a social advocate. He’s staying who left Manhattan to move to Rip in touch with such Columbians recipes are, frankly, inadequate. busy, though: “I teach courses on Van Winkle country in upstate New as Richard Beeson ’59, Ed Coller, After a year of work that used up health and mental health policy at York. He is still married to the love- Frank Kalibat, Joel Krosnick, 150 lbs. of high-gluten flour in Columbia’s Schools of Social Work ly woman he met as a student at Peter Landecker and Michael four or five test batches a week, I and Public Health. I’ve been writing Columbia, and that’s awe-inspiring. Shapiro ’62, and I often see Melvyn succeeded in baking my own; all regularly for the Huffington Post I’ve also been in touch with Mike Werbach ’62.” who try my product proclaim it and other publications, and doing Baybak ’66, now in Los Angeles Robert Shaler writes from New ‘the best bagel [they] have ever much more with photography. And and the father of five daughters. I Mexico, “In 1986 I became a profes- tasted,’ and my popularity has I now have time to play jazz again, sent him an autobiography of my sional daguerreotypist, and the grown significantly. I don’t sell with a regular gig at a restaurant in post-Columbia years, and he sent adventures and challenges of mod- them because that would turn White Plains, N.Y., where I live. So me a hilarious recording of him and ern daguerreotypy (rhymes with pleasure into labor and ruin the retirement has been terrific.” a friend playing a rowdy song from lobotomy) have proved unending. I spirit; when I bake a batch I make Mike would like to reconnect the ’80s (‘Money for Nothing’ by made subterranean daguerreotypes a run into town to distribute them with classmates. He can be reached Dire Straits).” in Carlsbad Caverns, daguerreo- among friends gratis. I would be at [email protected], and his Jerry Kessler sends greetings types of the moon, of lightning, of happy to send my 11-page method photography can be seen at pho from “the Left Coast,” where he has solar eclipses, of nudes, even of the (it’s not difficult but some details tography.michaelbfriedman.com. lived since 1963: “After graduating heads of state at the 1997 G-8 meet- are important) to any who desire After 39 years, Alan Woods has from UCLA Law, I was admitted to ing in Denver (they all moved dur- excellence in bagels; just email me retired from the Department of practice here in 1966. Since then, I ing the exposure — the result was at [email protected].” Theatre at Ohio State. He writes have maintained a private practice, so abstract that it won an award Christian Rieger sent the fol- from Columbus: “I worked Off-Off concentrating on estate planning, from the Friends of Contemporary lowing: “Years ago, when I was and Off-Broadway during my last business and transactional real Art at a show in the Museum of seeking Bob Vargas, I read the year or so at Columbia and for a estate matters. At the same time, Fine Arts here in Santa Fe). With August 2006 Class Notes [on Paul’s few years afterward, until I was I have been active as a cellist in a process as given to failure as the class website] and wondered who drafted into the Army and served in the record, motion picture and daguerreotype, it is comforting to reported me missing (cc63ers.com/ Vietnam, where I earned a Bronze

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Star for valor in combat. Then on to plays with the community swing college and a university. According that, unlike individuals, they have graduate school at the University and concert bands in his New to the Spectator article, he noted: “A unlimited life. of Southern California (M.A. and Jersey town. university trains for the professions He said, “Why is it that people Ph.D.). I taught at Cal State Los Dan Schechter went on his but fundamentally, it’s an array of in communities, municipalities and Angeles, Cal State Fullerton, Long annual pheasant shoot in Devon, research activities with the aim of states believe they can’t pass laws Beach City College, then Ohio State, England, and returned home to creating new knowledge. A college, that ban corporations from spend- with visits to Indiana University. upstate New York to learn of the on the other hand, is about trans- ing any money on election cam- Worked professionally as a dra- birth of his third grandchild. mitting knowledge of and from the paigns, or that they can’t pass laws maturge nationally. And my short David Saxe ’63, a distinguished past so that [students] may draw that even ban particular products plays have been produced on every New York appellate judge, reports upon it as a living resource in the of corporations from their com- continent except Antarctica. the death of Alan Reis in 2010. future.” munities? If a community set out “I married Ann Null ’63 Barnard “Alan was a dear friend of mine. Our group agreed that we would today to say ‘within our jurisdic- in 1967. We have one daughter, We met when Alan entered the Col- like to know more about the ten- tion, no genetically modified food Kathryn Woods Prentice, a chief lege in fall 1960. We were fraternity sions, if any, between the Univer- is allowed to enter,’ or if it passed petty officer in the Navy, and one brothers at ZBT, where he was for a sity and the College, including the a law that banned any corporate grandchild, Summer Grace Prentice. time house steward. Alan became University’s commitment to the contribution to public discussion of “I spent much of my 39 years at a successful real estate lawyer, and Core Curriculum. Speaking person- ideas or to referenda, the corpora- Ohio State as the director of the Je- I can’t remember a time when we ally, the message from Dean James tions’ lawyers would run right to rome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee didn’t speak at least three times J. Valentini in the Winter 2011–12 federal court. The court would end Theatre Research Institute. I also a week. We talked about thorny issue (page 3 or college.columbia. up throwing the laws out, claiming was director of graduate studies issues in real estate law, the Knicks, edu/cct/winter11/message_from_ constitutional rights and privileges for the Theatre Department for a his interest in thoroughbreds and the_dean) seems to voice a ringing of the corporation dating back to decade, and in various other posts. good books (he was an inveterate affirmation for the importance of the Commerce Clause, the First I published a history of the Ohio reader). He leaves behind a lovely the Core, and I invite concerned Amendment and the Fourteenth Theatre (a 1920s movie palace in wife, Dana. I miss him all the time.” readers to lend their voices to Dean Amendment.” Columbus) and edited the selected Requiescat in pacem. Valentini on this subject. It seems Richard anticipated the plays of Lawrence and Lee (includ- I got a note from Harmon Fields Citizens United case by eight years. ing Inherit the Wind, First Monday in in response to the reported death Richard was asked whether the October and The Night Thoreau Spent Leonard B. Pack of a student in that same Winter struggle against corporate power in Jail). I also published scholarly 924 West End Ave. 2011–12 issue of CCT. He writes, “I was akin to the Civil Rights Move- articles in all the major theater/ 65 New York, NY 10025 would imagine that the counsel- ment, where much of the struggle performance journals. [email protected] ing department has progressed took place in the courts. He re- “I was the first president of since my time at the College. (You sponded, “No, I think the big defin- Audio Description International, After a summer hiatus, our class’ recall that in my writings to you ing struggle is going to take place an organization that makes per- New York-area lunch group met in I have stressed how Columbia’s in the culture. And the courts will formances and events accessible to a conference room in Mike Cook’s counseling services had been less come last. In a sense, Brown v. Board blind and visually impaired folks, offices on October 27 for a resump- than responsive to my issues, and of Education wasn’t worth much president of the Ohio Theatre Alli- tion of our periodic lunches. We while I wasn’t suicidal per se, I was until the civil rights struggle moved ance, on the boards of the Ameri- had a larger turnout than usual, pretty depressed.) … While it is into the culture in a significant can Society for Theatre Research consisting of Allen Brill, Dan Car- fine to celebrate all that Columbia way, forced by this extraordinary and the University and College linsky, Mike Cook, Andy Fisher, alumni have achieved in all areas, grassroots-based, multigenera- Theatre Association. I also was a Brian Fix, Ira Gomberg, Steve I believe that if even one person tional civil rights movement. It took founder of Senior Theatre USA, on Hoffman, Paul Hyman, Jeff Krul- is lost, we need to examine the another 20 years of really serious whose board I remain. I edited two wich, Barry Levine, Tony Leitner, imbalance between the intellectual grassroots mobilizing, agitation in scholarly journals, Theatre Journal Ed Malmstrom, Leonard Pack, emphasis and the social-emotional the culture. And that’s where this and Theatre Studies, though not David Sarlin, Mike Schlanger, support and sensitivity. How we has to happen, and it is happening: simultaneously. Rick Shuart, Steve Steinig, Ber- do that is a big and challenging in Seattle, or at the demonstrations “I remain enormously grateful nard Weinstein and Bob Yunich. question, but one the University outside both of the parties’ conven- to Columbia for the intellectual We had such a large group in needs to address.” tions last year [2001], or recently in and artistic ferment that was there part because of curiosity and con- We have had a loss in our class. New York at the World Economic during my years. I was able to work cern about the August resignation Richard Grossman died of cancer Forum. Those are the visible aspects on a Greek tragedy performed on of Dean Michele -Adams. on November 22. [Editor’s note: of a growing ferment in community the steps of Low Library as a fresh- In our discussion, there was gen- See Obituaries.] Richard founded after community.” man, direct The Varsity Show during eral agreement that we as a group and directed Environmentalists for my senior year and explore a wide do not have enough information Full Employment, was executive range of academic, artistic and other to know what really happened. director of GreenPeace USA and What’s Your Story? diversions. It was a great time.” We also discussed the reasons co-founded and taught in the Alan can be reached at alan0198@ why we care. Most of us agreed Stop the Poisoning program at the Letting classmates know yahoo.com. our concern stems from our warm Highlander Center in Tennessee. what’s going on in your Rick Alexander writes from feelings about our experiences, You can see much of Richard’s life is easier than ever. Clearwater, Fla., that he enjoyed including the Core Curriculum, at written work by searching for Send in your Class Notes! worldwide travel as a guest lec- the College 46 years ago, and we him on the Internet. I did, and ONLINE by clicking turer in Dianetics and Scientology want current students to enjoy a was struck by an interview he in 28 cities; they included Moscow, similarly rich experience. gave to journalist Ruth Conniff, college.columbia.edu/cct/ St. Petersburg, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Barry Levine reported that he of the magazine The Progressive, in submit_class_note. Vienna, Prague, Hamburg, Paris, had attended an address by the Ju- 2002. The interview took place in EMAIL to the address at London, Athens, Tokyo, Lausanne, lian Clarence Levi Professor in the the shadow of the Enron scandal, the top of your column. Bratislava, , Bogota and Humanities, Andrew Delbanco, on but the things Richard articulated Mexico City. He now is back in October 24. (You can see a report were surprisingly prescient and MAIL to the address at the Clearwater, enjoying time with his of the professor’s speech online in foreshadowed many of the senti- top of your column. wife, children and grandchildren. the October 25 issue of Spectator.) ments now being voiced by the Class Notes received by Rick can be reached at rickfree Professor Delbanco stated that he Occupy Wall Street movement. Monday, March 19, [email protected]. believed there is a threat to the He talked about corporate power, are eligible for inclusion in Steve Rodner continues to play Core Curriculum from bloated noting that when corporations are the trombone but instead of play- class sizes. He also emphasized the chartered, they are endowed with the Summer 2012 issue. ing with the Marching Band he difference between the roles of a certain rights and privileges, but

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

Prescient, indeed. through your grandchildren’s eyes, Stuart Berkman guarantee admission to the Col- An article in The New York Times and it is nothing short of amazing! 66 Rua Mello Franco, 580 lege for his extended family. Rich on October 22 quoted Elliot Dorff They make me feel young again. Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro Forzani appeared as the ‘dean of ’71 GSAS on the Gilad Shalit “I teach full-time at American 25960-531 Brasil admissions,’ reassuring the owner prisoner exchange. Since earning a Jewish University and am a visiting [email protected] that all would be well. Ph.D. in philosophy from Colum- professor at UCLA School of Law “Chuck Christensen sang Ger- bia in 1971, Elliot has directed the every other year. Because I love Kent Kretchmar sends news from ­man Lieder to an astonished crowd. rabbinical and master’s programs teaching so much and thankfully Madison, Wis. “Our daughter, Attending and lying about accomp- at the University of Judaism (now am in reasonably good health, I Kerry, completed her work for a lishments were Rich Beggs and his called the American Jewish Univer- have no plans to retire. I feel a little Ph.D. in education, and in Septem- wife, Gerri; Ron Brookshire and sity) and is the school’s Rector and guilty about that, though, because I ber started her teaching career at Ashley; Neill Brownstein and his Distinguished Professor of Phi- am occupying a position that would Carroll University in Waukesha, wife, Linda; Chuck Christensen losophy. I asked Elliot if he would otherwise go to a younger scholar. I Wis. She is an assistant professor and his wife, Carole; Roger ‘The share some thoughts on the impli- am chair of the Conservative Move- in the Department of Education. Dodger’ Dennis; Rich Forzani; cations of freeing 1,000 prisoners, ment’s Committee on Jewish Law In addition to her work at Carroll, Tommy Harrold and Tony Helfet some of whom were convicted for and Standards, a past president of she has given presentations at as a matched set; Bob Klingen- serious , in exchange for a Jewish Family Service of Greater several national and international smith and his wife, Nancy (the single soldier. He said: Los Angeles and a past chair of four conferences and has had articles only ’66 photos appearing in the “Throughout the Middle Ages scholarly organizations. I do a lot published in professional journals. CCT reunion issue); Dean Mottard and into the modern period, of bioethics and interfaith work. In Recently she announced her en- (found sleeping on my couch); and unfortunately often were kidnap- addition to having written more gagement, and she and her fiancé Larry Nelson and his wife, Sue. ped for ransom. In response, than 200 articles on Jewish thought, bought a house in Madison. Larry explained that owning a Jewish legal authorities declared law and ethics, I have written 12 “My wife, Mary Lynn, has had boat was a wise investment. John that ransoming captives (pidyon books and edited or co-edited 13 her running curtailed by knee Nossal flew in solo from Florida shevu’yim) was the top priority for more on those subjects. I have four problems but has been able to play and was hosted by Rich Beggs; communal funds because captives honorary doctorates in addition to a tennis regularly in Wisconsin and Pete Salzer and his wife, Linda, were in danger of being sexually Columbia Ph.D. Arizona. She is the treasurer of the ventured unafraid from northern violated, tortured and killed. At the New Jersey; and Rich Stanhewicz same time, rabbis and lay leaders and his wife, Janet, resurfaced justifiably worried that if it became American Jewish University professor Elliot Dorff from Connecticut. Rounding out known that Jews would go to the crew were Earl Werner and his great lengths to rescue members of ’65 was quoted in The New York Times for his wife, Ruth (winners of the table- their community, that would only and lap-dance second prize), and encourage potential captors to take thoughts on the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange. my former roommate, Steve Wolf- more Jews hostage, so the Shulhan son ’59 and Carole (Engineering). Arukh, an important 16th-century “Those who attended Alumni code of Jewish law, rules that ‘We “My daughter, Tammy Dorff ’89 local tennis association in Wiscon- Reunion Weekend on campus do not redeem captives for more [also is a College alum], and my sin and volunteers at a library in had the best of times together. The than their worth out of consid- other children went to Harvard, Arizona. I had a second surgery on lectures were outstanding, and erations of fixing the world, so Brandeis and Brown, respectively. my left hip in July. Fortunately this anyone who missed Bobby Gur- that the enemies will not dedicate Through their experiences I have a was only a partial revision of the land’s performance at Saturday’s themselves to take Jews captive’ renewed conviction that Colum- replacement I had last year. I have dinner, where he improvised with (S.A. Yoreh De’ah 252:4). bia has thought about the goals not been able to run, though I have the jazz band combo, missed a rare “The Israelis unfortunately now of undergraduate education and gotten in long walks.” and talented classmate at his finest. have created a track record of re- how to achieve them much more When Kent wrote in December, “Really guys, don’t sit home deeming their citizens — even the thoroughly than even other very Mary Lynn and he were looking during the next reunion. Come and corpses of dead soldiers — at the good universities, and I regularly forward to another winter in Ari- enjoy time with one another.” cost of freeing extravagant num- call on, and am grateful for, the lib- zona: “It will be nice to escape the Tom may be reached at tachorba@ bers of Palestinian prisoners, many eral arts grounding that I learned snow and cold temperatures of the gmail.com. of whom were responsible for there. In my late teens and early upper Midwest. As they say: ‘You Also on the subject of reunion, killing scores of Israelis in terrorist 20s, if it had been up to me, I never don’t shovel sunshine.’” David Tilman reported: “Our last attacks. Although I understand would have had the sense to take If you’re interested in contact- reunion was terrific: wonderful the strong bond that Israelis feel to the range of courses that Colum- ing Kent, send a note to kerry1az@ sessions, lectures, meals, good each of their citizens, and although bia required, and so Columbia’s yahoo.com. fellowship and sincere joy. Several this does make every Israeli soldier faculty taught me as much by what Tom Chorba wrote exhaustively of us participated in the second know that his or her country will they required of all of us as they about our 45th reunion: “Mark Columbia Alumni Singers reunion, go the distance to redeem him did through the specific content of Amsterdam, Mike Garrett and conducted ably by Bruce Trinkley from captivity and thus encourages individual courses.” Dan Gardner did a fabulous job on and Gerry Weale ’57, and orga- loyalty and courage, I worry that Finally, some happy news the reunion programming. It was a nized by Michael Garrett and Nick this precedent does exactly what from Andy Fisher: “It certainly is pleasure to connect with classmates Rudd ’64. Singing those wonderful the Shulhan Arukh predicted it turning out to be one of the most I rarely get to see, including Bob Columbia songs for the first time would do — to say nothing of the extraordinary periods of my life. Meyerson. in 45 years was an inspiring and increased danger to Israelis now After 5 ½ years as a widower, I am “Each reunion, I try to organize emotion-filled experience. I added that known murderers are free to getting married again. My fiancée, a dinner for Thursday. We started my baritone to the solo of ‘This resume their terrorist activities.” Ann Mead, is a paralegal in the at my home (my wife, Celeste, as Train Is Bound for Glory.’ Elliot also brings us up to date small-business loan department of usual knocked herself out). We “After 42 years as a pulpit can- on his personal life: “My wife, a bank in Union County, N.J. I met had copious amounts of wine from tor/hazzan and music director, I Marlynn ’66 Barnard, and I have her in that hotbed of singles action, Rich Beggs, Bob Klingensmith retired at the end of July. I spent six four children and seven grand- a bereavement-support group. In and Neill Brownstein prior to years as assistant cantor/hazzan children. We babysit a lot for the addition to being Ann’s husband, heading out for a Chinese banquet sheni of the Park Avenue Syna- four grandchildren who live in Los I shall be stepfather to her 32- and at a local restaurant. There were gogue in NYC, 1969–75, and 36 Angeles. I took an active role in 20-year-old sons — fatherhood approximately 15 courses for $40 years as cantor/hazzan of Beth raising our children and loved the at last at 67! — and a companion per person, with plenty left over Sholom Congregation in Elkins role of being a father, but the role to a 12-year-old retriever/husky because — as I had explained to the Park, Pa., known as the ‘Frank of a grandfather is much, much mix and two cats. We plan a brief restaurant owner — a high quality/ Lloyd Wright Synagogue.’ I had sweeter. You get to see the world honeymoon in Paris.” quantity meal at a low price would a wonderful career of leading

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services; officiating at weddings, for Healthcare Research and Quality. B’nei Mitzvah and funerals; training It is part of the Department of Health 2,000 B’nei and B’not Mitzvah stu- and Human Services. I find the work dents; and teaching Jewish values challenging and gratifying and do through music to generations of not have plans for retirement. The children, young people and adults. group with which I work develops I built a wonderful choral program research on improvements in the consisting of five choirs (preschool delivery of healthcare along with students, elementary singers, high practical tools, which are available to school singers, men’s choir and the public (ahrq.gov/qual/system adult community choir). My choirs design.htm). Recently we completed toured in Israel three times. In the Guide to Remediating Unintended July 2007, my men’s choir toured Consequences of Electronic Health Re- Eastern Europe, presenting concerts cords (ucguide.org), which we hope in Prague, Budapest, Cracow and will help care providers sort through Warsaw. We gave impromptu mini- all of the stuff that happens when concerts in synagogues, museums they go electronic. Other projects and even in Auschwitz-Birkenau. reexamine use of industrial process “Through the years, I presented improvement methods in healthcare programs with Leonard Nimoy, and ways to help safety net hospitals Theodore Bikel, Stephen Schwartz, enhance their business and quality Work o’ the Weavers and many oth- performance. er wonderful artists. I feel fulfilled in “My wife, Jo Ann, recently my ultimate mission to teach Jewish completed a couple of years as an A group of alumni from the late ’60s traveled to Big Green country for values through the wonders of the ombudsman in an assisted living the Columbia-Dartmouth football game in October (left to right): Jewish musical experience. Last facility and is starting to teach a Proctor Schenk ’69, ’71 Business; Gerry Botha ’67, ’68E, ’70E; Ken spring, I finished my Beth Sholom module on personal finance to Thomae ’67, ’69 Business; Bruce Chattman ’67; Robert Chapla ’68; David career with a gala concert featuring sixth-graders. Our son, daughter- Blanchard ’67; Jack Probolus ’70; Eric Dannemann ’67, ’72 Business; and 17 other cantors, all my choirs and in-law and grandchildren live Bob Malsberger ’67E. 36 members of the Philadelphia nearby, and we see a great deal of Orchestra. the grandkids, who are now both “I have begun a new career as in school. We like Bethesda, Md., Sound, in Branford, Conn., an easy Too bad it was over so quickly and associate professor at the H.L. Miller and enjoy the D.C. area, but miss commute to New Haven. After we had to return to our home in the Cantorial School and College of Jew- friends in Israel, where we lived training in Boston, I have spent my mountains outside Rio de Janeiro. ish Music of the Jewish Theological for nearly 30 years. We try to keep entire professional career at Yale. I am an adult and pediatric cardiac Seminary, right up Broadway from up with them electronically and REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 Columbia at West 122nd Street. I through periodic visits.” surgeon and professor of surgery ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS teach young men and women who Michael’s e-mail is navigator1099 at the Yale School of Medicine. My ALUMNI AFFAIRS Nick Mider are preparing for cantorial careers. @gmail.com. team recently implanted, for the [email protected] I teach ‘Methods and Materials of Michael Garrett directs class- first time in the United States, a 212-851-7846 Jewish Music Education’ and ‘Ad- mates to the last page of the Winter tissue-engineered vascular graft as DEVELOPMENT Heather Hunte vanced Conducting,’ and I conduct 2011–12 issue of CCT (also at college. part of a heart reconstruction in a [email protected] a wonderful choir of 14 superb columbia.edu/cct/winter11/alumni 3-year-old. This is the beginning of 212-851-7957 singers. _corner3), where they will find a an exciting new field in medicine. “I am ecstatically happy after 30 first-person piece with photos about Yale is a great place for integrating Albert Zonana years of marriage to Ellen Rosen- his extensive collection of lions. basic science and clinical medicine. 67 425 Arundel Rd. berg Tilman. We have three chil- Write Michael at michaelgarrett@ The main campus and the medical Goleta, CA 93117 dren: Avrum ’04E, a computer su- earthlink.net. school are well integrated, being [email protected] pervisor at a hedge fund; Howard, John Harrington submitted a only a few blocks apart. I’ve also a third-year student in the Ziegler brief update: “I am retired from become interested in biomedical Have you signed up yet? We are School of Rabbinical Studies of the university teaching and enjoying ethics and serve on the pediatric only a few months from our 45th American Jewish University in Los life in North Carolina. There are 732 ethics committee and the technol- Alumni Reunion Weekend, which Angeles, though he is spending this of us year-round residents in our ogy and ethics working group at will be held Thursday, May 31–Sun- year in Jerusalem; and Alana, who beach town. Quite a change from the Yale Interdisciplinary Center day, June 3. You don’t want to miss is completing her master’s in Jewish Manhattan! A busy day is watching for Bioethics. out on the chance to see so many education at the Davidson School of a pelican fly over.” “New Haven, a college town, is friends in one place, and campus the Jewish Theological Seminary. As Contact John at jeharrington38@ a cultural and academic power- is sure to look beautiful in spring. of this writing, we had a lot of trav- yahoo.com. house; we love it. All our kids and In addition, there are many fun eling scheduled: Israel at the end From the Lone Star State, Calvin grandkids live in the Boston area, multigenerational and class-specific of December and January; Chile in Johnson gives us this information: so I can root for all the great Boston activities being planned, includ- March, where I shall be cantor-in- “From last May–December, I was teams without having to live ing our class dinner on Saturday. residence in Santiago and Vina del a fellow at the Tax Policy Center, a there. We also love our convenient Saturday also is Dean’s Day, which Mar; Clayton, Ga., where I shall be joint program of the Urban Insti- weekend jaunts into ‘the city’ to means you’ll have the opportunity cantor-in-residence at Camp Ramah tute and the Brookings Institution catch up on things. We were very to participate in Mini-Core Curricu- Darom for the Passover holiday; in Washington, D.C. I work on the excited by the win over Brown last lum and Public Intellectual Lectures and Berlin in June, where I shall Shelf Project, a collaboration to fall, unquestionably the start of a and other events. For the most conduct a concert of the Cantors As- develop proposals to raise revenue new dynasty! Best to all.” up-to-date information and — most sembly on its mission to Germany. by defending the tax base. We have Gary’s e-mail is gary.kopf@yale. important of all — to register, go to “My life is full of meaningful 63 proposals so far.” edu. reunion.college.columbia.edu. You experiences, and I pray that I may Calvin gives us this site for fur- Your correspondent had a lovely also can contact the Alumni Office continue to be creative for many ther information about the project: three-week visit with old friends staff listed at the top of the column. years to come.” utexas.edu/law/faculty/calvin in , Germany and Holland Be sure, too, to check out the special Write David at david.tilman@ johnson/shelfprojectinventory.pdf. in the autumn. The weather was reunion preview section in this comcast.net. Gary Kopf writes, “My wife, uncharacteristically beautiful for issue of CCT. Michael Harrison wrote, “I am a Hedda (homecoming queen, AEPi, that time of the year, and my wife, Now for the news. Ken Settel senior program officer at the Agency 1965), and I live on Long Island Gilda, and I had a marvelous time. writes, “As I returned to campus

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY in August to drop off my youngest Fiji. I’m director of special educa- editing and living in rural Con- hear to understand that the beauty son, William ’15, for the start of tion at our regional high school necticut, I seem to have picked up of the Columbia heritage lies not in his freshman year, I was delight- and spend as much time with my a new career as an editor of wood- our memories of how things used fully surprised at the buzz of grandchildren as possible. I got working books. Two years ago, no to be on Morningside Heights but cosmopolitan activity around the back into triathlons this summer sooner had I been laid off at Fine rather in the knowledge that the campus. It was eerie to move him after sitting out for a few years, Woodworking magazine than one CC community changes and will into his room in Carman Hall, only and my wife, Eve, and I cycle of my writers there steered me to always be connected to the most two doors down from where I had through the beauty of Vermont a small publisher in Pennsylvania. vibrant themes of its present time lived when the dorm opened 49 most weekends in good weather.” I’ve done a half-dozen books for … to the contemporary zeitgeist: years ago! I also realized that I was In November, Julian Geiger was them, including one on woodcarv- exploring, testing, innovating and probably the oldest alumnus who named president and CEO of the ing by a Dane and two on ukuleles challenging. That’s why I think also was the parent of an entering New York-based cupcake specialty by a couple in Australia. Keeps me so fondly of Columbia in the ’60s, freshman. My oldest son is a recent chain Crumbs Bake Shop. The first just busy enough, so I have time to that’s why ’68 still excites me Stanford graduate and Silicon Val- Crumbs opened in March 2003 on spend in my own shop, puttering and that’s why I’m proud to be a ley entrepreneur, and my middle the Upper West Side, and there with various woodworking and Columbia College alumnus.” son is a senior at Duke headed into are now more than 40 locations, woodturning projects, and helping I share Henry’s sentiment, and I the management world. My wife, most of them in New York. Julian my wife, Kate, keep ahead of the should add that I hear great things Linda Kline, is an attorney who has been chairman of the board of weeds in the yard. about the interim dean. has developed a business placing directors of Aeropostale since Au- “I have also added ‘inventor’ to Juan Gonzalez is co-author of a attorneys in the New England area. gust 1998 and was the company’s my resume. Earlier this year, I fig- new book, News for All the People: “I have been working as a phy- chairman and CEO August 1998– ured out how to improve a gizmo The Epic Story of Race and the Ameri- sician-psychiatrist in the interface February 2010. Julian also is a part- used by people who make wood- can Media. of leadership and management and time adviser to Aeropostale. bodied ballpoints and fountain I saw Paul de Bary for our once- psychoanalytic understanding. I ad- I am sad to report that David pens on their lathes. I had a local in-a-while lunch. He looks great, vise CEOs and senior management Koffler passed away in July. David machine shop make a batch, set up and we both were pleased to read teams in resolving organizational had lived in the Carmel Valley area a website and have been selling the about the new football coach, Pete conflict using a psychodynamic of San Diego for the last 18 years, invention for a while now. You can Mangurian. He seems exceedingly perspective to enhance the effective- ever since retiring from the Navy see it at penmandrel.com. I wish I well-prepared. I predict great things ness of leadership. I travel to clients with the rank of captain. David could say that sales are brisk, but for the program. Basketball is an- and also have a psychoanalytic attended Navy Officer Candidate they aren’t. Maybe someday. other great story. As I surmised, we practice in Brookline, Mass. I also School and served as a Swift Boat “I stay in touch with Ernest Gil- have an uncanny and very talented teach Harvard psychiatry residents commander in Vietnam. Following man (still teaching at NYU, now basketball coach in Kyle Smith. I about leadership and organizational his tour of duty, for which he re- grandfather of two girls) and Dan have seen a couple of games so far consulting and work with the Har- ceived the Bronze Star and numer- Carlinsky ’65 (still doing whatever this year — as of this writing, we vard Risk Management Founda- ous other medals for meritorious it is that Carlinskys do).” were on a seven-game winning tion, supporting physicians through service, he attended dental school Henry Welt says, “I knew that streak. All that success, even though adverse outcomes and malpractice at Oregon Health Sciences Univer- starting yet another career as chair we lost our best player, last year’s litigation. sity in Portland, Ore. After earning of the Department of Entrepreneur- Ivy League scoring champ, to an “I recently connected with class- a doctor of dental medicine degree, ship for the Fashion and Design injury in the second game. mates at the sad funeral of Donald he returned to active duty in the Industries at FIT would be exciting, By the way, for those of you Krim. Donald was a beloved who didn’t read about the last friend. We shared a tight bond and football game of the season, the fond memories of years at Colum- Henry Welt ’68 chairs the Department of Entrepreneur- Lions upset Brown at home in bia. Don also left his mark on the overtime. For me, it was the best film industry as a connoisseur and ship for the Fashion and Design Industries at FIT. game in decades. With our star distributor of fine international and quarterback returning, many other classical films. He was a devoted fine athletes and a great new coach, husband and father. His untimely Navy, where he practiced dentistry taking me out of my comfort zone I am sure that next season will be death is a deeply felt loss.” until his retirement in 1995. David as a lawyer and consultant, but I a good one; I encourage you to get David Blanchard reports that was a devoted husband, father, never realized that it would connect to a game. I am counting on seeing the crew contingent made it to grandfather, friend and mentor. me with a crop of recent Columbia Hollis Petersen at Robert K. Kraft the football game at Dartmouth Finally, a lost-and-found item: College graduates. Somehow, no Field, or else I am going to Key in October (see nearby photo). On November 22, a Columbia matter how much we think that West and bringing him up. The He writes, “Gerry Botha, Bruce University graduation ring with we’re in touch with reality, our Florida group — John Roy, Gregg Chattman, Robert Chapla ’68 the year “67” on one side and memories play the trick of freez- Winn and Neil Anderson — have and I all live in Vermont and get “BS” on the other was recovered ing us in our past and helping us to come, too. together often. Ken Thomae, from an uptown Manhattan bus. believe that some things don’t Gregg, you have to play the Bob Malsberger ’67E and Jack The inscribed initials, written in change — such as CC’s liberal arts drums with the marching band. Probolus came up from the Boston calligraphy, appear to be “CPS.” If orientation and the foreignness of One correction from the Winter area. Eric Dannemann came from this is your ring, or you know who commerce to the CC community 2011–12 issue: I thought Gordon New Canaan, Conn., and Proctor it may belong to, please contact and campus. But then I met David Harriss was going to be at an event Schenk ’69 from Brooklyn. We met Nick Mider, events coordinator Whittemore ’06, head of the Colum- at my home, so I wrote about it in for lunch at a Hanover watering in the Alumni Office: nm2613@ bia Venture Community, who was the column beforehand, and then he hole, Murphy’s, and endured the columbia.edu. interested in what we’re doing at was unable to attend. So, Gordon, I game before returning to Murphy’s FIT in the field of entrepreneurship. hope to have a sandwich with you for the losers’ libations. Most of us We had lunch, and that’s when I soon, and I salute you. (He always then made our way over hill and Arthur Spector discovered not only that David gets to hear about how I credit his dale to Gerry’s house in Barnard, 271 Central Park West is the charming and obviously dad with my now-36 years in public Vt., where his wife, Susan, had 68 New York, NY 10024 talented son of Reed Whittemore finance.) We should get a group prepared a sumptuous feast to arthurbspector@ ’69 but also that he is a Columbia together for another lunch; let me soothe our battered souls. Many of gmail.com College graduate. know if you are interested. us have our lightweight crew days “When I asked David about his I know 2012 is just a few months in common (Jack rowed with the Greetings! Just a few reports this connection to entrepreneurship, in, and I don’t want to rush the ‘overweights’ and Bruce wrestled), time, beginning with Dave Heim. he answered that he was involved years, but 2013 might be a good and it seems that I am the only one He writes, “Now that I’m officially with the entrepreneurship club at time for another reunion. We of the group not to have pledged retired from full-time magazine CC, and that was all I needed to should start planning soon.

SPRING 2012 84 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

Finally, I am slowly switching to arts and academic freedom as a my gmail address, arthurbspector@ director of the National Associa- gmail.com, though you can con- tion of Scholars. (If you share these tinue to use [email protected]. Stay values, please join.) I’m also active well everybody. Let me know how in the Federalist Society. I chair the you are doing. Ohio State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Rebecca and I enjoy good Michael Oberman literature, theatre, opera, music, Kramer Levin Naftalis & art, food, wine and travel. (Who 69 Frankel doesn’t?) Next year I plan to go 1177 Avenue of the half-time, teaching only in the fall. Americas This will allow me to escape the New York, NY 10036 brutal Cleveland winters and to moberman@ devote more time to my family and kramerlevin.com my avocations.” Dave Rosedahl reports, “On Facing the deadline for this issue September 16, I performed in the with an empty inbox, I resorted second violin section of the Min- Dave Rosedahl ’69, ’72L (middle right) performed in the second violin (for the first time) to a blast email nesota Orchestra as part of a fan- section of the Minnesota Orchestra in September as part of a two-day to all classmates for whom we tasy camp (see nearby photo). We fantasy camp. have email addresses (around 300), rehearsed with the orchestra for groveling for news and asking at two days, participated in sectional least for acknowledgement of re- practice sessions and were treated be married with two young adult punishment under a Supreme ceipt of the email. I received about to show-and-tell sessions with the ‘children.’ My wife, Karen, is a Court decision holding that it is a 20 responses, most with news and folks who manage the orchestra speech language pathologist in our violation of the 8th Amendment to a few acknowledgements. This and its programs. A real treat for public school system and my son, execute mentally retarded persons. column includes some of the news amateurs who attend concerts with Adam, is a high school senior with In 2009, I tried the mental retarda- I received (filling my word limit); I the secret hope that an announcer a strong interest in computer sci- tion case with my co-counsel in am holding some news for future will ask, ‘Can someone in the audi- ence and math. My daughter, Julie, South Carolina. Last year, the issues. Thanks to those who an- ence substitute for a suddenly ill is graduating from Colby College, trial judge decided that Eddy is swered these calls. I still need help musician?’ having studied international rela- mentally retarded and commuted from the half of the class for whom “Upon returning to Minnesota tions and environmental science.” his capital sentence to life impris- we do not have email addresses; from California in 2004, I undertook From Chris Jensen: “I am onment. The state decided not to it’s time for you to send in news. to resume playing my fiddle after a chairman of Cowan, Liebowitz & appeal this judgment. There is no I’d much prefer spending my CCT 40-year hiatus. (Following a career as Latman, a 50-lawyer intellectual greater satisfaction than knowing time compiling and editing, and an unexceptional high school concert property law firm, and maintain that your legal efforts and skills not groveling. master, the bright lights of Manhat- an active litigation practice in New have helped to save a man’s life. From George Dent: “In 1970 I tan offered far too many distractions York and around the country. “In 2009, I traveled to Malawi on was married (and still am) to my from practicing, rehearsing and However, I am trying to find a little behalf of the International Senior college sweetheart, Rebecca Hol- performing classical music; the Gold more balance in my life and have Lawyers Project to consult with the loway ’70 Barnard, ’75L. I finished Rail with Mick Jagger in the back- been increasing my pro bono ac- Malawian government about the the Law School in 1973. I clerked ground was far more attractive.) I tivities in recent years. In February, revision of its intellectual property for Judge Paul Hays on the U.S. found a teacher, and started grinding a book was published by Knopf laws. After my visit, I recommend- 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals and away with bow and fiddle. I joined about a death penalty case in South ed to the Malawi Law Commission was an associate at Debevoise, an orchestra and played air-violin Carolina that I have been handling. that it proceed first with a revision Plimpton, Lyons & Gates for three for the first year or so. I now go to The book was written by Raymond of the Malawi Trademarks Act. years. I then entered law teaching the High Sierra Music Festival each Bonner, a Pulitzer Prize-winning The commission accepted my at Cardozo, New York and NYU summer to play chamber music, reporter for The New York Times, recommendation and I was able law schools. Our daughters, Chloe hike and test out California’s finest and is titled Anatomy of Injustice: A to render advice regarding the ’00 and Delia ’04, were born in 1978 vino. With my grandson reaching Murder Case Gone Wrong. drafting of a revised Trademarks and 1982. his first birthday, and his sister born “Since the early 1990s, I have Act. This act is slowly making its “In 1990 we moved to Cleve- in December, how could one ask for acted as the lead trial counsel for way through the government for land, where I am the Schott-van a better year? Minnesota Orchestra Edward Lee Elmore in his post- consideration and enactment. den Eynden Professor of Law at and grandchildren!” conviction review proceedings (on “Finally, I assisted the South Case Western Reserve Law School. When not performing or spend- a claim that he is actually innocent Brooklyn Legal Services with a jury I teach corporate and securities law ing time with family, Dave prac- and was denied due process of law trial in federal court in Brooklyn last and have published many articles tices law at Briggs and Morgan, in his three murder trials). We were May brought by several minority in that field. I also write on law focusing on regulatory compli- unsuccessful on the habeas at the residents of low-income areas of and religion, which led me into the ance and enforcement, financial state level and in the federal trial Brooklyn who had been swindled debate over same-sex marriage, markets consulting and corporate court. I argued the innocence appeal by a real estate company that pur- in which I am one of the few governance. before the Fourth Circuit Court of chased dilapidated properties and academic defenders of traditional Marty Kafka writes: “I live in Appeals last year. On November ‘flipped’ them in quick sales to un- marriage. Rebecca is a partner at the greater Boston area and am a 22, the Fourth Circuit vacated the suspecting first-time homebuyers. Spieth, Bell, McCurdy & Newell. psychiatrist, affiliated with Harvard conviction of Elmore, because of the The scheme was based upon the Chloe is a pain management doc- Medical School, where I am a clini- majority’s view that this was ‘one of cooperation of subprime mortgage tor at the VA hospital and Emory cal associate professor. My area of those exceptional cases of extreme lenders who gave the purchasers Medical School in Atlanta. Delia expertise is with sexual behavior malfunctions in the state criminal subprime loans on onerous terms works for Kermit Lynch Wine Mer- disorders, particularly sexual ad- justice systems where [habeas that quickly went into default. We chant in Beaune, the wine capital diction and sexual offending. I am relief] may appropriately be used to succeeded in obtaining a large fraud of Burgundy, France. working on a section of the Diagnos- remedy injustice.’ verdict against the defendants in a “I enjoy being an academic, tic and Statistical Treatment Manual “While these innocence proceed- groundbreaking verdict.” and my CC education is the core 5th Edition, which is published by ings were going on, we filed a sec- From David Dolinko: “I’ve of my learning. I champion the the American Psychiatric Associa- ond habeas action based on a claim been a law professor at UCLA Core Curriculum, the study of tion, so my professional life is active that Eddy is mentally retarded and since 1982. I majored in math at Western civilization, the liberal and fulfilling. I am also fortunate to is therefore ineligible for capital Columbia, but after graduating

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

I came to UCLA as a graduate on governmental licensing boards. president of the Hampshire District Michigan, and at this writing were student in philosophy, interested The past 10 years at Talbott have Medical Society. Geoff is proud preparing for winter. Our older initially in logic and the philoso- provided me the opportunity to of his two children, who are both daughter, Emily, moved to Santa phy of mathematics. After years give care, guidance and compas- employed, and of his wife, Donna, Clarita, Calif., to get a master’s in of what no one could consider sion to those healers who have the associate dean of nursing for the graphic design at CalArts, and our meteoric progress toward a degree, suffered in ways that confound University of Massachusetts at Am- younger daughter, Hannah, lives in and having decided I was not des- the intuitive mind. I am grateful herst. Geoff proudly added that he Norwalk, Conn., and works for Dia- tined for greatness as a logician, I every day that I did not follow a has repaid and then some the small geo in its supply chain management switched to law school, graduating path that would have certainly grant that Bronx Science gave him leadership development program. in 1980. While clerking for a federal hurt me but instead learned to to help with tuition at Columbia Everything considered, life has been appellate judge, I completed the re- listen to my insides in authentic during his first year. kind to us, and Joy and I are looking quirements for a philosophy Ph.D. ways that allowed me to assist Bravo, Geoff. forward to an urban adventure, I have been married since 1983 to a others in restoring the dignity that Dan Feldman is a full-time aca- with wind chill.” law school classmate whom I met is deserved by all humans. I have demic, having become an associate Stephen Dydo traveled to the when we were law review editors never regretted the decision, and I professor of public management Indian last summer. (no children). I have taught mostly am a happy man today as a result. at the John Jay College of Criminal Stephen is a musician with eclec- criminal law courses and pub- Columbia was a place of personal Justice. Dan’s 2010 book on the tic tastes. Here are some addi- lished a modest number of articles, discovery for me, as well as being political process in New York, Tales tional items from his long report: mostly dealing with philosophical the most intellectually stimulating from the Sausage Factory: Making “I did some playing in Taiwan issues about the justification of place in my life. I cherish its place Laws in New York State, still gets this fall on guqin, a Chinese criminal punishment. I spend my in my journey.” favorable media attention. instrument with a deep classical non-working time largely reading In other book news, David repertory. My performances were nonfiction, listening to music and Lehman’s nonfiction work, A Fine a mixture of traditional Chinese growing old.” Leo G. Kailas Romance: Jewish Songwriters, Ameri- pieces and a piece I wrote for Alan Yorker writes, “I head the Reitler Kailas & can Songs, won the 2010 Deems electric qin (my invention) and Dual Addiction Program at the Tal- 70 Rosenblatt Taylor Award from the American digital sounds. I even gave a bott Recovery Campus in Atlanta, 885 Third Ave, 20th Fl. Society of Composers, Authors short lecture in Chinese! Last year where I have lived since coming New York, NY 10022 and Publishers. David writes, “I’ve I got together a group from West- down south for grad school in 1972. [email protected] given ‘lectures with musical illustra- ern Connecticut State University Talbott by reputation is considered tions’ based on the book in such and a nearby Tibetan Buddhist the treatment of choice for those I was excited to hear from basket- places as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, meditation center with the goal of members of the medical and health ball team captain Frank Motley, -St. Paul, New York, bringing the Dalai Lama in to talk professions who have succumbed who has been “deaning” at the San Francisco and Washington, about creativity and compassion. to the vagaries of addictive disease. Maurer School of Law at Indiana D.C., as well as in London. I also Last week we got confirmation It was the first treatment center of University for 30 years. Frank says designed and wrote a library exhibit that he is coming on Thursday, its kind when it began more than that Christmas is fiscally draining bearing the same title as the book. October 18. What great news! 30 years ago and was founded by because he has 19 grandkids. He By May, it will have traveled to 57 Now we have to pray for his G. Douglas Talbott ’49 P&S, who plays golf with a handicap of 15 libraries nationwide. Also, The Best health.… is now medical director emeritus. and was happy to have attended American Poetry 2011 recently ap- “A visual artist in England, (Coincidentally, he and I share two the 2011 Homecoming game at peared — it’s the 24th volume in the Susan Haire, has been developing other alma maters: The Hotchkiss Robert K. Kraft Field with Fred annual series, which I established in multimedia works with me for School and UC San Francisco Medi- White, Stuart Reid ’71, Mark Dur- 1988. I continue as the series editor.” five years. Some of it can be seen at cal Center.) The Talbott institution is ham and others. Ed Rutan reports: “I recently dydo-haire.com, although the web- a state-of-the art facility based upon Speaking of Fred, he is a dean finished my ninth year as the site needs an update. We are doing the latest research and clinical prac- and professor of law at Texas Wes- city attorney for Salt Lake City. a big event next spring to mark the tices and has a successful rate of 900th anniversary of Peterborough treatment outcome. Patients come Cathedral. The plan is to have from all 50 states, Canada, Mexico Alan Yorker ’69 heads the Dual Addiction Program artworks all around the cathedral and Europe. — some of them monumental — “The relevance for me to share at the Talbott Recovery Campus in Atlanta. with sound projected via infrared with my classmates is that my four to headphones, so the visitors will years at Columbia — which were hear particular music depending special and shaping in many ways, leyan School of Law and has been With a sustainability- and human on what they are looking at. Mostly mostly in acquiring a fascination appointed to the American Bar As- rights-minded mayor and city I am teaching music six days a with the world and all the people sociation Accreditation Committee. council, there always are lots of week. It doesn’t pay very much in it — were for the most part very Congratulations, Fred! interesting legal issues to keep and it’s exhausting, but it leaves unhappy personally. Having been Chuck Silberman’s son, Jeff me challenged. In addition to my my mornings free for composing led into a pre-med program of ’08, graduated from Yale Law last regular outdoor pursuits of skiing, and practicing. Also, although it learning, I found myself strug- spring and has secured a position hiking and gardening/landscap- surprises me every time I say it, I gling, depressed and unsure of the with Skadden Arps in New York. ing, for the last couple of years I love doing it.” future. I did not apply to medical Hopefully he will remember Co- have been researching and writing Jim Kunen writes, “I enjoyed school and my family boycotted lumbia as the springboard for his a history of my great-great-grand- going up to what we used to call my graduation as a result. career as a lawyer! father’s Civil War regiment — the Baker Field to watch the football “But I discovered soon after Paul Roth and Geoff Zucker 179th New York Volunteers. I’m team battle valiantly against Har- graduation the field of psychol- (also my classmates at Bronx Sci- hoping to finish it by spring 2014, vard and then triumph in a thrill- ogy and mental health (which I ence) reported on their careers as the 150th anniversary of the rais- ing game against Brown. Things had overlooked as an undergrad) doctors. Paul practices medicine ing of the regiment.” are looking up for next season. and thus returned to campus in the South Central Bronx, which From Spencer Cowan: “After 16 “Classmates searching for a to fulfill course requirements to he says has a significant popula- years at UNC Chapel Hill, getting a meaningful second act (especially attend graduate school in that tion of HIV and Hepatitis C cases. Ph.D. in city planning and working if they’ve been laid off) may find field. As a result, I have been a Paul is engaged in noble work, at the Center for Urban and Region­ my new book of interest. Diary licensed and practicing therapist as he is helping an indigent and al Studies, I accepted an offer to of a Company Man: Losing a Job, for 35 years, engaged in private underserved population. Geoff become v.p. for applied research at Finding a Life recounts my journey practice, university teaching and runs a gastroenterology practice in the Woodstock Institute in Chicago. from student ‘radical’ to criminal serving various appointments in Northampton, Mass., is involved in My wife, Joy, and I live in Wilmette, defense attorney to People journal- my professional associations and the local community hospital and is in an apartment right on Lake ist to Time Warner corporate com-

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munications flack to, at long last, a week in exchange for a meal ticket. later, I was recognized by band adjust to and more losses of prior happy and useful life teaching ESL Sweet memories of burgers, fries member Rob Leonard ’70, ’82 joys. The vent life will be more of to immigrants at LaGuardia Com- and dirty dishes rather than the GSAS, who ran up, hugged me the same. The “to vent or not to munity College in Queens.” collected wisdom of the greatest and cried out the only thing he vent” decision-point provides a I was happy to receive updates minds in Western civilization? Yet could remember, ‘Maggot!’” convenient and socially accept- from so many classmates — keep it was inevitable. We remember the Bob Brintz: “This March marks able opportunity for a PALS to say up the good work, and send more good times, when we rise to the five years since my first symp- “Enough. I don’t want to continue news for next time! top like cream, and consign stress- toms of ALS (amyotrophic lateral to live this way. I’m ready to die.” ful slogs to oblivion. sclerosis, more commonly Lou “‘The specific physical and “In class I was just one of many Gerhig [’23]’s disease). The last social circumstances affecting Jim Shaw straight-A honor society types, time I checked in, I was still taking quality of life will vary for each of 71 139 North 22nd St. common and unnoticed. It was a backpacking trips in the Grand us. However, and I believe most Philadelphia, PA 19103 far cry from my elite high school Canyon and bent on taking many importantly, our perception of our [email protected] days. Only in the Lion’s Den was more. OK, so I miscalculated. No quality of life is ultimately subjec- I a star once again. Nobody could backpacking since early 2008. In tive, not objective (i.e., it is a state Joshua Rubenstein: “I have just sling burgers or keep the French January 2009, I became unable to of mind and not ultimately defined [October 2011] published my latest fries sizzling like I could. In my continue my solo law practice and by our physical state and external book, Leon Trotsky: A Revolution- senior year of high school and started to receive Social Security circumstances). Those of us who ary’s Life. It is a concise biography, the summer before enrolling at disability benefits. In September are able to cultivate the ability to part of the Jewish Lives Series of Columbia, I worked at a classic 2010, I went into end-stage ALS — focus on the positives, to remain Yale University Press. I was at the diner near the interstate highway. respiratory failure — and decided calm and equanimious in the face 92nd Street Y in NYC on February A veteran kitchen crew and a wait- to take the road less traveled. For a of adversity … will have the capac- 8, where writer Michael Scammell ress who could teach Mel and Flo more contemplative view of how I ity to live vibrantly with ALS. interviewed me about the book.” a thing or two were my professors. am doing, here is the beginning of “‘I am not an ideologue. I speak Irwin Warren ’74L: “In August, I They taught me to work with an a statement I recently posted on an from personal knowledge born was in Toronto to address the ABA economy of motion that churned ALS website, which is titled ‘A Path of my own direct experience. My House of Delegates at the ABA out food as fast as humanly pos- to Survival’: essence is my mind, not my body. Annual Meeting on behalf of the sible. My last two weeks at the “‘My experience with ALS ... My essence is intact and fully func- Section of Litigation’s proposal to diner before leaving for Columbia began four years ago with an initial tioning. Each day of life is a joyous adopt protocols for ‘best practices’ was my master’s seminar in short- reaction of panic, fear, astonish- gift and an opportunity to project for litigating cross-border class order cooking. Only a mile from ment and disbelief; and a promise love and kindness into the world. actions (a subject that only lawyers the county fairgrounds, we sold to my children that I would do “‘Personally, I am dismayed and would really care about, and which more food in the two-week run of everything in my power to stay astonished that only about 10 per- passed the House). As I was wait- the fair than we did in a normal alive. I have not discovered a path cent of PALS choose to vent while ing for my resolution to be called, month. I arrived at Columbia a that assures survival. What I have a disheartening 90 percent elect to a debate ensued over another fine-tuned cooking machine. learned is that the human spirit die. I would like to offer a compas- resolution, this one addressing “The manager at the Lion’s Den is capable of embracing the full sionate non-judgmental view of better record-keeping and enforce- didn’t expect much from me, just measure of life’s joy despite the why I believe the decision to die ment of gun registration laws another useless freshman showing presence of profoundly disabling is a tragic and avoidable waste of (a subject that everyone should up for two hours to get a meal disease. These have been years human potential. care about). From the floor, Mark ticket. Every day you rotated from punctuated by growth in the area “‘In sum I pray: May all who Schickman ’73 SIPA, ’74L (whom I one job to another, bus boy one of well-being. suffer from agitated minds find did not know was there) rose and day, dishwasher the next. But the “‘There has been much passionate inner peace, a true happiness that spoke eloquently in favor of the first time I got behind the griddle and at times contentious discussion vanquishes all suffering. May all resolution, which then promptly and started turning out perfect among PLMers (members of patient- who are afflicted with ALS find a passed. So Mark — who is a major burgers and golden fries, saying, slikeme.com) regarding suicide by path to joyful and vibrant living. I player in the California Bar and ‘Call it out: rare, medium, well ... PALS (people with ALS) — some wish you long life.’” on the Board of Governors and next!’ the manager called me his condemning it or critical, and others Executive Committee of the ABA star. I was behind the griddle from defending it. The decision whether REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 (we had worked together to get the then on — no more dishwashing or not to vent similarly evokes ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS ABA House of Delegates to adopt for me! Business grew, just as the passionate dialogue. In a prior post ALUMNI AFFAIRS Jennifer Freely resolutions supporting pro bono GM knew it would once he had a involving the decision whether to go [email protected] representation of Guantanamo real cook. It became an intense two on a vent (a ventilator for life sup- 212-851-7438 detainees a number of years ago) hours for me. I reeked of grease, port), I observed in part: DEVELOPMENT Heather Hunte — and I took the opportunity to but it was worth it: I was a star, “‘The way I see it, the question [email protected] hold an impromptu mini-reunion and a star gets his perks. whether or not to vent is funda- 212-851-7957 on the floor of the House.” “Tons of food is thrown away mentally not a question of what is Rob Smith: “Memory is like the every year at any large institu- the quality of life on a vent as op- Paul S. Appelbaum Nixon tapes of Watergate fame: tion. It cannot be avoided. All posed to what is the quality of life 39 Claremont Ave., #24 full of gaps. Who hasn’t forgotten that uneaten and expired food at with advanced ALS … For most 72 New York, NY 10027 the name that goes with a familiar Columbia headed to the garbage of us the vent question will come [email protected] face, or failed to recall the outra- room at the Lion’s Den kitchen and after we have already experienced geous event everyone but you I had dumpster diving dibs on all profound loss of motor functioning The clock is ticking! We are only a remembers in excruciating detail? of it. At the end of my shift I would and we are dependent on care- few months from our 40th Alumni My first semester at Columbia is load up with goodies and sneak givers and assistive technology in Reunion Weekend — set for one of these memory black holes. back to Hartley Hall via the tunnel almost every aspect of daily living. Thursday, May 31–Sunday, June All of the great literature and to Livingston. I shared my bounty We will already have experienced 3 — and if you haven’t signed up esteemed professors are now a with one and all. There was always unspeakable pain, frustration, fear yet, you don’t want to miss out. blur. My strongest memories are so much old food around, my nick- and discomfort and have been It’s a great chance to visit campus, of good times at the Lion’s Den in name became Maggot. Everyone rendered more vulnerable to po- catch up with friends and enjoy the the basement of long-gone Ferris knew me as Maggot or Mags. Only tentially life-ending illnesses and many multigenerational and class- Booth Hall. Yet it is not memories my closest friends knew me by mishaps. We will have seen the specific activities on the schedule. of camaraderie and fun times as my given name. Some shared in suffering of our loved ones as they Saturday also is Dean’s Day, which one might suspect but memories my bounty and had a feast; others watch us deteriorate. Each signifi- means you’ll have the opportunity of my food service job. Two hours were grossed out. cant progression poses additional to participate in Mini-Core Cur- of work, 5–7 p.m., five days a “At a Sha Na Na event years physical insults and limitations to riculum and Public Intellectual

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Lectures and other events. For Doug Altabef sends greetings initiative, making the 100-block Jews between 1933–39. It premieres the most up-to-date information from Rosh Pina, Israel. “My wife, area around its campus in Detroit this year (orchestraofexiles.com). and — most important of all — to Linda, and I, together with Eliza an attractive place to live, work Remarkable stuff, all around. register, go to reunion.college. (12), the child of our old age, moved and raise a family. William lives in columbia.edu. You can also contact to Israel in 2009, where we host Birmingham, Mich. the Alumni Office staff listed at the lots of friends touring the beautiful In other (former) basketball Fred Bremer top of the column. And be sure to Upper Galilee. I am a senior partner player news, Rick Blank runs his 74 532 W. 111th St. check out the special reunion pre- at Matrix Asset Advisors, a bou- insurance business in White Plains, New York, NY 10025 view section in this issue of CCT. tique money management firm in N.Y. He sees Steve Pellino and, [email protected] We begin our classmate news midtown Manhattan. My partners occasionally, Steve Messner, who is with an update from the corporate have been kind enough to adjust purportedly a professor in Albany. This year most likely will be a world, which is often underrep- to my telecommuting and actual Rick recently won his sixth (!) con- watershed year for the Class of resented in this column. A. Scott monthly commuting. Breathtaking secutive club championship at the ’74. More than half of us will move Anderson, who earned a master’s technology has been instrumental Elmwood Country Club. into our seventh decade (sounds in economics and international in making our move (and I suspect Mike Amdurer has been in even worse than turning 60). The studies from Johns Hopkins, has a great many others’) possible. Life Denver for 20 years but believes his retirement announcements will been appointed a director of Merit here has been wonderful, though family has Africa in its blood: He start to increase dramatically, and Medical Systems, a manufacturer I do miss my mother, our three was born and lived in Cape Town I predict the word “grandparent” of devices used in cardiology, older children (including Daniel for 10 years, his wife, Tia, lived in also will gain in frequency in this radiology and endoscopy. Scott ’08), my brother, Rick ’69, and many Nairobi, and now his daughter, column. I use a totally unscientific also is president and CEO of Zions friends.” Francesca, lives in Accra. If he can method to determine when we First National Bank, a leading Doug reconnected in Israel get his son, Zach, to North Africa, move from “middle age” to “gee- commercial bank in the Inter- with Ken Abramowitz. “Ken has he says, “We’ll have the continent zerdom”: counting the number of mountain Area. been nothing short of heroic in his covered.” The family visited with Class Notes pages before and after Gary Szakmary, chief human many efforts on behalf of Israel. Francesca in Ghana last August, my column. In the Winter 2011–12 resources officer for Moog, now His philanthropic activities here touring there and in Togo. Mike is issue, the column began on page is a v.p. of the corporation as well. are manifold, exemplary and a business development manager 24 out of 41 pages — still in the Gary joined Moog in 1981 and inspiring.” In his day job, Ken is a for the environmental protection second half of the Notes. However, ultimately assumed responsibility I also want to point out that the for all of the company’s human Class Note of the oldest alumnus resources policies and programs. was from the Class of 1935 — 39 He began his career on the faculty Josh Aronson ’73 wrote, produced and directed years before us. The most recent of Case Western Reserve Univer- Orchestra of Exiles, a documentary about the found- column covers those who gradu- sity and later was a management ated in 2011 — 37 years after us. psychologist at Personnel Research ing of the Palestinian Symphony. Grease up your walkers! and Development Corp. Gary has But in truth, the Class of ’74 an M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology is proving to be like the Ener- from Princeton. co-founder and managing general and remediation arm of The Shaw gizer Bunny. Doesn’t seem we have Sherwin Borsuk has a some- partner of NGN Capital, which he Group; he handles “mostly hazard- much desire to enter into lives of what different administrative role, joined from The Carlyle Group in ous waste and munitions cleanup golf and La-Z-Boy recliners. News as president of Midstate Radiology New York, where he was managing for DoD.” keeps flowing in that shows how Associates, a 10-person radiology director and then senior adviser. Phil Aarons earned a degree our classmates are using their group in central Connecticut. He’ll Prior to joining Carlyle, Ken was an at the Law School, worked briefly lifetime experience of leadership retire from full-time practice at the analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & in private practice and then went and achievement to mount new end of this year. Sherwin and his Co., where he covered the medical- to work for former New York challenges. For instance, our class is wife, Ruth, who have been married supply, hospital-management and City Mayor Ed Koch, first as an almost certainly the first to provide 37 years, live in Meriden, Conn., HMO industries for 23 years. assistant to Koch and then as head at one time the chairmen to both and have two children. Amaranth, of what is now the NYC Economic the Columbia College Alumni who has a Ph.D. in English litera- Development Corp. He left in 1983 Association (Geoff Colvin) and the ture, is married, lives in Somerville, Barry Etra to work for General Atlantic doing much younger, University-wide Mass., and is earning a post-doc at 1256 Edmund Park Dr. NE real estate investing, and in 1991 Columbia Alumni Association MIT; she recently published a new- 73 Atlanta, GA 30306 founded Millennium Partners, a (George Van Amson). I was on media poetry book called Between [email protected] national real estate development campus for the Columbia Alumni Page and Screen, a video of which firm, with Christopher Jeffries ’72. Leaders Conference last fall and can be found via Google. Ethan I hope the past few months have Phil and high school sweetheart witnessed the vote to install George is a filmmaker with an extensive started everyone’s years on the Shelley Fox are still wed 40 years into this role. Also in attendance resume (check imdb.com). He lives right foot. later. They have one son, Zachary was Steve Kaplan (attending as in Brooklyn (where else?) and is Alan Aviles was named a trustee ’13 Business. Phil is an involved chair of the Northern Connecticut shooting Europa. of the American Hospital Associa- alumnus, chairing the Art History Alumni Representative Committee, Also in the world of medicine, tion. Alan was appointed by Mayor Advisory Council, co-establishing which interviews applicants to the Ron Cohen lives in California, in 2005 to lead the Millennium Scholarship pro- College and Engineering). Steve is a where he is a clinical professor in the NYC Health and Hospitals gram and teaching part of a course v.p. at Michelson, Kane, Royster & the pediatrics-neonatology depart- Corp., the largest municipal health- in the Art Administration program Barger in Hartford, Conn. ment at Stanford. He says, “My care system in the nation, serving at TC. Few in the class have reinvented wife, Aileen, is a Cornell alumna — 1.3 million. He was previously Josh Aronson has been making themselves as many times as Brad forgivable because she saw the light general counsel at HHC and is a documentaries for a decade. He Higgins. After graduating from and went to P&S for her next three former assistant attorney general. recently completed Orchestra of the Law School, Brad was an as- degrees.” Ron has three children: Alan lives in Brooklyn. Exiles, about the founding of the sociate at the law firm of Simpson, a daughter at St. Mary’s College, William “Foley” Jones became Palestinian Symphony, which Thatcher & Bartlett on Wall Street. a daughter in fourth grade and a CEO of Focus:HOPE in 2009 after became the Israel Philharmonic in In the early ’80s we found him at son in second grade. “I love being a long career with Chrysler; the 1948. The film centers on the Polish Goldman Sachs doing investment at Stanford, but am glad I went to organization is dedicated to solu- violinist Bronislaw Huberman, banking, and in the latter ’80s he Columbia,” he writes. “It is more tions to the problems of hunger, who convinced musicians fired by became a managing director at rigorous, and I’d never have been economic disparity, inadequate Hitler to help form a world-class First Boston. Brad fell off my radar able to study on a campus this gor- education and racial divisiveness. orchestra in the desert outback, screen for a few years, but reap- geous, with weather this good.” He has aided in the HOPE family eventually saving almost 1,000 peared in 2004 when he was living

SPRING 2012 88 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

in Baghdad as CFO of the Coalition retirement? Because I also received of members who are involved in lege.columbia.edu/cct/fall11/obit Provisional Authority. We next these two notes: professions as diverse as geology, uaries2), posthumously received found him in Washington, D.C., as Louis Klonsky says, “I am retir- the Navy and executive coach to a CAA Alumni Medal. His wife, the assistant secretary of state for ing from my position as senior staff CEOs. Don’t hesitate to send in an Rima Grad ’75 Barnard, and all resource management and CFO. geologist at Chevron after 33 years. update of your own life story — three of the Selinger daughters — Brad now is a partner with the The time went quickly. I moved we would all like to hear it! Hannah ’02, Emily ’12 and Julia ’15 private equity group SOSVentures from Bakersfield to Pasadena (both — were there, and I was honored and runs its Connecticut office. The in California) and am going to to greet each one. A video was group recently has been acquiring teach a class in petroleum geology Randy Nichols shown for each group of medalists, a lot of old oil fields and then using at a nearby Cal State. Other plans 734 S. Linwood Ave. but the legacy video was about new technologies (like horizontal are not solidified, but I am going 75 Baltimore, MD 21224 Neil alone. Well, not quite alone — drilling and “fracking”) to rework to take my time and enjoy things [email protected] Richard Witten appeared several them. Plans are afoot to take the before I get too bored.” Louis adds times, as did Neil, Rima and the project public in the near future. that his elder daughter, Jennifer, This is going to be even more of a girls and other special people in Also leaving the “walker grease” a social worker for Los Angeles personal and rah-rah-Columbia set Neil’s life. There was even a quick on the shelf are a few classmates County, gave birth to his first of notes than usual. In October, I flash of a picture of Neil, Ira, some- who sent news of career changes. grandchild. His younger daughter, joined a group of other Columbia one else and me — my eyes were After a long career involving Michelle, works at a hedge fund in University alums, staff and sup- too full of tears to take it all in. media, Ashoka (known to Los Angeles; she is in the process porters for the Columbia Alumni You will be hearing more from us as “Shoke,” but now profes- of earning an M.B.A. from USC. Association (CAA) Alumni Leaders the CAA, as well as the CCAA, sionally using “Ash”) has become Louis and his wife, Geri, have been Weekend. In past years, I’ve come the College Fund, classmates and the CFO and COO at Human married “going on 35 years.” back to my first adult home — the others. As a professional whose Resources International. The firm Les Bryan, meanwhile, writes, Big Apple — for the Columbia Col- entire career has been serving the does executive consulting of CEOs, “I suspect I am one of the few from lege Alumni Association (CCAA) information needs of colleges and with 80–90 coaches around the our class who served long enough Leadership Conference. This year, universities around the world, I am globe. in the Navy to earn a retirement. I the two were combined for the first excited at the new opportunities A press release from the VLP retired as captain from the Naval time. I was humbled and blown and information they all bring to Law Group in Palo Alto, Calif., in- Reserve in 2003.” There the note away by the people I met, rubbed supporting alma mater. forms us that intellectual property transitioned to commentary on my elbows with and engaged with. Other Columbia events took attorney Kent Cheng has joined recent mention that Columbia has Of course, I saw classmates and place in the fall. Ira Malin, Bob its firm from Cohen, Pontani, reinstated ROTC on campus: “I already-great friends, too. Ira Malin Schneider and other regulars met Lieberman & Pavane. Kent has a feel compelled to give my perspec- (owner of QuikBook hotel booking under the Big Tent at Homecom- B.A. in chemical physics as well as tive on the return of NROTC to site), who has assumed increasing ing and then went on to cheer the a Ph.D. in chemistry from Brandeis Columbia, a move I see as positive responsibilities for the CCAA and Lions to their loss to Penn. I was and a J.D. from Pace. He has had for Columbia and even more so the Columbia College Fund, at- going to say, “Lions know how to extensive experience preparing for the Navy. No doubt there will tended, and he and I spent much of lose football games graciously.” But and prosecuting patent applica- now be a core of students who the conference together. On Friday then I might be banned, as the CU tions before the U.S. Patent Office will bring a different perspective night, we attended a panel discus- Marching Band was — temporar- and those in Europe, Asia and and background. After all, the sion and reception on innovation ily, anyway — for “making fun of elsewhere. The firm wrote: “Kent’s Peloponnesian Wars look different (the intellectual, not musical kind) the team.” I won’t repeat Specta- extensive experience in Asia will to someone who will serve at sea at Jazz at Lincoln Center. tor’s retort, but will its comment: help to strengthen and broaden the than to someone headed for law or It’s an interesting time for the “The Ivy fun police have lost their geographic footprint of our firm. medical school. More importantly, College and the University, with damned minds!” Bob and Ira also With the rapid growth of chemical we need more scholars in the an interim dean of the College, a represented the class at the Society and pharmaceutical industries in military as the role of our forces new campus to prepare for and the of Columbia Graduates’ annual din- China and other Asian countries, becomes more and more involved ongoing discussion (and strength- ner and presentation of the Great we look forward to Kent’s familiar- with building bridges between cul- ening) of the Core Curriculum. The Teacher Award. ity with and connections to this tures. My time in the military was schedule included a session for Finally, on to other news. important part of the world.” a constant struggle against narrow College attendees at which Dean Double Crescent, a show featuring From Wayne, N.J., comes word attitudes that American influence James J. Valentini spoke — without 10 artists, five from New Orleans — of a chance encounter. Dentist needs to come from the barrel of notes — for almost an hour. What the Crescent City — and five from Frank Russo tells of being in Van a gun. I wish there had been more an engaging and dynamic man! The Istanbul, was the opening show of Cortlandt Park, in the Bronx, to run officers from Columbia during my College is in very capable hands. the new C24 gallery, in Chelsea, co- a New York Road Runners cross time in the service.” Lunch was billed as “Lunch founded by Mel Dogan. “Galleries country race. In the finish area he As I still live in Morningside with the Trustees.” It was that don’t just happen by themselves,” was talking with a couple of fellow Heights, I sometimes find myself and more. I sat at a table with Bill said the curator of the exhibit, toast- runners and discovered one of dining at Tom’s Restaurant. Very Campbell ’62, ’64 TC, former Lions ing the owners. “Art doesn’t just them was Dan Gonzalez. (Haven’t often I encounter “Pete,” who football coach and now chair of happen by itself.” yet caught up with Dan, but the many will remember as the hand- the trustees. After a few minutes, After 40 years of living overseas last we heard he was head of His- some, dark-haired young man he and President Lee C. Bollinger and a stint in Sarasota, Fla., Peter A. panic Marketing and Publishing who served us. These days he is got up and did the “Lee and Bill” Garza-Zavaleta moved back to his Consultants in Manhattan. Hope a white-haired, still-handsome show for almost an hour. They place of birth in Brownsville, Texas. to elaborate on this soon.) Frank 60-year-old who greets me with make a great pair and, speaking Through the University of Texas writes that one of his few regrets “Hello, old timer!” When I recently as someone who isn’t actively Center for Hispanic Achievement, in life was not taking track and mentioned that few of the current involved in the day-to-day and he now teaches high school-age cross country more seriously. He wait staff know the phrases we long-term University issues, it was foreign students who are highly stopped running after high school heard in our time at Tom’s — a compelling delivery and full of prepared academically but need to and didn’t pick it up again until “stretch one” (pour a Coke) or information. I spent part of Satur- learn English. The center provides after dental school: “I’ve now been “burn one” (grill a hamburger) — day making rounds of the campus students with academically chal- at it for more than 32 years, and he responded that this would not to find some of my favorite iconic lenging courses in mathematics I’m still a total geek, training up have been the case with one of our sculptures and to see what was and science in their home language, to 70 miles a week and competing favorite waitresses, Betty. new and what’s been moved. enabling them to continue their regularly, including in state and So there you have it. Not every The Alumni Medalist Gala in growth and not fall behind because national championships.” column is about doctors, lawyers, Low Library on Saturday was of language deficiency. Peter also So why did I start this column investment bankers and rich phi- incredibly touching. Neil Selinger, goes back to Barcelona, where he with predictions of increasing lanthropists. The class also has a lot our dear departed classmate (col maintains a residence, as often

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY as possible, traveling throughout rationale to us (educated) laymen! Michael) Worcester and many oth- REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 Europe while abroad. He is an (We studied the Magna Carta in ers. If enough of them write, I’ll do ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS accomplished painter, exhibiting CC, as I verified in my Columbia a themed section in an upcoming ALUMNI AFFAIRS Jennifer Freely and competing in the art scene University Press edition, given to Notes. [email protected] and growing spiritually as well as me as a wedding present by Steve I haven’t heard from any of you 212-851-7438 artistically with his art. Eichel ’76.) on your summer reading lists, DEVELOPMENT Matt Marsallo Under an umbrella he calls On Sunday of the CAA week- and am always looking for items [email protected] “Nudging the Imagination,” Ste- end, Bob Schneider and his wife, to include here. Calls, emails and 212-851-7452 ven Krasner now conducts interac- Regina Mulahy ’75 Barnard, joined even snail mail are welcome. If you David Gorman tive classroom writing workshops. me for lunch and a quick tour of prefer, you can submit items to me 111 Regal Dr. He also is a children’s book author the Museum of Modern Art. We directly via CCT’s web submission 77 DeKalb, IL 60115 and a mostly retired sports writer only had time and energy to see form: college.columbia.edu/cct/ [email protected] who covers the Red Sox and Patri- the de Kooning retrospective, one submit_class_note. Full disclosure: ots for ESPN’s website. His work floor of the permanent galleries I use bots, agents, spies, Facebook, I unfortunately don’t have much at Thalberg Elementary School in and the sculpture garden. So many LinkedIn and any and all media to to report this time but our 35th Southington, Conn., fortifying kids of the pieces are also dear, longtime find out about you, and I use what reunion is right around the corner, with strong literacy and writing “friends.” After identifying and I find. Be warned and aware, or which I hope means everyone will skills, was reported on in the local commenting on so many pieces, read about yourself in these pages. be reconnecting, swapping news press. Steve also conducts writing Regina asked if I had been an art (Other correspondents and I agree and having fun. Just be sure to tell workshops via Skype. A month or history major. As many of you that we sometimes write fiction me about it afterward! so ago he was in Russia — well, via know, I was a religion major, as liberally sprinkled with facts!) For those who haven’t marked Skype — helping Russian students their calendars, the dates are who are learning English to create Thursday, May 31–Sunday, June 3. their own stories. In the works are plans for cocktail Steve and his wife, Susan Oclas- Director Bill Condon ’76 broke box office records receptions, class-specific panels, ­sen, most recently on the Inter- in the United States and abroad for his latest film, special tours and, of course, our national Board of Trustees for class dinner on Saturday. Saturday Designation Imagination, have The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1. also is Dean’s Day, which means been happily married for 34 years. you’ll have the opportunity to par- They have three children: Amy, ticipate in Mini-Core Curriculum who is a social worker at Mass. were Terry Mulry and Sigmond In closing, let me repeat the “3-2- and Public Intellectual Lectures General Hospital, working with Wissner-Gross. (Terry and I chat- 1 Challenge” that Dean Valentini and other events. youngsters afflicted with cystic ted before my NYC weekend, but issued to the Class of 2012 and For the most up-to-date informa- fibrosis and their families; Jeff, who just couldn’t arrange compatible repeated to us during his recent tion — and more importantly, to works for Fidelity in Rhode Island; schedules. Neither could Fran Mi- remarks. “Make a commitment to sign up — go to reunion.college. and Emily, who works in retail lo- narik and I, but we’ll keep trying.) give to Columbia for three years. columbia.edu. You also can contact cally. Steve has fond and touching Speaking of Fran, Terry and Convince two of your friends to the Alumni Office staff listed at the memories of Neil Selinger, too. Sig makes me think about other do the same. Give 1 percent of top of the column. Finally, be sure Professor of neurology, engi- religion connections to Columbia. your income.” All of us who are to check out the special reunion neering and public policy Mat- When I get to campus, I always try also Class Agents could consider preview section in this issue of CCT. thew Rizzo practices, researches to visit St. Paul’s Chapel, where I increasing that amount — after all, As 2012 began, I found I had one and teaches from his base at Iowa. was confirmed, served occasion- we graduated more than 35 years kid (Caitlin, 18) going off to college His clinical specialties include be- ally as chapel verger and also was ago. Might 4 percent or 5 percent next year, and another (Colin, 21) havioral neurology and cognitive married just after graduation. This be more appropriate for us now? finishing at the same time. My neurosciences, and his research time, I was disappointed to find Best wishes, Go Lions and mom once told me that the “college interests include aging and that I could not get into St. Paul’s Stand, Columbia! years” are the most difficult ones for dementia, driving performance at all! I used to walk into Campus parents: I thought she was just talk- and driving simulations involving Security in Low, get the keys and ing about financing, but now I won- neurological diseases. take friends on midnight tours of Clyde Moneyhun der if she meant more than that. To Woven into Dean Valentini’s the catwalk and high balconies, up 76 Boise State University judge by comments of recent years, CAA comments was a mention of in the cupola. Department of English many classmates seem to be taking the College’s last two valedictori- When I was in Glee Club, and 200 Liberal Arts Building these years in stride. (Or maybe ans and salutatorians. As a former Gregg Smith was director, I showed 1910 University Dr. not!) Please write in to let me know; chair of the chemistry department, him those spaces. (My buddy, Norm Boise, ID 83725 or, for that matter, please just write Dean Valentini noted with pride Nicolais ’76E, was the permanent clydemoneyhun@ in! With good wishes to all. that all four were science majors. verger our senior year, which is boisestate.edu Margot Lazow ’11, daughter of why he graduated a year later.) The Stewart Lazow and his wife, He- recordings that the Glee Club did The latest directorial effort of Bill Matthew Nemerson laine, was one of them — she was with the Gregg Smith Singers had Condon has broken box office re- 78 35 Huntington St. her class’ valedictorian. Margot the GSS soloists singing from those cords both in the United States and New Haven, CT 06511 will no doubt be appearing regu- “inaccessible” spaces. Bruce Grivetti abroad: The Twilight Saga: Breaking [email protected] larly in our Class Notes, as I will was on some of the tours, and I can’t Dawn, Part 1 is the third film in continue reporting on classmates remember if Peter Garza-Zavaleta the popular teen vampire series Thanks to everyone, as the class for years to come. and/or Mukund Marathe were, and is only the first installment was in a communicative mood A recent article by Moses Luski too. Remind me, guys! St. Paul’s, in this long tale’s conclusion. Bill and we have a good deal of made me think again of the Core. Earl Hall, the academic study of also directed Dreamgirls and wrote information. If you don’t see your In What’s Due Process Got To Do religion, my conversion and mar- the film adaptation of Chicago. His comments, stay tuned for the next With It: The True Danger of ‘Robo riage at Columbia and the many screenplay for Gods and Monsters edition. Signings’ and ‘Rocket Dockets’, fond memories they all invoke are won an Oscar in 1998. [Editor’s Alvin C. Powell, who has been Moses quotes the Magna Carta and will continue to be a part of my note: CCT profiled Condon in in a nephrology medical practice (and gets bonus points for the pop strong connection to Columbia! March/April 2006: college.colum for 21 years, writes: “My wife, culture reference as well) while Then, there also are our class- bia.edu/cct_archive/mar_apr06/ Tracey, and I have three adult condemning “unprincipled adju- mates who have religious vocations features1.php.] children. I have had a chance to dications in the foreclosure arena.” as careers: Fr. John (CJ) McCloskey I do love to hear from you, fel- do medical missionary work in Could sound like lawyer-speak to (who still hopes to return to the East lows! Send your news in any form Honduras and Haiti, and that has some, but provides a compelling Coast in the spring), Fr. Moses (né and I’ll turn it into acceptable prose. been a rewarding experience. I

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encourage others to share their on the importance of the liberal gifts. Search for ‘War on Cholera’ arts education afforded me at Co- on YouTube to get a glimpse of my lumbia; memories of times spent experiences.” at the Quad, Baker Field, The West While one Columbian runs for End, Mama Joy’s and so on; the reelection from Washington, D.C., story about my catching up with our own Hugh McGough — who former track coach Pete Schuder was on his third bid for judicial of- when I visited my son for Parents’ fice — last November was elected Weekend at Boston University; a magisterial district judge in Pitts- expressions of sadness at the loss burgh. “I’ve been practicing law of my freshman year roommate for 20 years, following 10 years as a and teammate Bob Murach in the print and TV journalist in the ’80s,” tragedy of 9-11. I guess all of it. he says. “My partner, Kris Rust, is “Yet, what I enjoy most is find- a public high school music teacher. ing out what classmates have done I’ve recently completed a two-year with their lives following the leg- term as chair of the Allegheny up we received at alma mater. So, County Human Relations Com- here goes: I am married 32 years mission, and am outgoing solicitor to my wonderful wife, Susan (Per- for the City of Pittsburgh Citizen reault), whom I met during spring Police Review Board. Kris and I break our junior year; we celebrate David Friedman ’79, ’83 P&S and his son, Daniel ’16, toured the campus visit NYC twice a year for theatre, March 10 every year. We celebrated in February 2011; the good news of Daniel’s early decision acceptance museums and friends. I was the weddings of our two oldest, arrived that December. recently reunited with Pittsburgh Rob and Jessica, to wonderful PHOTO: ELIZABETH FRIEDMAN native Richard Levy, whose sister, spouses in 2010, and our youngest, Debbie Levy McKenney, was a big Eleanor, graduates from Stonehill help in my judicial campaign.” College this spring. Ben (now a psychology professor) gone, I went from the sublime to Also in politics, Mark Axinn “After business school at NYU, in Brookline, along with his dad (a the ridiculous, only in reverse. writes, “I am finishing my second the C.P.A. exam and the obligatory retired sociologist) and a friend of “I also was fortunate enough year as chairman of the New York stint in public accounting, I took ours from our rival institution, Chi- to make my second trip to Peru State Libertarian Party.… Clearly a up a career in banking and insur- cago, who now runs a cancer lab at with Operation Smile just before pro-market, anti-war philosophy ance culminating in CFO roles with MIT. We discussed a short work of the holidays. I got a call a few days appeals more and more to the regional property and casualty David Hume’s. A few weeks later, before the mission was to begin American public as the Demopubli- insurers and several smaller finan- Ken (retired young from the ad- and, thanks to the graciousness cans look more and more alike and cial institutions. Eight years ago, vertising world) visited from NYC and flexibility of my colleagues pass the same old big government I became senior consultant with and joined in for another Saturday (and wife), I was able to change my programs (e.g., Bush signs Patriot an international consultancy and afternoon session. So the Great schedule within 24 hours and go. Act, Obama signs extension; Bush have never looked back. The work Books infatuation lives on here in This one, lucky for aging me, was institutes greatest corporate welfare is interesting and challenging, and the suburbs of Boston!” a bit shorter but just as sweet and program in U.S. history, Obama I’ve found it satisfying to come to a Joseph Giovannelli writes, “In rewarding as the last one. Though promptly continues TARP bail- client, work to solve their problems May 2010, after almost 10 years as arduous and exhausting, it is an outs). While the Libertarian Party and then ride off into the sunset associate dean at NYU’s Steinhardt opportunity for ‘real doctoring’ — does not have the following of the (well, to the next assignment, School of Education, I was appoint- taking care of people in great need two statist parties, I am proud to anyway). The only downside is ed v.p. for finance and operations at — without giving a moment’s be a small part of the good fight for the increasing amount of travel the Sarah Lawrence College in Bronx- thought to such mundane but and freedom.” work has entailed. ville, New York. After a quarter- foolish distractions as malpractice Chester Zahn succinctly notes: “I’ve always been proud of my century spent working at places like insurance, health insurance cover- “I am a practicing gastroenterolo- Columbia affiliation and wear the NYU and Columbia — institutions age, accounts receivable and other gist in Southern California, raising light blue with some small amount so large that they can practically be realities that, of necessity, get in the three kids and there does not seem of pride. The school was — and seen from outer space — I thought it way of enjoying the best part of my to be enough time for them. I keep remains — a special place and a would be fun to be CFO at a college profession. I hope to have many in touch with Columbia College special experience!” so small that people tend to miss it opportunities to participate in mis- schoolmates.” Judge Joe Greenaway admits, while driving past. sions in the future.” Ed Shockley’s play publishing “Now I know we’re getting old. My “Trying to hold together a small, Stephen Gruhin is excited about company, YouthPLAYS.com, son, Joe, is about to graduate from under-endowed, liberal arts college having a child join the Columbia enjoyed its first profitable quarter Occidental College and my daugh- in the current economic environ- family: “My oldest, Whitney, gradu- in its four-year history of licensing ter is in middle school. I am having ment is a challenge, but it’s a great ated from Emory University last works for young actors. Ed’s own fun on the Court of Appeals and am place, full of talented people who May and recently completed her play, The Milli Vanilli Orchestra, is teaching my Supreme Court semi- are committed to the liberal arts first semester at Mailman, where now in print. He writes, “I have nar at the College. My wife, Ronnie, and to undergraduate teaching and she is working toward a master’s been commissioned to write a and I are chugging along. We love learning. It has a lovely campus in public health. Whitney lives on work on urban violence in Phila- getting back to campus. Hope to see full of old trees whose only prob- West 91st and Broadway, and while delphia (highest murder rate in the you all around.” lem has been a tendency to knock all of her classes are on the Medical nation). We’ll premiere in June as Alec Bodkin has an interest- over power lines during storms School campus, she prefers study- part of the Commotion Festival. ing tale: “In 1977, a few of us met (such as Hurricane Irene), leaving ing in, of all places, Butler Library. Unfortunately, Sundance passed once a week in Furnald Hall for a students with no place to recharge Five years ago, I exhorted her to on my film directing debut, Turn- philosophy study group; we read iPhones and iPads. apply to the College. She refused, ing Left 2 Go Right, a documentary aloud short works of Nietzche and “Anybody whose high-schooler arguing that she could not see her- about the nation’s only public high Wittgenstein that leant themselves wants his or her college to be small, self living in NYC. Fast forward to school run by the department of to late-night talk. The regulars were intense and near-but-not-in New the present, and she is ecstatic to be social services. Trailers are up at Gerry Mryglot ’77, Mike Collins York City should look us up.” in a great studio apartment on the mosaictheatreproductions.com.” ’77, Ken Sacharin ’79, Ben Miller ’79 Chuck Geneslaw declares, “The Upper West Side. Go figure!” Robert Muirhead was quite and me. most important thing is that last Daniel Kohn writes, “I have nostalgic in his note: “I’ve thought “One of my kids, Sam ’13, was year I celebrated 30 years of mar- been the rabbi of a village in the Ju- so many times of what I would home for the intersession break. riage. It amazes me; I have often daean hills, just south of Jerusalem, share with everyone: reflections And one Saturday, he and I joined said that, as far as my love life has for 20 years. I teach pathways and

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY practices for deepening spiritual to our communities on Staten good wishes to those who have for the occasion) playing in the consciousness to private groups Island. So, I look forward to 2012, enriched my life and who I am privi- background. You can watch the and in various institutions. I am and hope that health and harmony leged to call a friend. All the best.” proposal on YouTube by searching married, father of seven, grandfa- prevail.” Californian Andrew Coulter for ‘A CUMB Love Connection.’ ther to six.” Russell Frazer has been busy confirms that “Los Angeles is the “Our youngest daughter, Dr. Steven D. Wexner reports, as a volunteer interviewer for ap- car capital of the world, allowing Pamela, graduated last May from “I am at the Cleveland Clinic plicants to the College through the me to spend much free time indulg- Maryland with a degree in psy- Florida in Weston and president Alumni Representative Committee ing in the car culture. The highlight chology and is a teacher’s assistant of the American Society of Colon (studentaffairs.columbia.edu/ad of last year, and my main contribu- at the Association for Children and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS). I missions/alumni/volunteers.php) tion, was the annual Palos Verdes with Down Syndrome on Long recently completed my term as and was reelected as vice chair Concours d’Elegance, now the best Island. president of the American Board of the Aerospace and Electronic classic car show in Los Angeles. “The entire Skop family greatly of Colon and Rectal Surgery, and Systems/Technical Management Showcasing rolling art, it features enjoys our annual participation in I also am a past president of the Society of the Institute of Electrical only classic cars, 25 years old or old- Limmud N.Y., a Jewish learning Society of American Gastrointesti- and Electronic Engineers. er. See it in September. Any contact conference that takes place each nal and Endoscopic Surgeons. The Peter Samis works at the San from fellow alumni car aficionados year on the Martin Luther King ASCRS includes more than 3,000 Francisco Museum of Modern Art, is welcome (andrew.coulter@opco. Jr. holiday weekend in upstate surgeons, the ABCRS is the certify- where his team develops all the com). Greetings to all!” New York.” ing body for all colorectal surgeons interpretive media for audiences Rolando T. Acosta ’82L was David Friedman ’83 P&S up- and SAGES is the largest general on-site and online (sfmoma.org/ appointed a Columbia University dates us with great news. “I am de- surgery society in the country, with explore). He writes, “This year trustee, effective last September. He lighted to report that our son, Dan- more than 7,000 members. I was we received a grant from the writes, “I think you know of the iel, was accepted early decision to recently appointed to the Commis- Kress Foundation to travel to and life-transforming experience I had the Class of 2016. Based upon my sion on Cancer, the organization document practices at avowedly in the College, especially through experience, he will soon embark that accredits all of the cancer ‘visitor-centered’ museums: both our unique Core. The opportunity upon an intellectual journey that centers in the approximately 6,000 what that looks like in the galleries to give back to Columbia was sim- has no equal. I learned medicine hospitals in the United States.” and what it takes behind the scenes ply not an offer I could refuse.” at P&S, but I learned how to think ’s wife, Barbara, to make such a transformation Lots of news from Charles Skop: at Columbia College. The nearby reports that he is busy with real happen.” “Following several years as a solo photo was taken last February (the estate investment in the non-robust Amittai Aviram reports, “My practitioner on Long Island, in first of many visits) and captures Michigan market. Their daughter partner, Octavio Zaya, and I are 2008 I joined the law firm of Meyer, the excitement of that day.” is recently engaged and their son back to living in the Big Apple Suozzi, English & Klein in Garden Robert C. Klapper: “I was sit- is graduating from Michigan this — on West 135th Street, a block City, N.Y., where I am a member ting in one of my favorite places spring. from the Schomburg Center. I am (partner) of the firm. I practice in in Los Angeles for pizza — it’s James “Huck” Hill writes “2011 working on my computer science the corporate department handling near the UCLA campus and it has was a dickens of a year. My brother- dissertation at Yale, on determinis- mergers and acquisitions, business a phenomenal slice of Sicilian — in-law and great friend, Jordan tic parallelism, and therefore com- formations, financing and corporate called Lamonica’s (in case you visit Pfister ’80, died from multiple my- muting to New Haven a few days governance. I continue to find the one day). As I was quietly eating eloma in February at the end of an a week. I interned last summer and practice of law most stimulating this delicious combination of excruciating 20-month struggle. My the summer before at Google-NYC and rewarding. dough, cheese and sauce, I glanced agency, the OTS, was abolished by headquarters. My son, Blake, is in “My wife, Joanne, and I celebrat- at the wall and saw a framed NYC the Dodd-Frank regulatory reform, his last semester of Fordham Law ed our 30th wedding anniversary subway map, circa 1970s. The ceased to exist as of July and I now and plans to start at Kirkland & last summer with a trip to England point of the map was to showcase work with the OCC in the Licensing Ellis this fall.” and Scotland, where, among other the locations of the classic NYC Division in New York. things, we visited the great whisky pizza places that this Los Angeles “However, my wife, Kristi distilleries of Islay in the southern establishment feels connected to. Pfister ’78 Barnard, and our three Robert Klapper Hebrides. Joanne teaches kinder- I describe this scene for a reason: sons traveled to Amsterdam, Berlin 8737 Beverly Blvd., Ste 303 garten in Franklin Square on Long It is because in my opinion, the and Prague to pursue the arts and 79 Los Angeles, CA 90048 Island. purpose of this column is to trigger sample the crafts of those talented [email protected] “Our middle daughter, Helaina, in your mind a Columbia College and tolerant people in the summer. is an M.D./Ph.D. candidate at P&S memory. This map did such a And in January, I began portraying On August 4, Andy Semons was (Class of 2012). Although she lives thing for me, and I started flashing in an NEA program, legally married to his partner of 10 in Washington Heights and her back to my experiences getting to The Big Read, as we present The years, Paul Friese, in the first same- research and classes are primarily and from Columbia when I went Adventures of Tom Sawyer out loud sex civil ceremony performed in uptown, she takes time out of her home for vacations. (I was not their hometown of Southold, N.Y., busy schedule to enjoy the singular a commuter, but I am from Far on the North Fork of Long Island. pleasures of the Morningside Rockaway, the furthest point and Submit Your Photo Andy is a founding partner of campus. the last stop on the A-train.) SPUR Partners, a marketing and “Our oldest daughter, Naomi “My journey was a difficult one, Submitting a photo for management consultancy based in Skop Richter, has an M.S.W. from like it was for many. My college ex- Class Notes is easier Manhattan, and Paul is advertising the Hunter College School of Social perience and the Core Curriculum than ever! production manager of the East Work and is a program associate came at a very high price. Dealing Hampton Star. at the Jewish Funders Network, an with the stops in East New York — ONLINE by clicking As we say at Cedars Sinai, here organization of family founda- where shady characters of all kinds “Contact Us” at in Los Angeles, mazel tov! tions, public charitable groups and entered my subway car, threatening college.columbia.edu/cct. In September, Pedro R. Segarra individuals based in New York. my life with each ride — was one MAIL by sending the relocated from New York City and Naomi was married in November of the many challenges that came photo and accompanying joined Hampton Gynecology in to Dr. Joseph Richter, a pediatrician with the trip to West 59th Street and Southampton, N.Y. and founder of Hudson Heights the change to the IRT to get to those caption information to As we say at Cedars Sinai, here Pediatrics, a group practice located gates on West 116th Street. Class Notes Editor, in Los Angeles, oy vey! in upper Manhattan. Joe also is “We were blessed to have the at- Columbia College Today, Jeffrey D. Tolkin, co-chairman an assistant clinical professor of mosphere created by deans such as Columbia Alumni Center, and CEO of World Travel Holdings pediatrics at P&S. He proposed to Peter Pouncey and presidents like 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530, in Port Washington, N.Y., writes, Naomi on College Walk last April, Michael Sovern ’53, who made the New York, NY 10025. “With all the turmoil in the world, I with the Columbia University intellectual environment so stimu- wanted to take a moment to express Marching Band (hired especially lating. For me, the alchemy that

SPRING 2012 92 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

turned jingling subway tokens into success in the upcoming season. Mouscardy ’82 Cornell. Henry’s tragedy of September 11 and has a pocketful of diamonds came from As I end this note, I want to first wife passed away in 2009. other artistic connotations as well. learning how to think. As David remind you to consider a gift to the Our condolences, Henry, on the I heard from Joe Sbiroli, a suc- Friedman says in his note, medical Columbia College Fund. We have loss of your wife, and best wishes cessful real estate developer in NYC. school made me a doctor, but the seen improvement in our numbers on your upcoming wedding. He recently was profiled in the College taught me how to think. So and both Jim Gerkis and I want to Also on the theme of marriage, inaugural edition of The Real Deal, in my advice to you all is to find that see the momentum continue. Give Stephen Masiar celebrated his an article titled “Meet the Landlord” old subway map. It, too, will trigger online (college.columbia.edu/ 30th anniversary with his sweet- (therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/ memories, some good and some giveonline); call the Alumni Office heart, Patricia, last August. Stephen meet-the-landlord-joseph-sbiroli). bad, from those crazy four years (212-851-7488); or mail a check, has been a psychiatrist for 15 years The NYC market is perhaps the that shaped who you are today. payable to Columbia College at Southside Hospital, a facility most difficult to succeed in (don’t “Roar, lion, roar.” Fund, to Columbia College Fund, operated by the North Shore-Long believe me, just ask ), Columbia Alumni Center, 622 W. Island Jewish Heath System. In so we wish Joe every success. 113th St., MC 4530, 3rd Fl., New September, he was appointed Frier McCollister recently became Michael C. Brown York, NY 10025. assistant professor of psychiatry at the managing director of the Saban London Terrace Towers Drop me a note at mcbcu80@ the new Hofstra North Shore-LIJ Theatre (formerly the Wilshire), a 80 410 W. 24th St., Apt. 18F yahoo.com. School of Medicine. 1,900-seat live theatrical venue in New York, NY 10011 Steve, congratulations on your Beverly Hills. He also is the s.v.p., [email protected] anniversary and appointment. theatrical, for SAS Entertainment Kevin Fay Rich Peltz toils in the field of Group, which assumed manage- Spring is in the air and I cannot wait 3380 Darby Rd. church music, and has been with ment control of the Saban. Frier had to get up to Satow Stadium and 81 Glenmore the same congregation for eight been working in Los Angeles as an watch our boys on the diamond. Keswick, VA 22947 years. Last winter, Rich had chest independent theatrical producer I received a nice note from kfay@northridge pains and, as I’m sure many guys and general manager since 1994 and Boston’s Steve Kane: “It was an capital.com active Columbia fall for me. I was on campus twice in October. First, on A few months ago I sent out a October 1, I was at St. Paul’s Chapel broadcast email requesting updates, Joe Sbiroli ’81, a real estate developer, was profiled for my son’s wedding. (We are all and the response was excellent. in the inaugural edition of The Real Deal in the so young; I don’t know how that I’ll start with the response farthest happened.) It was a true Columbia from NYC, which came from Gil article “Meet the Landlord.” affair, with Matt ’08 and his bride, Atzmon, who is developing a lead- Erica Mole ’08. (And yes, she is now zinc mine in the wilds of Alaska. Erica Kane for you soap opera fans.) The mine is north of the Arctic our age do, ignored the symptoms. — before the new job — his most re- Columbia alumni from the 1980s Circle, close to the world’s highest- Turns out he was suffering a heart cent, notable assignment was as the were well represented by Chris grade zinc mine (Red Dog). It is attack, which required a stent, AGM of The Pee-wee Herman Show at Schmidt ’81, Ernie Cicconi ’81, Paul an incredibly exciting opportunity, though he feels much better now. Club Nokia. As many of our class- Tvetenstrand ’82E and Bob Kennelly with a tremendous upside. I guess For anyone who finds themselves mates may know, Frier was the lead ’81E. the downsides for anyone out there in a similar situation, Rich strongly singer of the now-legendary “Later in the month, as president are the six-month winter, precious suggests not driving to the emer- ensemble The Malibu Dolphins, and of the Columbia University Club of little live entertainment and too gency room, but instead calling he maintains his limited spectrum of New England, I was on campus for many frozen dinners. 911, as the valet service can mean guitar chops and appears occasion- Alumni Leaders Weekend. Brian Closer to home, Peter Feld is the everything to your health. ally at local jam sessions. He lives in Krisberg ’81 also was in attendance, editor of a new magazine, Scooter, I must follow Rich’s unfortunate Pasadena (which is an exceptionally leading some of the sessions. Dur- that targets New York City parents health scare with a tale involving fine place to avoid winter) and his ing the weekend I was elected to (scooterny.com). Those who are extreme athleticism and endurance, daughter, Ruby, is a sophomore at the Columbia Alumni Association still parenting may wish to check it as we have a marathon runner in Bennington. Board of Directors. out. As the father of three daugh- the class. John DeNatale partici- Michael Horowitz formed the “I encourage alumni in the Boston ters in or finished with college, I’d pated in the world-famous New innovative nonprofit educational area to attend Columbia University like to see a magazine aimed at York City Marathon, his sixth since system, TCS Education System Club of New England events. We “de-parenting” or “how to launch 1985. His wife, Mary Crowley ’81 (tcsedsystem.edu), in 2009. TCS have frequent Networking and Pub your children.” Barnard, also ran; it was her 10th enrolls more than 5,000 students Nights, along with events like Febru- I met Don Joe at Alumni Reunion marathon, including Boston in 2007. in three professional colleges ary’s [Harvard-Columbia basketball] Weekend last year, and he was Running a marathon (26.2 miles) is (psychology, law and education) as pregame reception with coach Kyle kind enough to let me know that he no big deal — provided you take a well as pre-school and elementary Smith. Go to cucne.org to sign up for recently ran into Abby Cynamon ’81 month to do it (say, at my pace, in school. He spends a lot of time our email list or to get more informa- Barnard, a friend of Kevin Costa; two-mile increments). Rich enjoyed in California, where each of his tion about our many events.” Abby is a circuit court judge in our 30th reunion, and connected colleges and one of the children’s I hope all you New Englanders Miami. with Dan Albohn, Howard Hoff- schools have campuses, and is can make the events. I know Joe James Klatsky had a bird’s-eye man and Bruce Golden (captain the interim president of the Pa- Ciulla will take attendance, so view of the Occupy Wall Street of the fencing team, now living in cific Oaks College and Children’s make sure you are on time. protests, as his law office overlooks London with his wife and family). School. Jose Morin is v.p. for academic Zuccotti Park (James is a sole prac- Rich also recently saw several class- Dr. Daniel Ginsberg started two affairs and provost at the New titioner). James noted that the pro- mates at one of their twice-yearly websites this year. One is daniel Community College at CUNY, tests were very different from the gatherings (Dave Wright, Jesse ginsberg.com. Despite the prices a place that has been in the local old-school “top-down” approach, in Davis, Stu Christie, AJ Bosco, Greg you see, it operates at a loss and is news a fair amount lately. that it was a marketplace of social, Staples and Tom Leder). just a place to showcase his hobby. For those who missed the news, political and artistic ideas, governed We also have a poet in the class, The other is worldsbestsite.com, a Pete Mangurian was named our by a general assembly that met once Ted Walner aka Ted Cohen. One of blog devoted mostly to medical- new football coach (see “Around a day. He was impressed with their Ted’s poems, “Walking Along 34th related topics. the Quads”). Coach Mangurian energy and creativity. Street,” appears in the anthology I had dinner, a few drinks and has a wealth of experience on both I would need earplugs and 9.11 … NYC … The Days After …, a lot of laughs in October with the collegiate and pro levels and whisky to survive daily protesting available through Amazon from Michael Kinsella, who was joining possesses a great enthusiasm for outside my office. Art for Healing NYC, a nonprofit. his wife for a conference in Wash- the game. We all welcome him to Henry Berumen, in Monterey Ted’s poem also is in the Columbia ington, D.C. the program and wish him much Park, Calif., is engaged to Maggie Libraries system. It deals with the Don Weinreich is a founding

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY partner of Ennead Architects, based college.columbia.edu. You also can which I am proud to be part. well. I sat next to fellow CCT cor- in NYC, and is delighted to an- contact the Alumni Office staff “My daughter, Izzy, is now respondent Gerald Sherwin ’55 and nounce the completion of Stanford’s listed at the top of the column. rowing in Greenwich and has her Lee Lowenfish ’63, who has written new William Neukom Building (the Finally, be sure to check out the sights set on Columbia (Class of four books about baseball; his latest, law school) in May. Among other special reunion preview section in 2020). I am crossing my fingers!” Branch Rickey: Baseball’s Ferocious projects, his firm is finishing the this issue of CCT. Daniel J. Horwitz, a partner at Gentleman, now is in paperback. Natural History Museum of Utah, Moving on … after a less than Lanker & Carragher in Manhattan, Several years ago, Lee taught a in Salt Lake City. He writes, “The robust response last time, I decided was appointed to New York’s Joint course in jazz at NYC’s 92nd Street skills I learned as an undergraduate to exercise the nuclear option: Commission on Public Ethics. The Y, which was attended by Steve architecture major (later at Colum- guilt. This is a powerful motivating commission is an independent en- Greenfield.Greenfield also sent me bia’s Architecture School) have been factor in my family and appears to forcement unit with broad oversight his encyclopedic survey of music for incredibly valuable throughout my have evoked precisely the response of New York state government. It 2010 (permanentransience.blogspot. career.” I was seeking. Don’t make me has enforcement powers to investi- com). His top 10 of the pops (with I am intentionally ending this go to the next level, the giving of gate violations of law and financial apologies for its late appearance) is column with Don’s letter and gifts, which — in my family — is disclosure requirements for all as follows: 1 (tie), Crystal Castles, personal testimony as to what the essentially an aggressive act. As elected officials and their employees Crystal Castles [II]; 1 (tie), Flying College has meant to him. All of us in, “I gifted him,” which implies a in both the executive and legisla- Lotus, Cosmogramma; 3, Chancha via were touched (manhandled?) by resulting obligation. tive branches; it also has expanded Circuito, Río Arriba; 4, Sleigh Bells, our years on Morningside Heights, Writing in this period was powers to oversee lobbyists due Treats; 5, Four Tet, There Is Love in You; most of us positively. Either way, longtime College supporter Skip to newly expanded disclosure 6, Galactic, Ya-Ka-May; 7, Stars, The please keep in touch. Parker. Skip and I chatted toward rules and a broader definition of Five Ghosts; 8, Dungen, Skit i allt; 9, the end of last year at a holiday lobbying. Broken Social Scene; Forgiveness Rock party at Jennifer and Mike Mc- Previously, Daniel was a New Record; 10, LCD Soundsystem, This Is REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 Carthy ’83’s gorgeous Brooklyn York County assistant district attor- Happening. ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS Heights brownstone. Following a ney in the Frauds Bureau and was Steve thanks Steve Holtje for ALUMNI AFFAIRS Robin Vanderputten serious “guilt-down,” Skip penned legislative director to Rep. Thomas offering his own listening sugges- [email protected] the following: J. Downey (D-N.Y.). Daniel earned tions. 212-851-7399 “Last July, my wife, Harriet, and a J.D. cum laude from the Ameri- Kevin Chapman also attended DEVELOPMENT Matt Marsallo I flew to California to attend the can University Washington College Homecoming. He is chair of [email protected] Pageant of the Masters in Laguna of Law. the Central New Jersey Alumni 212-851-7452 with my brother, Dr. Juan Carlos For those of you seeking public Representative Committee (ARC Andrew Weisman Felix ’80, and his wife, Betsy (a office in New York, it’s probably interviews applicants to the Col- 710 Lawrence Ave. Ph.D. from Cornell). The pageant wise to keep your proverbial nose lege and Engineering), and he was 82 Westfield, NJ 07090 was terrific but the time we spent clean! there with fellow ARC member [email protected] with Juan and Betsy was beyond Also checking in this period was Arthur Chin ’81 and Arthur’s wife, wonderful. Juan was the heavy- my good pal, Wally Wentink. Some Anna. Greetings, gentlemen! Let’s begin weight rowing co-captain in 1980 of you may remember Wally from Kevin was kind enough to send with a message from the generous- and now is the chief of anatomical his days on the swim team; he is a his annual letter summarizing his of-heart Liam Ward, who wants to pathology at USC in Los Angeles; great contributor to our collective family’s life in 2011: “The year remind everyone about our 30th he and Betsy have raised five quality of life in New York through kicked off with my 50th birthday Alumni Reunion Weekend, Thurs- wonderful children (including one his work with the Central Park party in January. I’m willing to day, May 31–Sunday, June 3. He at Michigan, one at Stanford and Conservancy. Wally reports that go along with the idea that I’m writes, “As we gear up for reunion, one at Williams). he’s in good health and spirits and now in the ‘50–59’ age category I’ve been participating as a Class “Several years ago, I visited recently had a pleasant interaction on surveys, and that I can play in Agent; it’s been great fun catching with Juan after a heart procedure with Jamie Rubin and his accom- the ‘seniors’ division of the local up with classmates, some of whom and we decided that we would try plished wife, Christiane Amanpour, golf tournaments, but I don’t in I haven’t spoken to in decades. It’s to row at the Long Beach Sprints who were walking their hound in any way feel like I could be 50. If amazing, though, how during our (ergometer regatta) every year Central Park. you’re as young as you feel, then conversations the years melt away thereafter. We are preparing for the Looking forward to seeing you I’m still in my late 20s. If you’re as and we’re right back on College 2012 event! all at the reunion! young as you think you are, then Walk …. “I have been involved in the I’m definitely still a teenager. It was “With many of us becoming financial services business for a good excuse for a party, however. ‘empty-nesters’ in the near future, almost 25 years, most recently Roy Pomerantz And my wife, Sharon ’83 Barnard, I encourage everybody to come for with UBS Wealth Management in Babyking/Petking got me a Fudgie the Whale cake the weekend. It’s a great opportu- Greenwich, Conn. My group forms 83 182-20 Liberty Ave. from Carvel, which she knows is nity to rekindle old friendships and long-term, multi-generational Jamaica, NY 11412 my favorite.” maybe start a few new ones. And relationships with busy profession- [email protected] Kevin’s daughter, Samantha, many thanks to those Class of 1982 als to counsel them on the prudent graduated magna cum laude from members who pledged to help management of their hard-earned My family attended Homecoming, NYU last year, and he and Sharon out the Columbia College Fund wealth. Our clients are glad to where I spoke with Andy Gershon, sent their second child, Connor, (college.colimbia.edu/giveonline); have our perspective in this era of former basketball player, talented off to Marist College last fall as we have an exceptionally loyal and information overload. public interest lawyer and tireless a freshman. “I’ve got one left for generous class!” “I have fond memories of Co- Columbia supporter. Andy’s son the Columbia College Class of While we’re on the subject of lumbia — even went back for my continues to excel at baseball. Eric 2018,” he notes. “Keep your fingers reunion, I’ll add that the schedule M.B.A. in ’91 — but almost all of Epstein also was at the game. Their crossed for Ross!” includes lots of great activities, such my close friendships were formed fathers are Richard Gershon ’53 I also spent time at Homecom- as cocktail receptions, class-specific with members of the rowing team, and William Epstein ’55, and both ing with Rick Cavalli ’86. Rick was panels, special tours and, of course, with whom I spent so much time. families reflect how important on the football team with famed our class dinner on Saturday. Note (I was captain of the heavyweight legacies are to building Columbia’s quarterback John Witkowski ’84, that Saturday also is Dean’s Day, team.) The Columbia rowers had spirit, tradition and future. Eric was and he shared some great stories which means you’ll have the oppor- an inspirational dinner at Low Li- joined at the game by John Basile about playing under the tutelage tunity to participate in Mini-Core brary in early December, at which ’84, John McCrea ’87 and Frederick of Coach , whose last Curriculum and Public Intellectual the funding of a major new rowing Noz ’85E, ’87E. coaching job was at Columbia in Lectures and other events. endowment was announced by I also met Rick Wolf ’86 and his 1985 when the team went 0–10. For the most up-to-date infor­ Tom Cornacchia ’85. Rowing is son. Rick develops residential build- After the season, Jim’s sons, John, mation and to register, go to reunion. a great tradition at Columbia, of ings, and his properties are doing Jason and Judd — who were en-

SPRING 2012 94 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

rolled at Columbia — transferred In addition, his Chinese-American underdog who becomes a boxing Wayne Allyn Root writes, to Princeton. Jason now is head background has enabled him to ef- champ, to the evolving perceptions “Famed conservative syndicated coach of the Dallas Cowboys. fectively bridge corporate America of government, to the Cold War- national radio talk show host Bill On another CC football note and the China market. He recounts era uncertainty that spawned a of Premiere Radio from the ’80s, I met Joe Capone all his career experiences with Ap- generation of literary and celluloid said on his show recently: ‘The most ’90 and his wife at a Harvard Club ple, Microsoft and Google as well as superspies. We will examine repre- important, must-read columnists family Halloween party. Joe an- his own technological achievements sentations of heroes and villains in and commentators in America nounced the game where the team in this autobiography. Dr. Lee was modern American popular culture — that I love, that light me up, broke its 44-game losing streak once the focus of a media sensa- and how great films and novels that I learn from — [are] Charles (from 1983–88). Spectator named tion in 2005 when Microsoft and of three particular genres — the Krauthammer, it one of the four best games in Google fought over him in court. Detective, the Gangster and the and Wayne Allyn Root.’ It’s quite Columbia history. He shocked the media again in 2009 Spy — influenced our understand- an honor for a CC alumnus to be Michael has been ap- by resigning from the position of ing of these archetypes. From the making such a difference with pointed editor-in-chief of Smithson- Google China’s president. There early influences of Hamlet and conservatives in the national politi- ian magazine, succeeding Carey have been many speculations about Macbeth to Sherlock Holmes, Ray- cal scene. I made more than 1,000 Winfrey ’63; he is only the fourth the two incidents, [about] which mond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe, media appearances in 2011, and I editor in its 41-year history. He some insider stories are exclusively Mario Puzo’s (and Francis Ford have an offer on the table for The previously was deputy editor of told in this book. … Coppola’s) The Godfather, James Wayne Allyn Root radio show. I’ll let magazine. “The autobiography carries a Bond and Batman, we will look you know when it’s finalized.” The official announcement from the theme based on Dr. Lee’s lifetime at the mythology and evolution I am sorry to report that Peter Smithsonian Institution continues: motto, which he acquired from a of heroes and villains through Stevens has died. The follow- “Caruso has been a journalist for philosophy professor: ‘Imagine popular and high culture icons, the ing notice appeared in The New more than 25 years and has served two worlds, one with you and one genesis of the genres and how they York Times: “The members of the as editor-in-chief of such major without you. What’s the differ- developed over time, and how Division of Gastroenterology and magazines as Los Angeles magazine, ence between the two worlds? great directors, actors and writers Hepatology at Weill Cornell Medi- Men’s Journal and Details, and was Maximize the difference. That’s the influenced audiences worldwide cal College mourn the untimely founding editor of Maximum Golf. passing of our friend, colleague He has also held senior roles at The and collaborator Dr. Peter Ste- Village Voice and Portfolio, among Michael Caruso ’83 has been appointed editor-in- vens, director of endoscopy at others. our sister division at Columbia “‘I’m honored to be joining chief of Smithsonian magazine, following Carey University College of Physicians Smithsonian, a magazine brand that and Surgeons. Pete was a gifted, is loved by more than 7 million Winfrey ’63. innovative gastroenterologist and readers and is part of the largest endoscopist, a wonderful and car- and most prominent museum and ing clinician, and beloved mentor research complex in the world,’ said meaning of your life.’ A detailed and were themselves influenced by to a generation of physicians he Caruso. ‘It’s also a privilege to be record of all the difference Dr. Lee culture and history.’” trained. He had boundless integ- following Carey Winfrey, who had a has made, the book was initially Maren Pyenson and Bruce rity, kindness and a gentle spirit. superb run as editor; my challenge written in Chinese.… Rewrit- Abramson welcomed a son, Lin- He will be greatly missed.” is to continue the legacy of journal- ten for Westerners, the English coln Ariel Abramson, on Novem- At a recent Columbia College istic excellence while evolving our autobiography clearly explains all ber 1. He weighed 7 lbs., 13 oz. and Alumni Association Board of Di- brand for the future multimedia the Chinese customs mentioned in measured 21 inches long. Everyone rectors meeting, an alumni-spon- needs of our consumer.’ Dr. Lee’s personal history. It also was doing great. sored student internship program “In making this announcement, insightfully analyzes how interna- Debbie and I attended the Alex­ was initiated. One of the main Tom Ott, president of Smithsonian tional businesses should approach ander Hamilton Award Dinner goals is to offer students intern- Enterprises, said, ‘Michael im- the China market in its chapters in November, where University ships in the workplace this sum- pressed us as someone filled with about Microsoft Research Asia and Trustee H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest ’58L mer. Alumni members who cannot energy, intelligence and curiosity, Google China.” announced his pledge of $30 million sponsor students can still mentor all hugely important traits for run- In November, my wife, Debbie, to help build a multidisciplinary them. For more information, or if ning a magazine like Smithsonian. and I hosted a dinner for several arts venue on the Manhattanville you are interested in participating, He presented a tremendous vision College students as part of a new campus. We sat with James McMe- please contact me. for the future of the magazine, as program to match students and namin (former director of admis- Debbie and I attended the bar well as ways to leverage multi-me- alumni with similar career inter- sions and now director of principal mitzvah of William Simon, son dia platforms to enhance the reach ests. We met the president of the gifts and senior adviser to the dean and significance of our brand. We Student Council, a pre-med who is of the College) and also spoke with have no doubt — given his experi- a student council representative, a Michael Schmidtberger ’82, Brian What’s Your Story? ence and success leading other member of the CU Ballroom Team Krisberg ’81 and former Dean of major magazines — that he will and a first-year whose family owns Students Roger Lehecka ’67. Letting classmates know make the Smithsonian brand a true a farm in upstate New York. We Kenny Chin sends the following what’s going on in your national treasure even stronger in also invited Eddy Friedfeld to join note: “My son and I attended an life is easier than ever. the years ahead.’” us, and I received the following admissions event, and I found my- Send in your Class Notes! Kai-Fu Lee — founder of Micro- response about his fall semester at self in the session about studying ONLINE by clicking soft Research Asia, Google China NYU: science at Columbia. Dean James J. and the new venture Innovation “I’m teaching a new film and Valentini was one of the speakers. I college.columbia.edu/cct/ Works — writes, “My autobiog- literature course, and Wednesday introduced myself to him afterward submit_class_note. raphy in Chinese, Making a World and Thursday are busy with stu- and, when he realized that I did not EMAIL to the address at of Difference: The Kai-Fu Lee Story, dents and class. It’s called ‘Wise- major in science, he encouraged me the top of your column. has been a bestseller in China since guys, Spies, and Private Eyes.’ [As to apply as well; this way he could its publication in 2009, and the the description explains], ‘Through teach it to me and the College could MAIL to the address at the English version recently came out thematic analyses of books and benefit from receiving my tuition top of your column. in electronic format on Amazon.” films by topic and genre, this semi- dollars once again. I told him that, Class Notes received by The description on the website nar explores the ways in which unfortunately, my grades and Monday, March 19, reads, in part: “A natural-born specific American archetypes and scores were not high enough for me are eligible for inclusion in pioneer, Dr. Lee has explored themes are perceived and articu- to be admitted now. We both had uncharted territories and developed lated, from the rugged Old West a good laugh, and the session was the Summer 2012 issue. new fields in the high-tech world. individualist, to the persevering very impressive.”

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY of Mark Simon ’84 and his wife, the band’s coup. For those of you council. Julian is Vanessa’s son and Italy, , Germany, India Melissa. I spent time with Jim who missed the dust-up, CUMB Luke, Felicia and Chloe are mine. and Hong Kong. At three weeks Weinstein ’84 at the services, as made national headlines in the fall The wedding was in Puerto Rico. abroad, it was the longest I’d been well as Paul Maddon ’81, a Co- for playfully dissing our then-win- We had a great time celebrating away from my wife, Debbie, and lumbia trustee. Debbie and I also less football team and was barred Thanksgiving there as well. The our four kids. caught up with Paul at a reception from performing at the last game kids wanted to stay for another “Another career highlight was at the home of Cheryl Milstein of the season; the band manager week but unfortunately, it was directing Robert DeNiro in a series ’81 Barnard and her husband, made a public apology, and then, back to work. I have been helping of public service announcements for Phil Milstein ’71, also a Columbia on First Amendment grounds, the coordinate trauma care for the the 9/11 Memorial, which included trustee. I knew Cheryl when she band was permitted to once again Hopi and Navajo reservations, shoots at Ground Zero and in a was a student, and it was great to spirit the team — to victory! and during the second weekend New York studio with survivors reconnect with her. Kudos to Donna H. MacPhee of November I ran the 13th annual and first responders. (You can ’89, v.p. for alumni relations and Navajo Area Surgeon’s Conference search for the spots at 911memorial. president of the Columbia Alumni at the Grand Canyon. The topic org.) Dennis Klainberg Association, as well as the entire was interventional endoscopy. It “Despite living only 15 miles 84 Berklay Cargo Worldwide CAA team, for the extraordinary was stressful, but worth it after see- from Columbia, I only made it to 14 Bond St., Ste 233 experience. Among the luminaries ing all my surgical colleagues. Best one 25th anniversary event this Great Neck, NY 11021 in attendance were Miami legal wishes to all classmates.” summer: a cocktail party at The [email protected] eagle Bernardo Burstein ’88L and Michael Nagykery will be New York Times building. It was his wife, Lynne, a former music moving back to New York with a great time, and astounding to Eldridge Gray has left Goldman industry maven and now Micro- his French companion, Géraldine, realize that 25 years have passed. Sachs, where he was a managing soft Latin expert; Seth Schachner and their 7½-month-old son after Even more astounding, my oldest director, to form an independent ’85 and his wife, Allison; and dear spending most of the past year in son, Ben, is a sophomore at RPI San Francisco boutique, Seven Post friend Adlar García ’95, formerly Provence. Looking back on his ca- and my high school junior, Alex, Investment Office. with our Alumni Office and now reer, he explains, “Over these past is starting to look at colleges. And Bruce Skyer was named CEO at the University of Miami Alumni 2½ decades, I have imported fine I’ve got two more in the pipeline of the National Kidney Founda- Office. handcrafted decorative items to after that — gotta keep pedaling tion. The foundation is the major Also, special thanks to dear friend the interior design trade (a tough faster!” national voluntary health agency Doug Mintz, medico extraordinario, sell in years like these!), been a On the home front, I was fortu- dedicated to preventing kidney for taking time out to visit me at the special rep for an Italian manu- nate to attend a series of campus and urinary tract diseases, improv- Scope Art Fair. facturer breaking into the U.S. events last fall. During the Colum- ing the health and well-being of bia Alumni Leaders Weekend, I individuals and families affected attended a great panel discussion, by these diseases and increasing Bruce Skyer ’84 was named CEO of the National “Innovation in New York”; the next availability of all organs for trans- morning, I heard Dean James J. plantation. Kidney Foundation. Valentini speak passionately about The California Coastal Commis- the Core and heard many parents sion in December unanimously of current College students speak approved Charles Lester to be its And of course, the moment we market and worked in the historic glowingly about their children’s fourth executive director. Charles returned to New York, we were preservation field in New York. experiences in the College. The fol- takes over a powerful agency that summoned by — and asked to Coming back to the city, I shall lowing month, I saw Bryan Barnett oversees land-use policies along extend salutations from — the see what interesting opportunities (an adviser at Concorde Investment California’s 1,100 miles of coast. great Karl-Ludwig Selig, Profes- can be creatively developed in a Services) at another Columbia In recognition for his work in sor Emeritus of Spanish and difficult environment. event. corporate and tax matters for Law- Portuguese, who is still sharp and “But, more importantly, Like my neighboring class cor- yers Alliance clients, Louis Vlahos quixotically swatting at windmills Géraldine gave birth to our son, respondent Mr. Dennis Klainberg received the Lawyers Alliance for in Manhattan. Aslan Gabriel, on July 31 in the ’84, we have finished the bar New York’s Cornerstone Award. Keep those emails, snail mail picturesque Luberon valley in mitzvah cycle, as our youngest Louis leads Farrell Fritz’s tax and cortaditos coming! Provence. He was baptized five son, Josh, had his in the fall. Time practice and is on the board of the weeks later in a 12th-century indeed flies. On the other end Society of Columbia Graduates, the stone church on the edge of the of the spectrum, our eldest son, Board of Directors of the Queens Jon White charming little town of Vaugines, Isaac ’14, has been named to the Theatre in the Park, the Queens 85 16 South Ct. which also served as the backdrop managing board of Spectator as Chamber of Commerce, the Long Port Washington, NY for the Daniel Auteuil and Em- co-design editor. And our middle Island City Business Development 11050 manuelle Beart movies Jean de son, Noah, spent much of the fall Corporation, the Queens Economic [email protected] Florette and Manon des Sources, with a fractured tibia (leaving his Development Corp., the Queens based on the writings of Marcel afternoons without activity on College Business Advisory Board Curtis Mo ’88L was one of the fea- Pagnol. For two months, this was the cross-country and wrestling and the advisory committee of the tured speakers last fall at a panel our own little corner of paradise. teams). Queens Museum of Art. He also is at the Columbia University Club About two dozen close family and an adviser to the Queens College of New York, “Entrepreneurs.” friends attended the ceremony, Business Forum and a member Curtis is a Silicon Valley attorney and then joined us for a delightful Everett Weinberger of the Estate Planning Council of focused on early-stage ventures as weekend of celebration. A very 50 W. 70th St., Apt. 3B Nassau County. a partner at DLA Piper. happy moment in life!” 86 New York, NY 10023 We had another great success Gregory Jarrin was married on Congratulations to Tom Scotti, [email protected] with the Columbia Alumni Associa- November 27 to Dyanne Vanessa his wife, Karen, and their daughter, tion’s annual party, held during the Medina. “We have four children Anne, on Anne’s admission into After 10 years at Merrill Lynch, I same weekend as Art Basel Miami between us: Julian (18) is a high the Class of 2016! Our class Glee moved my wealth management Beach, in December. Alumni met school senior, hoping to go to Club alum legacy count stands at team to UBS. Even though my new poolside at the National Hotel on ASU; Luke (15) is a high school three. office is only a few blocks away in Collins Avenue to wine and dine sophomore, playing point guard For Michael Hadley, “Last year midtown Manhattan, it was still a over discussions of art, politics and, for the junior varsity basketball shaped up to be a fine one for my big move — it’s exciting to repot as it happened, the Marching Band. team; Felicia (12) is in seventh family and my business (a video yourself and join a new firm. You Yours truly, Dennis Klainberg, grade, playing flute; and Chloe production company based in can check me and my team out at donned his CUMB rugby shirt and (10) is enjoying both fourth grade Montclair, N.J.). A project earlier ubs.com/team/weinbergergroup. baby blue shorts in celebration of and being active on her student in the year had me shooting in Rony Weissman is living the

SPRING 2012 96 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

dream. He’s been in France for REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 Interactive Telecommunications college.columbia.edu for the most the last 12 years, is married to a ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS Program. He wrote, “Since then, up-to-date information on activities, French woman, Nadine, and has ALUMNI AFFAIRS Kenneth Catandella I’ve been working to build my and check out the special reunion two children, Emile (8) and Solene [email protected] architectural practice into an inter- preview section in this issue of CCT. (5). They live in Lyon, where he is a 212-851-7844 disciplinary one that embraces not You are not going to want to private wealth manager for Union DEVELOPMENT Grace Lee ’02 only architecture but also electronic miss out on this one, believe me! We Financiere de France. [email protected] product design, mobile/web inter- are going for record attendance, so Thomas Yanni is working on a 212-851-7492 face, special effects and set design help us show Columbia yet another Ph.D. in history at UC Riverside. By Sarah A. Kass for theater and film.” reason why the Class of ’87 rules! the time you read this, he should be PO Box 300808 Pascale Kerlegrand sent in a ABD (all but dissertation). In 2011 87 Brooklyn, NY 11230 long overdue and very welcome Eric Fusfield he earned a second master’s and [email protected] update. She has been married to now is in his fifth year of teaching Muhammad Younas, a Pakistani- 88 1945 South George part-time in the humanities depart- Can you believe it has been 25 American, for 18 years, and they Mason Dr. ment at Riverside City College. For years since we graduated? I, for have two sons, Assad (16) and Saif Arlington, VA 22204 fun, he is working on a novel with one, cannot! If you haven’t already, (10). Pascale said, “We’ve lived [email protected] his writing partner from previous mark your calendars for Alumni in New Jersey for 17 years. As a publishing ventures. Reunion Weekend, Thursday, May native Brooklynite, I never thought I had the nostalgic pleasure of re- Joe Rio became a certified coach 31–Sunday, June 3. I’m including I would leave New York City turning to Morningside Heights for and mediator a few years ago and more information at the end of (except for the four years I lived in my recent induction into the Society enjoys working with individuals the column, but first we have a Buffalo for medical school). But ap- of Columbia Graduates (socg.com). who are looking to adapt their few bits to get us all in the mood parently I am a New Jerseyan now. I admit that the sense of timeless- working identity. His three-year- to catch up with old friends and “I work in both New York and ness I usually feel when I climb the old, minority-owned small busi- make some new ones. New Jersey. I had a solo family steps of Low and survey the cam- ness, based in Washington, D.C., Starting with news from some medicine practice in Queens for pus was diminished somewhat by has expanded to include profes- of the many literary members of many years before I sold it in 2004. overheard references to Starbucks sional transitions, career and life our class, I heard from Marguerite I worked in corporate medicine and Facebook and by the sight of coaching and diversity training. Tassi. Marguerite is the Martin after that, joining the medical staff students doing homework on their In fact, Joe is finishing a coaching Distinguished Professor in English at New York City Transit and New iPads. I distinctly recall banging out and meditation app to help people at the University of Nebraska- Jersey Transit. I then became medi- term papers on a manual typewriter feel happy. Check out his new site, Kearney, where she said she has cal director at The New York Times. freshman year, but once my sopho- wantjobnow.com. the great pleasure of teaching Early last year, I went back to solo more suitemate obtained a clunky Crain’s New York Business reports Shakespeare all the time. Margue- practice, opening a part-time office early-’80s Macintosh, things were that Bill Fink has joined Northern rite’s book, Women and Revenge in in Bloomfield, N.J., near my house. I never the same. Manhattan Improvement Corp. Shakespeare: Gender, Genre and Eth- also am a primary care attending in At the induction ceremony in as assistant executive director for ics, recently was recently published the Outpatient Psychiatry Division Low, I was glad to meet Ahmet external affairs; he previously was by Susquehanna University Press. at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Can. Ahmet wrote to me later with director of development at Little She said, “This book evolved out of Center. the news that he works in South- Sisters of the Assumption Family one of my favorite courses to teach, “Throughout the 25 years since ampton, N.Y., at innRoad, his fourth Health Service. ‘Wild Justice: Women and Revenge graduation, I’ve come in contact Internet start-up since leaving in- Jonathan Rutchik, a clinical pro- in Western Literature.’ I’m looking with various CC ’87 alums through vestment banking in 1999. The com- fessor in neurology, environment forward to writing more books medical school, conferences and pany, a software as a service (SaaS) and occupational medicine with about revenge in literature — it’s patient consults, including Nabesa company in the hospitality sector, is UC San Francisco, writes: “Playing a subject that’s hard to let go of!” Herring, Jean Cange and Annie raising venture capital funding so a lot of tennis and focusing on [Editor’s note: See Bookshelf.] Joseph (née Fils-Aime). My former it can open offices in New York and work; involved in a number of fas- Steven Drachman, who has 705B Carman roommate, Karen London and continue its growth cinating toxicology and neurology been a lawyer in financial services Valentine, and I are still as close as momentum. Outside of work, Ah- consulting projects; and looking for nearly 20 years, had his first sisters, as we were at Columbia.” met enjoys traveling off the beaten forward to ski season! My 5-year- novel published last summer. The If you haven’t registered for path with his family. old plans to be a wild man on the Ghosts of Watt O’Hugh is a historical reunion, it is not too late. Please get Ahmet recently caught up with slopes. Regards from Mill Valley.” fantasy set in the 1860s and 1870s in touch with me or the Alumni Eric Won and his growing family I regret to announce that Antho- in the American West, New York Office (see contacts in the box at in Honolulu. He also is in touch ny Duncan Stark passed away un- City and China. He recently the top of the column), and we can with Ganesh Ramchandran, who expectedly on October 19. Anthony learned the book was named to get you hooked in to all the fun! lives in Singapore with his wife (50) lived in Palm Beach Gardens, Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2011. Or, register online: reunion.college. and three boys. Ahmet is an active Fla., and also was a graduate of Steven said, “I met my wife, columbia.edu. member of the Alumni Representa- Browning School and London Film Lan, on line at the freshman orien- School. He was a film director and tation barbecue in August 1983 — screenwriter, following in his father back then, ‘on line’ didn’t mean the Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed Shari Hyman ’88 Art’s entertainment footsteps. (The Internet; she was actually standing elder Stark was a TV producer in front of me, waiting to get some as commissioner and chair of NYC’s Business Integrity whose credits included Who Do hot dogs. And we now have been You Trust? and The Tonight Show.) married for almost 22 years. We Commission. Anthony co-wrote and directed the have two children, both girls (8 1998 film Into My Heart starring and 12), and we live in Brooklyn, Rob Morrow, and he wrote The in an amazing shrinking apartment The schedule includes cocktail tive Committee (ARC; studentaf Art of Murder and The Zone. He is on the second floor of a 100-year- receptions, panel discussions, fairs.columbia.edu/admissions/ survived by his wife, Victoria, and old building in Park Slope.” special tours and of course our class alumni/volunteers.php) and his stepchildren. Branching out into other disci- dinner on Saturday. Saturday also enjoys interviewing applicants. He Please email me your remem- plines, Morgen Fleisig sent a note is Dean’s Day, which means you’ll is somewhat dismayed by the lack brances of Anthony. I wish I had about his busy 2011: On August 6, have the opportunity to participate of attendance by fellow alumni at known him, as he led a very interest- Morgen, an architect and six-year in Mini-Core Curriculum and Pub- the annual Dean’s Day and hopes ing life. I was told that a memorial resident of Brooklyn, and Margie lic Intellectual Lectures and other to see more from our class in atten- service was going to be held in New Lavender of Dallas were married events. There are family-friendly dance this year (Saturday, June 2; York City at a later date; I will let you in Long Beach, Calif. This followed activities, too, so don’t hesitate college.columbia.edu/deansday). know more details as I get them. his May graduation from NYU’s to include the kids. See reunion. He also encourages alumni to join

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY the Columbia College LinkedIn setup. The game itself was another “Although jobs and relationships close the achievement gap between group, which he administers, to matter. I was there with Shep Long steered us out of the Southwest low-income children and their share news about the College. and Tom Leder ’89 and family. nearly 15 years ago, Soren and I more affluent peers. In this position, Congratulations to Shari Hy- Postgame, the Silverstein crew continue to connect on regular out- Michele works with teachers to im- man, whom New York Mayor went to V&T for dinner.” door adventures. We’ve kayaked prove the quality of their teaching Michael Bloomberg appointed Burying one’s sorrows with V&T the Baja Sea and hiked the Cooper and provides training in best litera- as commissioner and chair of the pizza after a Columbia football loss? Canyon of Mexico, but mostly we cy practices. She also is the mother Business Integrity Commission. The more things change .… meet in the Adirondacks of New of three boys whose interests range According to a press release from Keep the updates coming! If you York. We haven’t joined the elite from archery and art to soccer and the mayor’s office, “Most recently, haven’t written in the past year or group of Forty-Sixers who’ve hiked Star Wars. Her husband, Joe, is an Commissioner Hyman served as two, your classmates would love to all the High Peaks, but there’s still English professor at Rowan and the director of business acceleration hear from you. time. Soren is a professor in speech author of two books. and senior counsel to the deputy pathology at Syracuse, and I study Michele keeps in frequent contact mayor for operations. Formed federal housing policy for a consult- with some of her college friends, in 2001, the Business Integrity Emily Miles Terry ing firm in Washington, D.C., from including Joanna Kibel-Gagne and Commission licenses and regulates 45 Clarence St. my telecommuting home office in Julie Keisman Miller. three business sectors that have 89 Brookline, MA 02446 Columbus, Ohio.” I received a brief note from historically been preyed upon by [email protected] Isaac Castanada married Mag- Andrew Hoffman, who lives in organized including the gie Miqueo ’93 in 1999. He writes, London with his wife and two public wholesale markets and the I hope 2012 is shaping up well for “Soon thereafter we quit our New small children and is a lawyer for private waste carting industry.” everyone! To start things off, I heard York jobs in asset management and the Financial Services Authority. The press release goes on to quote from Guy Molina, who is commut- law and moved to the Dominican Finally, my husband, Dave ’90, Bloomberg: “Shari Hyman will be ing between Stuttgart and Prague Republic to run an ice plant and and I and our three kids had a won- an excellent leader of the Business while working for Chrysler as a water bottle operation. We lived derful time at Homecoming. We Integrity Commission, as it contin- marketing manager for Europe, the in the factory for two years and visited many classmates including ues to ensure that marketplaces and Middle East and Africa. He plans to almost went mad. We grew the Jill Pollack Lewis, Amy Weinreich regulated businesses compete fairly relocate to Turin, Italy, in March. company organically, and through Rinzler, Elisabeth Socolow, Jody and are free from fraud, rackets and Joanne Ooi has been busy, as she a merger with two competitors Collens Fidler, Krissie Barakat threats of violence … There is no attests, having “turned around the came to dominate our markets ’88, Jenna Wright ’88, Christine one better that I can think of [for the luxury brand Shanghai Tang under the brand Alaska. Giordano ’89 Barnard, Chris position] than Shari, who will bring five years ago.” At the time, Joanne “Maggie and I are no longer in Della Pietra, Alex Margolies, John with her an impressive skill-set and was on the cover of Fast Company the day-to-day of the company MacPhee, Donna MacPhee, Mi- a tremendous commitment to public magazine. She continues, “Now I and now devote our time to trying chael Behringer, Danielle Maged, service.” am an environmentalist working on to control our children and to a Andy Cowder ’89E, Tom Leder and couple of ventures with wonderful Claudia Lacopo. There were others partners: Vizstara, a dental there whom I knew, but of course training facility in the United I failed to write down their names TIME named Joanne Ooi ’89 one of its “2011 TIME States, and Reenergy, where we are afterward — though I swore I 100” most influential people for her work exposing testing a device for quick recharge would — and my aging mind now of electric vehicles. In our free time refuses to recall accurately. If you air pollution in Hong Kong. we enjoy mule riding with our kids were there and I haven’t mentioned in the rugged terrain of our prop- it, send me a note. Or better yet, erty in the Samaná Peninsula. Last send me a note anyhow. Also on the subject of mayoral air pollution in Hong Kong, where year we planted yam (December appointments, Miami-Dade Mayor I’ve been living since graduating harvest) and built our first trail. In Carlos Gimenez has selected Moj­ from Penn Law in 1993.” Last April, 2012 we hope to have a couple of Rachel Cowan Jacobs deh Khaghan Danial ’91L to join Joanne was nominated by Time bungalows in one of the hills facing 313 Lexington Dr. the Financial Recovery Board of magazine as one of the world’s the Atlantic.” 90 Silver Spring, MD 20901 Jackson Health System, according “100 Most Influential” for her work After college, Samantha Jacobs [email protected] to the Miami Herald. Mojdeh, an exposing Hong Kong’s air pollution Jouin moved to Germany and then attorney, is an officer and share- and putting it on the global envi- France, where she spent 10 years and Rick St. Hilaire recently attended holder in the Morgan Reed Group, ronmental map. married her husband, Francois. She the triennial meeting of the an investment holding company In addition to her environmen- earned a graduate business degree at International Council of Museums specializing in real estate and secu- tal work, Joanne is the CEO and the École Supérieure de Commerce Conservation Committee in Lisbon, rities. She is the seventh member of co-founder of plukka.com, a fine de Toulouse, and started work in the Portugal, where he was elected to a the Jackson governing board and jewelry site that, for the first time, field of marketing medical devices. three-year term as head of the Legal its first female member. Mojdeh combines the group-buying mecha- She says, “In 1999, after having our Issues in Conservation Working also is president of the Women’s nism directly with manufacturing. first child, we moved back to the Group. He is an attorney whose legal Philanthropy department at the Joanne is married and has a 12-year- Philadelphia area, where I am still practice includes cultural property Greater Miami Jewish Federation. old son. at work in the medical device field, and museum law. Rick is a former Linda Na’amah Weinberg Matt White writes, “After gradu- at Synthes, an orthopedic implant chief prosecutor and is among those writes from her home in London ation I moved to the Southwest to manufacturer. I’ve been in product featured in the recently published that she recently qualified as an oc- balance my fill of urban life in New development and marketing roles book Hot Art: Chasing Thieves and cupational therapist in the United York City with the hiking, kayaking, and even spent some time working Detectives Through the Secret World of Kingdom. She and her husband, skiing, rock climbing and green chile on global business transformation. Stolen Art. He blogs about looted an- Daniel Roselaar, have “four lovely of New Mexico. Without a network I now lead the company’s efforts to tiquities, stolen art and other cultural children, ages 3–16.” of friends who could join me on expand into a new specialty market. property legal issues. To learn more, Steve Silverstein is “living in these outdoor pursuits, I recon- We live in Malvern, Pa., with our visit culturalheritagelawyer.com. Manhattan with my wife of eight nected with a friend from my varsity two children and enjoy annual trips Robert Boland was named aca- years, Suzanne, and kids, Jacob (6) swimming days at Columbia, Soren to France to see family and friends.” demic chair of the Preston Robert and Mara (3). I work for SocGen Lowell. Soren was in Tucson getting Michele (Gable) Coulombe lives Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tour- and thus have been muddling a Ph.D. in speech language pathol- in Collingswood, N.J. After teach- ism, and Sports Management at along with the rest of the bankers ogy, and for nearly five years we met ing elementary school for many the NYU School of Continuing and during the Eurozone crisis. I took for long weekends and holidays to years, she became a consultant Professional Studies. He previously the family to Homecoming last fall hike and camp the national parks of for Children’s Literacy Initiative, was a clinical associate professor of and was entirely impressed by the the Southwest. a nonprofit whose mission is to sports management.

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Robert Schweitzer proudly an- Litigation Daily’s Litigator of the nounces the October 23 arrival of Week Award, the American Lawyer’s Lilah, weighing in at a lucky 7 lbs., Big Suits Award and Law 360’s 7 oz. and with a full head of hair. “How They Won It Award” for the At 1 month of age, Lilah already settlement and five years of work on was shopping at the campus the farmers’ cases. bookstore for some CU gear. “Roar, I always am happy when class- Lion, Roar” also is a part of her mates just want to check in to say lullaby routine. life is good. Busy, but good. Ijeoma Matthew Connelly, of Colum- Acholonu Ejeh, chief of general bia’s history department, has made surgery at a hospital in Fayetteville, it easy for us to keep tabs on him N.C., who also practices laparo- at matthewconnelly.net. He says scopic general and bariatric surgery, the most notable recent item is the spends her “free” time keeping three-part radio documentary on tabs on her three busy kids and world population he did for BBC cardiologist husband, Sylvester. She International in October. He also looks forward to making it to our added to the world population in 25th reunion in 2015, which is not 2009 with daughter Lily Kovner. so far away. After graduating from North- western University School of Meeting in Tahoe last winter for a day of sledding were (back row, left Law in 1995 and moving to the Margie Kim to right) Robby Bollyky, Paul Bollyky ’94, Greta Bollyky, Amanda Kahn- Alex Choi Washington, D.C., area, 91 1923 White Oak Clearing Kirby ’95, Myles Kirby and Mason Kirby ’94; and (front row, left to right) decided to take a chance and relo- Southlake, TX 76092 Jenna Bollyky, Alexandra Bollyky and Julia Kirby. cated to Seattle in 2010. He hasn’t margiekimkim@ regretted it, and is thoroughly hotmail.com enjoying Seattle’s good food and amazing as well and, unbelievably, of one, since my wife Sara (Silver) drink, beauty and mellow lifestyle. Greetings, all! I spent Thanksgiving four months seem barely enough also is CC ’91. We have lived in Alex is an attorney in the Seattle in San Francisco with family and time to scratch the surface. One of suburban Cleveland since 1996, office of the U.S. Department of caught up with Sonya Cho Hong, our favorite places is Laos, though moving after Sara finished medi- Education’s Office for Civil Rights. who has been living there for a while the diving we did in Indonesia cal school at SUNY Downstate Adam Grais, formerly of the now with her husband, David Hong makes that a close second. Our in Brooklyn. She is a psychiatrist CU Marching Band, continues to ’92, and their two sons. Sonya runs fondest memories are of the people in private practice. After two play drums, performing with the her successful cake business, Butter- who have shared their stories and stints in graduate school, I am a Chicago Bar Association Barristers fly Cakes, and hasn’t changed a bit! a moment of their lives. Next stop development director with a small Big Band (you can find them on Jeff Michaelson’s oldest, Con- after New Year’s was India. My nonprofit. I also recently began my YouTube), and he sees bandmate nor, celebrated his bar mitzvah in blog, with links to lots of photos, is own law practice, Goldman Legal Liz Pleshette ’89 every few months. December. Connor did amazingly turtlestravel.wordpress.com. Hope Services (goldmanlegalservices. He was pleased with the amount of well, and their family and friends all is well with all of CC ’91!” com), which focuses on the needs press the marching band received had a great time at the party. Jeff Jackie Harounian was named a of nonprofits and small businesses. during football season. Adam has and his wife are keeping busy with New York Super Lawyer in family We have three sons, one of whom three daughters: the 10-year-old their life in Detroit and their four law by New York Super Lawyer mag- is in New York as a freshman at twins play flute and cello, while his children. azine for the second consecutive Yeshiva University. We get together 12-year-old plays volleyball. Adam with high school buddies Boris is a partner at Sugar, Felsenthal, Kogan and Carmi Abramowitz, Grais & Hammer. His practice pri- who are still in the NYC area. And marily focuses on tax and transac- Jackie Harounian ’91 was named a New York Super I have found some Columbians tional work, and the firm’s strength Lawyer in family law by New York Super Lawyer maga- here in Cleveland.” is in representing entrepreneurs, Don’t forget that we have a business owners and their families, zine for the second consecutive year. Facebook page, Columbia College both individually and with their Class of 1991. It’s a great way to businesses. keep up with classmates. And you Adam Levitt, a partner in the Heather Munoz sent in this year. Her firm in Great Neck, N.Y., can always submit updates directly Chicago office of Wolf Haldenstein update: “Early in 2011 I decided to is one of the largest in the area that to me via CCT’s web submission Adler Freeman & Herz, has been take a break from life as a mobile/ specializes in matrimonial law; she form: college.columbia.edu/cct/ selected as one of Lawdragon’s 500 experiential marketing tour man- has a satellite office in Manhattan. submit_class_note. Leading Lawyers in America for ager to embark on an around-the- In November, Jackie presented a Hope you are all having a great 2011. Lawdragon is a print publica- world adventure. My first trip like seminar on parental alienation with 2012! Until next time … cheers! tion and website of U.S. attorneys; this was in 2008–09 and proved it David Goldman, whose son was among other things, it annually really does pay to travel slowly. My abducted to Brazil. Jackie is work- REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 recognizes 500 lawyers who brought travel partner, Donny, and I began ing with local advocacy groups to ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS in the biggest verdicts and settle- in May with a visit to Japan. It was pass legislation to help left-behind ALUMNI AFFAIRS Jennifer Freely ments, handled the biggest deals so much fun to have a reunion with parents whose children have been [email protected] and defined law practice. Adam was high school friends — I was there abducted. 212-851-7438 recognized for his role as a lead ne- as an exchange student my senior Rachel Galanter has settled in DEVELOPMENT Amanda Kessler gotiator of a $750 million settlement year — and also a comfort to visit Durham, N.C., where she runs a [email protected] reached last July with Bayer AG and my Japanese family so soon after child abuse prevention program. 212-851-7883 its global affiliates on behalf of U.S. the earthquake/tsunami. From Last year she also became part rice farmers who suffered losses there we spent a month in South of the international Motivational Jeremy Feinberg when a strain of Bayer’s genetically Korea with its raging pop culture, Interviewing Network of Trainers. 315 E. 65th St. #3F modified rice contaminated the music and so on, mixed with lots of She has two adopted children. Last 92 New York, NY 10021 supplies of the farmers, causing a history and some beautiful nature. summer Rachel became engaged jeremy.feinberg@ plunge of nearly 14 percent in long- Two months in China were chal- to Stacie White and is enjoying the verizon.net grain rice futures and the shutdown lenging but rewarding. Southeast merging of their . of U.S. rice exports to the European Asia (Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Alan Goldman sent in his first Hi everybody! We are closing in on Union. Adam also won the AmLaw Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam) was update: “You get two for the price our 20th Alumni Reunion Week-

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

be a gala class dinner on Saturday Mitch, dressed as Joanie and Richie followed by the all-class Starlight Cunningham. Reception on Low Plaza. For more The look on Kevin’s face when information and, most importantly, he saw his friends (especially Neil to sign up, go to reunion.college. in that frightful wig) was similar to columbia.edu. You can also contact what the zombies look like on that the Alumni Office staff listed at the TV show, The Walking Dead: wide top of the column. eyes, slack jaw, slow and wooden That, friends, is all for this movements. Later, after Kevin had update. Keep the news coming — dressed up as Aquaman (because there will still be plenty of catching that’s the name of his pool services up to do at reunion. And since this company … get it?), pictures were is a big one, I hope to see lots and taken to ensure that neither of this lots of you there. Cheers! month’s correspondents will ever successfully run for public office (although an “Aquaman for Presi- Betsy Gomperz dent” Facebook page is rumored to 41 Day St. be in the making). 93 Newton, MA 02466 A few weeks later, right before Thanksgiving, long-lost pal Patti Cindy Warner ’97 married Nathan Kruger on November 12. Celebrating [email protected] Lee came to New York with her were (left to right) Richard Monte ’97E; Brian McCollum ’97E and his Due to unforeseen circumstances, husband, Paul, from the alien land wife, Hannah Trooboff McCollum ’97; the bride; John Guthrow ’97; Mag- Betsy Gomperz had to hand over of San Francisco (where, sadly, gie Osbody-Katz ’97; and Gabriella Carolini ’97. PHOTO: BRETT DEUTSCH this month’s writing responsibili- Neil once left his heart), and your ties to her friends Neil Turitz and correspondents joined the lovely Kevin Connolly. Read at your Ms. Lee for cocktails, caught up end, which will be held Thursday, Sara Hall has been appointed own risk. properly and decided that more May 31–Sunday, June 3. I don’t associate dean for academic af- It all started in October, when such meetings need to take place. know about you, but I can’t believe fairs in the Honors College at the correspondent No. 1, Kevin, and Patti is an on-air news reporter for it. If you keep reading, there’s a University of Illinois at Chicago, his wife, Laura, jetted west from the San Fran Fox affiliate, which special sneak preview of what’s where she has been teaching in the New York to the badlands of Las is fitting because she is not only ahead for us that weekend. (Also Germanic studies department since Vegas, where they met up with old smart, engaging, witty and urbane, be sure to check out the special re- 2000. Sara was promoted to associ- pals Joel Cramer and Steve Cootey but also so, so pretty. (Patti bought union preview section in this issue ate professor in 2007 and has been ’93E and their lovely wives. Joel the drinks, so you’ll forgive the of CCT.) But before we get there, chairing an undergraduate minor lives in Winnekta, Ill., with his flood of compliments.) there’s plenty of news. in moving image arts since then. wife, Ania, and their kids: Conrad After Patti and Paul headed off Benjamin Ortiz, who left the She lives in Evanston, Ill., with her (6), Claudia (5) and Cooper (3). He to the theatre, Neil and Kevin re- Department of Pediatrics at the husband, Monty George, who runs is head of business development tired to a midtown watering hole. CU Medical Center and Harlem a digital design company, and her for an asset management firm in They discussed Neil’s recent trium- Hospital last March to be a medical 5-year-old son, Spencer. Chicago. Steve, meanwhile, is liv- phant off-Broadway show Spurn officer at the U.S. Food and Drug David Abbott is enrolled in the ing the rock star life in Vegas with (which had a seven-week run in Administration in the Office of M.A. program in music therapy at his wife, Rahnia, and their kids: November and December and was Pediatric Therapeutics, is lead of- NYU Steinhardt and is “looking Liam (8), Braeden (7) and Addison considered by many to be one of ficer for the Pediatric Latin America forward to an exciting new career (4). He is v.p. of corporate finance the funniest things they’d seen all program, where he interfaces with in this rewarding field.” He and for the Sands. As you might expect, year); Kevin’s thriving swimming regulatory agencies throughout Ishaani Sen were married in Cen- the weekend consisted of numer- pool business on the East End of Latin America, addressing issues tral Park’s Conservatory Garden. ous tee times, lots of cribbage and Long Island and his new digs in regarding pediatric medical product Sebastian Ruta ’92E and Jyoti a Charleston dance-off (won by the Long Beach, N.Y.; and Neil’s plans development. As Ben explains, Vaswani-Ruta ’92E attended. Connollys). to finally make another movie in “Travels have taken me to Brazil Alexandra Colacito (formerly Once back on East Coast soil, early 2012, following up the much- and , with more expected. Hershdorfer) recently relocated the festivities turned “freaky” at a beloved Two Ninjas, starring Cara The program’s mission is to ensure to the Boston area. She is eagerly surprise birthday costume party Thum (née Buono). the safe and ethical development looking forward to reconnecting for Kevin, thrown by the ador- That should just about wrap it of medical products (drugs and with classmates in the area as well ing Laura in the tony wilds of the up. Neil and Kevin thank you for devices) for children throughout the as to visiting New York City and Hamptons. Kevin turned 40 — your time, wish everyone well and region.” alma mater now that she is an young for a ’93-er but his parents remind everyone that Betsy’s still As was reported in October in “East Coast girl” again. had him start school early, because running the show here, no matter the New York Observer, Matthew Ah yes, that preview of reunion? he was so smart, unlike correspon- how entertained you may have Weiland has become a senior I am pleased to report that, among dent No. 2, Neil, who turned 41 been this issue. editor at W.W. Norton. The article others, you may hear from Rich just six weeks later, and who we all notes, “It’s an exciting move for Rosivach, Heather Benson (for- know isn’t the sharpest knife in the Mr. Weiland, whose books at Ecco merly Ganek), Andrew Contigug- drawer. But both correspondents Leyla Kokmen have included Padgett Powell’s lia, Karl Cole-Frieman, Jennifer digress … 440 Thomas Ave. S. conceptual novel The Interrogative Madrid and Laura Lopez to plug On the day of the party a freak- 94 Minneapolis, MN 55405 Mood and Philip Connors’s nature the weekend’s events. As it stands, ish snowstorm gripped the North- [email protected] memoir Fire Season.” According we are looking at a Thursday night east, keeping away such stalwart to the article, Matthew was pretty party at Locanda Verde (locanda friends as George Hassan and his Congratulations to Anne Korn- excited by the move, too: “My verdenyc.com), followed by an in- wife, Julie; Betsy Gomperz and blut, who writes with the happy whole life I’ve wanted to work formal walk of the High Line Public her husband, Mike; Sandi Johnson news that she and her husband, on 42nd Street, and I thought, if I Park with a cocktail reception and her husband, Rob Murray; and Jon Cohen, welcomed son Arlo don’t do this I’ll have to work for nearby on Friday night. Saturday Matt “Nigel Tufnel” Streem. Neil, Cohen into the world on May 20. Port Authority.” Norton’s offices also is Dean’s Day, which means however, was there — outfitted in “Eliza Lowen McGraw and Paula are on East 42nd Street and Fifth you’ll have the opportunity to par- an entirely appropriate Bob Ross O’Rourke ’94 Barnard visited him Avenue. ticipate in Mini-Core Curriculum costume, complete with enormous at Sibley Hospital before he even Congratulations and keep us and Public Intellectual Lectures and bright red afro — as were Marci made it home, and he also has posted! other events. Of course, there will Levy ’93 Barnard and her husband, bonded with Rebecca Weinberg

SPRING 2012 100 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

Femia,” Anne writes. “Jon and I both work at The Washington Post, under the editorship of Marcus Brauchli ’83, and I am still covering that other Columbia grad, Barack Obama ’83.” Rob Gaudet lives in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice. He writes, “My law firm has expanded the scope of its services to include international arbitration and U.K. legal services, as well as U.S. legal services. Two new profes- sionals are featured on my firm’s site: retired judge Koorosh Ameli from the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal and English barrister Ingrid Detter de Frankopan, who advised Pope John Paul II for more than 20 years. I enjoy a good fellowship with these colleagues. “I am cohabitating with my girl- friend, Karin. I am in touch every now and then with Jenik Radon ’67, who organized the Eesti Fellow- ship and helped me with my law school applications.” Rob noted that he’s met a few Columbia alumni in Laurent Vasilescu ’99, ’10 Business and Sophie Anderson were married on June 18 in Brussels. Celebrating the Netherlands through the local were (left to right) Danielle Vasilescu Powell; Alan Powell; Eugene Krishnan ’98E; George Thomas ’98; Susan alumni chapter. Kassin ’99; the groom; Tony Munoz ’99; the bride; Brad Neuberg ’99; Jenna Johnson ’99 and her husband, He continues, “If any alumni Martin Mraz ’99; Sameer Shamsi ’99; Adam Nguyen ’98; and Nathan Hale ’00, ’01J. travel through Amsterdam, I would be happy to meet them at Schiphol for coffee or take them to view one she led a team of more than 100. Wo Kee Hong Holdings is a Hong was featured on Home and Garden hour of a trial at the International Janet has an M.B.A. from Harvard Kong-based diversified distributor Television’s Run My Makeover with Criminal Tribunal for the Former and was named among the “Women of brand-name products. He previ- her husband, Chris. Jill, Chris and Yugoslavia or the International to Watch” by Advertising Age in 2010 ously worked at Unitas Capital, JP their daughter, Annie, had their Criminal Court.” and one of Crain’s “Top 40 Under Morgan Partners Asia and Cerberus Knoxville basement remodeled, Paul Bollyky is an assistant pro- 40” in 2006. Capital Management, managers of and Uchenna reports that it looks fessor in the Allergy and Infectious Thanks to everyone who wrote globally focused multi-billion dollar fantastic! Jacqueline (Snyder) Disease Division at Washington, in! Until next time. investment funds. Colussi moved back to the United dividing his time between seeing States from Sweden. She and her patients and doing research. In husband, Dado, live and work in 2011 he and his wife, Jenna, went Janet Lorin Ana S. Salper Chicago. Evan Malter has returned sledding in Tahoe with Mason 127 W. 96th St., #2GH 24 Monroe Pl., Apt. MA to the U.S. after six years in Aus- Kirby and his wife, Amanda Kahn- 95 New York, NY 10025 96 Brooklyn, NY 11201 tralia. He lives in Rancho Santa Kirby ’95, and all of their kids (see [email protected] [email protected] Fe, Calif., with his wife, Nina, and nearby photo). sons, Jake and Cody. David Luse has been named We’re unfortunately light on news, I am happy to report that Uchenna Jennifer Fishbein and her a managing director in Jefferies’ so let me take this opportunity to Acholonu and his wife, Colleen, partner, Michael Parrott, welcomed Financial Sponsors Investment encourage you to send an update. welcomed the beautiful (truly, I their son, Gideon Joseph Parrott, Banking Group. He is based in I know you all are up to interesting have seen a picture) Kiera Chi- into the world in December. Julie the firm’s Los Angeles office and things. Let us know about them! nasa Acholonu into the world last Porter lives in Brooklyn and works focuses on coverage of private Dr. Udit Kondal M.P.H. complet- September. Uchenna also has com- at P&S. Matt Wirz lives in Ditmas equity clients across the western ed his first hip-hop/rock/reggae pleted a fellowship in minimally Park, Brooklyn, with his wife, United States. David joined the album for his music production invasive gynecologic surgery. Sarah; daughter, Raya; and new- firm from Bank of America Merrill company, Post Partum Productions. Congratulations, Uchenna! Tom born son, Asher. Matt is a reporter Lynch (and its predecessor, Merrill He invites classmates and friends to Humphries is Kiera’s godfather. covering debt for The Wall Street Lynch), where he was a managing check out his website and buy some Tom is an attorney in Washington, Journal. Daniel Lin keeps busy director and spent 12 years in its songs: ppprocks.com. Udit is a D.C., and lives in Maryland with with his wife and three children Los Angeles and San Francisco family physician working in the un- his wife, Natalie, and their four and his nephrology practice in investment banking offices. Previ- derserved area of Corona, Queens. children. Pennsylvania. Ravi Iyer and his ously, he spent three years at Mor- Contact him at druditkondal@ A special thank-you to Uchenna wife, Jane, live in Venice, Calif. gan Stanley in investment banking gmail.com. for providing me with a lot of news Ravi recently finished a Ph.D. in in New York and London. He Michael Kingsley, a Bloomberg of our classmates. Among those social psychology. earned an M.B.A. from Stanford. colleague of mine, and his wife, whom he recently caught up with Dan Cole married Nicholas And finally, last fall Janet Balis Harra, are the proud parents of was Shondelle Solomon Miles. Grinder last November. Nick is a was named head of sales strategy, Aaron Lucas Kingsley. Aaron was Shondelle lives in Hollywood, wholesale account executive for marketing and partnerships for born on June 9 and weighed 6 lbs., Fla., with her husband, Ron, and Jonathan Adler, a home décor and AOL Advertising, where she is 6 oz. their two kids. She owns Synergize furniture company in Manhat- responsible for the go-to-market Kei Wah Chua, a former execu- gym and focuses on competitive tan, and also a freelance interior strategy for AOL Advertising’s tive director and vice chairman of CrossFit training. Stephani (Stas- designer. Dan has been working products and services. Prior to Radford Capital Investment, has sou) Katechis lives in New Jersey at Eva Gentry Consignment, a joining AOL, Janet was e.v.p., media been appointed an executive direc- with her husband, Dennis, and women’s clothing and accessories sales and marketing, at Martha tor at Wo Kee Hong Holdings, ac- their daughters, Sophia and Julia. store in Brooklyn. Stewart Living Omnimedia, where cording to a company press release. Jill (Fromson) Van Beke recently Congratulations, Dan!

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As always, send in more news! I Inn in Old Saybrook, Conn. Anthony to share. Joseph Harold Schwartz ey Averbuch, welcomed a daughter, want to hear from you. In honor of is an assistant professor of pediatrics married Alyson Emily Sachs on Elle Olivia Munoz, on December 12. this election year, I leave you with at the Yale School of Medicine, a December 4. The wedding was When Tony is not busy changing this, um, thought: pediatric gastroenterologist at the officiated by Rabbi Shmuel Lewis at diapers, he’s a managing director in “Carbon dioxide is portrayed Yale Medical Group and the director the Metropolitan Building in Long the investment banking division of as harmful. But there isn’t even of pediatric gastroenterology at Island City, Queens. RBC Capital Markets focusing on one study that can be produced Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut. According to their wedding an- healthcare. that shows that carbon dioxide is a Congratulations, John and nouncement in The New York Times, Daniel Alarcón reports that he harmful gas.” Anthony! Joseph is a visiting rabbinical and his wife, Carolina Guerrero, —Michele Bachmann Matthew Morningstar and Alan student at the Jewish Theological along with Annie Correal ’04J and Van Capelle are excited and proud Seminary in Manhattan, and Aly- Martina Castro, founded a project to announce the birth of their son, son is an attorney at Weil, Gotshal called Radio Ambulante. The idea REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 Ethan George Van Capelle Morn- & Manges. behind it was to create something ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS ingstar (Morningstar for everyday Mazel tov to Joseph and Emily! similar to “This American Life,” ALUMNI AFFAIRS Patricia Carchi use). He was born on October 26 On a November trip to the city, but in Spanish and with a trans- [email protected] and weighed 6 lbs., 13 ozs. my husband, Hans Chen ’97, and national theme. The team recently 212-851-7807 Congratulations, Matt and Alan! I attended a memorable birthday has been producing three pilot DEVELOPMENT Harrison Kobb Hannah Trooboff McCollum, party for Julie Yufe, who had episodes, featuring radio pieces [email protected] Brian McCollum ’97E and daughter just gotten engaged. Julie and from Peru, Colombia, Argentina, 212-851-7444 Lena welcomed Caroline Amalia to her fiancé, Michael Dreyer, are Spain, Mexico, Honduras and cities Sarah Katz the world in July, one week before headed down the aisle this year. across the United States. The show 97 1935 Parrish St. Lena’s third birthday. Caroline has The birthday party boasted several will launch this spring as a podcast Philadelphia, PA 19130 proven to be a happy kid who finds double-Columbia couples, includ- and can be seen at radioambulante. [email protected] her sister endlessly fascinating and ing Jeannette Jakus and Ben Korn- org. hysterical. For her part, Lena is prov- feind; Daniel Pianko and Melissa Please don’t hesitate to drop a Our 15th Alumni Reunion Week- ing a responsible and thoughtful (Epstein) Pianko; Laura Levin line to say hello. end is fast approaching! Mark sister, making Hannah and Brian Schreiber ’99 Barnard and Harlan your calendars for Thursday, May proud. Schreiber ’97 GS; and Reena Rus- 31–Sunday, June 3. The Reunion Brian is the director of project sell and Lex Maldutis ’91. Prisca Bae Committee is hard at work on management at Hi-Tech Pharmacal, Best wishes to Julie and Mike! 344 W. 17th St., Apt. 3B many exciting plans, including a generic pharmaceutical company In December, Alejandra Mont­ 00 New York, NY 10011 cocktail receptions, dinners, class- in Amityville, Long Island, where enegro Almonte was named [email protected] specific panels and special tours. he enjoys putting his M.B.A. and general counsel of gategroup, Divi- Saturday also is Dean’s Day, which background in chemical engineer- sion Americas. Alejandra joined Much to report, thanks to everyone means you’ll have the opportu- ing to work. Hannah is the associate the company in 2009 when she who wrote in. I hope you enjoy the nity to participate in Mini-Core director of admissions for grades left Weil, Gotshal & Manges to go wonderful updates — lots of babies, Curriculum and Public Intellectual 5–12 at Trinity School on the Upper in-house. According to Alejandra, weddings and first-time reports. Lectures and other events. There West Side. She writes: “It’s great fun gategroup is the leading indepen- Claude Roxborough writes, “Big are family-friendly activities, too, to be back in a school setting, and dent global provider of products congrats to Glynny the Glynn-dog so don’t hesitate to include the I am learning a ton and love being and services related to airline Mike Glynn for beating the field kids. For the most up-to-date infor- around such smart, eager and mo- passengers’ on-board experience. and Martinic for the championship mation — and more importantly, tivated students and such talented They specialize in catering and during this year’s fantasy football to sign up — go to reunion.college. faculty and administrators.” Han- hospitality, provisioning and logis- league. Drinks are on Glynny dur- columbia.edu. You also can contact nah and Brian live in Park Slope tics, and on-board solutions to the ing Q1.” the Alumni Office staff listed at the and enjoy seeing Daphna Gutman airline industry. Alejandra and her Meanwhile, Andrew Ricci top of the column. Finally, be sure and Jon Schwartz, who are their husband, Jorge, live in northern emailed while waiting to take his to check out the special reunion girls’ godparents, often. Virginia with their children, Javier daughter, Sofia, for her first trip preview section in this issue of On November 12, Cindy Warner, (5) and Lucia (3). to Walt Disney World. He and CCT. I look forward to reconnect- a marketing lawyer in-house at I’d love to receive notes from his wife, Manuela Marino, were ing with all of you at the big event. Unilever, married Nathan Kruger, a those of you who haven’t updated married on August 20, 2005, and After being an assistant district cardiologist in New Haven. Cindy’s us in a while. I know you’re in- Sofia was born June 15, 2008. An- attorney in New York County’s guests included bridesmaids volved in interesting things. Don’t drew began at Fordham Law that District Attorney’s Office for 10 Hannah Trooboff McCollum and hesitate to write! fall and now is entering his last years, Shirley Irick has opened a Gabriella Carolini as well as Brian semester, due to graduate in May. general practice law firm, Hercules McCollum ’97E, John Guthrow, He works at Rosenberg & Estis, an & Irick, in downtown Brooklyn. Maggie Osdoby Katz and Richard Laurent Vasilescu NYC real estate firm. The firm, which specializes in Monte ’97E and his wife, Lindsey. 127 W. 81st St., Apt. 4B Rich Ciancimino recently was trusts and estates, entertainment, The bride and groom live in Wood- 99 New York, NY 10024 promoted to senior producer at family and criminal law, prides bridge, Conn. laurent.vasilescu@ MLB Network and won his fourth itself on providing affordable, Just missing the wedding was gmail.com Sports Emmy Award for a live high-quality legal services with Chi-Ren Choong, who made a studio show (MLB Tonight), beating honesty and integrity. November trip to NYC to attend Hello, Class of 1999! Here are some ESPN’s Sportscenter and TNT’s Matt Rosenberg and his wife, the International Emmy Awards. updates I received from our class- NBA on TNT. Donna, spent the holidays with Chi-Ren was the first person from mates during the holiday season. Congrats, Rich! Matt’s dad, John D. Rosenberg ’50, Malaysia to be nominated for a Barbara Rutkowski Eustice Laura Pietropinto directed the hiking in Death Valley and cruising cartoon action adventure, Saladin, lives in Arlington, Va., and is a premiere Asian production of the around in a Jeep. which he wrote and directed. litigation associate at Goodwin Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next Sadarias Harrell ’99 released Procter in Washington, D.C. She to Normal in Seoul, Korea. Laura his newest songs on Amazon and and her husband, John, welcomed was the assistant director of the iTunes. Sandie Angulo Chen their second child, Arianna Eve, show — book and lyrics by Brian Luisa Cruz is teaching at a new 10209 Day Ave. on March 18, 2011. Brother, Jack, Yorkey ’93, music by Tom Kitt ’96 school, making her dreams of lead- 98 Silver Spring, MD 20910 is a precocious, music-loving (and (Laura’s sister Rita ’93’s husband) ing an inner-city band a reality. [email protected] playing) 2-year-old. Barbara reports — on Broadway. John Christopher Balzano ’01 and that they haven’t slept in a couple of In 2009, Stephan Boeker was Anthony Frank Porto were married Happy spring, Class of ’98! As often years, but couldn’t be happier. married on Maui (his home of 11 in November at the Saybrook Point is the case, there’s wedding news Tony Munoz and his wife, Stac- years now) to Kazuko Ikeda, an

SPRING 2012 102 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

Leilah Broukhim ’00 Brings Passion to Flamenco

B y S a m a n t h a J e a n -B a p t i s t e ’13

rom Philosophy Hall to gave her first flamenco enough to get every- the stages of Europe, performance in Phi- thing in. Even now Leilah Broukhim ’00 losophy Hall, an event I’m still learning. It’s has been entertain- she called “Noche de a humbling process Fing audiences with the art of Flamenco” (“An Evening of that is never-ending,” flamenco for 15 years. In her Flamenco”). Broukhim says. latest project, Dejando Huellas “Leilah’s performance Although she no (“Traces”), she combines her freshman year was pas- longer takes classes, passion for the classic Spanish sionate and soulful. Even Broukhim continues to dance with her own heritage though she had only been learn from her everyday as the daughter of Sephardic dancing flamenco for a dancing experiences. Jews. The show premiered few months, she was One of her greater to a sold-out audience at the captivating. The audience challenges has been annual Jewish Culture Festival loved her,” Islam says. navigating the differ- in Krakow, Poland, in June, and While a student, ences between cultures. the U.S. premiere took place Brouk­him also participat- “When I arrived in Spain in late February at The 92nd ed in the benefit show more than 10 years ago, Street Y’s Resource Center for Broadway Tonight with there were very few Jewish Diversity in New York the dance organization foreign professional City. Collaborative Arts Proj- dancers working there,” “It was time for me to do ect 21; the performance she says. “The first something more personal and helped raise awareness challenge was study- to distinguish myself from about AIDS. ing and working hard other Spanish dancers,” says Her academics en­ to feel comfortable on Broukhim, who has worked as riched her dancing as stage artistically. The a professional dancer in Barce- well. Classes about second was feeling part lona for the past decade. Persian literature and of the group off-stage, “Dejando Huellas is a reflec- culture, taken with Ha- understanding the daily tion of how she has been able mid Dabashi, the Hagop cultural differences, to discover herself — her past, Kevorkian Professor of accepting them and present and future — through Iranian Studies, helped adapting to them, with- flamenco,” says Broukhim’s when incorporating her out compromising one’s former floormate Tanjila Islam Persian roots into her own cultural identity.” ’00. “Her embodiment of an art dancing. (Broukhim’s Dejando Huellas form that allows her to express parents emigrated from tells the story of a Sep- herself in myriad ways has a Iran to New York before hardic woman through profound impact on all those she was born.) Her work time, as she makes who watch her.” with Robert G. O’Meally, her way back to Spain. Broukhim began dancing the Zora Neale Hurston It also is a reflection tap, jazz and ballet at 10, aspir- Professor of English and of the skills Broukhim ing to be the next Paula Abdul. Comparative Literature, Leilah Broukhim ’00 at the New World Flamenco gained during her years “I’ve always loved to dance, improved her under- Festival in September. at Columbia. “There but I never truly felt comfort- standing of how music is PHOTO: JACK HARTIN was a lot of analyz- able in any of those forms. about culture. ing of visuals, sound Ballet and jazz are for a certain O’Meally surprised Broukhim spend a year in Spain to learn and acting that I learned body type,” she says. by attending one of her shows. as much as I could about fla- senior year that I’m applying She became interested in Broukhim was “touched and menco and then return to New now,” she says. “My college flamenco when her high school honored” by his attendance. York to apply to film school. education has helped me to Spanish teacher took her class “So many professors influenced But I got bitten by the flamenco synthesize all my experiences to see a flamenco version of me, and in general my time at bug.” and put together this show.” Euripides’ Medea. “I was blown Columbia was amazing. I felt a So while she returned to New away. It felt very natural and lot of support from them,” she York and applied to graduate To view videos of Broukhim organic. I was attracted to the says. schools as planned, her mind dancing, go to Web Extras at rhythm,” she says. By her senior year, Broukhim remained in Spain. She felt she college.columbia.edu/cct. View Broukhim, who grew up in began doing more professional had too much left to learn. her website at myspace.com/ Midtown, began taking flamenco work and did advanced study “Flamenco is culturally leilahflamenco. classes the summer before col- with teachers in New York and based. It’s not just about the lege and continued throughout special workshops with dancers language or the music or Samantha Jean-Baptiste ’13 her years at Columbia, where from Spain. After graduation, the singing. All of it comes majors in English and African- she majored in film studies. She she says, “My intention was to together, so one year wasn’t American studies.

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almost five years and are enjoying Nathaniel Farrell and his wife, life with our two little peruanitos.” Musa Gurnis, have said goodbye On October 23, Jonathan Seif (for now) to New York and cel- and his wife, Orit (Barnea) Seif ’02, ebrated their first anniversary this welcomed a son, Yakir Yeshaya. past August in their new home- Peter Freuler and his wife, town, St. Louis. Holly, welcomed a daughter, Kirsten Neuhaus writes: “After Charlotte Noelle Freuler, to the nearly 10 years in the business, I world on November 22. She joins started my own literary agency Alexander (2). in April 2009. I’m coming up on In December, Kirsten Olds and my company’s third anniversary her husband, Jeremy, had their and have even represented CU second child, Sabrina Poppy, who students and professors who were joins Ian Warner (22 months). After writing books.” earning a Ph.D. in the history of Check out her venture, Kirsten art from Michigan in 2009, Kirsten Neuhaus Literary, at kirstenneu joined the faculty of the University hausliterary.com. of Tulsa as an assistant professor Danny Guggenheim writes, in the School of Art in fall 2010. “Hello from L.A.! I can’t believe She specializes in modern and that my wife, Jenna, and I are each contemporary art history and also starting our fifth year at our respec- is enjoying life in Tulsa. Kirsten tive ‘new’ jobs (we each lasted would be happy to meet up with about three years at the mega-firms fellow Columbia alumni in the that we joined after law school). Dawn Zimniak ’03 and Jibril Jackson were married on June 25 at St. area, so please look her up! Nor can I believe that my daughter, Patrick’s Cathedral and had a reception at the Harvard Club of New Ben Huang moved to Boston to Elle, is almost 2. But really, I can’t York City. Gathered behind the bride and groom were (left to right) begin a postdoctoral fellowship in complain. I practice law exclu- Marissa Balak ’04; Jenn Chu ’04E; Joe Garnevicus ’03; Anita Moore ’07E; neuroscience research at Harvard’s sively in the realm of commercial Michelle Mahlke ’03; Dana Tignor ’05; Ryan Wilner ’03; Susan Nwankpa Center for Brain Science. He is real estate transactions (debt and ’03; Zulaika Jumaralli ’03, ’07 GSAS; and Tito Hill ’05. interested in meeting up with CC equity financings, in particular) PHOTO: LE IMAGE ’00 alumni in the Boston area. as a senior associate with Pircher Jason Streem writes, “I am a Nichols & Meeks, and am grateful periodontist and have finally fin- to have had a great year profes- Olympic alpine skier. They wel- to Washington, D.C., where Ozlem ished all of my years of training and sionally and an even better year of comed their first child, Frida works in risk management for the naval service and started in private family fun time. If I’m not at home Kokoro Boeker, to the world on IFC/ and Sheanon practice back home in Cleveland. I or at work, you can likely find me November 11, 2010. Since then, “his works in proprietary trading. They am married and we have one son surfing in Santa Monica — though entire family has made the move would love to connect with others (14 months). I’ve been working I had a great time surfing with out to the Aloha State and all live in the area. hard to get my son to wear as much Jesse Leff in York, Maine, last on the west flank of the crater. Life Manelle reports, “Recently my Columbia gear as possible, as my summer before his wedding! — or is good.” husband, Peter, and I welcomed our wife is a Harvard grad. Go Lions!” playing soccer with my ol’ pal Barry Mason and Pamela Mason new baby, Victoria Marguerite. The Samuel Rubert and Athalia E. Michael Edelstein.” (née Parris) ’00 Barnard relocated other kids are Arden (7), Willem (5) Lujo ’01 were married in 2005 after Sam Hirzel reports: “Effective to Atlanta in August 2010. Barry is and Henry (2). In addition to ex- meeting at the University of Miami January 1, I was elected to the a urologist for Kaiser Permanente. panding my family, I am expanding School of Law. They have a 2-year- partnership at Proctor Heyman in Pam, Barry and son Oliver (4) wel- my business, Capital Teas gourmet old daughter, Emerson Danielle, Wilmington, Del., where I practice comed Sophie Ariella to their family tea shops, in the Washington, D.C., and a 3-month-old daughter, Noa corporate and commercial litiga- in October 2010. Barry notes, “She area. We recently opened our fifth Esther. Samuel and Athalia live in tion. One of my cases recently was is the first Mason in our family to retail location and launched a new Miami, where he is a solo practitio- featured on the front page of the be born south of the Mason-Dixon website, capitalteas.com. I also had ner in the field of alcoholic beverage local paper. I married Christine Line.” drinks with Alex Conway, who ran law. Kane in 2006. Christine is a 2001 Matt Wilson and Sarah Bartlett the NYC marathon in the fall. Go After 12 years in Boston at graduate of King’s College, and Wilson are planning celebrations Alex!” Harvard for medical school, gradu- we met at Dickinson Law. Outside for their 10th wedding anniversary. Jaime Sanders will finish her ate school and his ophthalmology of the office, I spend my time in Together they run Faction of Fools residency in anesthesiology at residency, Glenn Yiu will head to the park with our two dogs and Theatre Company, a Commedia Thomas Jefferson University Hos- North Carolina this summer for a practicing Brazilian jiu jitsu. My dell’Arte company in Washington, pital in Philadelphia in July. She fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery wife and I spend a lot of time with D.C. Faction of Fools (factionof and her husband, Glen Tarasov, at Duke. Matt Rice ’00E, ’04 Business and fools.org) has partnered with the are proud to announce the birth of Michael Shen and Erika Shen Joe Zilcosky ’96.” Columbia University Club of their first child, Elise Pearl Tarasov, (née Palmer) ’02 Barnard had Daniel Beliavsky earned a Ph.D. Washington, D.C. for several events on September 29. another son, Elliott Peter Shen. in music theory and composition and one of their latest productions, Also in Philadelphia is Tara Michael writes, “Spencer, our first, from NYU in 2006 and is a visiting A Commedia Romeo & Juliet, was Gangadhar, who joined the faculty is now almost 2½. I act in Los professor of music theory and his- set to begin at the Kennedy Center at Penn as an assistant professor Angeles but I’m also blogging and tory at The New School for Jazz and in February. of medicine. Tara specializes in freelancing as a writer, and I teach/ Contemporary Music, at Yeshiva Also in D.C. are Kate Samuel, melanoma oncology and would tutor on the side.” University, at the John Jay College Ozlem Chung (née Bankoglu) and love to catch up with alumni in the Tracey Graham and Todd B. Luce of Criminal Justice and at City Manelle Martino (née Nunez). Philadelphia area. were engaged last July and are College. Kate and her husband, Ryan Kelly Alderson’s second son, scheduled to get married in June. Excited about his work, he Samuel, welcomed their second Cristian “Cris” Philip Radics Kim Salzman (née Worly) mar- shares, “In 2011, I completed my child, Sophie, on June 6. Sophie Alderson, was born on October ried Oren Salzman in June 2010 in first music documentary, sonata joins Benjamin (2). 12 in Lima, Peru. He joins brother Israel and gave birth to boy and (1957), about composer Donald Ozlem and her husband, Sheanon Andrés “Andy” Gustavo, who is girl twins on November 25. She is Harris (b. 1931) and his Opus 1, Chung ’01, welcomed son 18 months older. Kelly happily re- an attorney for the United Nations Piano Sonata (1957). This film has Sonny to the world last March. Last ports, “My husband, Axel Gustavo High Commission for Refugees in been broadcast on CUNY TV and year they also moved from NYC Radics, and I have been in Peru for Tel Aviv. on the Ohio State Public Televi-

SPRING 2012 104 COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY CLASS NOTES

Adam Zucker ’06 and Marisa Harary ’06 were married on June 2 at The Grand Prospect Hall in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Although the wedding occurred during their fifth-year Alumni Reunion Weekend, many alumni attended (left to right): Michael Glick ’04, ’08 P&S; Amalia Goldvaser ’05; Kelsey Osgood ’06; Adam Rozencjwajg ’06; Samantha Shapiro ’06; Larry Manis ’05; Daniel Blau ’06 ’10L; Zachary Kleinhandler ’06; Jacob Appel ’06; Ezra Surowicz ’07; Antonio Cabrera ’06E; Peter Lederman ’07; Richard Rho ’06E; Jon McLaughlin ’06; Monica Sethi ’06; Alexandra Amari ’06; Phillip Rapo- port ’05; Kristin Soong ’06; and Zachary Rose ’05. The newlyweds are pictured with the groom’s grandfather, Alvin Zucker ’44E. PHOTO: PHOTOPINK NYC sion network, and will be screened tennis, qualifies you for the senior Genna Weinstein sent great Business and Maggie Cocca. at Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter tour. I am also in touch with some news on behalf of Samantha Fong: Other attendees included Sofia Auditorium on March 29 at 6 p.m. of our classmates but not enough. the birth of Sam’s son, Benjamin Berger, Liz Salamy, Roya Vakil ’02, It would be wonderful to see some I reconnected with my former FongYu Gordon Tabor! He was Matthew Preston ’05, Colin Davis Columbia alumni there. To view roommate, Ed Zargarian, which born September 24 and is already ’05, Jennifer Beubis ’91, former clips and read more about this film, was great.” wearing Columbia gear (I saw the men’s head basketball coach Joe and to read more about my work John Kriegsman is back in New photograph). Ben was 7 lbs., 15 oz., Jones, Philip Cottone ’61, John overall, please visit opus1films.com. York City, at SIPA, when he’s not and 20 inches long. Hentschel ’04 Business and Lind- I’m now working on my second traveling to Zanzibar and Nairobi. Genna also shared the following say Reddington ’11 TC. film, a feature-length documentary After spending two years in the births from August: Mariel Mar- Continuing on the Carman 11 about the Pulitzer-Prize-winning Office of Corporate Engagement tinez Gesualdo had her second front: two more exciting updates. composer David Del Tredici.” at Goldman Sachs, where I had baby, Vincent, 7 lbs., 10 oz., and Steve Song announced the birth Finally, I thought I’d save my the great luck of facilitating many 20 inches long. Vincent joins sister of his daughter, Eden Song, on Jay 12 floormates for last. Goldman Sachs Gives grants to Lucia. Teresa Genao Harding gave November 6 in Manhattan. She Jon-Claude Zucconi moved Columbia, I now am the director birth to her first, Astrid Maria, who weighed in at 7 lbs., 14 oz. and 20½ to Credit Suisse as a managing of the recently launched Women in was 6 lbs. and 19 ¼ inches long. inches long. director in asset finance in June. the World Foundation at the News- Lots of future Columbians in In addition, Max Joseph Dick- He is married to Riann Smith ’99 week Daily Beast company. Please the mix! stein and Erin Holly Branum were and they have a son, Grant (2½; check out womenintheworld.org. My former Carman 11 hallmate, married in Santa Cruz, Calif. on perhaps CC ’31?). Jon-Claude con- Katie Campion, and Matthew Land November 12, with a beautiful Pa- tinues to race J/105 sailboats com- ’05 wed on October 8 — approxi- cific sunset as the backdrop. Chris- petitively on “free pass” weekends Jonathan Gordin mately four years after they met at topher Brady was a groomsman. along with Frank Rinaldi ’99. 3030 N. Beachwood Dr. KDR during Homecoming. Their The wedding had an air travel Salil Seshadri lives on the 01 Los Angeles, CA 90068 rehearsal dinner was at Faculty theme, suiting the way the couple Upper West Side with his wife, [email protected] House, the ceremony at St. Paul’s met when they were randomly Jennifer (whom he met in 1998), Chapel and the reception at the seated together during a flight and their daughter, Mia (3). Salil I hope everyone had a great holi- New York Athletic Club. Katie and from New York to California in has been with Soros Fund Manage- day season. I cannot believe how Matt reside in Matt’s hometown of August 2007. That flight’s carrier, ment for three years, after spend- quickly it passed, and now we’re Tulsa, Okla. JetBlue, donated wedding gift bags ing almost nine years at Goldman well into 2012. Lots of exciting Columbia was well represented for all. Other Columbia alumni in Sachs. He plays tennis when he news to report, so let’s get to it! in the bridal party and among the attendance included Ravi Shankar has the time and recently played Jordan Fischbach and Yael Silk guests. The bridal party included ’00E and Nicholas Stark ’99E. Max with some of the current Columbia ’01 Barnard welcomed their son, Dalen Cuff ’06, Allan MacQuarrie is sports editor at am New York team. Salil notes, “They proved to Natanel Alon, to the world Novem- ’05, Ellen (Werner) Volpe, Joan newspaper and Erin runs a music me that I really am 35, which, in ber 30. He weighed 8 lbs., 15 oz. Campion ’92, Adam Ballew ’11 accounting business.

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Congratulations to Max and earned a master’s in public health which provides therapy/counsel- associate at the law firm of Kramer Erin! and a medical degree from Tufts. ing for individuals, couples, fami- Levin Naftalis & Frankel. Joe Rezek recently started a job My investigative skills (thanks, lies and groups in New York City. as an assistant professor of English Facebook!) revealed that Dan Kar- Shay Raquel Weiner ’03 and at Boston University, where he lin was selected as a 2012 Laughlin Yong Jin Woo ’02E were married Michael Novielli will teach 18th- and 19-century Fellow by the American College of in New Orleans. Shay is a producer World City Apartments British and American literature. He Psychiatrists. at 2929 Productions, where she 03 Attention Michael J. earned a Ph.D. at UCLA in 2009, Congratulations to Dan. most recently was an associate pro- Novielli, A608 after which he was a postdoctoral As always, please keep in touch! ducer for Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Block 10, No 6. Jinhui Road, fellow at Penn. He concludes, “For Movie. Yong is an online technical Chaoyang District the last couple of years I was living producer at Blizzard Entertain- Beijing, 100020, People’s REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 mostly in New York, but now I’m a ment, a computer game maker. Republic of China ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS full-time Bostonian.” Joyce Chang Anderson lives in ALUMNI AFFAIRS Sarah Trimmer [email protected] Israel Gordan writes, “I’m sorry Evanston, Ill., with her husband [email protected] I missed our 10-year reunion. The and two boys. James was born For those of you who will be swing- 212-851-7977 past year has seen quite a few April 22 and Henry turned 3 on ing by Beijing in the coming year, DEVELOPMENT Donna D. Desilus ’09 changes. On November 3, our New Year’s Eve. Joyce is taking a please do drop me a line; I hope we [email protected] daughter, Noa Ariel, was born at break from legal practice, raising can catch up in person. For now, on 212-851-7941 7½ lbs. and 20¾ inches long. She’s her children and coaching the to the updates. been doing great and will be more Sonia Dandona Evanston Township H.S. girls’ Sharif Nesheiwat is with the than a year old by the time this is Hirdaramani varsity tennis team. She sees Leena Department of Homeland Security published. 02 2 Rolling Dr. Krishnaswamy Gupta ’03 and Re- in the Chief Counsel’s Office in “Almost exactly a decade after Old Westbury, NY 11568 becca Nathan ’01 regularly, and she New York City as a trial counsel. our Class Day and Commence- [email protected] had a mini-reunion with Lillian Forrest Lensing writes, “I’m fin- ment, I graduated from the H.L. Davies de Gournay, Joanna Keh ishing my residency in radiology at Miller Cantorial School and the Such exciting updates — marriag- Shing ’02E and all their families in Baylor University Medical Center William Davidson Graduate School es, babies, careers and awards! But San Diego last year. in Dallas. Next year, I’ll be doing a of Jewish Education at the Jewish before we get there, don’t forget Scott Koonin writes, “In May, fellowship in neuroradiology at the Theological Seminary. I earned a that our 10-year reunion is set for I graduated from NYU Stern with University of Utah.” master’s in Jewish education and Thursday, May 31–Sunday, June an M.B.A., and despite their best Beth Mickle was the production a master’s in sacred music, and 3. The schedule includes cocktail efforts to turn me into a Violet, I designer on the movie Drive, which was invested as a hazzan. My receptions, class-specific panels, still bleed light blue. On July 2, I starred Ryan Gosling and recently wife, Abby, and I spent another six special tours, assorted entertain- married Elizabeth Cobb in Lenox, was nominated for the Art Direc- weeks at Camp Ramah in Califor- ment and — most important — our Mass., close to the town in the tor’s Guild Award for Contempo- nia this past summer — the first class dinner on Saturday. Note that Berkshires where she grew up. We rary Film Design. time for Noa, who had a blast. Saturday also is Dean’s Day, which had a small wedding but a strong Last year was an eventful one “I accepted a job at the Hunting- means you’ll have the opportu- representation from Columbia. for Shay Raquel Weiner. She ton Jewish Center in Huntington, nity to participate in Mini-Core Alumni in attendance include writes, “I produced a short film, Long Island (where Rabbi Neil Curriculum and Public Intellectual Sheldon Wong ’01, Tamer Obied Cost of Living, starring Brandon Kurshan’s wife is a Barnard grad, Lectures and other events. ’01, John Wilbeck ’01, Eric Phil- Routh and Bret Harrison, which one of his daughters is a College premiered to raves at Fantastic Fest grad and another of his daughters in Austin. I associate produced Tim is married to Dan Feldman). I was & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, which officially installed as their cantor Beth Mickle ’03, production designer for the movie premiered at the Sundance Film on September 9, and in the fall I led Drive, was nominated for the Art Director’s Guild Festival on January 27 and was my first Rosh Hashana and Yom set to open in theaters on March 2. Kippur services for them, which Award for Contemporary Film Design. And on November 11, I married went pretty well. Abby is working Yong Jin Woo ’02E in New Orleans. on a dissertation for her Ph.D. in The ceremony was actually a education and Jewish studies from For the most up-to-date informa- lipps, Ken Lantigua, Brian Tang surprise; we tricked several of our NYU and is at JTS once a week tion and to register, go to reunion. ’03, Ashley Bezamat ’03, Dany good friends from Columbia into working for the Davidson school.” college.columbia.edu. You also can Berghoff ’03 and Zander Chemers meeting us down there for the long Thanks to Izzy for the compre- contact the Alumni Office staff listed ’03 as well as Timothy Sullivan ’84 weekend.” hensive update on all the excite- at the top of the column. Finally, be and Alexander Sullivan ’09. Christina Pfenning writes, “I ment and change in his life. sure to check out the special reunion “Upon returning to New York will graduate from Marquette in John Balzano and Dr. Anthony preview section in this issue of CCT. I began my new job in private May with a master’s in political Frank Porto ’97 were married on Talya Colombowala was born to wealth at Goldman Sachs. I remain science. After that I plan to pursue November 11 at the Saybrook Point Saira Banatwala and Kumail Col- involved with the College and a degree in journalism at Mar- Inn in Old Saybrook, Conn. Officiat- ombowala in NYC on September 22. serve on the Columbia College quette. A fun tidbit is that my ing was Judge Joette Katz, a former Sarah Elizabeth Weintraub Alumni Association Board of boyfriend and I spent our second associate justice of the Supreme married Jason Israel Rezmovits. Directors as co-chair of the student- New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik, Court of Connecticut, for whom Sarah is a strategy director for Saks alumni committee. One of our Iceland. We highly recommend it John was a clerk from 2007 to 2008. Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. She main focuses is on making it easier as a vacation destination.” John is a lecturer at Yale Law and earned an M.B.A. from Penn. for alumni to engage with Colum- Matt McMillan was appointed a senior fellow of the China Law Allison Lloyds married Mat- bia. Improving communication in to the Board of Directors of the Center of Yale, which focuses on thew O’Neill on October 23 at the regard to the opportunities and International Association of Politi- legal reform in China. He earned St. Regis Hotel in New York City. programs available is a crucial first cal Consultants at the 44th IAPC a master’s in East Asian studies In attendance for the celebration step in the process. Please email me World Conference, held in Istanbul and a law degree from Washington were Jacqueline Cockrell Karp; if you have ideas or suggestions. in November. His firm, Buzz- University in St. Louis. Anthony is her husband, David Karp ’01; I’m looking forward to seeing Maker, has worked with more than an assistant professor of pediatrics Megan Murphy Quinn; Rebecca everyone at reunion!” 100 high-profile campaign and at the Yale School of Medicine, a pe- Gabin ’04; Toby Goldstein ’02 Amy Weiner was honored on advocacy clients in 10 countries. diatric gastroenterologist at the Yale Barnard; Jennifer Dwork; and November 14 at the Sanctuary Belen Fernandez’s new book, Medical Group and the director of Melissa Asch McInerney ’02E. for Families’ Above & Beyond The Imperial Messenger: Thomas pediatric gastroenterology at Green- Allison recently launched a private Pro Bono Achievement Awards & Friedman at Work, takes a critical wich Hospital in Connecticut. He practice, Synergetic Psychotherapy, Benefit in New York City. She is an look at Friedman, a New York Times

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Seth Flaxman ’07 Wants You (and All Your Neighbors) To Vote

B y K a r e n K e l l e r ’05J

oting should be as easy as renting a movie through Netflix, if you ask Seth Flaxman ’07. V“The Internet has fixed every- thing except for government and public services in general,” says Flaxman, who was the student body president of Co- lumbia College Student Council from 2006–07. We can easily find our friends from college online, or order shoes and get them delivered the next day, he says, but we still can’t rise to our democratic duty without having to get up off our living room couch. Enter TurboVote (turbovote. org), Flaxman’s dummy-proof absentee voter registration Seth Flaxman ’07 works in his closet-sized home office in Brooklyn. service. PHOTO: KAREN KELLER ’05J Here’s how it works: A voter signs up for the free service ting a master’s in public policy mind living on a shoestring. Kerry 2008 campaign in Ohio, online. TurboVote fills out an from Harvard’s Kennedy School “Last Friday, I took my boy- he figured out how to maxi- absentee ballot request form of Government. He graduated friend out for date night at a mize a door-to-door campaign. for the voter with his or her in May. falafel food truck,” he says. “You’d have one guy moving personal details. Then TurboVote “I can build [TurboVote] more Eventually Flaxman wants down the center of the street sends the voter the form along easily than I can remember to to expand the service to all shouting addresses, ‘OK, 1202! with a pre-stamped envelope. vote in every election for my 30 states that allow absentee OK, 1206!,’” says Jimmy Vielkind All the voter has to do is fill in entire life,” the pro-democracy voting. ’07, a roommate of Flaxman’s a Social Security number, sign activist recalls thinking. So far, TurboVote has collected at Columbia who now is a on the dotted line and drop the TurboVote debuted in 2010 in into a database the addresses political reporter for the Albany envelope in the mail. a pilot at Boston University. After of local election boards from Times-Union. To prod even the laziest of using the service in a real elec- the 3,810 towns and counties Another of Flaxman’s friends voters when Election Day nears, tion, one-third of the participat- the service puts on its self- from Columbia, Bari Weiss ’07, Flaxman’s growing venture ing students said they wouldn’t addressed envelopes. Flaxman says she can imagine Flaxman sends voters reminder emails have voted had it not been for says he doesn’t know of any running for political office some- and text messages. his service, says Flaxman, who other pro-democracy group day. “He’s just someone people TurboVote can be used for runs TurboVote full-time out that has compiled so many are attracted to and want to get every election — local, federal, of a closet-sized office in his election board addresses. behind,” she says. “He’s so like- special, primary and general, Brooklyn home. Two part-time Making the list required “BST,” able and humble and energetic.” though Flaxman has a soft spot co-founders, Katy Peters, COO, he says — “blood, sweat and Flaxman, who in 2011 was for local elections. and Amanda Cassel Kraft, now tears.” And a lot of phone calls. named as one of Forbes maga- “All politics are local, but on TurboVote’s Board of Direc- Flaxman has secured rough- zine’s “30 Under 30” in the law local politics are ignored,” says tors, whom he met at Harvard, ly $370,000 in seed money and policy category, can see the Nyack, N.Y., native, who in are helping the nonprofit grow. from the Sunlight Foundation, running for office someday, high school chauffeured kids of By September, Flaxman wants Google and Kickstarter, and too. But right now, he’s more voting age in his Jeep to school 100 colleges and universities on he’s angling for more. focused on short-term goals. board elections. board. Columbia and Harvard “Sometimes simple ideas “I’m hoping there are some Last year, for example, Amer­ have signed up, and he is in talks done right can have an incred- Columbians who might have ica hosted one-half million local with MIT, CUNY and Miami Dade ible impact. At the Sunlight office space,” he says. elections for positions such as College. Each school pays Turbo- Foundation, we believe that town supervisor or mayor. His- Vote $3,000–$4,000 for the ser- TurboVote is one of these rare Karen Keller ’05J is a writer torically, turnout for these elec- vice per year. With 300 schools moments,” the foundation says for The Daily and a freelance tions dips to as low as 5 TurboVote would be sustainable, on its website. journalist. Her work has ap- percent, Flaxman says, citing which Flaxman estimates will Flaxman has always had a peared in AOL News, amNY, statistics from FairVote (fairvote. be about three years from now. knack at finding ways to stream- The Star-Ledger, Fortune, Travel org/voter-turnout). Later, TurboVote would sell its line political processes, friends & Leisure and other publica- Flaxman came up with the services to local election boards. say. tions. She is the author of idea for TurboVote while get- For now, Flaxman doesn’t As a volunteer for the John Portuguese For Dummies.

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Cherneff in the last year: one, they a residency in radiology at the got engaged and will be getting Mount Sinai Hospital in New York married this summer, and two, next year. I’m married to Daniella they started a social enterprise to- Lichtman Esses ’05 Barnard, ’09L, gether, Empower Generation (em who is a first-year associate at Cra- powergeneration.org). Empower vath, Swaine and Moore in New fosters female-run, renewable en- York. We recently had a son, Joey. ergy businesses in Nepal, creating As of this writing, he’s 7½ months job opportunities, furthering eco- old and just starting to crawl!” nomic development and women’s Nicole Bryant married Alexan- empowerment, and promoting the dre Le Tiec in October at the Omni dissemination of renewable energy Parker House in Boston. Alums in technologies. Bennett and Anya attendance were Lauren Mancia are proud to have a few ’05 alums and her husband, Adam Gidwitz sit on their first Board of Directors: ’04; Patrick Young and his wife, Amira Ibrahim ’05 Barnard, Jeffrey Alice Kentridge ’06; John Meyers Engler, Becca Brown, Kate Lane and his wife, Catharine Fairbairn and Anna Sternoff ’05 Barnard. ’06 Barnard; Averill Leslie; Emily On September 4, Rebecca Weber Beeny; Katharine Enna; Frank An- married Ben Carver in Brecken- gones; and Brandon Woolf. Nicole Mallory Carr ’09 and Justin Fiske ’08 were married on July 16 in Los ridge on a bluebird Colorado day. and Alex live in Washington, D.C., Angeles. Lions in attendance included (top row, left to right) Dan Whitt Several Columbia alumni attended, where she works in the administra- ’09E, Ari Gardner ’08, Veronica Montalvo ’09, the bride and groom, Brian including Rebecca’s father, Joseph tion of the D.C. public schools. Kauffman ’07, Sara Pulit ’09, Amanda Sebba ’09 and Spencer Silver- Weber Jr. ’81J; bridesmaid Lindsay Thanks to everyone for sharing stein ’09; and (bottom row, left to right) Rachael McMillan ’09, Vanessa Joelle Glabman; and friends Rena their updates and congrats to our Rigaud ’09, Isabel Broer ’10 and Allison Halff ’09. Rudavsky, Isaac Kohn ’04, Cara soon-to-be-married couples, new- PHOTO: RALPH De BERNARDO ’09 Rachele, Maggie Gram, Nick lyweds and new parents. Please Summers, Telis Demos ’04, Kelly send updates my way! Rader ’10 GSAS, Adam Kushner foreign affairs columnist. It was doctorate in Italian Renaissance art. ’03 and Ajay Vashee. Rebecca published in November. They met in New York in 2008 at a and Ben met at Stanford Law and Michelle Oh Sing Don Lee writes, “I’m in Sweden gathering of art history students. are attorneys in New York. Ben 06 9 N 9th St., Unit 401 with Lynnette Marrero ’09 and Also in August, Steven Les- works at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Philadelphia, PA 19107 Dave Arnold ’97 Arts at the Abso- sans married Stacey Dankner & Rosati and Rebecca clerks for [email protected] lut Akademi.” — congratulations! Steven is an Judge Joseph Bianco in the Eastern Jason Magnus has been ap- investment analyst at Luminus District of New York. They live in I’m delighted to share announce- pointed principal in the financial Management, an energy-focused Boerum Hill. ments of four marriages. services practice at CTPartners, a hedge fund in Manhattan. Claire Tamarkin Snyder lives in Jaime A. Madell and Negisa global executive search firm. Hope Glassberg married Roger downtown Jersey City and teaches Balluku ’06E were married at Bou- Caplan at a ceremony in Hope’s seventh- and eighth-grade English ley in New York City on September hometown of St. Louis last Sep- at Link Community School, a pri- 11. Darren X. Zhou officiated. Angela Georgopoulos tember. Columbia was well-repre- vate middle school in Newark, N.J. Rakesh Kilaru, Nirav Mehta, Shira 04 200 Water St., Apt. 1711 sented at the festivities: Margarita Carrington Lee writes: “I started L. Feldman, Uri Weg ’06E and Phu- New York, NY 10038 O’Donnell, Gareth Eckmann ’02, a job at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley ong Le were in attendance. Jaime is [email protected] ’04E, Ariel Fox, Annie Chen, Robyn & McCloy, a major Wall Street law a first-year associate at Paul, Weiss, Mar, Alexandra Magness, Annie firm, in November after six years Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in Hello, fellow CC ’04ers! I hope you Pfeifer, Erica Wolff, Shawn Choy with Dewey & LeBoeuf. I’ll be New York City. Negisa is finishing are all well and looking forward ’03, Sudhir Muralidhar and Kather- running Milbank@Harvard, an at- her last year at NYU Law. to spring. As usual, just a friendly ine Isokawa were present to sing a torney development initiative with Kelly Gavin and Seth Zucker- reminder to send in your news and resounding rendition of “Roar, Lion, Harvard Law in which Milbank man were married in Philadelphia updates — don’t be shy! Feel free Roar.” Hope and Roger recently re- associates spend several weeks on on November 5. Though the to email me at aeg90@columbia. located to Washington, D.C., where campus at Harvard to develop key distance between their freshman edu or via CCT’s web submission Hope is a special assistant to the di- non-legal skills. I’m based in New dorms, John Jay and Furnald, was form: college.columbia.edu/cct/ rector of the Center for Medicaid and York but will be in Cambridge almost too great to overcome, Kelly submit_class_note. On to the news: CHIP Services at the Department of regularly throughout the year, and Seth closed the gap through Congratulations to Richard Health and Human Services. so those in Boston should let me a few nights at The West End and Mammana ’02 and Mary Christian Congratulations to the happy know if they want to get together!” other shared experiences. Kelly is Winthrop Brownrigg ’05 TC, who couple! Caryn (Waterson) Gehrke ’09 a high school English and dance welcomed Emilia Ruth Winthrop In other relocation news, after 10 P&S and her husband, Martin teacher at Marble Hill School for Mammana into the world on or so years in New York, Margarita Gehrke ’06E, welcomed their sec- International Studies in the Bronx October 17 in New Haven, Conn. O’Donnell recently moved to ond son on December 2. His name and Seth is in his second and final Emilia weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz. and Washington, D.C. Maggie started a is Levi Waterson Gehrke, and his year of an M.B.A. program at the was 20 inches long. Strenuous de- job as a trial lawyer with the Public brother is Martin Robert Gehrke. Business School. The couple looks bates have ensued about whether a Defender Service for the District of The family now lives in Slippery forward to many happy years Columbia onesie or a Yale onesie is Columbia and has been happy to Rock, Pa. Caryn works part-time at filled with Columbia blue and a more suitable. (Richard is a gradu- reconnect with Columbia folks in Wise Physical Therapy and Sports yearning for JJ’s chicken fingers. ate student at Yale, but doesn’t the area. Medicine. Laura Schnaidt married her want to expose alma mater to Shelley Diaz became engaged college sweetheart, Jeff Stedman excessive spit-up.) in November. She and her fiancé, ’05, on June 11 at -Stead Congratulations also to Susan Peter Kang Misael Vale Jr., will tie the knot in Museum in Farmington, Conn. She Michele Wager, who married 205 15th St., Apt. 5 October. writes, “I am proud to report that Lorenzo Giovanni Buonanno in 05 Brooklyn, NY 11215 Steve Esses reports: “I earned many generations of Columbians August. Sara is a candidate for a [email protected] an M.D. from the Mount Sinai were in attendance. My dear friends doctorate in 18th- and 19th-century School of Medicine last May. I’m and senior year suitemates were French visual culture at Columbia, Two exciting things have happen­ a resident in internal medicine my bridesmaids (Laurel Eisenach, while Lorenzo is a candidate for a ed to Bennett Cohen and Anya in Morristown, N.J., and will do Kinara Flagg and Julia Werb). Jeff

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and I met on Valentine’s Day 2003 interested in all aspects of entre- at the ever-so-romantic AmCafe preneurship. CVC seeks to foster (back in the days when the bouncer entrepreneurship by facilitating handed out lollipops at the door as communication, providing access to sustenance for the long hike back resources and creating community. to campus). We have been living Teddy Diefenbach is a game de- in NYC since graduation and both signer and is finishing his master’s ended up at hedge funds (different in interactive media at the USC ones, though). I escaped the finance School of Cinematic Arts. He is in world a little more than a year ago production for his thesis game, The and am now a 2L at New York Law Moonlighters. School. Hope to see you at the next reunion or around the city!” REUNION MAY 31–JUNE 3 Meredith (Humphrey) Moll ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS writes, “On August 6, I married ALUMNI AFFAIRS Sarah Trimmer Tommy Moll ’11L in our mutual [email protected] hometown of Fort Smith, Ark., 212-851-7977 after having met when he began DEVELOPMENT Amanda Kessler law school at Columbia. We were [email protected] so grateful for the great showing of 212-851-7883 Columbia grads who made the trek down south for the wedding: Seth David D. Chait Rosenfeld, Alexa Hawrysz, Ashvi 07 1255 New Hampshire Mark Vieyra ’08 and Elizabeth Feldmeier ’09 were married on Octo- Sivapalan, Laura Regensdorf, Ave. N.W., Apt. 815 ber 29 at Shearith Israel, the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in Molly Melican, Margaret Hayden, Washington, DC 20036 Manhattan. Celebrating were (left to right) Joseph Rubinstein ’08, Gilma Laura Dresser, Lily Laux, Jessica [email protected] Avalos ’08, Sally Lauckner ’08, Miguel Lopez ’08, Bradley Blackburn Mullin and Eli Kamara ’06E.” ’08, Laura Aguilar ’08, the groom, the bride, Kishori Rajan ’08, Andrew Adam Zucker and Marisa Ha- I hope that everyone had a great Kaufman ’08, Jhanteigh Kupihea ’08, Matthew Birkhold ’08 and Daniel rary were married on June 2 at The winter! Before I get to the news, I Wald ’08. Grand Prospect Hall in Prospect want to remind you that our five- Park, Brooklyn. Although the wed- year reunion is right around the ding occurred during our fifth-year corner, Thursday, May 31–Sunday, Zenilman and I toasted our 27th star at the Museum of Modern Art Alumni Reunion Weekend, many June 3. Hard to believe it’s time for birthdays with Anna Phillips ’08 (among other things). Damn, Class CU alums were in attendance. (See all of us to go back to campus. The at the Zenilman-Phillips residence of ’08! You done made me proud! nearby photo.) schedule includes cocktail recep- in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at the Rachel Belt is the logistics In other news, Jennifer Schnid- tions, class-specific panels, special end of November. David Chait, coordinator for a trauma and criti- man Medbery was included in Inc. tours, assorted entertainment and sequestered in Washington, D.C., cal care hospital in Port-au-Prince, magazine’s annual “30 Under 30” — most important — our class on business, sent a bottle of fine Haiti. “I began work here in March list of top young entrepreneurs for dinner on Saturday. Saturday also wine and a handle of Maker’s of last year, and even as we ap- the success of her New Orleans- is Dean’s Day, which means you’ll Mark. Both survived no more than proach the second anniversary of based company, Drop the Chalk: have the opportunity to participate 30 minutes. Also sipping beers and the earthquake, a large number of inc.com/30under30/2011/profile- in Mini-Core Curriculum and dancing were Marc Tracy and Eliza the people who lost housing in the jennifer-schnidman-medbery- Public Intellectual Lectures and Shapiro ’12.” earthquake still live in tents. And founder-of-drop-the-chalk.html. other events. Monica Ager writes, “I gradu- although there is a newly elected Sam Schon defended his Ph.D. For the most up-to-date informa- ated from Berkeley Law last May president, the prime minister still in geology at Brown in September. tion and to register, go to reunion. and got engaged after taking (and is not approved and there is no He and his wife, Katie, then took college.columbia.edu. You can also passing!) the New York bar exam. functioning government.” a month-long trip to more than 20 contact the Alumni Office staff listed My fiancé and I spent two months Keep up the amazing work, national parks before moving to at the top of the column. Finally, be exploring Europe for our bar trip Rachel. Houston, where Sam works for sure to check out the special reunion and then both started at law firms Calvin Sun completed a trip ExxonMobil and looks forward to preview section in this issue of CCT. in Washington, D.C. I’m in the Dis- around the world. “I was in 12 connecting with Columbians in As it’s our class’s first reunion, you trict until August, when I move to countries: Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Texas. won’t want to miss it. Michigan to clerk for Judge Helene UAE, Nepal, Kashmir (part of India), Jacob Rubin misses his Colum- Now for some exciting updates. White on the Sixth Circuit Court of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, bia friends Matt Del Guzzo, Jimmy Ritwik Banerji recently returned Appeals. Until then, I’d love to see Myanmar, China and North Korea. Mark and Chris Belz. He is excited from fieldwork in Brazil, where any CC’ers who live in the area!” Myanmar and North Korea were to note Matt’s newfound interest he “studied with an eccentric, Kimmy Szeto ’00, ’07 GSAS, a sick!” in ice skating, Jimmy’s continued talented, but little known percus- librarian at SUNY Maritime Col- Elizabeth (Liz) Reeve and search for a decent jump-shot and sionist/theorist in Salvador as well lege in the Bronx, married Anne Craig Hormann were married on Chris’s glorious return to Manhat- as the surprisingly large noise/ Lovering Rounds, a senior editorial September 30 at Orfila Vineyards tan after two years in Texas. Jacob, scene in Rio assistant at Cambridge University and Winery in San Diego. Traveling meanwhile, invites old friends to and São Paulo.” Ritwik also found Press in Manhattan. west for the occasion were 26 (26!) visit him in San Francisco, an offer himself struggling to convince other And last (but certainly not least) Columbians, including many former sweetened by his recent acquisi- travelers that he really was doing Caitlin Shure shares, “Caitlin is members of the CU field hockey tion of San Francisco Giants season research. (“No, really! I am!” “Yeah, single. Anyone interested?” and football teams on which Liz and tickets. yeah. Finish your drink . . . . ”) Craig played. The couple has settled Hilary Simon received her ESL Ben Baker will return to Morn- near Central Park on the Upper West certification from Cambridge ingside Heights this fall to start the Neda Navab Side, just blocks from where they University in September and is an M.B.A. program at the Business 08 7 Soldiers Field Park, met on campus as first-years. ESL teacher in NYC. She writes, “It is School. Apt. 7C Jon Cioschi is in second semes- difficult, but very rewarding!” Isaac Schwartz, who is studying Boston, MA 02163 ter at Harvard Law with plenty of Evan Sanchez has been appoint- medicine at Case Western, “recently [email protected] Columbia folk (at both HLS and ed president of the Columbia Ven­- mastered the Tri-City Tough Mud- Harvard’s other grad schools). He ture Community, a 2,000-plus der Challenge with his brother.” Three weddings, two engagements, is hoping to be in New York City, member community for Columbia Becca Hartog also was at the event. one baby, young lawyers in the New Jersey or Philadelphia this students, alumni and employees Andrew Russeth shares, “Avi making, world travelers and a new summer doing civil rights/civil

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CLASS NOTES COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY liberties impact litigation work for photo.) The reception was at the Without Borders, which agreed to Natalie Gossett is halfway “one of those super-conservative New York Academy of Medicine. develop the village’s infrastructure through Villanova Law and works legal powerhouses like the ACLU Columbia alumni in attendance over five years. In July, a team of at the SeniorLAW Center in Phila- or Center for Constitutional Rights. included Mark’s father, Daniel five EWB undergraduates and their delphia, assisting the elderly with If I’m in NYC, best be seeing y’all Vieyra ’76 GSAS; Liz’s father, advisers joined Nina in Ait Bayoud. legal problems. She plans to move around.” Harvey Feldmeier ’70 GS; and Liz’s They spent two weeks under the to Philadelphia or Florida after Andrew Ness proposed to Ali- mother, Arlene Garbett Feldmeier hot Moroccan sun, surveying poten- graduation. cia Bonner ’08 Barnard in August ’71 GSAS. College alumni included tial bridge sites that would provide Gabriella Ripoll writes, “Second while on vacation in Cozumel, Mark’s uncle, David Raab ’76, and residents access to the clinic, the year of law school is super-rough, Mexico. He says, “We look forward cousin, Joshua Raab ’12, as well as school and the weekly market so I don’t get out much, sadly. I to our wedding in June in Mas- Elizabeth Gates, Miguel Lopez, during rainy season. The team will don’t know if any fellow CC grads sachusetts.” Joseph Rubinstein, Matthew return in May to begin construction have enrolled at NYU Law — any- David Gerson acts and directs Birkhold, Elizabeth Kaplan ’09, of the bridge. More information one else around? I hung out with in New York. “In August I had Ben Small ’09, Layla Houshmand about the project can be found at Maximo Cubilette, Laura Weldon, the thrill of playing a scene with ’09E, Kishori Rajan, Gilma its trip blog (ewbusacumorocco Noé Kinet, Nick Bazzano and Al Pacino in David Mamet’s Phil Avalos, Bradley Blackburn, Laura summer2011.wordpress.com). Lillian Udell a fair amount last fall. Spector biopic. It was a piece of Aguilar, Andrew Kaufman, Jhan- After completing her service with I have a dog, so anyone who needs a dream come true to work with teigh Kupihea, Daniel Wald, Sally the Peace Corps this fall, Nina will fluffy dog time in NYC is welcome those two greats. Also, my short Lauckner and Marvin Pilo ’66. return to the United States to pur- to visit! I also went rock climbing film Ultra Violet for Sixteen Minutes sue a master’s in public health. with Camille Avestruz ’09 Barnard played in October at the Pompidou and her fiancé, and I helped Miriam museum in Paris, and has recently Alidad Damooei Manber ’10 Barnard housewarm been acquired into the permanent 09 c/o CCT Julia Feldberg her apartment, which is gorgeous. If collection of MoMA. Hoping to get Columbia Alumni Center 10 4 E. 8th St., Apt. 4F anyone goes climbing, I’m looking back to doing a lot more theatre in 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 New York, NY 10003 for belay buddies, as Camille is in the months to come!” New York, NY 10025 [email protected] New Haven most of the year. Love “I’m engaged!” reports Juliana [email protected] to my CC crowd!” Ilvento. “Jack asked me last New Thanks for sending in all of your Chad P. Musgrove recently Year’s Eve in Stowe, Vt., while we Mallory Carr and Justin Fiske ’08 great updates. Let’s get right to the joined Centerline Capital Group’s were on a ski trip. My fiancé’s full were married on July 16 in Rancho notes! Mortgage Banking Division. He name is John Fitzpatrick; he works Palos Verdes, Calif. Many Columbi- Cindy Lou Gooden writes, “I’m writes, “Centerline Capital Group in investment research and is an ’08 ans were in attendance, and a good excited because I recently signed to provides real estate financial and from St. Lawrence University. We time was had by all (see nearby Infinite Best Records, home to Co- asset management services with a will be married in October at my photo). The couple recently moved lumbia bands Ava Luna (Carlos Her- focus on affordable and conven- parents’ home in Montecito, Calif.” to the San Francisco Bay Area. After nandez ’07 and Nathan Tompkins tional multifamily housing. Center- On November 7, at 4:26 a.m., two years teaching high school spe- ’05) and Twin Sister (Dev Gupta ’09). line is headquartered in New York James Long and his wife, Chey- cial education in South Los Angeles, Infinite Best will be putting out my City, with nearly 200 employees in enne, welcomed their first child, Mallory now works for Teach for songwriting project’s first full-length seven offices nationwide.” Yosef Martel Long, into the world. America as a manager of teacher album in the fall. I couldn’t have Alex Haring recently moved on Since graduation, James has been leadership development. She sup- asked to work with a better label!” from Wall Street and now works at in the statistics Ph.D. program at ports first- and second-year teachers Daniel Adams is a second-year Tesla Motors. He lives in Manhattan. UC Berkeley; he has been develop- in San Jose. Justin, meanwhile, is a student at the Mount Sinai School After a brief hiatus from the col- ing an automated system to detect human resources manager at Stan- of Medicine. An alumnus of the umn, Chris Yim is back. He shares: irregularities on the ocean floor, “These days, you can find me helping scientists to locate sunken working at Trader Joe’s, sleeping in ships with priceless artifacts. a bunk bed, sporting a new hairdo Cara (Seabury) Radzins and Mary Martha Douglas ’11 works on CNBC’s only (à la Scott Parker) and thinking David Radzins are happy to an- global program, Worldwide Exchange, broadcast to about how Jesus can love sinners. nounce their marriage on May Isn’t it interesting how when you 28 in Litchfield, Conn. Columbia 300 million homes around the world. meet people in New York (or out of alumni who shared in the occasion college), the second question they included Vanessa Ramirez ’07, Liz ask is ‘What do you do?’ — as if Logan ’09, Bob Bowne ’05 Business, ford; he facilitates the recruitment Columbia-Juilliard Exchange, he your job or preoccupation defines Anna Backus ’07E and Tina Curry and hiring process for employees of is interested in the role of music who you are. ’08E. The couple honeymooned in the School of Engineering. in healthcare settings. He also re- “After a humbling year of Athens, Greece, and reside in New Jared Hecht married Carrie We- cently co-designed and implement- sleeping on a couch, disappointing Britain, Conn. prin on September 4 in Snowmass, ed an elective course for medical internships and seeing celebrities at Carmen Jo Ponce recently moved Colo. Many of our classmates joined students at Mount Sinai, “Music J.Crew, I have gathered enough bits to Houston to begin her career as a the happy couple to celebrate their and Medicine.” and pieces of wisdom to create my lawyer at Baker Botts. While settling wedding. Jared also made another Upon graduating from USC with manifesto. Last year taught me (the into her new hometown and new big decision in his life by selling a master of accounting degree in hard way) to relinquish finding life job, she also is busy planning her his company, GroupMe, to Skype May, Chris Da Silva was a TA for fulfillment in my professional aspi- wedding. She writes, “It’s an exciting in August (college.columbia.edu/ the accounting Summer Intensive rations and career pursuits. Though time full of new experiences!” cct/winter11/alumni_profiles4). Program at USC while taking and New York is a great and grand city, Stephanie Shieh and Norman GroupMe is an app that helps users passing three of the four parts of it is a place characterized by the Yung ’06E were married on October with group messaging, conference the California C.P.A. exam. He then pursuit of many people’s dreams, 1 at Benner’s Farm in East Setauket, calls and photo sharing. moved from Los Angeles to San whether it is on Broadway, on Wall N.Y. As Stephanie says, it was “a Nina Morency-Brassard is a Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley, to Street or on a campus in Morning- real-life working farm with pigs, public health volunteer for the begin his public accounting career side Heights. This pressure to know goats, the works.” Peace Corps in Morocco. She has with Ernst & Young. He has en- why you are here is one I once felt Later that month, Mark Vieyra spent her time in Ait Bayoud, a joyed being an auditor for E&Y; as suffocating. I didn’t know where was married (in the midst of a remote farming village. Soon after a part of the revenue team, his main I was headed and found my vain freak snowstorm) to Elizabeth assessing the needs of this rural client is Apple. Chris took his last forced attempts to ‘figure it out’ Feldmeier ’09 at Shearith Israel, the community, Nina saw an opportu- C.P.A. exam in January and looks incredibly frustrating. It was not Spanish and Portuguese Syna- nity to collaborate with Columbia forward to earning his C.P.A. license until I stopped exercising control gogue in Manhattan. (See nearby through its chapter of Engineers and progressing in his career! and authority over my future that I

SPRING 2012 110 Classified Advertising

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felt empowered by a truer identity. up to exciting things; please let me The Rev. Tim Keller said, ‘Happi- know about them! Alumni Corner ness can never be found directly Mary Martha Douglas ’12 GSAS (Continued from page 112) … happiness is always and only a is two classes away from finishing byproduct of seeking something an M.A. in the political science took the city about seven hours to many others to name deserve else more than happiness.’ department; she is focusing on come take it away. I can attest that thanks. They worked tirelessly “I have been fortunate enough to legislative behavior. She also works it is all true. and made it happen. have been surrounded by beloved at CNBC on the network’s only In retrospect, the transition It is hard to describe the ap- friends who remind me of how global program, Worldwide Exchange, of Columbia College from all- preciation I feel for having been aggravating I can be at times, and which is broadcast to 300 million male to coeducational proceeded a participant at the inception of a family that will always welcome homes worldwide. Though free time remarkably smoothly. Socially, coeducation at Columbia College. the prodigal son. At the end of the is scarce, she enjoys catching up with the College experience really It is a feeling of gratitude that day, I am just human, with myriad former Undergraduate Recruit- did seem to change overnight. returns whenever I come back to imperfections, and a sheep who has ment Committee pals and spent Columbia was more than ready campus or talk about Columbia lost its way.” Thanksgiving celebrating at home in and the College community em- with family and friends. Coeduca- Connecticut with fellow Lions. braced the change. So much hard tion at Columbia, and the Col- Zila Acosta deferred the Law work, thought and planning by lege’s success as a coeducational Colin Sullivan School and works at Goldman the College administration con- institution during the nearly past 11 c/o CCT Sachs. She has gotten involved tributed to the smooth transition. three decades, is a story about Columbia Alumni Center with Columbia College Women, Dean Robert Pollack ’61; Associ- a great college becoming even 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 specifically the scholarship com- ate Dean Michael Rosenthal ’67 greater. New York, NY 10025 mittee and mentorship program. GSAS; Dean of Students Roger [email protected] [Editor’s note: See feature on CCW Lehecka ’67, ’74 GSAS; Associate Brian C. Krisberg ’81, ’84L is a in this issue.] Dean of Students Karen Blank; member of the Columbia College Board Not nearly enough news this time Assistant Dean of Students Ben of Visitors and past president of the around — I know you guys are Lieber ’72, ’74 GSAS; and too Columbia College Alumni Association.

SPRING 2012 111

COLUMBIA COLLEGE TODAY

A l u m n i C o r n e r 1983 The Beginning of Columbia College as We Know It

B y B r i a n C. K r i s b e r g ’81, ’84L

hen I applied to the College in After graduating, I stayed on for law school at Co- 1976, I spent hardly any time lumbia at a time when it was looking for a Carman thinking about the fact that it Hall head resident to succeed the legendary Doc was an all-male institution. I Deming. I applied and was selected. Coeducation at think I was pretty typical of Columbia College was not what motivated me per the applicants of that era, and se. I just felt this was another way to give time and WI knew Barnard College was across Broadway. How energy to the college that I cared for deeply. I did not hard could it be to cross the street? fully comprehend the historic change that was com- When I finally settled in to 10 Livingston in Sep- ing and the opportunity I would have to witness it tember 1977, it was a shock to my system. Men and when the first fully coeducational class arrived. women were for the most part, well, separate, espe- The last year of “all male-dom” as I like to say, and cially during freshman and sophomore years. It was my first year as Carman head resident, 1982–83, was PHOTO: EILEEN BARROSO virtually all guys in my Core Curriculum courses and not easy. I vaguely remember a massive flood on the in John Jay Dining Hall. Female Engineering students sixth floor. The residence hall had been allowed to fall living in the dorms were a popular novelty. I had so much fun talk- into a state of disrepair. ing to a Marymount student (read: female) for hours at a FIJI party Everything changed the following summer. The University early sophomore year that I decided to pledge. refurbished Carman and did a great job. Somehow it made the I suspect no one on campus today talks much about the Fash- lounge into a welcoming environment where students wanted ion Institute of Technology. In that era, we spent a lot of time to hang out and study. New windows. Fresh paint everywhere. wondering how many FIT women were going to make the trip New furniture and beds in the rooms. New carpets in the hall- each weekend to the pub in John Jay basement, which offered ways. Upgraded elevators. It was exciting to watch. It got more loud music, cheap beer and dancing from 10 p.m.–4 a.m. Thurs- exciting when the Class of ’87 arrived. When I come to campus, day through Saturday nights. which I do often, I make a point of walking through the Carman The College seemed to wait patiently during my college years gates. It brings a smile to my face to think about that late summer for Barnard to come around and merge, but then it reached a day when the great group of floor counselors I had that year and I point where it could wait no longer. It had to act. It was at a labored in the heat to move the first-year class, including the first competitive disadvantage with the peer institutions. My friends few hundred College women, into Carman. in the poli sci crowd and I all knew we were receiving an ex- As school years go, 1983–84 was rather eventful. The football traordinary education, but couldn’t they do something to make team edged Yale in New Haven, came home jubilant and threw a it more fun? Heck, even conservative Dartmouth started admit- massive party on 11 Carman, my counselor and quarterback John ting women in the early ’70s. Witkowski ’84’s floor (for those who do not recall the name, John went on to play four seasons in the NFL). It seemed like the whole team was there. Little did we know that tri- umph would be the last Lions victory on the gridiron until Homecoming against Princeton in 1988. The counselors came up with the idea of a Hawaiian party and imported a 70-lb. pig from one of the counselor’s father’s butcher shop in Delaware, which they proceeded to roast on a makeshift spit in the lounge as the first-years downed a few kegs and partied into the wee hours. Then there was January 29, 1984, now part of Columbia lore for decades of residence counselors, students and ad- ministrators. Loosely labeled the “Dead Body Story,” leg- end has it that on that fateful day, three first-years spotted a rolled-up rug next to a dumpster on West 114th Street, thought it would fit in their room and proceeded to carry it up to the 8 Carman landing outside the elevator. You Susan Kraham ’87, ’92L (left) and Cecily Rhett ’87 move into 502 Carman in fall 1983. can figure out what was inside when they unrolled it. It PHOTO: COURTESY UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES (Continued on page 111)

SPRING 2012 112 “I’m looking forward to helping other students enjoy the same opportunities I received at Columbia.” campaignimpact.columbia.edu

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Individual stories. Indelible impact.

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Come celebrate Alumni Reunion Weekend 2012 — the reunion that everyone is looking forward to! Classes In addition to class-specific events throughout the weekend, you can join all Columbians celebrating their reunions 1942 on Friday, June 1, at the “Back on Campus” sessions, including Core Curriculum Mini-Core Courses, engineering 1947 lectures, tours of the Morningside campus and its libraries and more. There will also be unique opportunities to 1952 engage with the city’s arts community with theatre, ballet, music and art gallery tours. 1957 Columbians will be dispersed throughout the Heights and greater Gotham all weekend, but Saturday, June 2, is 1962 everyone’s day on campus. This year’s Saturday programming encourages all alumni to come back to celebrate some of the best aspects of Columbia at affinity receptions and to return to the classroom to hear some of Columbia’s 1967 best-known faculty and alumni at Dean’s Day in a series of Public Intellectual Lectures and Mini-Core Courses. 1972 The day wraps up with the reunion classes’ tri-college Wine Tasting, followed by class dinners and a 1977 final gathering for champagne, dancing and good times on Low Plaza at the Starlight Reception. 1982 Dates and Registration Information 1987 1992 Thursday, May 31–Sunday, June 3, 2012 1997 Register Today! 2002 For more information or to register, please visit 2007 http://reunion.college.columbia.edu. If you register before Wednesday, May 2, you’ll receive a 10 percent discount on all events, excluding Broadway shows, New York City Ballet and New York Philharmonic tickets.