ROY BRAEGER ‘86 Erica Woda ’04 FORUM: JOHN W. CELEBRATES Tries To Level KLUGE ’37 TELLS GOOD TIMES the Field STORIES TO HIS SON page 59 page 22 page 24 Columbia College September/October 2010 today Student Life

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Cover Story Alumni News Departments 30 2 S t u d e n t Li f e : A Ne w B o o k sh e l f Le t t e r s t o t h e 14 Featured: David Rakoff ’86 Ed i t o r S p i r i t o f Co m m u n i t y o n defends pessimism but avoids 3 Wi t h i n t h e Fa m i l y M o r n i n g s i d e He i g h t s memoirism in his new collec- tion of humorous short stories, 4 Ar o u n d t h e Qu a d s Satisfaction with campus life is on the rise, and here Half Empty: WARNING!!! No 4 are some of the reasons why. Inspirational Life Lessons Will Be Homecoming 2010 Found In These Pages. 5 By David McKay Wilson Michael B. Rothfeld ’69 32 b i t u a r i e s To Receive O Hamilton Medal 34 Dr. Robert Butler ’49, Features ’53 P&S 6 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees 36 C lass No t e s Er i ca Wo d a ’04 Tr i e s To 7 Great Teachers Award A l u m n i Up d a t e s 22 e v e l t h e i e l d L F 53 Alumni Sons and 8 CC Fund Raises By harnessing the power of Columbia and its people, Daughters $15.1 Million Erica Woda ’04 founded Level the Field to help local 59 Roy Braeger ’86 9 In Memoriam: youth achieve. 68 Elizabeth Craig ’07 Jack H. Beeson By Joshua Robinson ’08 72 A l u m n i Co r n e r 10 5 Minutes with … Nicholas Rudd ’64, ’67 Emlyn Hughes C o l u m b i a Fo r u m Business and a number of 11 Alumni in the News 24 other enthusiastic alumni John W. Kluge Jr. ’05 compiled his father John W. 12 Student Spotlight: convened Glee Club singers Dustin Martin ’11 Kluge Sr. ’37’s thoughts on life, success and lessons from 1952 to the present at learned into John Kluge: Stories. reunion 2010. 13 Campus News

Web Exclusives at www.college.columbia.edu/cct Fi v e Mo r e Mi n u t e s Professor Emlyn Hughes discusses the unfounded fear that the Large Hadron Collider could destroy Earth. Le v e l i n g t h e Fi e l d Children speak about the influence that Erica Woda ’04’s Level the Field has had on their lives. Th e Bi r d s o f Ne w Yo r k Elizabeth Craig ’07 shares a documentary and slideshow of her work with New York City’s birds. Sch o la r sh i p s 101 Discover how donations to the Columbia College Fund improve the College and help its students.

FRONT AND BACK COVERS: CHAR SMULLYAN columbia college today Letters to the Editor

Sweetest ’60 Suite sive) damn rockets, tanks and warplanes Volume 38 Number 1 Hats off to the Class of ’60 on its 50th anni- in the world — and it sure helps the GDP September/October 2010 versary reunion, and especially to Profes- look good.” At least Mr. Ritchie can enjoy Editor and publisher sor Nathan Gross ’60 for his heartfelt caba- the privilege of such self-contradiction. Per- Alex Sachare ’71 ret performance, full of pith and vinegar, haps he picked up that mindless skill dur- Managing Editor ing Columbia’s declining years of the ’60s Lisa Palladino now immortalized online: and ’70s, perhaps directly from Professor associate editor Still I’d gladly Ethan Rouen ’04J Swap a stack of Stetsons Seymour Melman himself. Associate Director, Advertising And a rack of Borsalini Columbia’s deficient sense of good cit- Taren Cowan To get back one purloined beanie izenship in banning NROTC from cam- forum editor And start at Columbia again! pus may also find roots in the teaching of Rose Kernochan ’82 Barnard Oh, yes! Professor Melman, with Mr. Ritchie’s con- Contributing writer tinuing support no doubt. It is deplorable Shira Boss ’93, ’97J, ’98 SIPA Jamie Katz ’72 Ne w Yo r k Ci t y that Mr. Ritchie finds no value in military Editorial Assistants strength to preserve his freedoms. Worse, Grace Laidlaw ’11 The author is a former editor of CCT. You can he writes, “Military production and the Design Consultant Jean-Claude Suarès relive Nathan Gross ’60’s reunion performance maintenance of the war economy con- art director at www.college.columbia.edu/ tribute significantly to GDP Gates Sisters Studio cct/jul_aug10/webexclusives. numbers but they provide webmaster nothing to either the general Thomas MacLean Freefall well-being of the population Contributing Photographers It is not often that I can pick or to the real productivity of Eileen Barroso Kim Martineau ’97J up a publication and so in- the economy.” Char Smullyan stantly form a visceral reac- Ken Williamson ’54, ’55E Daniella Zalcman ’09 tion to what appears in the Ha u p p a u g e , N.Y. Letters column. Perhaps that Published six times a year by the Hooping It Up Columbia College Office of may be due to the lead-off Alumni Affairs and Development. entitled Freefall, a letter from Alex Sachare ’71’s “Within the For alumni, students, faculty, parents and Dave Ritchie ’73 in the July/ Family” column (May/June) friends of Columbia College, founded in 1754, August issue. gave a balanced but gener- the undergraduate liberal arts college of Columbia University in the City of New York. I wonder if Mr. Ritchie has ally appreciative description Address all correspondence to: ever bothered to read the budget? of Coach Joe Jones’ performance as men’s Columbia College Today He might well have seen it, because he basketball coach. This, I believe, presented Columbia Alumni Center has described the portion of the budget an inaccurate picture. 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 New York, NY 10025 going to “defense-related-expenditures” Coach Jones had fundamental defects as 212-851-7852 as “making it the single greatest economic a coach and it was predictable at an early E-mail (editorial): [email protected]; entity in the American economy.” stage that as long as he remained, the Co- (advertising): [email protected] www.college.columbia.edu/cct That utterly conceals and confounds lumbia men’s basketball program was ISSN 0572-7820 the much larger entity consisting of out- doomed to mediocrity. Coach Jones was an Opinions expressed are those of the lays for multitudes of social engineering effective recruiter, but his defects as a coach authors and do not reflect official projects of dubious effect or value. Col- caused the team consistently to underper- positions of Columbia College lectively, the expenditures of these enti- form in relationship to its potential. His de- or Columbia University. ties dwarf by comparison the military meanor and lack of ability as a strategist and © 2010 Columbia College Today All rights reserved. spending that he decries, and with no teacher were defects which were obvious productivity! from the inception, and [Athletics Director] Perhaps I missed something in those M. Dianne Murphy’s file has letters that years between my ’54–’55 and Mr. Ritchie’s evidence that many perceived this problem ’73. But is he really saying that it is because at an early stage. Measured in comparison of military spending “United States lost with the performance of Armond Hill, his the ability to compete in essential areas of immediate predecessor, coach Jones could civilian manufacturing to overseas com- be considered as a success. However, mea- CCT welcomes letters from readers about petitors?” Which other sector of the econo- sured in terms of the excellent level that articles in the magazine, but cannot print or personally respond to all letters my developed so much technical expertise Columbia should demand of its coaches, received. Letters express the views of that any could be exported at all, and in coach Jones was a failure. the writers and not CCT, the College or the University. Please keep letters to 250 doing so to bring a modicum of prosperity Mediocrity is often more pernicious words or fewer. All letters are subject to for the rest of the world to share? than outright incompetence. The truly editing for space and clarity. Please direct Mr. Ritchie concludes that “we can take fundamentally incompetent are identified letters for publication “t o t h e e d i t o r .” solace in making the best (and most expen- (Continued on page 70)

september/october 2010 2 columbia college today

W i t h i n t h e Fa m i l y One Last Toast E’re We Part

Editor’s note: Derek Wittner ’65, ’68L our shared experience as Columbia returned to Columbia in 1993, working College undergraduates) as well as for two years in Student Affairs and then students and parents of our students. moving to the Alumni Office, where he I never fully appreciated the extent was director of the Columbia College of commitment alumni have to the Fund and then v.p. and finally dean of College and the uniformly held belief alumni affairs and development. Wittner that we were offered an unparalleled resigned effective July 31 and now is v.p. education rooted in an enduring Core. for development at the Cooper Union in It did not take much for me to tap into NYC. that sentiment, and it accounts for Wittner is part of a Columbia fam- the remarkable resurgence of alumni ily — his father, brother and two sons support you have offered. It is to all of are all alumni — and a strong believer in you that the College owes a debt for the integral role alumni play in the life of taking up the cause. a school. He reshaped and expanded the It is not inevitable that one can serve Alumni Office, which thrived under his an institution at the right time. The leadership. The College Fund has grown Columbia College of the ’70s was a to a record $15.1 million in unrestricted challenge for students, alumni, faculty gifts, and numerous professorships, espe- and administrators. In my tenure, cially in the Core Curriculum, have been the College was blessed with strong added. Alumni Affairs also has prospered, volunteer and professional leadership with existing events such as Alumni with ambitious goals. Being held to Reunion Weekend and Homecoming Derek Wittner ‘65, ‘68L was a strong advocate for high standards prevents complacency, drawing increasing crowds, and recent the contributions alumni can make to the life and and we have certainly not been com- traditions such as the Alumni Parade of vibrancy of the College. placent. I am grateful to have been Classes at Class Day and the alumni pres- held to such standards. ence at the Senior Dinner reinforcing the were satisfied. But as I got older, there Finally, the coincidence of effec- notion that a student’s undergraduate years was nagging at me another unfulfilled tive volunteer leadership with a more are only the beginning of his or her lifelong impulse. Would it be possible to iden- professional approach to serving the relationship with Columbia. Wittner believed tify and secure an opportunity to serve College has made progress possible. in the importance of communicating with a broader purpose? I was given the mandate and support alumni — not just asking them for money I could never have predicted at the to identify and hire experienced staff. — and was a strong supporter of this maga- onset of my musings that I would have Susan Birnbaum, Ken Catandella, Alex zine as a cornerstone of a concerted effort to the good fortune to become an advocate Sachare ’71 and the many members reconnect alumni with each other and the for education. Were that not sufficient, I of their staffs through the years have College. would be given that opportunity at Co- contributed so much to the College’s In a restructuring of the Alumni Office, lumbia College, the alma mater I share progress; their continuing service plans are to hire a senior executive director with four family members and all of speaks to the recognition of their indi- of development and a senior executive direc- you. I took up the cause with unbridled vidual capabilities. tor of alumni affairs and communications. enthusiasm and passion, perhaps also I leave to take on the development National searches are being conducted to fill with a dose of uncertainty thrown in. responsibility at another venerable, these important positions. Some 18-odd years later, I can say albeit smaller, New York educational Alex Sachare ’71 unhesitatingly that I have felt as fulfilled institution: the Cooper Union. Sharing as I never could have imagined. In the as it does Columbia’s commitment to By Derek Wittner ’65, 68L course of witnessing the re-emergence access as it provides a full scholarship of the College as, in my opinion, the best to every student, the transition presents ot everyone gets to do some- undergraduate experience in the coun- a continuum of values. thing for his/her work that try, these attributes of my journey — in So I leave the College as a profes- Nfulfills several impulses. In my addition to meeting my wife, Kathryn sional staff member with enormous prior professional life, if success and — stand out: gratitude. I have learned from you happiness are measured by economic I have met and befriended an unbe- what it takes to make good alumni, reward and intellectual challenge, then lievable number of alumni of all ages, and I shall try to follow capably in your I would tell you that those two indicies backgrounds and opinions (much like footsteps. Thanks.

september/october 2010 3 columbia college today Around the Quads Lions To Host Dartmouth at Homecoming 2010 B y Li s a Pa ll a d i n o

omecoming 2010, to be barbecue buffet lunch, soft drinks and ad- the A train to 207th Street and walk north held on Saturday, October mittance to the Columbia Homecoming to West 218th Street and Broadway. By 23, will feature the Lions Carnival. Beer, wine and cocktails will be bus, the M100, Bx20 and Bx7 stop nearby. taking on Ivy League rival available at an additional cost. There also By Metro-North Railroad, the Marble Hill Dartmouth in the afternoon will be limited cash-and-carry items. station is located on the north shore of football game at Baker Athletics Complex. To purchase football tickets, which Spuyten Duyvil, just across the Broadway HPrior to the game, there will be a gourmet are separate from lunch tickets, call Bridge from Baker Athletics Complex. barbecue buffet lunch under the Big Tent 888-LIONS-11 or purchase online: www. Log on to www.mta.info prior to the and family fun at the Columbia Home- gocolumbialions.com/tickets. Premium game for service advisories. coming Carnival, featuring face painting, chairback seats are $25; reserved bench On-site preferred parking at Baker balloon making, magic, games, prizes and seats are $15. Athletics Complex is available as a benefit interactive activities for fans of all ages. There are several options for getting to only to those making qualifying gifts to The tent opens for lunch and mingling Baker Athletics Complex. Shuttle buses Columbia football. Single-game parking with alumni, parents, students and friends from the Morningside campus will be passes are not available. Fans arriving by at 11 a.m. Kickoff at Robert K. Kraft Field is available beginning at 11 a.m. and will vehicle without on-site preferred parking at 1:30 p.m. return immediately following the game, passes will be directed to public parking Lunch tickets are $20 for adults and $10 running between the Broadway gates facilities. for children under 12 if purchased online and the northwest corner of West 218th For more information about Baker by Thursday, October 21: www. college. Street and Broadway. Log on to www. Athletics Complex 2010 football game columbia.edu/alumni/homecoming. gocolumbialions.com prior to the game day policies and procedures, public park- Lunch tickets also are available on site: for updated information. ing options, fans code of conduct and $22 for adults and $12 for children. Each Fans also may use mass transit. By more, log on to www.gocolumbialions. lunch ticket includes an all-you-can-eat subway, take the 1 train to 215th Street or com/footballgameday.

Alumni, students, parents and friends enjoy a gourmet lunch under the Big Tent at Homecoming 2009. PHOTO: EILEEN BARROSO

september/october 2010 4 columbia college today around the quads Rothfeld To Receive Hamilton Medal

ichael B. Rothfeld ’69, ’71J, A theatrical producer Critics Circle awards and ’71 SIPA, ’71 Business will and private equity investor, was nominated for a TONY receive the 2010 Alexander Rothfeld has been an as- for the revival of Gore MHamilton Medal on Thurs- sociate editor of FORTUNE, Vidal’s The Best Man. Roth- day, November 17, at the Alexander assistant to the chairman feld’s production company Hamilton Award Dinner, an annual black- and CEO of Time Inc., an received the Lucille Lortel tie event held in Low Rotunda. The med- investment banking v.p. of Award for the New York al, the highest honor paid to a member Salomon Brothers, a manag- revival of Our Town. He of the Columbia College community, is ing director in the investment also is a director of The Jed awarded annually by the Columbia Col- banking division of The First Foundation and a trustee of lege Alumni Association to an alumnus/a Boston Corp. and, through Second Stage theater. or faculty member for distinguished ser- private corporations, a gener- Rothfeld is married to vice to the College and accomplishment al partner of Bessemer Capi- Ella M. Foshay ’71 GSAS, in any field of endeavor. tal Partners and Bessemer ’79 GSAS, who holds a Rothfeld, a 1970–71 International Fel- Holdings. He was a director Ph.D. in art history. They low at SIPA, is a University trustee and of The Overhead Door Corp., are the parents of Ella M. a CCAA board member. He is a former Graphic Controls Corp. (non- Foshay-Rothfeld ’06 and chair of the Columbia College Board of executive chair) and Kelly Oil & Gas. Augusta F. Foshay-Rothfeld ’08. Visitors and also has served on the ad- Rothfeld was a member in 1979 of the For more information on the dinner, visory board of the Journalism school’s first cultural delegation from the United contact Meghan Eschmann, associate Knight-Bagehot Program in business and States to the People’s Republic of China. director for College events and programs: financial journalism. He received the Drama Desk and Outer 212-851-7399 or [email protected].

september/october 2010 5 around the quads columbia college today Athletics Announces 2010 Hall of Fame Class

olumbia will honor 20 for- Franklin Thomas ’56 (basketball) mer student-athletes, three Rory Wilfork ’97 (football) former head coaches, the Former Student-Athletes, C1961 Ivy League champion Female football team, one former staff mem- Alison Ahern ’00 (soccer) ber and one individual in the 2010 Nicole Campbell ’02 (field hockey, class of the Columbia University softball) Athletics Hall of Fame. The induc- Delilah DiCrescenzo ’05 (cross tion ceremony will occur at a black- country, track and field) tie dinner in Low Library on Friday, Lucy Eccleston Norvall ’03 Barnard October 22. (swimming and diving) The Class of 2010 includes 19 men, Aldo T. “Buff” Donelli Franklin Thomas ’56 Erinn Smart ’02 Barnard (fencing) six women and one team, represent- Kathy Gilbert White ’91 (basketball) ing 12 sports. The inductees were season, when the Lions outscored their selected by a committee of Columbia opponents 240–117 and compiled records Coach Athletics affiliates, including alumni and of 6–1 in the league and 6–3 overall. Heritage Era (1852–1955) athletics administrators, after more than Following is the Class of 2010 of the Edward T. Kennedy (swimming and 200 nominees were submitted for consid- Columbia University Athletics Hall of diving, 1910–55) eration by the general public from Novem- Fame: Modern Era (1955–Present) ber 2008 through March 2010. Former Student-Athletes, Male Aldo T. “Buff” Donelli (football, 1957–67) Among those to be inducted are Na- Dieter Ficken (men’s soccer, 1979–2005) tional College Football Hall of Fame mem- Heritage Era (1852–1955) ber Walter Koppisch ’25, U.S. Open tennis Charles Batterman ’44 (swimming and Team champion Oliver Campbell (Class of 1891), diving) 1961 football former football coach Aldo T. “Buff” Donel- Lou Bender ’32 (basketball, baseball) Athletics Staff Oliver Campbell (Class of 1891) (tennis) li and 2008 Olympic fencing silver medalist William Steinman (director, Sports Walter Koppisch ’25 (football) Erinn Smart ’02 Barnard. Information, 1970–2002) The 1961 football team was coached John J. O’Brien ’38 (football, basketball, by Donelli and captained by William V. swimming and diving) Special Category for Individual Campbell ’62, ’64 TC, chair of Columbia’s Stephen Sobel ’54 (fencing) Achievement Board of Trustees, former head football Al Thompson ’54 (track and field) Gerald Sherwin ’55 coach and National Football Foundation Modern Era (1955–Present) For more information about the induc- Gold Medal winner. Bob Asack ’62, Lee Thomas Auth ’90 (rowing) tion ceremony and dinner, contact Felicia Black ’62, Tony Day ’63, Tom Haggerty Robert Cottingham Jr. ’88 (fencing) Ganthier, development assistant, athletics ’62 and Columbia University Athletics Rikhardur “Rikki” Dadason ’96 (soccer) department at 212-851-5648 or fj2131@ Hall of Famer Russ Warren ’62 all earned Garrett Neubart ’95 (baseball) columbia.edu. All-Ivy League first-team honors that Nicholas Szerlip ’95 (wrestling) Alex Sachare ’71

Roar, Lion, Roar

n FOOTBALL: Columbia’s football team football schedule, with home games capi­ 888-LIONS-11. Season tickets start at $54 will play the first of six home games when talized. All games are on Saturdays. for the six-game home schedule. it opens the 2010 season against Fordham September 18 FORDHAM 12:30 p.m. in the annual Liberty Cup game on Satur­ n FENCING: Columbia fencers past and September 25 TOWSON 12:30 p.m. day, September 18, on Robert K. Kraft present fared well at the U.S. Summer Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium. October 2 PRINCETON 12:30 p.m. Nationals, held in Atlanta in July. Columbia starts its 10-game season October 9 LAFAYETTE 12:30 p.m. Emily Jacobson ’08, Sammy Roberts with four home games. After Fordham, October 16 at Penn 12:00 p.m. ’12E and Daria Schneider ’10 finished first, the Lions will face Towson in another second and fifth, respectively, in the senior non-league game before opening their October 23 DARTMOUTH 12:30 p.m. women’s sabre competition, while James Ivy League schedule against Princeton on October 30 at Yale 12:00 p.m. Williams ’07 and Jeff Spear ’10 were fifth Saturday, October 2. After hosting Lafay­ November 6 at Harvard 12:00 p.m. and sixth, respectively, in senior men’s sa­ ette in their final non-league game and bre. Nicole Ross ’11 was second in senior November 13 CORNELL 12:30 p.m. traveling to Philadelphia to play Penn, the women’s foil, Nzingha Prescod ’14 was first Lions will play Dartmouth at Homecoming November 20 at Brown 12:30 p.m. and Lydia Kopecky ’13 was third in under-19 on Saturday, October 23. For tickets or further information, visit women’s epee, and Magnus Ferguson ’14 Following is the complete 2010 varsity www.gocolumbialions.com/tickets or call was sixth in under-19 men’s epee.

september/october 2010 6 columbia college today around the quads

Belknap, McKeown To Receive Great Teachers Award

obert Belknap, the Professor Emer- teaching Literature Humanities in 1960 and National Science Foundation Presidential itus of Slavic Languages at the Col- continued for nearly every year thereafter. Young Investigator Award in 1985, an R lege and director of the University He chaired Literature Humanities in 1963, NSF Faculty Award for Women in 1991, Seminars, and Kathleen McKeown, the from 1967–70 and again for two years in the the American Association of Artificial Henry and Gertrude Rothschild Professor 1980s. In 2000–01, he was honored for Dis- Intelligence Fellow in 1994 and the As- of Computer Science at SEAS, are the 2010 tinguished Service to the Core Curriculum. sociation for Computing Machine Fellow recipients of the Great Teachers Award. Belknap also has taught courses in in 2003. They will be honored at the Society of Co- Russian and comparative literature and The Society of Columbia Graduates, lumbia Graduates Awards Dinner, which literary theory and major Asian classics. formed 101 years ago, established the will be held in Low Rotunda on Thursday, He was acting Dean of the College in 1975 Great Teachers Award in 1949 to honor October 21. and also has been associate dean for stu- outstanding teachers, one each from the Belknap was educated at Princeton, dent affairs, chair of the Slavic languages College and Engineering School. Re- the University of Paris, Columbia (a cer- department and director of the Russian cipients have included such illustrious tificate from SIPA in 1957 and a Ph.D. in (now Harriman) Institute. teachers as Jacques Barzun ’27, Mark Van Slavic languages from GSAS in 1959) and McKeown was torn between math- Doren, Moses Hadas, Lionel Trilling ’25, Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) State Uni- ematics and literature as an undergradu- Kathy Eden, Kenneth Jackson, Alan Brin- versity. He is the author of The Structure ate at Brown. She majored in comparative kley, Andrew Delbanco, David Helfand of the Brothers Karamazov; The Genesis of the literature, but ultimately it was the com- and many others. Brothers Karamazov: The Aesthetics, Ideol- puter science courses she took that led For further information on the dinner ogy, and Psychology of Making a Text; and to her research and expertise in natural and awards presentation, contact Andrew other studies of Russian literature and of language processing. McKeown earned Gaspar ’69E at 212-705-0153 or agaspar@ university education. her Ph.D. from Penn in 1982. gasparglobal.com, or Anna Longobardo In 1956, Belknap began teaching at She is the first woman to receive ten- ’49E, ’52E at 914-779-2448 or longbard@ Columbia following Army service. Upon ure and the first to serve as a department optonline.net, or visit the society’s web- completing his dissertation on “The Struc- chair at SEAS. McKeown has received site, www.socg.com. ture of the Brothers Karamazov,” he began many awards and honors, including the Alex Sachare ’71

Second Annual Especially Open House October 21 and 22

The Columbia Alumni Center is always open to all alumni of the University, Monday through Saturday. But for two days this October, we will be especially open.

There are even more reasons to visit the Center during Homecoming weekend: refreshments, giveaways, a special athletics display, benefits It’s all happening October 21 and 22 help, and a chance to win prizes. You can also add your Columbia from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., leading into story to our alumni video project, Columbia University Close-Ups. Homecoming and Family Weekend. We’d love to see you, so come on home!

Columbia Alumni Center 622 West 113th Street between Broadway and Riverside Drive alumni.columbia.edu/openhouse2010 around the quads columbia college today College Fund Raises Record $15.1 Million

n Michele Moody-Adams’ first year Alfred J. Keppelmann Jr. ’37. More than Alumni Office under the leadership of as Dean of the College, alumni, par- 11,000 donors contributed this year. Executive Director of the College Fund ents, friends and Class of 2010 donors The Senior Fund also set a record with Susan L. Birnbaum, all were instrumental Ihelped the Columbia College Fund 92.7 percent participation, soaring past the in the fund’s success. exceed its Fiscal Year 2009–10 goal of $14 Class of 2009 record of 90.5 percent. The Se- Unrestricted annual giving is a neces- million by more than $1 million and set a nior Fund, led by Director Amanda Kessler sary ingredient in Columbia’s success, record of $15.1 million, including a one- and Senior Fund Chair Adam Bulkley ’10, providing current and immediately usable time gift of $1 million from the Estate of raised more than $18,000 for the College. funds for the College’s operations. The Parents stepped up, too. The Parents largest such application of unrestricted Fund, under the leadership of Director annual giving is financial aid, helping to Contact CCT Susan Rautenberg and Co-chairs Francis preserve need-blind admissions and full- and Jayanne Tedesco P’11, exceeded its need financial aid. Annual giving also Via the Web goal, raising $2 million, up from $1.7 mil- bolsters the student services and activities CCT now offers online submission forms lion last year. that enhance the quality of undergraduate as an easy way to reach the staff or Class The hard work of Fund Chair Mark L. life, and sustains the Core Curriculum. Notes correspondents. You can update Amsterdam ’66, Fund Development Gifts to the Columbia College Fund count your contact information; submit a Class Council Chair Craig Brod ’77, Class Agent toward the $4 billion goal of the Columbia Note, Class Note photo, obituary, letter to Program Chair Ira B. Malin ’75 and all of Campaign, which launched in 2005. This the editor or classified advertisement; or the volunteer members of the College’s fiscal year the Columbia Campaign raised send the CCT staff an e-mail. committees played a vital role in exceed- $390 million in new gifts and pledges. Click the “Contact Us” button at www. ing the goal. College alumni trustees, the To make a gift to the Columbia College college.columbia.edu/cct or go to www. Columbia College Alumni Association Fund in FY11, go to www.college.colum college.columbia.edu/cct/contactus. and the Columbia College Board of Visi- bia.edu/giveonline or call 212-851-7488. tors, as well as the dedicated staff of the Ethan Rouen ’04J

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september/october 2010 8 columbia college today around the quads

In Memoriam Jack H. Beeson, the MacDowell Professor often was the rehearsal pianist for the Composer and author Nicolas Slonim- of Music (Emeritus), died on June 6, 2010. workshop that was supported by the Alice sky described Beeson’s approach to com- He was 88. M. Ditson Fund and that gave the pre- position as “enlightened utilitarianism.” Beeson, a noted composer, began his af- mieres of operas by Gian Carlo Menotti, That characterization delighted Beeson, filiation with Columbia in 1945 and chaired Virgil Thomson, Ernst Bacon and other who, The New York Times noted, “eschewed the Department of Music from 1968–72. He composers. Thanks to a Prix de Rome and dogma, never fell in with any camp and played crucial roles in the founding of the a Fulbright fellowship, Beeson lived in drew from any style or technique that D.M.A. program in composition and the Rome from 1948–50; there, he composed suited his musical and dramatic ends, Ph.D. program in ethnomusicology. Beeson his first opera, Jonah, adapted from a Paul especially in his 10 operatic works, which was named the MacDowell Professor of Goodman play. include Hello Out There, The Sweet Bye and Music in 1967 and awarded an honorary Among Beeson’s contributions to Ameri- Bye and Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines.” degree from Columbia in 2002. can music more broadly, he was co-presi- Among Beeson’s best known works are Born on July 15, 1921, in Muncie, Ind., dent of Composers Recordings; chairman the operas Lizzie Borden and Dr. Heidegger, Beeson studied piano as a child of the board of the Composers’ but he also was noted for symphonic and and was drawn to opera early Forum; member of the board song composition. He recently had com- through the Saturday after- of governors of the American pleted two works; the last, Kilroy Was Here, noon radio broadcasts of the Composers Alliance and the is a song setting for baritone and piano of a Metropolitan Opera. He earned board of ASCAP; treasurer and Peter Viereck poem. two degrees at the Eastman v.p. for music at the American Beeson is survived by his wife, Nora; School of Music in Rochester, Academy of Arts and Letters, of and daughter, Miranda. A son, Christo- then moved to New York City, which he was a distinguished pher, died in 1976. Condolences may be where he took private lessons member; and member of the sent to the Department of Music, Colum- with Béla Bartók and studied Advisory Committee of the Al- bia University, 621 Dodge Hall, MC 1813, piano and conducting at Co- ice M. Ditson Fund for 50 years, New York, NY 10027. lumbia. At Columbia, Beeson many of them as secretary. Lisa Palladino

“My life opened up when I “Why? came to Columbia,” Case says. “I want others to have the same So tomorrow’s experience and that’s why I put students can Columbia in my estate plan.” Join Steve Case and others walk through in the 1754 Society, alumni and friends who have made the same doors bequests and other planned that we did.” gifts to the University. Steve Case ’64CC, ’68LAW To learn more about Steve Case’s Columbia university Trustee experience—and about planned giving— Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) inaugural chair visit giving.columbia.edu/plannedgifts or call 800-338-3294.

september/october 2010 9 around the quads columbia college today

Emlyn Hughes ’87 GSAS is a the largest science project in the in Geneva doing research, and sons from a previous mar- professor of physics and the world. The main focus of my I will teach in the spring. I will riage who all are college-age. deputy chair of the physics group for the moment is look- teach for the first time in “Fron- My goal is to get all of them department. His research ing for something called super- tiers of Science,” and I also will to NYC. involves searching for new symmetry, one of the ways of teach an introductory course What is something your physics at the Large Hadron possibly detecting dark matter. on electricity and magnetism. students would never guess Collider in Switzerland. Hughes I have a group of four students Since coming to Columbia, I about you? earned a Ph.D. from Columbia and a postdoc who are analyz- have been teaching the intro- I take violin lessons. and a B.S. from Stanford. He ing data from the high-energy ductory physics course, first to taught at Caltech for 11 years collisions produced by the pre-med students and now to How do you recharge? before returning to Columbia LHC to search for new physics engineers. Running. I ran the New York in 2006. and new interactions. We hope Marathon the last two years, What are the challenges of that we might learn about dark and I will run it again this year. Where did you grow up? teaching an introductory matter. We know from astrono- I’m 36 seconds away from I grew up in New Haven, course? my that 90 percent of matter in qualifying for Boston, and I Conn. My father also was a The biggest challenge in teach- the universe is something that will really be gunning for it this professor of physics, at Yale. ing a large introductory physics we cannot see, but we know year at the NYC Marathon. course at Columbia is reaching What did you want to be it’s there. students with enormously growing up? What is your favorite spot in How many people work on varied backgrounds, especially When I was a kid I loved math. NYC? the Collider? in terms of their training in I wanted to be a mathemati- The runner’s answer is Cen- There are several experiments/ math. A typical exam score in cian. My sophomore year of tral Park. college, during the Iran hostage detectors stationed around the my class is 65 percent, and the If you could be anywhere crisis, I had to register for in the world right now, the draft. My father had Five Minutes with … Emlyn Hughes where would you be? worked on the radar effort at MIT during WWII and, St. Moritz, Switzerland. It as a result, was not drafted. He 17-mile ring. The one I work range of grades extends from is a place that my mother went made the argument that you on is called ATLAS. There are 15 percent to 95 percent. As a to as a child, before she had to could end up fighting in a war more than 2,000 physicists teacher, I aim for the middle. leave Germany. It is one of the or you could be a physicist. I working on ATLAS, and at Given the spread of talents most beautiful spots imagin- fell for it. Columbia, there are five pro- and backgrounds, this makes able, a small town built on a fessors working on it. In fact, a large fraction of the class un- lake buried high in the Swiss What brought you to Columbia co-leads the U.S. happy. On the positive side, the Alps. Columbia? ATLAS effort. diversity of the class and the What’s the last great book First of all, New York is fantas- broad range of interests make What will you be doing this you read for pleasure? tic. But one of the real reasons the course much more interest- semester? Team of Rivals: The Political I came was the commute. The ing to a teacher. I truly enjoy I will spend a lot of my time Genius of Abraham Lincoln by future of my field has moved the variety of questions that I Doris Kearns Goodwin. to Geneva, Switzerland. There receive from my students, both is a nine-hour time change in and outside of class. What on your resume are from California [where I was you most proud of? What is your favorite food? working] to Geneva. Flying In research, my greatest ac- I love fondue and cheese in back and forth from New York complishment was co-leading general. Greek food with feta is beats flying back and forth an experiment that made the super-high on my list as well. from Los Angeles. most precise measurement How often do you travel to Are you married? Do you of the “electroweak mixing Geneva? have kids? angle.” This is a free constant When I’m teaching, I go every Yes and yes. My wife, Ivana, that must be measured to un- other month, but when I’m is a lecturer in the chemistry derstand the Standard Model, not teaching, it’s every department, and she cur- our best theory on how matter month. My entire re- rently teaches in “Fron- behaves in particle physics. tiers of Science.” We search group is based Interview and photo: have two children, ages there. Ethan Rouen ’04J 8 and 5, who go to The What are you work- School at Columbia. To watch a video of Hughes talk- ing on? Our daughter studies ing about the unfounded fear that I work on the Large ballet seriously and our the Large Hadron Collider would Hadron Collider son is learning to play lead to the end of the world, go to (LHC). It is perhaps violin. I also have three www.college.columbia.edu/cct.

september/october 2010 10 columbia college today around the quads

Alumni in the News n Michael Dwork ’00, ’07 Busi- ness won the first annual Crain’s New York Business Perfect Pitch Competition, impressing the Become a fan of judges with the successful story Columbia College of the eco-friendly dinnerware Today on Facebook® company he founded, VerTerra (www.verterra.com). He came Keep in touch with up with the idea for a company fellow alumni and get that makes biodegradable din- nerware while interning in the latest news from India during business school the College and CCT. and seeing the resourceful- ness of local people. VerTerra George Shea ’86 revs up the crowd at the 2010 Nathan’s hot dog eating products now are sold in more contest. than 1,000 stores and used in Photo: Matt Roberts the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium. Dwork “wowed the judges with quantities. In an article about n Li Lu ’96, ’96L, ’96 Business Advertise his ability to tell the story of his the Shea brothers published in was featured in a Wall Street Jour- business in clear, colorful anec- The New York Times on July 2, nal article on July 30 headlined, here! dotes,” according to an article they get credit for more than 80 “ From Tiananmen Square to Connect with all in Crain’s published on June 2. annual eating contests where Possible Buffet Successor.” The CCT profiled Dwork in March/ 150 records, including “those article describes how Li went Columbia College alumni. April 2008: www.college.col for cow brains, cheese steaks, from being a student leader of umbia.edu/cct_archive/mar_ candy bars, cabbage, cannoli, the Tiananmen Square protests Reach an audience of apr08/updates3.php. crab cakes, corn dogs, cranber- to earning three degrees at Co- prominent, affluent, ry sauce, crawfish and calamari lumbia, building a successful well-educated readers n Hungry? George Shea ’86 — to name some starting with career as a hedge fund manager who are leaders in their has a cure for that. Along with ‘C,’ ” have been created. and earning a place “in line to his brother, Richard, Shea is become a successor to Warren fields — attorneys, responsible for creating a sport n Julia Stiles ’05 will appear in Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway, physicians, politicians, out of stuffing one’s face. The 10 episodes of the upcoming Inc.” The Journal quotes Berk- scientists … yes, even a brothers, who head Shea Com- season of the Emmy-nominated shire vice chair Charlie Munger munications, created Major Showtime series Dexter. Stiles as saying “It’s a foregone conclu- President. League Eating, the governing will play a mysterious woman sion” that Li would become one body of dozens of professional who forms a relationship with of the top Berkshire investment Significant savings eating contests, including the the main character, Dexter, after officials. Buffett turned 80 on opportunity. Call today to Nathan’s Famous Fourth of his wife dies. In March, Stiles August 30 and says he has no find out more. July International Hot Dog was honored with a John Jay current plans to step down, but Eating Contest that is nation- Award for distinguished pro- is open to “bringing on other Contact Taren Cowan ally televised by ESPN. But fessional achievement: www. investment managers while I’m at 212-851-7967 or it’s not just hot dogs that these college.columbia.edu/cct/ still here.” athletes devour in massive may_jun10/features0. Ethan Rouen ’04J [email protected].

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

september/october 2010 11 around the quads columbia college today

student spotlight Dustin Martin ’11 Showcases Indigenous Culture Through Fashion

B y Na t h a l i e Al o n s o ’08

pon returning home “People have asked, ‘What kind tin to the College. Sponsored to Albuquerque, N.M., of shirt is that?’ ” by the organization, Martin vis­ after his first year at Martin’s clothes feature ited New York City in 2006 to the College, Dustin Southwestern geometric pat- participate in the National Ju­ UMartin ’11 began printing Na­ terns and Native motifs such as nior Cross Country Champion­ tive American imagery on used arrowheads. His method has ships, which were held in Van clothing. Though it hardly seems evolved since he made his first Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. It like an ambitious undertaking prints using cardboard stencils was after that competition that at first, his creations take on a and spray paint. After a friend former Columbia associate deeper meaning when Martin introduced him to silkscreen head coach Chris Miltenberg explains the message he intends printing during his sophomore first recruited him. to convey to those who purchase year, Martin began printing Martin enrolled in the Col­ the clothes. shirts in his dorm room. He lege planning to major in politi­ Martin, who is half Navajo, subsequently took two courses cal science but chose anthro­ hopes his designs will kindle offered by the Department of pology after taking a course an interest in Native American Visual Arts — “Introduction to Dustin Martin ’11, shown here with Professor Severin Fowles wearing a T-shirt he designed, cultures that will, in turn, com- Printmaking” with Martin Basher at Barnard that covered the sells clothing that he adorns bat stereotypes he has encoun- ’03 GS, ’08 Arts and “Printmaking with silkscreen prints of Native pre-Columbian history of Na­ tered, including in New York I: Silkscreen” with Seth Scantlen American imagery. He plans to tive North American cultures. City, where he has been asked ’08 Arts — in order to have ac­ donate a portion of his profits For his senior thesis, Martin is if he lived in a teepee while cess to a studio. to indigenous communities. researching the relationship growing up in the reservation Martin has lofty goals for his PHOTO: brandon britton between running and hozho in town of Gallup, N.M. line of clothing, which he calls Navajo culture. “At first it angered me, but S.O.L.O. (Sovereign Original Land that promotes the sport as a “This term has always been then I realized many people Owners). He plans to reinvest way to empower young Native explored in the anthropological don’t get exposed to the con- the money he has made so far Americans. Among other initia­ community as something dis­ temporary Native,” explains to grow the business and is tives, the organization sponsors creetly associated with Navajo Martin. “We’re modern citizens.” working with a lawyer to cre­ Native runners ages 14–19 for religion. But it’s not something Martin sees fashion, an un- ate a formal business entity the USA Winter National Junior that should be pushed to the conventional medium for Native that would eventually allocate Cross Country Championships, religious realm. Hozho should be art, as a means to overturning a portion of its profits toward which are held annually in a used to guide your life in every preconceived notions about improving quality of life for Na­ different city. respect,” explains Martin. “I’m indigenous culture. tive American communities. Martin remains involved with looking at how running helps “It’s not just painted on a A member of Columbia’s the organization and spent the contemporary Navajos actualize pot or woven in Navajo rug. It’s cross country team, Martin summer between his sopho­ their quest for hozho in every­ something someone would be was first inspired to launch more and junior years in the day life.” proud to wear,” he says. “I hope a clothing line while running, College as a facilitator for the Martin nonetheless believes [my customers] take interest which the Navajo tradition Wings Running and Fitness that art and fashion are more in what they are wearing and views as a means to achieving Camps. In that role, he and his useful than academics when it take the initiative to learn more hozho (pronounced hoh-yoh), colleagues traveled throughout comes to his goal of discredit­ about Native art and indigenous a term that, in the absence of reservation towns in the South­ ing misconceptions about Na­ people in general.” direct translation, is often in­ west conducting two-day camps tive Americans. During the school year, Martin terpreted as a state of beauty for Native children. During those “I could write anthropologi­ scours thrift shops across the and harmony toward which two days, Martin helped orga­ cal articles my whole life, but I city for clothing — mostly T- Navajos should strive. nize runs and outdoor games for would still be heard and read by shirts — and accessories that he “[Running] is a time to reflect the participants while discuss­ a small community of academ­ adorns and resells, with T-shirts on everything that’s going on ing and encouraging healthy ics,” he says. “The same ideas going for $15 apiece. He has sold around me, which is huge in lifestyle choices such as staying can be articulated in a way that approximately 65 shirts to date a place as hectic as New York drug- and alcohol-free. is not necessarily scholarly. I through word-of-mouth advertis­ City,” says Martin, who runs “I stay close to my communi­ see Native art and clothes as ing. Most of his customers are daily. “It keeps me motivated ty and my Navajo roots with the a perfect medium for the mes­ acquaintances in New Mexico and humble, because there’s help of running,” says Martin, sage I want to convey.” and fellow Columbia students only so far I can push it before who spent last summer creating such as Bayode Adafin ’11. my body breaks down.” an inter-organizational report Nathalie Alonso ’08, from “I liked the designs, but it’s Martin began running com- that chronicled the evolution of Queens, is a freelance journal- really about how excited Dustin petitively as a sophomore in Wings of America and its current ist and an editorial producer of was about his brand,” says high school when he became trajectory. LasMayores.com, Major League Adafin, who has purchased a involved with Wings of America, It was his involvement with Baseball’s official Spanish lan- couple of T-shirts from Martin. a New Mexico-based nonprofit Wings of America that led Mar­ guage website.

september/october 2010 12 columbia college today around the quads campus news n MANHATTANVILLE: In a unanimous decision announced on June 24, New York’s highest court ruled that Colum- bia’s long-term campus plan in the old Manhattanville manufacturing area may move forward as proposed. The Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s ruling and upheld the Empire State Develop- ment Corporation’s power of eminent domain in this matter, agreed with the state’s neighborhood condition findings and strongly affirmed the project’s educa- tional and civic purposes. President Lee C. Bollinger said, “We are gratified by the court’s unanimous deci- sion and look forward to moving ahead with the long-term revitalization of these blocks in Manhattanville that will create thousands of good jobs for New Yorkers and help our city and state remain a global center of pioneering academic research.” Infrastructure work in the area is ongo- ing. The first phase of the project, sched- uled for completion beginning in 2015, will include the Jerome L. Greene [’26, ’28L] Science Center, for research with implications for the treatment of Parkin- son’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases; new homes for the Business School, SIPA and the School of the Arts. Later phases, expected to be completed around 2030, will emphasize interdisci- plinary scholarship, including biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, systems bi- ology and urban and populations studies as well as housing for graduate students and faculty. We’ve got you covered.

Manage Your Through Columbia Alumni Association, Subscription life insurance is available in amounts up to f you prefer reading CCT online, $1,000,000, underwritten by New York Life you can help us go green and Insurance Company (NY, NY 10010). I save money by opting out of the print edition. Click “Manage For details about eligibility, coverage amounts, Your Subscription” at www.college. rates, exclusions and renewal provisions, please columbia.edu/cct and follow the domestic instructions. We will con­ visit alumni.columbia.edu/insurance or call tinue to notify you by e-mail when the plan administrator at 800-223-1147 each issue is posted online. You may be reinstated to receive the print edition at any time by sending a note to [email protected].

september/october 2010 13 columbia college today Student Life A new spirit of community is building on Morningside Heights

B y David Mc Kay Wilson

photos: char smullyan

Back in the day, when freshmen like Joel Klaperman ’67 arrived on campus in jacket and tie and wore blue beanies during orientation, Columbia College was known as a place for rugged individualists who fended for them- faculty and alumni. selves and took pride in doing so. Klaperman recalls how Man- Driving this transformation is the Division of Student Affairs, hattan’s allure usually trumped on-campus activities. Links be- which oversees many facets of the co-curricular experience, includ- tween alumni and students were rare at a time when many from ing student activities, residence life and student advising, as well the all-male student body commuted as parent and family programs, for both to campus from home. the College and Engineering. (Opposite) More than four decades later, Klaper- Also deeply involved in this Orientation lead- man, who hosted a dinner this spring at effort are the Office of the ers march with his home for award-winning seniors Dean of the College, the Of- flags from every and alumni leaders, is contributing to fice of Academic Affairs, the state and coun- try represented a new spirit of community that has Center for Career Education in the student been building on Morningside Heights, and the Alumni Office. body, part of the where 96 percent of College and Engi- Of course, the College pageantry of neering students now live on campus, could not have achieved Convocation. advisers work closely with students such success on its own. who are now female as well as male (the Dean of Advising Monique Rinere takes questions during Many University offices positively im- College went coeducational in 1983), a summer advising session for incoming students and pact the student experience, including and events and programs are designed their families in Lerner Hall. Housing and Dining, Health Services, to build relationships among students, Public Safety, Athletics, Community

september/october 2010 14 student life columbia college today

The College has made improving the co-curricular experience a priority.

Impact and many more. They, too, have redoubled their efforts ever, but are their combined efforts really working? Are students in recent years to transform the undergraduate experience into happier with their co-curricular experience today than in years the beginning of a positive lifelong relationship. gone by? One measure of student satisfaction may be found in participation in the Senior Fund, the annual gift that graduating he Division of Student Affairs, which also includes the seniors make to the College. offices of undergraduate admissions and financial aid, In 1999, only 7 percent of seniors chose to donate to the Senior is led by Dean of Student Affairs and Associate V.P. for Fund. That percentage doubled the following year, and by 2002 T Undergraduate Student Life Kevin Shollenberger, who a majority of seniors were making a gift. Participation reached 71 has worked in the Student Affairs office since 1999 and became percent in 2003 and climbed steadily until last year, when a whop- its dean in 2008. He has seen a change in student experience and ping 92.7 percent of seniors donated $18,628 to the Senior Fund, set- alumni attitude. ting records for both participation and dollars raised. While these “Surveys found that students here numbers may be evidence of increasing got a great education in the classroom satisfaction with the Columbia College and the Columbia degree carried pres- student experience, what exactly has tige and opened doors for them, but led to such a great transformation? they didn’t feel connected to the institu- tion,” says Shollenberger. “Now we also or more than a decade, the are focusing on the student experience College has made improving outside the classroom. It has been a defi- the co-curricular student ex- nite evolution.” Fperience a priority. The effort Dean of the College Michele Moody- begins long before students arrive on Adams says the Division of Student campus, as admissions officers travel Affairs has helped create a campus en- the world to meet with prospective vironment where students are comfort- students and their families to intro- able exploring their intellect, developing duce them to Columbia. Throughout social relationships and growing into the admissions process, admissions young adults. and financial aid officers work to craft “The various services and support a diverse body of students who are provided by our Division of Student likely to have a positive experience in Affairs — from advising to residential and out of the classroom. The Office of programming to support for student Academic Affairs supports this process activities and student well-being — are by coordinating with faculty who are Dean of Student Affairs Kevin Shollenberger presents the all part of our effort to make Columbia Edward S. Brainard Memorial Prize to Sarah Weiss ’10 at involved in recruiting applicants to the College safe for reasonable risks of the the 2010 Class Day ceremony. College and helping to yield the most appropriate kind,” she says. “We want promising newly admitted students. Columbia College students to succeed And the Center for Career Education in the classroom and laboratory, in extracurricular pursuits and works with the admissions office to prepare students for what in their personal relationships.” Columbia offers in terms of internship and career support. Sarah Weiss ’10 was an integral part of the community-build- Soon after students receive their acceptance letters, they are ing experience during her four years at Columbia, serving as v.p., invited for Days on Campus, two full days of programming in policy for the CC Student Council. With support from Financial April that offer the chance to meet students, faculty, administra- Aid, she helped create a weeklong program, called Common tors and alumni. Events include tours of the campus, Morning- Cents, to discuss financial issues, such as what it means to be a side Heights and New York City, sample classes, resource panels high-need student on campus. She brought Columbia students to and introductions to student activities. There also is a correspond- the South Bronx to work with a housing advocacy group called ing Perspectives on Diversity event to provide admitted students Mothers on the Move, conducted campus tours for prospective an opportunity to learn about and experience the diverse campus students, was senior coordinator of the Columbia Urban Experi- community in greater depth. ence and was on the board of Columbia Hillel, where she helped During the summer, Student Affairs partners with the Cen- develop a program on women of faith with students from Hillel ter for Career Education (CCE) and the Alumni Office to hold and the Muslim Students Association. Weiss also was a student advising sessions for incoming students and their families in member of the search committee that led to the hiring of Dean several U.S. cities, Europe and Asia, a program that has grown Moody-Adams and later helped the dean establish a series of significantly in scope and expanded globally in recent years. This regular, informal meetings with students. summer, nearly 60 percent of the Class of 2014 attended meetings Weiss speaks highly of the collaborative atmosphere at the in New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Southern California, College between students and administrators. “You have ideas, Houston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Honolulu, London, Bei- you throw them out and Student Affairs latches on,” she says. jing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore and Bangkok. “The spirit of student involvement is really celebrated here.” At the U.S. sessions, students and family members split into College offices are working together more seamlessly than two groups. Students learn from a Center for Student Advising

september/october 2010 16 columbia college today student life

The Center for Student Advising helps students navigate their way.

(CSA) adviser about the undergraduate curriculum, academic grouped by residence hall floor, a showcase of campus perfor- expectations and degree requirements, how to receive credit for mance groups, an event aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid). Advanced Placement courses taken in high school and who to Thomas Homburger ’63, ’66L, who hosted a summer advising turn to if calculus is either too hard or a boring repeat of what session at the Chicago law firm, K&L Gates, where he is a partner, they learned in 12th grade. On the role of CCE at these sessions, recalls the sense that it was “sink or swim” when he arrived on Dean of Career Education Kavita Sharma says, “We participate in campus from Buffalo, N.Y., in 1959, cocky and full of pluck, but the summer advising program alongside the Center for Student not as well prepared for Columbia’s rigorous academic program Advising to encourage incoming students to engage in career as many of his classmates. After floundering for a while, he says he planning early and frequently throughout their four years.” was lucky enough to figure out how to swim. This emphasis on advising and support is a theme in the fam- “There was move-in day, a short orientation and classes began,” ily sessions as well, where family members learn about the Col- he recalls. “It was an overwhelming experience. After the advising lege, ways to support their stu- session in my office, I said to my dent’s transition to college and wife, ‘It’s like night and day.’ So the city and how to be involved much has changed.” in their student’s experience and the Columbia community iscovering one’s pas­ while still helping their student sions, and finding develop independence and au- the right courses or tonomy. “Parents and families D extracurricular activ­ are more involved these days,” ities to develop them, can be says Shollenberger, citing the challenging. The Center for Stu- growing use of cell phones, text dent Advising, working in close messaging and social networks partnership with faculty, CCE to stay in touch. “It’s no longer and other offices, helps student just the Sunday night call from navigate their way. In August, the pay phone in the hallway of the CSA moved into a much- the residence hall.” anticipated renovated space on These summer meetings cul- the fourth floor of Alfred Lerner minate with a new ritual that Hall, consolidating staff pre- marks the beginning of the Co- viously located in five offices lumbia academic experience: an around campus. The new center alumnus/a hands each incom- includes offices, four seating ar- Dancers from CU Bhangra enliven Low Plaza on Activities Day, when ing student a copy of The Iliad, many of the more than 300 clubs and organizations attract incoming eas, a sun-filled waiting room, a which has been part of the Core students to join their ranks. flexible conference space large Curriculum for decades. Stu- enough for 70 people and sev- dents are expected to read the eral other conference areas. first 12 books of The Iliad during the summer and be prepared to The student advising system also has been streamlined, with discuss the poem when Literature Humanities classes begin in students assigned an adviser in their first year who stays with September. them throughout their undergraduate career. Dean of Advising When the 1,074 members of the College Class of 2014 arrived on Monique Rinere says it’s an improvement over previous systems, campus in late August, there was no shortage of welcome events. in which students were assigned a new adviser each year. In ad- On Monday afternoon, after spending the morning moving in to dition to their administrative adviser, students also are assigned the residence halls, new students and their families gathered on a faculty adviser once they declare their major or concentration, South Field for Convocation. This formal ceremony welcomed usually in the second semester of sophomore year. them to Columbia with much pomp and circumstance, including With primary responsibility for the undergraduate curricu- greetings from the deans of the College and Engineering and a pa- lum, supporting the faculty and upholding the academic policies rade of colorful flags from each state and nation represented by the established by the faculty, the mission of the College’s Office of undergraduate student body. Academic Affairs has been immeasurably enhanced by its close Immediately following Convocation, students undertook an working relationship with the College’s Division of Student Af- elaborate, nine-day New Student Orientation Program (NSOP, fairs and, specifically, the CSA. pronounced en’-sahp) to become acclimated to the campus and “The deans in our Center for Student Advising and the staff of get a taste of the richness of New York City and its cultural scene. Academic Affairs are in almost daily communication as together NSOP events are practical (campus tours, an introduction to Co- we guide and support students through their academic and cur- lumbia’s libraries and computer system, foreign language place- ricular work,” says Kathryn Yatrakis, dean of academic affairs ment exams, a “Bed, Bath & Beyond Excursion”), adventuresome and senior associate v.p. for Arts and Sciences. “From developing (walking tours of many neighborhoods, activities fairs and meet- strategies, to assisting students who are facing academic difficul- and-greets with myriad campus student organizations, an open ties, to identifying candidates for the most prestigious fellow- mic night at Roone Arledge Auditorium) and social (outings ships offered, the close cooperation of the two offices improves

september/october 2010 17 student life columbia college today

“Students want to connect with somebody who knows their name.”

the academic experience of all students.” Students are encouraged to take ownership of the process in Rinere echoes this thought. “We want to create a seamless ad- order to achieve the best results. Toward this end, last year Rinere vising experience — both academic and non-academic — as we led an initiative called Community Conversations on Advising in help students negotiate their way through the University,” says which she and her staff met with students, faculty, advisers and Rinere, who came to Columbia in July 2009 after working in stu- other administrators to discuss reasonable expectations of both dent advising at Harvard and Princeton. advisers and students in the advising process. To this end, advising students for the duration of their time “We hope students develop a number of advising relationships at Columbia gives advisers the opportunity to better know their over the course of their time here,” says Rinere. “It’s not a one-stop students, which helps in guiding them in pursuit of their pas- shopping experience. They need to develop multiple sounding sions. CSA advisers also specialize in connecting them with aca- boards — for study abroad, internships, research and life after Co- demic departments, internship and career advisers, and financial lumbia. Students need to avail themselves of the wealth of advis- aid opportunities. Advisers also point students in the direction of ing available on campus.” events and programs related to their particular interests. Finally, For most students, this includes a visit (or many) to the lower having a good relationship with one’s advising dean or faculty level of the East Campus Building, where the Center for Career adviser can be crucial when a student needs a letter of recom- Education is housed and career advisers serve the University mendation for graduate school, Rinere says. community in a number of ways. CCE partners with students Isabel Broer ’10 says she by providing individual guid- worked closely with Advising ance and advising to assist Dean Jay Orenduff during her them in understanding ways four years at Columbia, meet- to explore career areas of in- ing two or three times a semes- terest, make informed career ter. Sometimes she would stop decisions, conduct a job or in- by to ask specific questions: ternship search and develop what classes to take, the con- skills that will enable them to sequences of dropping a class, navigate and change careers how to approach choosing a throughout their lifetimes. major. Other times, she would “Collaboration with Stu- stop by just to chat. dent Affairs is essential, as we By senior year, when Broer are all advising and working was contemplating life after with the same students,” says Columbia, she would meet Sharma, who has been dean with Orenduff to talk about of career education since Jan- her interests and potential Robert Douglas ’70 and Cristen Kromm (on red chair), assistant dean for uary 2007. “We work with the community development and residential programs, meet with students as paths, without worrying that part of the Living and Learning Center programming. entire division to ensure that he would push her in any they have a good understand- particular direction. She says ing of the offerings of the cen- Orenduff asked questions that helped her reflect on what she ter so that they can direct students where necessary and incorpo- was most passionate about, as a way of identifying what she rate career advising into their interactions with students.” really wanted to do. Broer decided to teach in inner-city schools through Teach for mproving the experience of Columbia undergraduates be- America upon graduation and then attend law school, eventu- yond the classroom and professional pursuits also has been ally specializing in education law. This fall, having deferred her among the Division of Student Affairs’ priorities. In 2009, matriculation at Columbia Law School until 2012, she is one of IShollenberger established a Community Development team 38 graduates from the Class of 2010 teaching through Teach for headed by Terry Martinez, dean of community development and America. Orenduff wrote recommendations for both programs multicultural affairs, to coordinate the work of four offices — and was a reference for her job in the Denver school district. Residential Programs, Student Development and Activities, Stu- “I really felt like Dean Orenduff knew me, my work ethic and dent Group Advising, and Multicultural Affairs. “Students had style, and what I was passionate about,” Broer says. “I had no expressed a need for greater coordination of services that support hesitation about asking him for letters of recommendation. I felt co-curricular life and a desire to foster a greater sense of commu- his goal was only to have my back, and the backs of hundreds of nity,” explains Shollenberger. other students. Dean Orenduff was an adviser and friend, in the Martinez says advisers on her team help students develop lead- truest senses of the words.” ership skills in the College’s many student organizations, some of Alex España, an advising dean at Columbia since 2001, says whose banners adorn the ramps in Lerner Hall. They can teach life the new system was put in place after staff listened to student skills: how to work in a group, plan an event, manage a budget, me- feedback about previous systems. diate differences of opinion and ultimately evaluate success. NSOP “Students told us they didn’t want somebody new every year,” is one example of a program where students truly own what they he says. “These students really want relationships. They want to work on; its leaders (who apply and are accepted to summer-long connect with somebody who knows their name.” positions) spend the entire summer planning the many events listed

september/october 2010 18 columbia college today student life

“Dean Orenduff was an adviser and friend, in the truest senses of the words.”

in the NSOP Schedule Book students receive upon arrival. things might need to be examined and possibly changed.” Student organizations provide a niche for students looking During the academic year, the Community Development staff to engage in politics, explore ethnic or racial issues, or perform works collaboratively with students on campus issues and sup- community service in the greater New York City community. ports several hundred student organizations. Policies on cutting- Students of color, for example, participate in a leadership retreat. edge campus issues, such as hosting controversial speakers, In another program, called Under One Roof, students learn the drinking at parties and gender-neutral housing, also are devel- skills required of living in a diverse community. oped collaboratively among students and administrators. “There “Because Columbia’s campus community is so diverse, part of was a time when these issues could have created an adversarial our role is to help students develop tools so they can thrive in a relationship between students and the administration,” says culture that celebrates differences,” says Martinez. “We want stu- Shollenberger, who says his focus in each instance is on develop- dents to recognize where biases may exist and to support them in ing the best policy for Columbia. “It used to be a very ‘we-they’ the difficult conversations that often result.” thing on many issues. We are working together now.” Students are encouraged to not only participate in planned For example, Student Affairs worked closely with the Inter- community-building activities but also explore interests that may Greek Council on a policy, adopted in 2009, for social events in initially appear outside of their comfort zone. fraternity and sorority houses. Students wanted to defuse the ten- Carmen McClure ’12, a psychology major, discovered her pas- sions that arose over crackdowns on drinking by campus security. sions through the Double Dis- David Salant ’10, an officer of covery Center, which serves Delta Sigma Phi, said the old more than 1,000 high-need, policy didn’t work because college-bound New York City fraternities were forced to hire teens in programs that im- costly security details and reg- prove their academic and per- ister parties weeks in advance. sonal skills. The DDC, which Rather than adhere to those was founded in the 1960s, is policies, some fraternity par- not under the oversight of Stu- ties went underground, which dent Affairs. Salant says encouraged unsafe Last spring, McClure took behavior. DDC students to Columbia The new policy allows fra- classes to give them a taste of ternities to register parties five college pedagogy. This fall, days in advance. The fraterni- she’ll train Columbia stu- ties or sororities name three dents to work as DDC tutors event monitors for each party and will meet monthly with to check IDs at the door and Dean Michele Moody-Adams speaks with former student leaders Sue Yang ’10 the student volunteers to sup- and Isabel Broer ’10 at a campus event last spring. distribute wristbands to those port their work. 21 and older, who are allowed to drink. A maximum of 75 etter communication and collaboration between admin- guests are allowed per party. Alcohol can be served to those 21 and istrators and students is a key underlying element in the older at a rate of one drink per hour, and parties must end at 2 a.m. improvement in student engagement. “We got more freedom in exchange for subjecting ourselves to B When Moody-Adams arrived at Columbia in sum- higher standards,” says Salant, who now is an equity derivatives mer 2009, she was interested in establishing informal, unscripted analyst at JP Morgan. “We wanted to show them we could run monthly meetings with small groups of students. At about the parties that were safe, and that we could be held accountable. It same time, Weiss had proposed a similar concept to the Student took a lot of faith on their part to trust a bunch of frat boys. We’re Council. “The dean wanted to meet with students, and Student glad they did.” Affairs latched onto the idea and ran with it,” recalls Weiss. For Shollenberger, resolved issues like this one have been central The concept drew a huge response. Fifteen students were cho- in a career in student affairs that included stints at the University sen at random from among 600 who expressed interest in sharing of Hawaii at Manoa and American University in Washington, D.C. tea and conversation with the dean. The teas became a monthly Developing good relations with students is a key to his success. event last academic year, with different groups of students at- “We try to be very visible,” says Shollenberger. “We can’t just tending each time. The dean plans to continue these informal sit in our offices and expect students to come to us.” gatherings with students in the future. Moody-Adams says Shollenberger’s encouragement of stu- “The teas are not really about airing any grievances or con- dent engagement has paid dividends. cerns that students may have, though they certainly allow stu- “He respects students and values their active leadership but dents to do that when they feel so inclined,” says Moody-Adams. also understands the importance of creating an environment in “More important is that the teas provide a low-key environment which they can remain safe in the exercise of their leadership,” in which students can talk about their experiences at the College, she says. “He welcomes diversity of all kinds, and works hard about how they see the world and what they care about, and to ensure that students give one another space in which to act on about what things are working well at Columbia as well as what their diverse values and opinions, without harming others.”

september/october 2010 19 student life columbia college today

“Shollenberger respects students and values their active leadership.”

ith nearly all students now electing to live on cam- are given clues to find certain locations around the city, like a res- pus, the Office of Residential Programs plays an taurant in Chinatown without a sign out front. important role in shaping the Columbia experi- “I’m a senior this year, so I really have to go out with a bang,” W ence outside the classroom. Part of the Student says Douglas, whose father, Robert Douglas ’70, met his wife-to- Affairs Community Development unit, Residential Programs be, Barbara, at a Furnald mixer in the late 1960s. strives to create an environment in the residence halls that com- Broer, who was Carman Hall’s community adviser in 2009–10, plements the academic and co-curricular experiences students headed a team that built community in that 13-story residence find elsewhere on campus. hall and across the entire campus. Heading up this charge is Cristen Kromm, assistant dean for “The first-year residence halls bring together such diverse- stu community development and residential programs. “Living in dents, from such different backgrounds,” says Broer. “It’s that diver- Columbia’s residence halls is a critical part sity that defines Columbia, and it’s a great of each student’s growth and development experience to live with such a terrific group as they learn to articulate, and occasionally of people so unlike yourself.” adjust, their personal needs within the con- Helping develop a community feeling text of community living,” says Kromm. in residence halls are faculty-in-residence “The experiences afforded in Columbia’s who live among the students. Robert residence halls today promote students’ Harrist Jr., the Jane and Leopold Swear- intellectual, social, emotional, and interper- gold Professor of Chinese Art History, is sonal growth and development.” among three faculty living in Columbia Kromm also notes how important it is residence halls. He moved his family to create a welcoming atmosphere where into a three-bedroom apartment with a students feel comfortable. To this end, a terrace in East Campus five years ago. dedicated team of trained professionals, There, he and his wife, Weizhi, are raising graduate students and undergraduate their 10-year-old son, Jack, who attends students is in place to help residents ex- the nearby Cathedral School. Harrist says plore passions and express individual- he signed up for the assignment for two ity, while building a sense of community reasons: he likes students and he likes and “home away from home.” Resident hosting parties. Advisers (RAs) facilitate conversations Once a semester, the Harrists will ar- about community standards, encourage range for a study-break party at 10 p.m., residents to work together to overcome When alumni present copies of The Iliad to incom- with pizza and sandwiches. On one Sun- differences, and, through a variety of pro- ing students, as Tao Tan ’07, ’11 Business did here day night a month during the school grams and activities, make the Columbia in Lerner Hall, it represents a passing of the torch year, the Harrists also host a dinner party and an affirmation of the rich tradition of the Core residential experience the best it can be. Curriculum. for up to 20 students and faculty at their Mary Martha Douglas ’11, who is in her home, with one faculty member attend- third year as an RA in first-year residence ing to speak with students about his or halls, said during the summer that she was looking forward to her academic and professional interests and pursuits. Guests last making Furnald’s eighth floor feel welcoming for students who year included Nobel laureate Martin Chalfee and Dean Moody- may arrive on campus not knowing a soul and nervous about the Adams. upcoming academic challenge. Harrist says living on campus has rekindled the campus spirit “I get to be the mother hen and help them branch out,” says he felt while teaching for a decade at Oberlin College, which is Douglas, who is living in Furnald this fall after working in John located in a small town in Ohio. He had lived on the Upper West Jay and Hartley the past two years. Side for eight years before moving into East Campus. In mid-July, Douglas was planning door tags for first-years “Because there’s so much to do in the city, that can sap energy and beginning work on the bulletin boards. Last year, she created from life on campus,” he says. “These parties create an occasion door tags from classic movie memorabilia, with student names to stay on campus. They give students a chance to socialize with emblazoned on replicas of film posters, movie tickets or Acad- the faculty and they help bring Columbia together.” emy Awards. “It’s good to have something fun to greet them and Recognizing the value the faculty-in-residence program brings show them we care,” says Douglas, a political science and anthro- to campus life, Academic Affairs and Residential Programs are pology major eyeing a career in political consulting. collaborating to select a faculty member to serve as the newest Douglas also gives campus tours, visits high schools to talk faculty-in-residence and who will reinforce the crucial link be- to prospective students and assists with the Days on Campus tween the residential and academic components of student life. program in April, when admitted students come for the week- end. She shares that she hoped to arrange a September bus tour lumni play an increasingly prominent role in the cam- of Manhattan and an evening of karaoke at a restaurant for her pus community, thanks in large part to a renewed fo- first-year floormates. She may also take her charges downtown cus on the connection between students and alumni. by subway so they can experience walking over the Brooklyn AStudent and Alumni Programs was launched in 2001 Bridge, or devise a New York City treasure hunt in which they as a formal function housed within Student Affairs, with the

september/october 2010 20 columbia college today student life

Alumni play an increasingly prominent role in the campus community.

mission of establishing and strengthening these lifelong relation- United Nations, Lincoln Center, Gracie Mansion, the New York ships and developing greater kinship among Columbians across Stock Exchange, Radio City Music Hall and the Metropolitan generations. Students benefit from access to the alumni network, Museum of Art. including professional, educational and cultural opportunities, The Alumni Parade of Classes reinforces the connection be- and witness the value of remaining involved as Columbians after tween students and alumni, affording alumni the opportunity graduation. to be part of the traditions of Convocation (when students first Student Affairs, the Alumni Office and CCE partner to orga- arrive to campus) and Class Day (as they prepare to depart) nize a series of career-focused panels where alumni talk with stu- by carrying class banners in the processionals. Having alumni dents about their fields. On occasion, physicians who attended distribute The Iliad to incoming students at summer advising the College will speak about a career in medicine. At an event sessions represents a “passing of the torch” and acknowledge- called Legally Speaking, alumni share their experiences as attor- ment of the traditions of the Core Curriculum, while the alumni neys. Other panels have explored careers in journalism and the presence at the gala Senior Dinner reinforces the notion that a not-for-profit world. These events include questions from- stu student’s time on campus is only the beginning of his or her dents and are followed by a networking reception. engagement with Columbia. CCE also offers students a multitude of opportunities to con- Brian C. Krisberg ’81, ’84L was the head resident in Car- nect with employers and man Hall when the Col- alumni interested in hiring lege became coeducational Columbia students, through in 1983. He became active the formal on-campus inter- in the Columbia College view program, career fairs, Alumni Association more informal networking nights, than 20 years ago and was employer site visits, struc- its president from 2006–08. tured summer internship He’s now vice-chair of the programs (nationally and Columbia Alumni Associa- internationally) and online tion and is working to co- tools. ordinate efforts among the “Students get practical ca- University’s alumni organi- reer advice that can be quite zations. helpful,” says Kathryn Witt- “Columbia is such a dif- ner, senior associate dean of ferent school from what it student affairs. But just as was 30, or even 15, years important, she says, students ago,” says Krisberg, a partner get to know alumni and un- U.N. official Fernando Ortiz Jr. ’79 (standing, fourth from left) led students on a in the NYC office of the law behind-the-scenes tour, including a chance to sit in delegates’ seats in the Secu- derstand the lifetime rela- rity Council chamber. firm Sidley Austin. “We’ve tionship with Columbia. come a long way, but there In exchange for giving is still so much more that we of their experience and expertise to a younger generation of stu- can do. It’s not a time to rest on our laurels. We must continue to dents, alumni feel a sense of continuity and a unique connection connect alumni with alumni, connect alumni with students and to Columbia. “Alumni genuinely enjoy spending time with stu- support Columbia students through the Columbia experience.” dents and learning about the experiences of a new generation of Shollenberger says the increased involvement by alumni Columbians,” says Wittner. is a crucial piece of the community-building effort that has She adds that not all events are career-focused, and Student brought the College into the 21st century stronger than ever. Affairs and the Alumni Office partner to plan events and initia- It begins with alumni handing The Iliad to incoming first-years tives that connect alumni with students and with one another in and continues with graduating seniors receiving class pins more casual settings. from members of the 50th anniversary reunion class on Class Often this takes the form of a mentorship. College alumni of Day. This interaction emphasizes that while students may color may volunteer in a program that matches them with under- spend four years on campus, they are lifelong members of the graduates of similar racial or ethnic backgrounds, while Columbia Columbia family. College Women, overseen by CCE, matches alumnae with female “There’s a growing sense of having an intergenerational com- students. “Sometimes it’s based on career interests, other times it’s munity at Columbia,” says Shollenberger. “The students learn like having a big brother or big sister who can offer practical advice early that they are part of a larger community — a growing net- about living in New York,” Wittner says. work that supports them now and will be part of their lives in Alumni and students also frequently meet for social occasions, the future.” such as for dinner in residence halls or in alumni homes. Last year, students who were unable to leave campus for the holiday David McKay Wilson is a freelance writer who has profiled U.S. traveled to Westchester to enjoy a pre-Thanksgiving dinner at the Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. ’73, ’76L; New York Governor Da- home of Rick Wolf ’86. Frequently, alumni provide students with vid Paterson ’77; and journalist Clark Hoyt ’64 for Columbia College behind-the-scenes access to New York City sites, including the Today.

september/october 2010 21 columbia college today Erica Woda ’04 Tries To Level the Field

B y Jo s h u a Ro b i n s o n ’08

t had been almost a decade since Erica Woda ’04 had made an impression. She had shown them the prize. took her first campus tour in Morningside Heights, “These kids don’t grow up in a culture of achievement,” a decade since she had been that impressionable says Woda, who has taught at two schools in the Bronx and recruit deciding, “Yep, this is where I want to be.” now is a P.E. teacher at the KIPP NYC College Prep School on And now, here she was, with a group of laughing, West 133rd Street, just north of Columbia’s proposed Manhat- chattering, bouncing sixth-graders from Washing- tanville campus. “But hopefully, they’re all going to be first- ton Heights, walking through the gates. generation college graduates.” The chattering stopped and their eyes opened wide. Woda’s tool to get them there is sports. A former captain of the They slowly made their way along College Walk, taking Columbia soccer team, she has spent the last two years building in the grandeur of the buildings and the buzz of the campus. Level the Field (LTF; http://levelthefieldnyc.org), a free program WodaI spoke, as she always does, at a mile a minute, telling for inner-city sixth- and seventh-graders to keep them busy on them what it means to be a student, where the classrooms are, weekends while boosting their academic ambition. how hard you have to work. The students, all from the Wash- On Saturday mornings, Woda and her team of volunteers pick ington Heights Expeditionary Learning School, hung on her up a gaggle of kids outside their school on West 182nd Street and every word. One boy began taking notes, and Woda knew she shepherd them to one of Columbia’s athletics facilities, where they

Erica Woda ’04 founded Level the Field to try to keep youngsters physically active and academically motivated.

september/october 2010 22 columbia college today Erica Woda ’04

attend clinics for basketball, base- its facilities available for free — ball and of course, soccer, all taught though that didn’t stop Woda by student-athletes. On afternoons, from once trying to book a field LTF also takes them to Columbia eight months in advance. sporting events at Robert K. Kraft “The Columbia University Field and Levien Gymnasium. “The community has completely ad- message is that athletics teach in- opted this program, completely trinsic lessons that cannot be taught embraced it,” she says. by a textbook,” Woda says, point- ing out how much of her character ighteen months of scram- was developed on the soccer field. bling after Woda came up “You can’t teach a kid to be a leader, with the idea and $30,000 or a team player, or a good sport, by later, LTF was ready to showing him or her a textbook.” hold its first event. It kicked off But just to make sure they withE a soccer clinic on Halloween know textbooks are still impor- weekend last year, with no guar- tant, the student-athletes then antees that any kids would show visit the kids at their school on up — especially when Woda had Thursdays. Woda, LTF’s organiz- a feeling that soccer might not er and worrier-in-chief, piles them be the most popular sport in the into cabs heading uptown, where urban neighborhood. Only seven they go into the sixth-grade class- Woda, a former Columbia soccer caption, used her school connec- came, yet Woda was thrilled. The rooms and preach the gospel of tions to get Level the Field going. first session, small as it was, had hard work. PHOTOS: DANIELLA ZALCMAN ’09 come together. Woda and LTF’s COO, Julia TF was born one afternoon in May 2008, as Woda was Nozov, believe that the only way they can really gauge LTF’s heading home. Walking along West 106th Street, she impact is attendance, especially since nothing is mandatory. lingered behind the tall black fence surrounding a public They are not yet in a position to track grades or classroom be- L soccer field. As she watched kids playing a rag-tag game havior, but they know that if kids are coming to the clinics, they instead of sitting on their couches, inspiration hit her. certainly aren’t playing video games. Before every clinic, Woda “All these kids, they’re out playing soccer,” she says. “It’s spends entire evenings on the phone trying to remind parents not structured, they don’t have the best equipment, they don’t about it. She even buys a MetroCard for one girl who cannot know what they’re doing, but they’re out and they’re having afford the $5.50 round trip from Washington Heights. But after fun. It was one of those ‘aha’ moments.” a year, excitement is growing inside the school. Eighty-seven And Woda has never been one to keep an “aha” moment to kids are currently enrolled in the program, with 20–25 regu- herself. larly attending on Saturdays. This fall the program’s capacity A self-described “crazy, passionate, all over the place, ec- grew to 190, as it opened up to seventh-graders. centric person,” she immediately began firing off e-mails and “Kids spread news like wildfire,” Woda said. “Whether it’s making calls. She rounded up friends and reached out to her the pizza, whether it’s the train ride, who knows what the in- former coach, Kevin McCarthy ’85, ’91 GSAS. Before she knew centive is that brings them out? But for the most part, if I reach it, Woda had cobbled together an advisory board and was a parent or if I reach a kid the night before, they generally have holding planning meetings at the lunch tables in the Colum- nothing going on.” bus Circle Whole Foods. Once the kids are under Woda’s watchful eye, the fretting “You can’t help but get caught up in the whirlwind of en- subsides and the pace finally slows. The anxiety of waiting ergy — it’s a force — around Erica,” McCarthy said. “Even to see whether anyone turns up melts away. For a few hours, when I recruited her, that energy was palpable.” there are no more parents to call or athletes to corral. For a Those who have latched onto LTF around Woda echo the senti- few hours, Woda gets to put down the crucial green binder ment. They tell stories of frantic calls and breathless explanations full of permission slips. All that matters is making sure the that they just couldn’t ignore. As they listened to her talk so fast kids have fun, until it’s time to start counting heads again the words tripped over each other, people from all over Woda’s and take them home through the subway maze. For now, in Columbia universe offered to help in any way they could. the friendly blue confines of University Gymnasium, she can “Even if they have a lot going on, a lot on their plates, it’s concentrate on demonstrating the drills and applauding the soccer and kids, so they come out,” former roommate and soc- goals. cer player Gui Stampur ’04 said. With word spreading among “It’s a bit of relief and it’s a bit of excitement to see all the generations of soccer alumni, he adds, people are starting to work that goes on in the background come to fruition,” Woda emerge from the woodwork. said. “When we’re actually at a clinic or a game, that’s when I Woda reeled in other coaches, such as Columbia baseball’s get to relax a little.” Brett Boretti. She called on Stampur. She enlisted the men’s and women’s basketball teams, the men’s and women’s soccer To watch a video of LTF at work, go to www.college.columbia.edu/cct. teams and the baseball team. She recruited Fernando Perez ’04, who has played for the Tampa Bay Rays and now is in their Joshua Robinson ’08 is a freelance writer based in Manhattan. farm system. The athletics department even offered to make Read more about him at joshuasethrobinson.com.

september/october 2010 23 columbia college today

[ Columbia Forum] The Difference You Can Make John Kluge: Stories

or Columbia readers, John Kluge: Stories is a rare sort of find: a collabora- tion between a College father and son (John W. Kluge Sr. ’37 and John W. Kluge Jr. ’05). Kluge Sr., well known for his philanthropy to Columbia and other institutions, is chairman of Metromedia Company. Kluge Jr. works in the Office of the President at the EastWest Institute in New York. In 2005, John Kluge Jr. decided to get to know his father a little better. After F graduating from the College, he moved in with John Kluge Sr. at his house in the south of France for the summer. As he writes in a humorous, deft introduction: “What I had in mind was a Tuesdays with Morrie-type of experience” — long discussions of life and love, “dreams and poetry,” shared meals and of course “bad jokes.” But the recording apparatus he was using inhibited them both and made their talks “strained and awkward.” He abandoned his attempts to tape. Instead, they started playing cards to pass the time. “Mondays with Kluge was not a book that would ever be written,” Kluge Jr. jokes. But as they played gin, the father talked and the son scribbled notes, “mostly on the back of gin-scoring notebooks.” What emerged from those notes was a detailed, common-sense self-portrait in Kluge Sr.’s own words. Kluge describes how, as a young child in Germany, he used fluc- tuating postwar prices to make a small profit on the shopping errands he ran for his grandmother. He remembers arriving in America with his mother and learning English from Webster’s Dictionary to survive: “I wanted to be John Kluge. Nobody other than my family called me Johannes anymore.” He recalls cutting lawns for money and then hiring other boys as workers to grow the revenue. Even in his childhood stories, the streak of business savvy that would distinguish him later already is obvious. Still, before he became a businessman, Kluge Sr. decided, he would need a college education. “I wanted to get more tools for bettering myself,” he puts it. In the following excerpt from John Kluge: Stories, he tells how he came to attend the College — and how he flourished there. John W. Kluge Jr. ’05 photo: Sean Thomas Rose Kernochan ’82 Barnard

september/october 2010 24 columbia college today John Kluge: Stories

fast. While there was never any pressure, I wanted to be what Mrs. My stepfather didn’t believe DaRatt wanted me to be, and that was an outstanding student who would go to school beyond high school. She was a remarkable wom- an, and she encouraged me. She opened up my world. Remember, I in education. was still rather constricted, in every way — in language, in religion, in education. She taught me manners, “the graces.” She even intro- He wanted me to stop going to school after the eighth grade. That duced me to American foods, such as the baked potato. Corn. She was all the education he thought necessary for a young man. He was a very bright woman but quite pragmatic. Not a lot of warmth wanted me to go into the painting business with him. He already on the surface. If I had a cold she wouldn’t say much, you know. She had his own children working for him, so I knew I would always didn’t pamper me at all, and that’s good. She hoped that I would be be a second-class citizen. I would always be under his thumb. an independent spirit, which she was. Tough American stock. She I convinced him to let me go on to high school, at least for one was all black and all white, nothing in between, and as you’re grow- year. And so I skipped part of eighth grade and went straight to ing up that might be a very good influence. high school. I listened to them and I learned. I left home at fourteen. I remember Mrs. DaRatt would have people over — doctors, busi- After my first year of high school, my stepfather still wanted me to nessmen, judges. I listened to them and I learned. Allan Campbell quit and join his business. I wanted to get more tools for bettering was a friend of hers. He was a judge, the founding dean of the De- myself and he didn’t believe in that, so I left home at fourteen. troit City College Law School, and one night Judge Campbell was There was no big scene. I still stayed in contact with my moth- talking to a realtor about a piece of property he owned. You have to er, and I never had any dislike for my stepfather. I was never re- remember this was during the Depression, and the judge was going ally mad at him, because if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have to lose some money on this property. And I remember this distinctly. come to this country and I would have been in Hitler’s army. The realtor said, “Well, you can do so and so and save some money.” Over the years, I don’t know whether I was looking for a father, The judge said, “Oh, yes, I can do that legally — but not morally.” but I had a number of older men who were very generous with their Things like that, these were sign posts to me. It’s not how success- time and advice. I listened to them, and they were good substitutes. ful you are. Did you do it without being either a con artist or a person Allen Crow was one. Teddy Prentiss was another. Elmer Auden, who was so burned up with success that anything goes? I don’t feel Judge [Allan] Campbell. These were all men I respected and learned comfortable with “anything goes.” Never have, never will. a lot from. But my stepfather, after I finished my first year in high You know, the teacher said an interesting thing to me once. school, said, “No more schooling.” I either had to go into business, She said, “John, you’re one of the few people I know who can or I would have to leave home. I chose to leave home. learn from other people without going through the experience yourself.” I felt that what they said — the judge, all these others

I was never afraid of making a decision. It was an immediate decision, even though I didn’t know where I was going to sleep the first night. I was never afraid of making a deci- sion, regardless of the consequences. For a few days, I slept at the school and washed cars for food money. I waited until after dark so I could shower with the hose. Then I went to the home of one of my teachers, Gracia Gray DaRatt. She taught typing and shorthand in high school, and I took her classes and became quite profi- cient, which served me well. I washed Mrs. DaRatt’s car, and she asked me what I was doing. I said, “Well, I’ve left home,” and I told her why and she took me in. She was a great woman but not someone to make a show. She said, “Here’s the refrigerator, here’s your bedroom, here’s your bathroom,” and that was it. At fourteen, you’re a boy. Between fourteen James Lin and John Kluge, with three of the Detroit civic leaders who organized their tour of and eighteen, I became an adult. I grew up very the city. (Lin, center front; Kluge, back, to the right of Lin.)

september/october 2010 25 John Kluge: Stories columbia college today

— was so important, so meaningful, I could and should apply it I applied for the scholarship and it came down to two fellows: to myself. It became important to do that. Ed Litchfield and me. Ed was on the debating team, and he was Living with Mrs. DaRatt, little by little I formed a conclusion very well-versed in the English language, while I really was not. I that I wanted to be somebody but not on the basis of cheating or wore rough clothes and he was very refined. We both went to Mr. fooling people. It’s been a principle I’ve lived with; I’ve always Crow’s house for the interview and I said to Mr. Crow, “I’d like been much more interested in substance than perception. If the to be interviewed second, if you don’t mind.” So Ed was inter- substance is right, I feel that everything is right. viewed first. When Mr. Crow got to me, he asked various ques - tions, the usual things. We were in his sun parlor. Then, as I’m walking to the front door, I turned and walked back. I said, “Mr. Crow, I don’t know whether I’ll get this scholarship, but I want What difference you can make, you to look at my hands.” They were very rough because I did a lot of work with my hands. I said, “I don’t know whether I’m go- ing to get this scholarship but even if I don’t, these hands will pull you should try to make. me through.” Well, I think that took Mr. Crow so by surprise. I still think Litchfield should have gotten the scholarship. But he In the sands of time, individuals make very little difference. But didn’t get it. I did. Litchfield went to the University of Michigan. what little difference you can make, you should try to make. You know, he became president of Carnegie Tech at a later time. He That’s what I’m going to put on my tombstone, because there’s was an outstanding fellow, certainly better material than I was. too much avarice in the world, I think. There’s too much com- petition for things that don’t mean much in the long run. If you make a contribution that makes the world better, not only are you somebody, but you’re implementing. I don’t want to hurt any- I had very little chance to get body, and I don’t want credit for it. I am not oriented toward get- ting credit. And so much of that came from the teacher. In 1953, I was in St. Louis. I’d just closed a deal, buying a radio the scholarship but I did. station in Clayton, Missouri, and I got the news of Mrs. DaRatt’s death. I was the only person at her funeral. It was in the winter The point is, I always felt that I could work my way through, and I time, in Fairhaven, New York, and cold. I had to really take the did. I didn’t feel the world owed me anything. As a matter of fact, I gravediggers to task, because it was so cold they didn’t want to consider that, even today, a weakness. The world doesn’t owe any- get out of their hut. I remember so distinctly driving away, and I body anything, because it’s all within yourself. I can’t remember cried but the tears just froze, it was that cold. Bitter, bitter cold. where I ever complained about my life. I always thought my life She was an inspiration for me. All my life I keep her memory. was wonderful. I really did, even when I didn’t have a penny. But I can’t understand, even today, why anybody in this coun- try who has his health can complain, because there are always opportunities. If somebody wants to work in this country, they I wanted to go to Columbia can find work. Oh, sure, it may be cleaning windows, maybe cleaning sewers — whatever — but you can find a job. because it was in New York. And not because it was Columbia. I knew I’d need a scholarship so I When I got the scholarship, called Allen B. Crow, who was head of the Detroit Columbia Club. [The following is Mr. Crow’s recollection of the conversation, many years later.] I wrote back and said it I received a phone call at home one evening. The caller asked, “Is this the president of the Columbia Alumni Club?” I said, “Yes, it is.” wasn’t enough. “Do you have a scholarship available?” “Yes, we do.” I was realistic enough to know that I needed an increase for me “Well, I want it.” to go to New York. If they wanted me, they would do that; if they “Do you have any money at all?” didn’t want me, they’d say no and I would have to live with it. Mrs. “No, but I’ll earn the rest. I’m willing to work my way through. But DaRatt said, “You know, they’re just going to tell you it’s been nice I want your scholarship.” to have made your acquaintance, but you go somewhere else be- Well, I admired the boy’s pluck. cause you’re too rich for our blood.” But that’s the chance I took. Well, they gave it to me, but it took a month or so to find out. That schoolteacher, she and I would stop at the post office every day — Box 63 at the Ferndale Post Office — and I would look “These hands will pull me into that little window for a white envelope with blue printing, and one day there it was. I came out to the car, a little Ford, and I showed the letter to Mrs. DaRatt. She said, “I’ll bet they turned through.” you down.” I said, “I’ll bet they didn’t.” And they didn’t. They gave me the double scholarship.

september/october 2010 26 columbia college today John Kluge: Stories

I learn every day, even now. Going to school is predominantly to discipline your mind. It’s also to encourage you to go on learning throughout your life. I learn every day, even now. Children have a sense of awe and that’s something we should never lose as adults. The people who have the attitude of knowing everything are sad cases. A scholar knows that when he knows everything, he shuts his mind to anything new. I think a person needs curiosity, and a sense of enthusiasm. It doesn’t matter what you’re enthusiastic about. To be enthusiastic is to be a participant. It’s a sign you’re alive.

I remember getting ready for Columbia.

Mrs. DaRatt said, “You’ve got to have a tuxedo, and even tails,” and Gracia Gray DaRatt with what may be the car Kluge bought for her she found some for me. I was standing at the tailor’s as they were with his contest winnings. downsizing the tuxedo and the tails when I heard one of them say, “Isn’t it too bad that so-and-so died?” So I knew these clothes had I had a stationery business. Every freshman who comes in wants to belonged to someone who was dead. I could never wear them. write to his friends, or his girlfriend, or his family, on the stationery My first roommate was Henry Galbraith [’37] , from El Paso, of Columbia, with his name or his initials and the year he graduates. Texas. I kept telling him, “Henry, you go to dances and all this, Being a pricer at the dining hall, I was able to say to students, “Is this you really ought to have a tuxedo and tails.” I finally sold him your first year?” Yes. “Have you got any stationery?” He might say the whole outfit for twenty dollars: five dollars down, five dol- no. I’d say, “Give me your room number. I’ll be up to see you.” So lars a month. I didn’t need a tuxedo after all. Beautiful material being a pricer also gave me a place to sell stationery. in it, though. The lining was pink. I gave personal service. I brought the stationery to them when it was finished. I did that, also, to collect the money. The printer wanted to get paid right away, so I had to collect the money right away. I came to Columbia with In 1938, the Detroit Times had a contest, and I won second prize — $2,000. That was a lot of money then! I used part of it to buy Mrs. DaRatt a car. fifteen dollars, and I left with I also cleaned motor rooms in boats on the river. I would work cleaning engine rooms on Saturday and I’d have grease all over me. It took half a day to get rid of the grease. I didn’t want to seven thousand. come up to the Columbia campus with all that grease. I represented a shoe company, and I would go around the To get my scholarship, I had to really work — get all A’s and campus with one shoe under my arm. A guy said, “That’s a good- that sort of stuff. When I went to college I didn’t care. I didn’t looking shoe,” and I’d say, “Come on up to my room. I’ve got the care about the Phi Beta Kappa or any of those things, because other one there.” I represented a clothing store on 114th Street, I had three or four jobs while I was in school and a lot of times and I got my clothes at a very deep discount. I wouldn’t sit down to my studies until midnight. I came to Nothing really bothered me, because I needed the money to Columbia with fifteen dollars, and I left with seven thousand. exist. Being a pricer, I got my meals. With the scholarship, I got I guess I got a B-average. That didn’t bother me. I got what I my room and tuition and books. Any clothing I needed, any other wanted, and it wouldn’t make any difference what my grades money I needed, I got from the stationery or the odd jobs. And all were, as long as they were passing. the ways I raised my money were honest ways.

I was always selling something. I am open to anything that im- At graduation they had a cemetery full of headstones for every- one in the class, with quotations on the stones. On my stone they proves the human condition. put, “I’m wiser. I sold my body for fertilizer.” I was always selling something. I was never a card-carrying Communist. But I believed in the idea I was a pricer at the John Jay Dining Hall, so I got my three meals. that everyone should contribute. Norman Thomas influenced me

september/october 2010 27 John Kluge: Stories columbia college today greatly. I heard him the first time when I was in high school; I was “ … Were Jim and I surprised!” said Kluge last night, speaking mesmerized by him. But, you see, the Communists started burn- of the rousing welcome. “For awhile there I was kind of worrying ing books and all kinds of things at Columbia, and that’s when I about entertaining Jim right … ” left that idea. … Then the short-trousered dining hall cashier told how he I’ve never liked the establishment because I’m not interested and Lin became close friends. in the status quo. As a matter of fact, change is what I really like. “I first met Jim while making the rounds of the dormitories I’m not attached to things. I have things and I like them but if I trying to sell stationery. He nearly bought me out the first night lost them, I would still feel happy inside myself. In that respect, I saw him … Four weeks before the Christmas vacation began I’m a revolutionary. I asked him to come to Detroit with me. Jim is doing graduate In today’s politics, I’m neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I work in economics, and I thought he’d be interested in taking a am open to anything that improves the human condition. I’m fis- look at the automobile plants … On the train,” continued Kluge, cally conservative because someone has to pay for it. In that way “I was worried, trying to figure out just how Jim was going to I’m a conservative, but not many others. like being mauled [sic] around in a Detroit street car. An execu- tive from Chrysler Motors solved that problem by telling us that the private car of Walter P. Chrysler would be at our disposal through the holidays. There are only eighty cars in the world like I learned a lot from Jim Lin. Mr. Chrysler’s, and the queen of England has one. “While we were dining at the home of my guardian, Mrs. Gra- Grace DaRatt said, “John, you’re going to go far, because you lis- cia DaRatt, Mr. Crow read out our schedule for the holidays. I ten.” Actually, I listen a great deal more than I talk. I was secretary had no appetite that day. How could a fellow eat after being told to the son of the President of China, and I studied the Mandarin he was to meet Henry Ford at dinner?” language for six months. James Lin was son of Lin Sen, the presi- dent after Sun Yat-Sen and Chiang Kai-Shek. On the list of social engagements were visits to the Chrysler, Ford, I learned a lot from Jim Lin. One day we were taking the sub- Dodge, and Packard plants, which Lin insisted on inspecting way, and you know in New York it’s a rush for the subway. He carefully. The bland Chinese was interested in the mass produc- said, “How often do these subways come?” I said, “Every three tion methods employed. minutes.” He said, “So we’ll wait three minutes.” He taught me “That’s what we’re going to have in China,” he told an in- a lot about patience. And, you know, it paid off later. We had a terviewer … [Kluge fainted during a tour of Parke-Davis Drug cellular operation in Shanghai, the largest city in China — thirty company.] “They took me to the infirmary,” he said. “And they million people then. The Chinese government said, “Look, we let me have the prettiest nurse I’ve ever seen. When Jim saw her, don’t want you to own our system. We don’t want outsiders to he wanted to swat himself on the head and get in the bed right own any part of our telecommunications.” I agreed heartily. I beside me, but the directors wanted him for lunch.” said, “I understand your policy.” They paid us back ninety mil- lion plus interest. Some companies want to fight it. My feeling is, you never fight the Chinese. They have the patience of Job, and they would tie you up so you would never get what you wanted. We agreed to meet in Baghdad. It’s better to give in to their request, and so you learn. Jimmy Lin was one of my best customers for the stationery Another of the fellows I met at Columbia was Baba Ali, who was business, and I invited him to come to Detroit with me over the a son of Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji, the exiled king of Kurdistan. winter break in 1933. We agreed to meet in Baghdad at noon, August 14th, 1936. That When we pulled into Michigan Central in Detroit, the shades summer I visited Cairo. I went to Israel, which was Palestine in the sleeping car were all down. I put up the shade, and I saw all then. There were camels on the streets in Tel Aviv. I traveled all of these people out on the platform. And, I said to Lin, “There’s around the region but on August 14th, there I was in Baghdad, got to be somebody important on this train.” Little did I think it on Rashid Street, which is the main drag. Then it was just a dirt was for Lin, you know. road, like a frontier town in a Western. I’d said I’d be there and I was — but he wasn’t! Well, Baba Ali did show up finally, with his driver, and we drove across the desert in his Cadillac, up to his family’s home. I Detroit Heaps Honors on lived a month up in the hills, in Kurdistan. They treated me very well, though I remember one night we visited a Moslem holy man, removing our shoes at the door, of course. He brought me Columbia Students; Ford, grapes. “Here, infidel, eat,” he said. “You are a welcome guest in my house.” You know, it was quite an experience. Chrysler Fete Son of China’s President I was a gambler. Excerpts from Detroit Times, January 1934 I gambled with sugar heirs from Cuba, anyone who wanted to Jim Lin and John Kluge Receive Keys to City, View Art, Relics, Soci- play. One day the dean of Columbia College asked me to come to ety. Rival Magnates to Entertain Pair on Holiday Visit his office. He said, “You know, we don’t understand you. You’re

september/october 2010 28 columbia college today John Kluge: Stories gambling all night and you’re here on that scholarship.” I said, “Dean, you’ll never catch me gambling again.” That’s the first time I realized the dean of Columbia College didn’t understand the English language. I didn’t say I wouldn’t gamble again, I said he’d never catch me again. I remember playing stud poker and five card, with the first card down and the next four up. One night I had a five up and the next card was a five. The two after that didn’t mean much but the third card was a five — three fives. Just as the betting was re- ally getting hot, there was a knock on the door. We had all agreed that as soon as there’s a knock, all of the cards will go under the table and be cancelled out. So the cards went away and I opened up a book. The door opened and believe it or not, it was a guy who had a headache and wanted some aspirin. I never knew that a headache could be transferred that quickly. So ever since, there have been three fives always landing in my mind. When I bought the DuMont television stations, they had a Channel 5 in New York and they had a Channel 5 in Washington. I went up to Boston to buy their Channel 5, and I borrowed the money, two hundred and twenty-two million. I said, “You’ve got a week to decide,” because I didn’t want them to shop the station and run up the price. And that’s how I got the three fives together Lin, Allen B. Crow, Kluge. Crow was the head of Detroit’s Columbia University Club, which awarded Kluge a scholarship and then doubled for Metromedia. it. Crow remained Kluge’s lifelong friend and supporter.

They took my appendix out When you have nothing, why for no reason. not take a risk? My roommate introduced me to beer. I was pretty woozy from There was a professor, Armin K. Lobeck, and he was in geology. He that first drink. We came back to the dormitory and I went to the mesmerized me, my second year at Columbia. He made geology lavatory — there was just one common one on each floor. Well, I so interesting, I thought I would become a geologist — specifically, looked in the bowl and there was blood. I ran down to our rooms a paleontologist —and would probably work for an oil company, and I said to my roommate, “I’m dying!” traveling the world. But in my third year and then, reinforced by We went directly to St. Luke’s Hospital and they took my ap- my fourth year, I thought it over and I decided I wanted to go into pendix out. I was there ten days and when I came back, we had a business. I think basically I always wanted to go into business, but powwow on the floor. This one fellow asked me, “Why did you this geology course was so interesting, Professor Lobeck made it so go to the hospital?” interesting, that I darned near changed my mind. If I’d gone in that I said, “I was bleeding, the night of so-and-so.” direction, I can tell you one thing — I would have been a wildcat- He took me down to the lavatory and he said, “Which stall?” I ter. My instincts are always to take a risk. I like taking risks. I guess showed him. He said, “That’s the night I had a nosebleed.” They it’s like an addiction. My addiction is taking a risk. When you have took my appendix out for no reason. But while I was there, I met a nothing, why not take a risk? You can only fall on your face. very nice young woman, a nurse there, and we went out for some I know this sounds crazy, but I don’t really like a sure thing. It time. So something good came out of it. doesn’t give me any excitement. As I got older, the risks became more calculating. I felt they would be worthwhile, they would succeed, and it often turned out that way. And though I like risks, I don’t go into them unprepared. I think about them a lot, and I try to read as much as I can. I’m an “Outstanding people want to information junkie, a news junkie. I paid nine dollars once for a New York Times in Iran. I gather information and I consult with my people but then I have to make that decision. be with outstanding people.” Most often, I make it on the basis of — will we add something to Columbia, I think, is a great institution. Nicholas Murray Butler this business? I am oriented to improving a product or service. Just [Class of 1882] was president of the university while I was there me-too business, that’s not interesting to me. Every business I’ve — both before and after, until the 1940s. One time, I asked him, ever been in, my thoughts were always to improve what they’re “Dr. Butler, how is it you’re able to keep some of these professors doing. It might not be successful, but I love taking a risk. I really here?” He said, “I’m going to tell you. Outstanding people want don’t like a sure thing. That doesn’t give me any thrills. to be with outstanding people. They don’t want to be alone. It © 2009 Winterhouse doesn’t stimulate them.” I think he’s right, and Columbia’s had The photographs that accompany this piece are drawn from the papers of John W. Kluge some great people. ’37, held by the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress.

september/october 2010 29 columbia college today Bookshelf

Over There by Dr. Robert Schoen- Asylum: Inside the Closed World fessor of History. Howell argues policy and management and direc- feld ’55. Schoenfeld, who earned of State Mental Hospitals by that the system of gift-giving and tor of the Earth Institute. Using scien- his medical degree from a Swiss Christopher Payne ’90; foreword by exchange that prevailed in Western tific explanations and photographic university, recalls the experience Oliver Sacks, professor of neurolo- Europe during the late Renaissance evidence to support their arguments, of living and studying in Europe gy, psychiatry and the arts. Payne’s was not a precursor to modern Schmidt and Wolfe emphasize cli- (AuthorHouse, $35.20). photographs illustrate the physical capitalism but a distinct cultural mate change as a real phenomenon and functional deterioration of the and economic phenomenon (Cam- and an imminent danger (W.W. At the End of the Day: Selected large, state-funded mental institu- bridge University Press, $29.99). Norton & Co., $24.95). Poems and an Introductory Essay tions built throughout America by Phillip Lopate ’64. Lopate has during the late 19th and early 20th The Imaginary Institution of In- Improving Access and Efficiency compiled a series of original poems centuries (The MIT Press, $45). dia: Politics and Ideas by Sudipta in Public Health Services: Mid- about friendship, young love and Kaviraj, professor of Middle East Term Evaluation of India’s Na- life in New York (Marsh Hawk The Pickup Artist: The New and and Asian languages and cultures. tional Rural Health Mission by Press, $16.95). Improved Art of Seduction by The author examines political and Nirupam Bajpai; Jeffrey D. Sachs, the Mystery; foreword by Neil Strauss social developments in India from Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Equity Valuation for Analysts & ’91. Advice and strategies for men a philosophical perspective (Co- Development, professor of health Investors by James Kelleher ’76. A seeking to attract single women lumbia University Press, $29.50). policy and management and direc- step-by-step guide to determining (Villard, $22). tor of the Earth Institute; and Rav- the monetary value of any asset The ‘Woman Question’ and Higher indra H. Dholakia. The authors note (McGraw-Hill Professional, $75). The Secret Miracle: The Novel- Education: Perspectives on Gender the achievements and failures of ist’s Handbook edited by Daniel and Knowledge Production in the National Rural Health Mission, Not Even Past: Barack Obama and Alarcón ’99. Established authors America edited by Ann Mari May; a project organized by the Indian the Burden of Race by Thomas share their thoughts on the techni- foreword by Alice Kessler-Harris, government with the aim of im- Sugrue ’84. In three essays, Sugrue cal features and stylistic elements the R. Gordon Hoxie Professor proving healthcare among India’s analyzes the role of race in the de- that make for good fiction (Holt of American History in Honor of poorest citizens (Sage Publications, velopment of Obama’s intellectual Paperbacks, $16). Dwight D. Eisenhower. This collec- $25.95). and political attitudes (Princeton tion of articles explores the historical University Press, $24.95). Marathon: The Battle that prejudices and modern rationaliza- Living Room: A Novel by Rachel Changed Western Civilization tions that contribute to the devalua- Sherman, adjunct assistant professor Theory after Theory: An Intel- by Richard A. Billows, professor tion of women’s intellectual abilities of creative writing. Sherman’s debut lectual History of Literary Theory of history. Billows describes the (Edward Elgar Publishing, $35). novel follows three generations of from 1950 to the Early 21st Centu- Battle of Marathon and the lasting women in a Jewish family on Long ry by Nicholas Birns ’88. The author consequences of the Greek victory The Ask: A Novel by Sam Lipsyte, Island (Open City books, $14.95). outlines the trends that emerged in (Overlook Hardcover, $30). assistant professor of creative literary criticism during the second writing. Lipsyte’s protagonist is a Super Sad True Love Story: A half of the 20th century (Broadview Empire and Nation: Selected Es- disillusioned father working in the Novel by Gary Shteyngart, assistant Press, $26.95). says by Partha Chatterjee, professor development office of an unnamed professor of creative writing. The of anthropology. This collection of New York City university (Farrar, setting for this satirical love story is The Feeling of Kinship: Queer essays explores the development Straus and Giroux, $25). a dystopian version of New York in Liberalism and the Racialization of nationalism in postcolonial India which podcasts reign supreme and of Intimacy by David L. Eng ’90. (Columbia University Press, $29.50). Climate Change: Picturing the Sci- reading is considered passé (Ran- Eng examines the intersection of ence by Gavin Schmidt and Joshua dom House, $26). race, politics and economics in Commerce Before Capitalism in Wolfe; foreword by Jeffrey D. Sachs, the modern gay rights movement Europe, 1300–1600 by Martha C. the Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Freefall: America, Free Markets, (Duke University Press, $23.95). Howell, the Miriam Champion Pro- Development, professor of health and the Sinking of the World

september/october 2010 30 columbia college today bookshelf

David Rakoff ’86 Makes Pessimism Sound Positive

B y Ye l e n a Sh u s t e r ’09

feel a little bit like I finally took my top off,” strawberries and peanuts on the table, and then David Rakoff ’86 says about his new essay asks me about my Russian name, when I gradu­ collection, Half Empty (Doubleday, $24.95), ated from Columbia and if I have a boyfriend “ as we sit in his airy, book-lined apartment in — all before handing me coffee. Before I knew it, NYC’sI Union Square. The NPR contributor and best- the subject was interviewing me on my own as­ selling author worries that his most recent work is signment. far more revealing than his first two books, Fraud: Rakoff’s career can be traced to his years on Essays (Doubleday, 2002) and Don’t Get Too Comfort- Morningside Heights. From Dante to Shakespeare, able: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments the books of the Core Curriculum pepper his writ­ of Low Thread Count, The Never- Ending Quest for ing. He credits his CC professor, Constantin Fasolt, Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems for introducing to him the primacy and importance (Doubleday, 2005). of language; his freshman composition professor, “I’m emphatically not a memoirist. I do write Wendy Graham, for teaching him the value of re­ personal essays, usually not so much about my writing; and his Japanese professor, Mary Hue, for life. Half Empty is more about my life,” he says. “It instilling in him a dogged work ethic. And because makes me uneasy because of the broader cultural of Columbia’s gay-friendly environment, he stopped development that I see in writing itself. The glut of hiding a major part of his identity when he came memoir that’s on the shelves right now shows that out in his senior year. notions of craft have become secondary to the har­ The East Asian studies major developed lifelong rowing nature of the story. I’m far more invested, friends while working on Columbia theater, includ­ perhaps far too invested, in being thought of as hav­ ing Jeanine Tesori ’83 Barnard, a composer for the ing a flair for language. I don’t want to be known for musical Shrek; Alexa Junge ’84 Barnard, a writer for the particulars of my biography.” Showtime’s United States of Tara; and Adam Belanoff But Rakoff, 45, is such a talented writer, and Half ’84, an executive producer and writer for TNT’s The Empty such an amusing read, that the addition of Closer, all of whom he worked with on The Varsity essays ranging from his childhood as a short, un­ Show. Rakoff’s theater background served him well popular “shrimp” to his second bout with cancer when The New Tenants, a film he starred in and are only made richer by the personal detail — he adapted for the screen, won an Academy Award for writes as deftly about himself as about any of his PHOTO: Paul Roosin Best Live Action Short Film this year. other subjects. Whether he’s skewering the musical For someone whose name is said in the same Rent’s unrealistic depiction of AIDS or exposing Disney’s outdat­ breath as David Sedaris and Ira Glass, Rakoff’s rise to literary ed “House of Tomorrow,” Rakoff spares no one from his sharp fame didn’t come easily or quickly. His first book of essays was cultural critique — least of all himself. published when he was 36 — after 13 years of working at a full- Half Empty is full of hilarious stories in defense of pessimism, time job in publishing, starring in downtown theater productions a subject near and dear to Rakoff’s neurotic, self-deprecating and freelance-writing for everyone from the Times to GQ. Even heart. When Don’t Get Too Comfortable reached The New York though Half Empty’s subtitle is “WARNING!!! No Inspirational Life Times’ bestseller list, his reaction was, “Oh, well, it’s not going Lessons Will Be Found In These Pages,” Rakoff insists on telling to be on next week.” And when describing its success to me, he recent grads that success has no deadline. quipped, “Look, I’m super-proud of it. It’s a lovely thing and it’s “Being young, I remember very, very clearly the extreme all about changing the obituary.” On his acceptance to Colum­ pressure I felt to achieve early and prodigiously. There is so very bia, he says: “I was in the last all-male class to be accepted. The little profit in peaking early. Your life and your experience is standards were a lot lower — or that’s what I tell myself.” richer when you’re older,” Rakoff says. Rakoff’s essays, which delve into everything from his teenage “Believe me, I understand the world you’re in. I know that summer at an Israeli kibbutz to his attending a porn convention you’re going to, on a daily basis, or at least weekly, find yourself on assignment, make self-criticism an art — but charmingly so, at a party where a colleague or classmate will say something where in the end you only empathize with his “shrimpy” self that will consume you with jealousy and you will feel like you even more. And he’s just as charismatic in person as he is on will never catch up. You will catch up. There really is no map.” the page. The Canadian native has a natural skill for making strangers feel at home (something he has attributed to his up­ Yelena Shuster ’09 is a freelance writer whose work has been bringing as the son of a psychiatrist). Within the first minute of featured in Cosmpolitan.com, NYMag.com and The Huffington arriving at his apartment, he offers me something to drink, sets Post. She blogs at IvyLeaguedandUnemployed.com.

Economy by Joseph E. Stiglitz, columbia_forum3.] (W.W. Norton of gross domestic product as a Elizabeth M. Nuxoll. A collection University Professor. Stiglitz de- & Co., $27.95). measure of economic success and of correspondences spanning the nounces laissez faire economics and propose alternative ways of as- education and early career of John argues for increased market regula- Mismeasuring Our Lives: Why sessing prosperity (The New Press, Jay (Class of 1764) (University of tion on the part of the U.S. govern- GDP Doesn’t Add Up by Joseph $15.95). Virginia Press, $85). ment. [Editor’s note: See May/June E. Stiglitz, University Professor; “Columbia Forum”: www.college. Amartya Sen; and Jean-Paul Fitoussi. The Selected Papers of John Jay, Grace Laidlaw ’11 columbia.edu/cct/may_jun10/ The authors explain the limitations Volume I: 1760–1779 edited by

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1937 Amateur Championship. He was Lloyd D. Flint, physician, Myrtle extensively involved with several Beach, S.C., on February 2, 2010. Flint Jaycees clubs; a board member of was born on March 25, 1917, in Pat- the Hotel Easton, the YMCA and erson, N.J. He was a graduate of Yale the Salvation Army; and an avid Medical School and a WWII veteran, traveler. Stitt is survived by his wife having served as a medical officer of 70 years, the former Dorothy aboard the USS Shreveport. During Gladys Jewett; and son, Thomas Sr. his career in Boston, Flint’s pioneer- An older son, James, predeceased ing work in the diagnosis and surgi- him. Other survivors include two cal management of adrenal gland grandsons; five granddaughters; diseases was widely published in and several great-grandchildren. medical literature and surgical texts. Memorial contributions may be He staffed several post-graduate Edward S. Liska ’38 made to The University of Missouri Theodore S. Hecht ’40 courses for the American College of for the Stitt Memorial Fund, Depart- Surgeons and in 1973 was president Edward S. Liska, retired adult and ment of Geology, Attn.: Marsha Columbia studying Indo-Iranian of the New England Section of the child psychiatrist, San Francisco, on Huckabey, 101 Geology Bldg., Co- languages but his studies were cut American Urological Association. January 10, 2010. Liska was born on lumbia, MO 65211. short by WWII. He served in the May 15, 1916, in Putnam, Conn. He European theatre as a sergeant in the Flint originally retired to Myrtle 1939 Beach in 1982 after a 35-year career as was raised in Adams, Mass., and Army-Air Force. In 1944, Hecht mar- a urological surgeon at Boston’s La- worked in textile mills as a child. Merrel P. Callaway, clergyman, ried Ruth Hertz; she predeceased hey Clinic. He then accepted a clini- Liska earned an M.D. from Tufts and Charleston, S.C., on January 31, 2010. him in 2001. After the war, Hecht cal professorship at the Medical Uni- completed a residency in adult and Born in Dublin, Ga., on January 5, was employed as a Washington versity of South Carolina in Charles- child psychiatry at UC San Fran- 1916, Callaway graduated from the correspondent for Life magazine. ton until 1990. In Myrtle Beach, Flint cisco. During WWII, he was a Navy Eastern Baptist Theological Semi- Subsequent to that, he worked in was education director for the Long flight surgeon for the Marine Corps. nary in Pennsylvania and attended the independent magazine business. Bay unit of the U.S. Power Squadron. Liska later was an assistant clinical Harvard. He served as a Baptist Hecht loved hunting, trapshooting, He also was a judge of the Boxer professor in psychiatry at UCSF missionary to the Middle East and fishing, bird watching and hiking. dog breed. Flint and his wife, Mary and was the medical director of North Africa from 1945–86. During Two of his favorite magazine proj- Dreher Flint, founded the Flintwood Edgewood Children’s Center in San his missionary service, Callaway ects were editing Fresh and Salt Water Kennels of Boston, having raised Francisco for 35 years. He was one of led international congregations, was Fishing and Guns and Game. Hecht many champion Boxer breeds. Flint the few Polish-speaking psychiatrists principal of a school, helped found and his wife also enjoyed NYC’s cul- was predeceased by his wife in 2008 in the Bay Area. Liska traveled the a hospital, taught English and ran ture, music and art. He is survived and is survived by his niece, Eleanore world extensively, read profusely a bookstore. He was preceded in by his children, Michael, James ’71 Dreher. and enjoyed gardening. He was an death by his first and second wives, and Pamela. avid woodworker who made fur- Elizabeth Fountain Callaway and 1938 niture and inlaid boxes, and trivets Arlene Jensen Callaway. Callaway 1941 Alan D. Kandel, retired social work out of corks. Liska was predeceased is survived by his daughters and James W. Cronenberg, engineer, executive, archivist, West Bloom- by his first son, Robert (“Butch”), their husbands, Sharon and Carl Midland, Texas, on January 1, 2010. field, Mich., on August 21, 2009. brother, Theodore, and sister, Phyl- Knechtel, Susan and Brent Ander- Cronenberg was born in El Paso, Kandel earned a degree in 1942 from lis Janket. He is survived by his son, Joy and Blake Godbold, Star Texas, on February 4, 1919. He the School of Social Work and served wife of 67 years, Claire (née Carter); and Richard Dority, Margaret and entered with the Class of 1941 and in the Army during WWII. He lived children, John and Ann; son-in-law Jeff Pearson, and Martha and Drew then became a member of the Class for 18 years in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Peter Rockwell; and three grand- Whitson; 16 grandchildren; and of 1942 at the Engineering School. working for the Jewish Community sons. Memorial contributions may four great-grandchildren. Memorial Cronenberg was commissioned an Federation of Cleveland as director be made to Tufts University School contributions may be made to the ensign in the USN Reserve in May of community relations. Relocating of Medicine, Office of Development International Mission Board of the 1941 and immediately ordered to Detroit in 1968, Kandel was assis- & Alumni Relations, 136 Harrison Southern Baptist Convention c/o to active duty. After completing a tant executive director and director Ave., Boston, MA 02111. First Baptist Church of Charleston, course in aeronautical engineering of budgeting and planning for the 48 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401. at NYU, he was sent to USNAS Jewish Welfare Federation of Detroit. James W. Stitt, sales and advertis- Pearl Harbor, arriving in October 1940 After retiring in 1984, he pursued a ing manager, Easton, Pa., on Janu- 1941. Cronenberg survived Pearl career as an archivist, contributing to ary 12, 2010. Born in Cleveland on Willard N. Failing, ophthalmolo- Harbor and remained on active two books about the Jewish history April 25, 1916, Stitt entered with the gist, Utica, N.Y., on May 25, 2009. duty for 5½ years, serving at Naval in Detroit published by Wayne State Class of 1938 but instead earned a Failing earned a degree in 1943 Air Stations, CASUs, CASDs and University and wrote numerous degree in 1938 from the Business from P&S. He was a WWII Army on aircraft carriers. He retired as a articles for the Jewish Historical Soci- School. He was a member of Phi veteran and served as a doctor for commander from the Navy Reserve ety. Kandel was a founding member Gamma Delta. Stitt became an as- an artillery unit. Failing practiced in after 20 years. Following WWII, and past president of the Institute of sistant sales manager for Safeguard Brooklyn, N.Y., and Utica, N.Y., and Cronenberg worked for El Paso Retired Professionals of the Jewish Corp. and an engineer with Leeds was interested in lifelong learning. Natural Gas for 37 years in Arizona, Community Center. He was recog- & Northrup. During a 20-year New Mexico and Texas, retiring in nized for a lifetime of contribution career with the Dixie Cup Co., he Theodore S. Hecht, magazine corre- Midland, Texas, in 1983. He married to the Detroit Jewish community by was sales promotion manager, spondent, Forest Hills, N.Y., on Janu- Helen Quigg on October 26, 1946; Jewish Welfare Federation. Kandel advertising manager and director ary 1, 2010. Hecht grew up in the she preceded him in death in 2007. was predeceased by his first wife, of administrative services. He also Flatbush section of Brooklyn, N.Y., Cronenberg is survived by a son, Bernice, and elder son, Anthony. was an advertising manager with went to Boys H.S. and at 16 entered Steven; daughter, Nancy Boothe; He is survived by his second wife, Rodale Press. A lifelong golfer, Stitt the College, where he was a member two granddaughters; and son- and Carol; son, Jonathan ’72; and two won seven club championships and of Tau Epsilon Phi. Hecht was briefly daughter-in-law, Diane Cronenberg granddaughters. qualified for the USGA National enrolled in a master’s program at and Stephen Boothe. Memorial con-

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tributions may be made to St. Luke’s predeceased by his first wife and is Crane and Hilda Doolittle. He is sur- rett was a pioneer in transporta- Methodist Church [Midland, Texas] survived by his second wife, Freela vived by his wife; sons, Stephen and tion safety research, and his work General Fund. C. Field; daughters, Martha Cag- Thomas; four grandchildren; four demonstrating the effectiveness win, Georgiana Devine and Barbara nephews; and a niece. Memorial of passive restraint systems in au- T. Hall Keyes III, dog breeder, Field Curry; four grandchildren; contributions may be made to the tomobiles resulted in seatbelt re- handler and trainer, Ridge, N.C., on and three great-grandchildren. Brooklyn College Library, Brooklyn quirements for all cars in 1966. He January 6, 2010. Born in New York College, CUNY, 2900 Bedford Ave., is survived by his wife of 53 years, City, Keyes owned and operated 1944 Brooklyn, NY 11210. Mary Margaret Higgins; children, Nanhall Pet Resort and Training Frank C. Marshall, Rye, N.Y., on John and his wife, Janet, Eileen Center in Greensboro, N.C. Previ- February 8, 2010. Marshall was born 1950 Dunne and her husband, Robert, ously, he had been v.p. of City Stores. on November 5, 1922, in Queens, James L. Garofalo, physician, Es- Brian and his wife, Judy, Maureen, Keyes enjoyed spending time with N.Y. He was a WWII Army veteran, sex Fells, N.J., on February 26, 2010. Jean MacKenzie and her husband, his family and devoted his life to serving as a first lieutenant in the Born in Newark, N.J., Garofalo grew Stuart, Daniel and his wife, Maria, breeding, training and showing dogs Medical Corps stationed at the Pen- up in Bloomfield and lived in Es- Julia Salzmann and her husband, of many breeds, but had a lifelong tagon. Marshall was an avid golfer, sex Fells for 30 years. He earned an Peter, and Michael and his wife, passion for German Shepherds. voracious reader and a lover of clas- M.D. from Hanaman University and Patricia; 24 grandchildren; sister, He was the father of the late Scot sical music. He is survived by his an M.S. from the School of Public Ethel Higgins; and brother, Fran- and Mark; and brother of the late wife of 46 years, Patricia (Servey) Health (1953). Garofalo was a fam- cis. Memorial contributions may Dale. Keyes is survived by his wife, Marshall; children, Laura Allen and ily physician for many years, with be made to the Alzheimer’s As- Frances; children, R. Dean, T. Hall, her husband, Joel, and Suzanne offices in West Caldwell. He served sociation of WNC, PO Box 42453, Hayley and Scott; brothers, Noel and Vickerson and her husband, Antho- in the Air Force as a captain, pilot Charlotte, NC 28215 or Care Part- Glen; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great- ny; and three grandchildren. Me- and doctor in peacetime as well as in ners Hospice Foundation, PO Box grandchildren. Memorial contribu- morial contributions may be made the Coast Guard Reserve. Garofalo 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. tions may be made to Alzheimer’s to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or loved flying and belonged to the Foundation of America, 322 Eighth The Lustgarten Foundation. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associa- 1952 Ave., 7th Fl., New York, NY 10001. tion and the Experimental Aircraft Karl R. Lunde, retired professor 1946 Association. He is survived by his and gallery director, New York 1943 Jack L. Orkin, retired attorney, Mi- wife, Carolyn (née Clark); children, City, on December 27, 2009. Lunde Bernard Amster, physician, West ami, on January 15, 2010. Orkin was Jim and his wife, Terry, Lisa and was born on Staten Island on No- Hollywood, Calif., on December 4, born in Port Chester, N.Y. He earned Alexander; two granddaughters; vember 1, 1931. He earned an M.A. 2009. Amster was born on Febru- an M.S. in 1946 from the Business brother, Robert, and his wife, Nina; and a Ph.D., both in art history ary 16, 1922, in New York City. He School and a J.D. from the Law sister, Joyce Ranucci; and a niece. and archeology, in 1953 and 1970, served in the Army from 1943–45, School in 1949. Orkin was admitted Memorial contributions may be respectively, from GSAS. Lunde’s entered Cornell University College to the Bar in New York, Oklahoma made to Eagle Flight Squadron, 143 dissertation was on 19th-century of Medicine after the war, earned and Florida and to the U.S. Supreme New St., East Orange, NJ 07017. Romantic painter Johan Christian an M.D. and in 1951 moved to Los Court of Claims and Tax Court. He Dahl. Lunde was for many years Angeles. As a family practitioner, was among the first group of Florida Harvey M. Radey Jr., retired Army director of The Contemporaries he served thousands of patients for attorneys to be board-certified in lieutenant colonel and hospital gallery on Madison Avenue. He more than 50 years, practicing most- estate planning and probate. After administrator, Clarkesville, Ga., taught art history as an instructor at ly in the underserved sections of the private practice in New York City, on December 24, 2009. Radey was General Studies from 1957–70 and Crenshaw district and South Cen- Orkin was the attorney adviser for born on August 8, 1923, in Amarillo, as a professor at William Paterson tral Los Angeles. Amster enjoyed the U.S. Tax Court for 2½ years. He Texas. He served with the Army in University from 1970–96, from sailing, Chinese cooking, antique subsequently focused his practice WWII and retired from the service as which he retired. Lunde specialized cars and many aspects of art and on personal and business tax law. In a lieutenant colonel. Radey’s hospital in American painting and sculpture, science. He was preceded in death 1958, Orkin joined the Florida firm of administration career spanned from Asian art, prehistoric art and the by his first and second wives, Ruth Blackwell, Walker and Gray, where Pennsylvania to Clifton-Fine Memo- Romantic art of Scandinavia and and Lois, and daughter, Mary. He he rose to senior partner. He also rial Hospital in Star Lake, N.Y., from Germany. A frequent contributor to is survived by his children Lynne, was the national attorney for de- which he retired. He was a former professional and scholarly journals, Robin, Janis, Andy, Peggy, Doug, velopers of Oil of Olay for 10 years. administrator of Frisbee Memorial he was the author of Isabel Bishop Nancy and Jim; several grandchil- After retiring to Sarasota, Orkin and Hospital in Rochester, N.H., and a (1973), Richard Anuszkiewicz (1976), dren; and a great-grandchild. his wife, Ann, became members of member of Fellowship Church in Robert Kipniss (1980), John Day (1984) The Lifelong Learning Academy. She Baldwin, Ga. Survivors include a son Clifton C. Field Jr., retired editor survives him, as do daughters Debo- and daughter-in-law, Harvey III and and speechwriter, Brunswick, N.J., rah H. Steinfeld and her husband, Cindy Spence Radey; daughter and Obituary Submission on November 30, 2009. Field was Steven, and Laura B. Orkin and her son-in-law, Susan Radey Wyrick and Guidelines born in Natchez, Miss., and raised husband, Lonnie; and five grandchil- Benny Lee Wyrick; five grandchil- Columbia College Today in New York City. He attended dren. Memorial contributions may dren; and five great-grandchildren. welcomes obituaries for DeWitt Clinton H.S. and served in be made to Tidewell Hospice and 1951 College alumni. Deaths are the Army Air Corps in Saipan dur- Palliative Care Fund Development, noted in the next available ing WWII. In 1946, Field met and 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238. John W. Garrett, transportation issue in the “Other Deaths married the former Georgiana Pent- safety research expert, Asheville, Reported” box, but due to large, moved to Montclair, N.J., and 1948 N.C., on January 14, 2010. Born in the volume of obituaries joined Western Electric. During his Vincent G. Quinn, retired professor, New York City, Garrett served in that CCT receives, it may 38-year tenure at the company, Field Seattle, on December 21, 2009. Born WWII with the Army with the 14th take several issues for the was editor of a number of company in New York City in 1926, Quinn Armored Division, known as the complete obituary to appear. publications, wrote position papers moved to Seattle in 2006. During Liberators for their repeated suc- Word limit is 200; text may and speeches, and for a time was WWII, he served in the Army Intel- cess freeing German concentration be edited for length, clarity company press spokesman. He was ligence Corps, studying and then and Allied POW camps. He was and style at editors’ discre­ an active volunteer in Montclair teaching Japanese. Quinn married awarded two Bronze Stars. After tion. Click “Contact Us” at www.college.columbia.edu/ government as well as an avid read- Esther Casier in 1951. He earned a military service, Garrett graduated cct, or mail materials to er. Field enjoyed canoeing the Dela- Ph.D. in 1959 from GSAS and retired from the College and began work Obituaries Editor, ware River with his daughters, and as a professor of English from CUNY in accident research at Cornell. Columbia College Today, summers on Martha’s Vineyard. In Brooklyn College, where he had Subsequently, he was the director Columbia Alumni Center, retirement, he spent several sum- been chairman of the department of accident research at Calspan 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530, mers studying Spanish in Madrid and received a Great Teacher Award. Corp., and Cornell Aeronautical New York, NY 10025. and bicycling in Europe. Field was Quinn authored two books, Hart Laboratory in Buffalo, N.Y. Gar-

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wife, Ellen (Forrest) Rigatti; sons, Paul and his wife, Jane, Gary and Dr Robert N. Butler ’49, ’53 P&S, Gerontologist and Author his wife, Laurie, Thomas and his wife, Cathleen, and Matthew and r. Robert N. Butler, a ard and George Washington. his wife, Janna; daughters, Mari- physician, activist and Described by many as the anne, Michelle and her husband, Dvisionary, and president “father of gerontology,” Butler Jack Shoemaker, Cynthia and her and CEO of the International was the founding director of the husband, Brian Ashe, and Melissa Longevity Center-USA, died on National Institute on Aging, in and her husband, Paul Farrow; 11 July 4, 2010, in Manhattan. He 1975, and won the Pulitzer Prize grandchildren; brothers, Frank and was 83. for his 1975 book, Why Survive? his wife, Karen, and George and his wife, Armida; sisters, Catherine Butler was born on January Being Old in America, in 1976. and her husband, Albert Loffredo, 21, 1927, in New York. His par­ He founded Mount Sinai’s De­ and Teresa. Memorial contribu- ents separated when he was partment of Geriatrics and Adult tions may be made to the Leopold 11 months old, and he was Development in 1982, the first Schepp Foundation, 551 Fifth Ave., raised by his grandparents in such department at a U.S. medi­ Ste 3000, New York, NY 10176. Vineland, N.J. Butler served cal school. Butler coined the 1956 in the United States Maritime term “ageism” to describe dis­ PHOTO: KIM MARTINEAU ’97J Service before matriculating at crimination against the elderly Stephen D. Schenkel, TV writer, the College, where he was the and advocated for them before being who contributed so much producer and executive, New York City, on January 11, 2010. Schenkel editor of Spectator in 1948–49. Congress and the United Na­ to the world about the problems was an Emmy-nominated televi- He credited the College and the tions. He was the first to identify of aging but always in such an sion writer, producer and network Core Curriculum for giving him and describe the “life review optimistic and upbeat way. He executive who earned his reputation his start in the academic world process,” a naturally occurring, was a giant in the field of geriat­ as a creative force and innovator by and helping him to think broadly universal mental process char­ ric medicine, a proud Columbian producing All My Children, Another across disciplines. Butler contin­ acterized by the progressive, and devoted member of the World and Edge of Night. He was co- ued his education at Columbia, conscious return to past experi­ Class of 1949. Last year, at our creator/creative consultant on Ryan’s earning a degree from P&S in ence. President Clinton named 60th reunion, we honored him Hope and ABC’s After School Specials. 1953, after which he did his resi­ Butler the chairman of the 1995 for his lifelong dedication to the Schenkel was an executive at NBC, CBS, ABC and Benton & Bowles. He dency at UC San Francisco. In White House Conference on problems of the elderly. We will developed and produced a full spec- 1955, Butler became a research Aging. miss him greatly.” trum of entertainment programs and psychiatrist at the National Insti­ Butler wrote several books, CCT profiled Butler in January/ Discovery Channel documentaries. tute of Mental Health, where he including Sex After Sixty, co- February 2009 (www.college. Schenkel married Penny Bergman studied the central nervous sys­ written with his late wife, Myrna columbia.edu/cct/jan_feb09/ in 1990 after meeting her on the set tem in elderly people, work that I. Lewis Ph.D. ’65 SW, ’00 SW; alumni_profiles0). He is sur­ of All My Children. Survivors include became part of a large study of Aging and Mental Health: Posi- vived by his daughters, Chris­ the families of Ellen and Cantor aging. Butler also helped Ralph tive Psychosocial and Biomedi- tine Butler and her husband, Tyrone Bauer, and the Bergman and Nader investigate problems in cal Approaches, co-written with Richard Guest; Carole Hall and Gottlieb in-laws. Memorial contribu- tions may be made to Parkinson’s nursing homes. Lewis and with Trey Sunderland, her husband, Brooks (“Boots”); Disease Foundation or Trustees of He was a U.S. Public Health and The Longevity Revolution: Cynthia Butler and her husband, Columbia University c/o Dr. Leon- Service surgeon from 1955–62; The Benefits and Challenges James Gleason; and Alexandra; ard Stern/Chronic Kidney Disease had a private practice in the of Living a Long Life. His most as well as six grandchildren, Program at the Columbia University Washington, D.C., area; and was recent book, The Longevity including Brendan Gleason ’07. Medical Center. a researcher and gerontolo­ Prescription: The 8 Proven Keys Memorial contributions may be 1960 gist at the Washington School to a Long, Healthy Life, was pub­ made to Robert N. Butler Chari­ of Psychiatry from the early lished in May. table Trust c/o Cynthia Butler, Michael D. Hein, teacher and librar- 1960s–1976. Butler taught at Class president Fred Berman 3211 Homewood Rd., Davidson­ ian, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., on February 7, 2010. Hein was born in New York several medical schools, includ­ ’49 said of his classmate, “Bob ville, MD 21035. City on May 30, 1939. He earned ing those at Georgetown, How­ Butler was a very special human Lisa Palladino an M.S. in 1974 from the School of Library Service. On November 4, 1978, Hein married Ann Sarver, and and Nat Neujean (1986). Lunde music, singing, photography, gar- 1955 they moved to Dobbs Ferry in 1980, was predeceased by his partner, dening, fishing, biking and commu- John L. Rigatti, physician, Stur- where they raised their daughter, Roy Moyer, and is survived by his nity service. Among other things, he bridge, Mass., on January 11, 2010. Rebecca. Hein spent his career as a brother, Asbjorn ’47, ’49L. participated in Stephen Ministries Rigatti was born in New York City teacher and a librarian, most recently and Taping for the Blind, was a on April 7, 1934. He graduated working at the Horace Mann School 1954 docent at the Museum of Natural from Albany Medical School in in Riverdale, N.Y. He was an avid George M. Thomas, retired geolo- Science, tutored at the local elemen- 1959 and completed his internship Yankees and Knicks fan and loved gist, Houston, on January 30, 2010. tary school and volunteered with at Brook Army Hospital, San An- “Old Time Radio Program Tapes.” Thomas was born on April 8, 1932, the Lions Club. Thomas is survived tonio, Texas, and his residency at Hein’s wife and daughter survive and earned a master’s in geology by his wife of 52 years, Sally; sons, Dow AFB, Bangor, Maine. Rigatti him, as does his daughter’s partner, from the University of Oregon. Fol- Steve and his wife, Paula, Scott and was an Air Force veteran. He Travis Klami. lowing graduation, he married Sally his wife, Ann, and Stuart and his practiced medicine for more than Jean Passmore and went to work wife, Susan; four grandchildren; 50 years and was a member of The 1970 for Humble Oil (Exxon) in Eugene, sister, Pat Reno, and her husband, American Association of Family Stephen G. Plummer, chairman and Ore., as a geologist. During his 36- James; stepsister, Judy Beacon; Practioners. Rigatti was instru- CEO, Crumpler, N.C., on October 20, year career with Exxon, Thomas stepbrother, George Pickering; and mental in the development of the 2009. Plummer was born on April 8, moved his family to Chico, Calif., numerous nieces and nephews. Me- family practitioner’s program at 1948, and was his high school class’ and Los Angeles, then in 1969 to morial contributions may be made Harrington Memorial Hospital, valedictorian. As a high school stu- Houston, where he retired in 1992. to MDUMC Music Ministry, 12955 where he served two terms as dent traveling abroad, Plummer be- Thomas enjoyed activities related to Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079. chief of staff. He is survived by his came interested in European culture

september/october 2010 34 columbia college today obituaries

and studied at the American College in Paris, France, for two years after Other Deaths Reported high school. He transferred to Co- lumbia and later graduated with a Columbia College Today bachelor’s from Indiana University also has learned of the following deaths. Complete obituaries will be in Bloomington with a double major published in an upcoming issue, pending receipt of information. Due to the volume of obitu- in anthropology and linguistics; he aries that CCT receives, it may take several issues for the complete obituary to appear. also earned an M.E. from Harvard. Plummer returned to American 1928 Abe R. Druss, retired military officer, builder, Roslyn Heights, N.Y., on June 18, 2010. College, where he held positions as 1933 Arthur W. Seligmann Jr., physician, New York City, on June 6, 2010. dean of students and v.p., leaving the 1934 Chester A. Cole, Jr., retired shipping executive, Dayville, Conn., on June 4, 2010. university in 1986 to found Reseaux et Communications Informatiques, 1938 Irving N. Wolfson, physician, Worcester, Mass., on July 8, 2010. S.A., of which he was chairman and 1940 Robert J. Alexander, professor emeritus of economics and political science, Piscataway, N.J., on CEO. Plummer lived in Paris for April 27, 2010. Alexander earned a Ph.D. in economics in 1950 from GSAS. 20 years. For the last 17 years of his hector G. Dowd, attorney, New York City, on June 23, 2010. life, he lived in the United States. He founded Strategics and served cli- Julius J. Fillips, retired school head of guidance and counseling, Whitesboro, N.Y., on June 20, 2010. ents involved in Photo Lab, Powell John L. Giove, Rehoboth Beach, Del., on December 31, 2009. Giove earned a B.S. in 1941 from the Street Art Gallery, land development Engineering School. in North Carolina and M2 Products. 1941 John M. “Jack” McDonald, retired attorney, Allentown, Pa., on June 27, 2010. Plummer is survived by a brother, 1942 Frank P. Gherardi, accountant, Wethersfield, Conn., on June 28, 2010. Gherardi entered with the Alfred III and his wife, Patricia; Class of 1942 but earned a B.S. in accounting in 1947 from the Business School. nephews, Alfred IV and his wife, Teresa, and Alexander; a niece; two Justin B. “Jud” Thompson, retired business executive, Houston, on May 30, 2010. grand-nieces; and a grand-nephew. franklin J. Tobey II, retired military servicemember, editor, Purcellville, Va., on May 6, 2010. Tobey earned an M.A. in economics in 1947 from GSAS. 1972 1943 Charles C. Cole Jr., retired professor and college president, Columbus, Ohio, on June 18, 2010. Cole Glenn R. Switkes, environmentalist, earned a Ph.D. in history in 1951 from GSAS. São Paulo, Brazil, on December 21, 1944 John H. Bruzza, 2009. Born in New York City, Swit- West Orange, N.J., on May 30, 2010. kes studied history at Columbia and ira W. Gabrielson, retired physician, Williamsburg, Mass., on January 18, 2010. Gabrielson earned filmmaking at UC Berkeley. While a degree in 1949 from P&S. a student, he worked with Randy John T. Lorick Jr., marketing and advertising executive, Los Angeles, on June 19, 2010. Hayes and Toby McLeod on his 1945 Justin C. Walker, retired physician, Yonkers, N.Y., on May 31, 2010. first film, the award-winning Four 1946 Corners: A National Sacrifice Area?, Nolan D. Lewis, retired airline transportation executive and banker, South Salem, N.Y., on June 20, 2010. which shows the depredations of 1948 John W. Gould, professor, Santa Monica, Calif., on January 26, 2010. Gould earned an M.A. in Eng- mining on the Native Americans lish and comparative literature in 1949 and a Ph.D. in education in 1962, both from GSAS. and desert landscapes of the south- albert F. Serocke, retired salesman, Kennett Square, Pa., on June 26, 2010. western United States. Switkes Mortimer J. Shaff, retired publishing executive, New York City, on May 18, 2010. first went to the Amazon on the urging of his Colombian first wife, 1952 Thomas P. Vogl, West Tisbury, Mass., on May 31, 2010. Monti Aguirre. The couple made the 1953 Irwin K. Kline, physician, Villanova, Pa., on July 4, 2010. award-winning documentary Ama- 1954 Richard B. Wettereau, Manhasset, N.Y., on April 29, 2010. zonia: Voices of the Rainforest. The film 1957 was sponsored by Rainforest Action Ronald H. Boorse, retired business owner, Houston, on July 6, 2010. Network, and after its completion, george Dickstein, teacher, Riverdale, N.Y., on February 3, 2010. Switkes joined RAN as its Western 1958 George N. Braman, retired physician, professor, Riverdale, N.Y., on June 23, 2010. Amazon oil campaigner. Switkes Edward A. “Bud” Spraker, retired physical education teacher, Teaneck, N.J., on July 3, 2010. joined International Rivers Network 1968 in 1994 and at the time of his death Melvin L. Dennis, architect, expeditor and photographic gallery curator, New York City, on June was Amazon program director. He 13, 2010. devoted most of the last two decades 1973 Dennis E. Milton, judge, New York City, on May 31, 2010. of his life to the cause of keeping the 1981 Charles G. “Grant” Fulk, plumbing business co-owner, Menlo Park, Calif., on June 14, 2010. rivers of South America, especially Michael W. Stevenson, in the Amazon, flowing free of dams commercial banking v.p., New York City, on July 19, 2010. and shipping channels. Switkes also 1985 William F. Evans, investment banker and musician, New York City, on July 10, 2010. volunteered with Columbia as a 1986 Joshua A. Moreinis, senior planner and landscape painter, Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., on July 16, member of the Alumni Representa- 2010. Moreinis earned an M.S. in urban planning in 1988 from the Architecture School. tive Committee. He is survived by his second wife, Selma Barros de Oliveira; and their son, Gabriel. dt is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; Dental School and was a captain Calif., on December 24, 2009. Ed- children, Catherine, R. Lindsay, in the Army at Fort Stewart, Ga., dinger was born in Seoul, Korea, 1975 James III and Thomas; parents, prior to opening his dental prac- and spent much of his youth in James C. “Clem” Finkenstaedt Jr., James and Rose; sister, Isabel Sche- tice in Manlius, N.Y., and later Maryland and Pennsylvania. His retired editor, Norwell, Mass., on lameur and her husband, Francois; practicing in North Dartmouth. life’s work included architecture, November 28, 2009. Finkenstaedt and three nieces and nephews. Mackor is survived by his wife, fine arts photography and fiction- earned a degree in 1976 from the Jill; three children; father, Michael; writing. He is survived by his wife, 1977 Journalism School. His career took sister, Paula and her husband, Pam; son, Nicholas; and his sib- him from the Asbury Park Press to George M. Mackor, dentist, Tiver- Victor; aunt, Emily; uncle, Vincent lings and mother. Memorial contri- the Agence France Press, Interna- ton, R.I., on December 6, 2009. Cirincione; and many cousins. butions may be made to Moorpark tional Herald Tribune in Paris and fi- Mackor was a graduate of Phillips College Foundation. 1981 nally to the international desk of the Academy, Andover and a cum Lisa Palladino Boston Globe, a position from which laude graduate of the College. He James A. Eddinger, architect, pho- he recently had retired. Finkenstae- earned a degree in 1982 from the tographer and writer, Camarillo,

september/october 2010 35 class notes columbia college today Class Notes

Columbia College Today Melvin Hershkowitz and later played professional­ ball. Rohan as head coach. He was Columbia Alumni Center 42 3 Regency Plaza, In 1950, Ridings was succeeded by unable to win an Ivy League title 25 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 Apt. 1001-E another great coach, Lou Rossini for Columbia and was replaced 40 New York, NY 10025 42 Providence, RI 02903 ’47 TC, who stayed until 1958. in 2002 by Jones, who also was [email protected] [email protected] Rossini coached some of Colum- unsuccessful in his quest for the bia’s most talented teams, led Ivy League championship (Jones’ Howard N. Meyer ’34 writes: On May 17, Arthur “Wizzer” Wel- by the following gifted captains record in Ivy League games in “Classmates and other interested lington celebrated his 90th birthday and players: John Azary ’51, Alan seven years was 49–69). Jones now parties will no longer find me east in Elmira, N.Y. His entry in to the Stein ’52, Jack Molinas ’53, Frank is the associate head coach at Bos- of the Rockies. I have moved to distinguished Nonagenarian Club Thomas ’56 and Chet Forte ’57. ton College under Steve Donahue, Bolinas, Calif. My e-mail remains was marked by a surprise birthday Molinas became a star in profes- who was hired away from Cornell the same. CCT will share my new party and reception for 50 friends sional basketball but was convicted to replace BC’s former successful postal address and phone number and family at Art’s church. Art’s of involvement in a gambling head coach, Al Skinner. on request.” sons, Jim and David, supervised scandal, which ended his career. We welcome our new head coach the proceedings and brought along Forte, a small, deadly outside and wish him well in his efforts to Art’s wife, Marilynn, who enjoyed shooter, led the nation in scoring, lead Columbia to great success in Robert Zucker the ceremonies from the comfort finishing ahead of the famous Wilt the near future. 41 29 The Birches and safety of her wheelchair. Art Chamberlain. Forte later became Our Alumni Office has reported Roslyn, NY 11576 was pleased to see so many old (in a well-known television network the death of Waldemar Hertwig 41 both senses of the word) friends at director of sports programs and on April 1 in San Diego. Waldemar [email protected] this gathering in his honor. radio talk-show host. Like Molinas, earned a B.S. in 1942 and an M.S. In 1991, HarperCollins published a In WWII, Art served as a Ma- he struggled with gambling addic- in 1943, both in chemical engineer- book by Ray Robinson, The Home rine artillery officer in the Pacific. tion, but eventually recovered to ing. I was in a chemistry class with Run Heard ’Round the World: The He returned to Columbia for his resume his broadcasting career. Waldemar and remember him as Dramatic Story of the 1951 Giants- degree in optometry and had a In 1961, Jack Rohan ’53 became a brilliant student. He had a long Dodgers Pennant Race. This com- long career in that specialty in head coach and served through career with Amoco Corp. before memorated the 40th anniversary of Elmira while also becoming a 1974. Like Rossini, he coached retirement. A full obituary notice Bobby Thompson’s title-winning prominent co-owner of the local some of Columbia’s greatest teams. will follow in a future issue of CCT. blast. Now, Ray’s book is being minor league baseball club and an Among his captains were Larry I am sad to report the death of republished by Dover Publications, owner of harness-racing horses. In Borger ’68, Roger Walaszek ’69 and Justin Thompson at age 90 on with a foreword by Bob Costas, in his retirement, Art remained ac- Jim McMillian ’70. Borger led his May 30 in Houston. After gradu- celebration of the 60th anniversary tive in church affairs, was a driver team to the Ivy League champion- ation, Justin enlisted in the Navy, of the hit. for Meals On Wheels and enjoyed ship, and they also won the Holi- and after officer training at Notre The New York Times had an inter­ summer visits to his cabin on the day Festival at Madison Square Dame, he served as a lieutenant esting article about Dr. Sherwin water in Tenant’s Harbor, Maine. Garden, defeating West Virginia, senior grade in the Pacific theater. Kaufman, his 99-year-old sister and He tells me that his 12-year-old Louisville and St. John’s. Walaszek, Upon return to civilian life, Justin their grandfather, Sholom Aleichem, great-grandson, a star athlete who now a prominent attorney in embarked on a productive 36-year the great Yiddish writer. Sherwin’s struck out 12 batters and walked Northampton, Mass., led his team career with Exxon-Mobil as a sister wrote the bestseller Up the only one in a recent game, also is to a 20–4 record, and McMillian’s purchasing executive. He lived in Down Staircase and still is going an excellent student with an A+ team finished 20–5, both second Houston from 1961 until his death. strong. Aleichem’s most famous average. I advised Art to enroll this in the Ivy League. McMillian won He is survived by his wife, Doris; character was Tevye the Dairyman young man in our Class of 2020. the Haggerty Award as the best daughter, Claire; sons, Justin Jr. of Fiddler on the Roof. Sherwin’s son, Many more happy birthdays, Art, player in the NYC Metropolitan and his wife, Sue, and John and his Kenneth, was MC of the “yahrzeit” on your journey toward the Class area for three consecutive years. wife, Christine; and brother, An- service, of which he noted “of all of 1942 Centenarian Club. He was drafted by the L.A. Lakers, drew. Justin had six grandchildren the yahrzeits my family has held The appointment of Columbia’s whom he helped to the 1972 NBA and two great-grandchildren. A over the last 94 years, this is by far new basketball coach, Kyle Smith, championship, and later played for memorial service was held on June the most recent.” who replaced Joe Jones, led me to Buffalo, New York and Portland in 7 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Yours truly has been out of touch review some of my research notes a nine-year pro career. Church in Houston. On June 16, in Prague and Israel and on the on Columbia’s previous great In 1974, Tom Penders succeeded Doris sent me a warm note about beach in Southampton, N.Y., and coaches, team captains and great Rohan as head coach. His co- cap- Justin, saying, “He loved his years news both good and bad is scarce. players. In the years 1938–42, when tains in 1976–77 were Alton Byrd at Columbia — and his friends Don’t hesitate to send me a note. our Class of 1942 was on campus, ’79 and Ricky Free ’79. Byrd was in Hartley Hall.” At Columbia, our coach was the charismatic voted the best player in the nation Justin had many friends, especially and irascible Paul Mooney, who under 6 feet in height and later among his fellow student-athletes Class Notes are submitted by had been a great player himself. played professionally in England. on the baseball team, including alumni and edited by volunteer Mooney’s team captains were an Penders resigned after the 1978 first baseman Dr. Gerald Klingon impressive group: Owen McDow- season and went on to a long career and versatile utility player Arthur class correspondents and the ell ’34, Bill Nash ’36, Jim Casey ’37, at various major basketball schools, Wellington (third base, outfield, staff of CCT prior to publication. John O’Brien ’38, Tom Macioce ’39, most recently at the University of catcher). Justin and Leno Fer- John Naylor ’40, Stewart McIlven- Houston. In 1990, Rohan returned rarini ’43 were the varsity catchers. Opinions expressed are those of nan and Lester Martens ’45. After to once again become head coach, Art recalls that after Justin and individual alumni and do not WWII, the great but unfortunate staying through 1995. His 1992–93 Leno left for military service, he Gordon Ridings, who died sud- team captain, Leonard “Buck” became the starting catcher, but reflect the opinions of CCT, its denly at an early age, became head Jenkins ’93, led his squad to a 16–10 the position was new to him, and class correspondents, the College coach from 1946–50. His most ac- record and second place in the Ivy in a game against Penn, the Penn complished team captain was Walt League. players stole seven bases off of Art or the University. Budko’46E, who led his teams to In 1995, Armond Hill, a former and his pitcher, “Long George” 36 victories and only eight losses Princeton and pro player, replaced Smith ’41.

september/october 2010 36 columbia college today class notes

I was friendly with Justin and the Corsair, on which Albert was always enjoyed seeing him emerge one member of the 58-man crew. from the Hartley Hall elevator with He recalls the black smoke laden a warm smile and a cheerful greet- with carbon particles from the ing as we were going to our classes. Corsair’s funnel. This was because We send condolences to Doris and its engines were being driven hard to Justin’s extended family from in trying to keep up with the War- members of the Class of 1942, who rington. Such smoke, of course, remember him with affection and was a no-no because it besmirched respect. the Corsair’s white canopies. With so many of us approach- Richard M. Garten wrote to ing, or at, our 90th birthdays, I provide his personal contact with am hopeful that some classmates Butler. Richard, like me, left for will still be around and in good graduate school at the end of the enough health to celebrate our 70th third year and thus was absent reunion in 2012. I keep hearing an from the graduation ceremonies. old Judy Garland lyric, “It’s cold, He may therefore have missed cold, cold, and we’re old, old, old,” shaking the hand of our famous but then I recall one of our Colum- prez, but while a student, he used bia slogans to give us some encour- to deliver mail to the president Greg Wyatt ’71 and CCT class correspondent Bert Sussman ’47 show off agement: “Hold fast to the spirit of and says he was always greeted a cartoon drawn by Wyatt’s father, Stan Wyatt ’43, ’47 GSAS, ridiculing youth.” Kind regards to all. pleasantly by the great man. He local politicians afraid of a demographic shift after Columbia faculty also has pleasant memories of and staff moved into housing in Upstate New York in the 1940s (see the Dean Herbert Hawkes, who had 1947 column for a further description). G.J. D’Angio pithy and cogent rejoinders at the PHOTO: Fay Wyatt 43 Department of Radiation ready. He replied, “Yes, but they Oncology were different things,” when Rich- 43 Hospital of the University of ard remarked, “I’ve learned more born Dr. William V. Beshlian who, REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 Pennsylvania, Donner 2 working my way through college after his Army medical service, had Alumni Office Contacts 3400 Spruce St. than in the classroom.” a distinguished 52-year career at Alumni Affairs Jennifer Freely Philadelphia, PA 19104 Anyone else have memories of St. Joseph Hospital Medical Center [email protected] 212-851-7438 [email protected] NMB or the dean? in Paterson, N.J. And we recently Below is news regarding the were told by Mary Gabrielson that Development Paul Staller Regarding interesting Columbia death of Warren Eason. We were her husband, Dr. Ira Gabrielson [email protected] faculty members: I recently finished classmates in A.B. Davis H.S. in Mt. ’49 P&S, died suddenly earlier this 212-851-7494 reading a fascinating biography, Vernon, N.Y. He had already started year. Bernard Sunshine Lorenzo Da Ponte: The Extraordinary a distinguished musical career back We also regretfully note the pass- 20 W. 86th St. Adventures of the Man Behind Mozart, then, excelling in playing the French ing of Bill Loweth ’43, a stalwart of 46 New York, NY 10024 by Rodney Bolt. It deals with the horn. More memories: Bill Loweth the crew, who shared with many of 46 [email protected] Venetian Emanuele Conegliano and I were on the lightweight crew. us ’44ers the privilege of participat- (1749–1838) who took the name of Sad news: ing in Larry Chamberlain’s first Marvin Aronson Ph.D. is an emi- Lorenzo Da Ponte. He became the Henry Corey, an attorney, died government class at Columbia in nent psychologist who continues first professor of Italian at Colum- on February 27 in Falmouth, Mass. 1941–42. his practice in individual, group bia. Da Ponte led a most picaresque Philip J. Bliss, an advertising and couples therapy. His CV in- life, arriving in New York via multi- v.p. and personnel director, Ports- cludes the editing of 10 volumes on ple European cities and London. In mouth, N.H., died on April 22. Columbia College Today group and family therapy. Marvin New York, he not only established Warren W. Eason, a musician 45 Columbia Alumni Center shares a particularly interesting the first Italian Opera House in the and professor at Ohio Sate Univer- 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 insight on this stage of his career: city but also became the first Jew sity, in Columbus, died on March 45 New York, NY 10025 “A well-functioning older psycho- and Roman Catholic priest appoint- 22. Warren earned an economics [email protected] therapist can make valuable con- ed to the Columbia faculty. It was certificate and Ph.D. in 1951 and tributions to younger patients who 1825. You may have recognized the 1959 from SIPA and GSAS, respec- Barnett Zumoff recently published have been handicapped by difficult name Da Ponte as the librettist for tively. his 17th and 18th books of transla- family constellations during their three of Mozart’s best-loved operas. William R. Loweth, Tequesta, tion from Yiddish literature: Yiddish formative years. Many individuals Same man. Fla., died on May 5. Literature in America, 1870–2000 (the in their 40s, 50s and 60s suffer from Have you discovered in your William M. Webb, a retired en- first of three proposed volumes the fact that they had too few posi- reading a person with a little-known gineer, Louisville, Ky., died on April with this title), and Pearls of Yiddish tive interactions with their parents tie to Columbia? Share your find with 16, 2010. William earned a B.S. and Poetry, by Joseph and Chana Mlotek. and extended family members. In- the readers of these Class Notes. an M.S. in mechanical engineering He has five other books of transla- teracting with a positive, responsive Albert W. Cayot sent his rec- in 1943 and 1949, respectively, from tion in various stages of prepara- older therapist can help repair some ollections of former University the Engineering School. tion for publication. The books can of these deficits. President Nicholas Murray But- be obtained from the publisher in “The mere fact that the older ler (Class of 1882), as had been New Jersey (Ktav Publishing House, therapist continues to function ef- requested in this column. Those Henry Rolf Hecht www.ktav.com). fectively as a professional can serve contacts were indirect, one of 44 11 Evergreen Pl. The Class of ’45 is still looking as an inspiration for those patients them being through Albert’s sis- Demarest, NJ 07627 for a class correspondent to write whose parents manifested serious ter, Mary, who worked for Butler 44 a bimonthly column for Columbia physical and psychological disor- [email protected] at the Carnegie Endowment for College Today. If you want an open ders as they aged. International Peace. Albert also Sadly, our diminishing band of platform and a chance to reconnect “A competent ‘grandfatherly’ recalled the visit to Columbia by survivors has been further dimin- with classmates, please contact or ‘grandmotherly’ therapist can the Queen of England and Prince ished by the departures of engineer Associate Editor Ethan Rouen at evoke positive recollections of Charles in the late 1930s, the visit Kenneth Englar and of Harold [email protected]. Until then, grandparents who rescued patients having been arranged by Butler. Polton, who spent many years in please send notes about your life, from effects of early mistreatments The royal party arrived on the his family’s Garden State Paper thoughts, travel, family and experi- by their biological parents.” USS Warrington, which was es- Co. (since sold), a pioneer in paper ences at Columbia to the address at Burton Sapin, who regularly corted by the J.P. Morgan yacht, recycling. Also, we lost Turkey- the top of the column. stays in touch, has retired to south

september/october 2010 37 class notes columbia college today

Florida and sends warm regards to having collaborated on several a necessity! It all helped solve the statistics, Ruth continues to battle fellow ’46ers. He and his wife, Judy, operas. He also is a performer and problem. to bring us into a more enlightened were active in Washington, D.C.’s lecturer. Rockland County had been about state of being. academic/political community. “Robin was introduced by mem­ 90 percent Republican at that time, Yours truly continues working Burt’s new contact information: bers of her family using a video and the heavy influx of Democrats with PortSide New York. Our son 3124 La Posada Dr., Palm Beach presentation. Al Burstein, Larry and liberals caused entrenched has moved to a location only six Gardens, FL 33410; 561-429-5147. Friedland and their wives were politicians to be worried. New voter blocks from the campus. Revisiting Of his new home, he says: “This present. registration was hampered by the local haunts always is occasion for is a retirement/extended care com- “The dinner was followed by a demand for these newcomers to good feelings. munity. As long as your health concert, and ‘a good time was had produce high school diplomas. On a sad note, word has just holds up, it is like living in a nice by all.’ ” Ph.D.s and others were forced to come, but it will be old news when hotel.” That ends Ed’s note. However, I take literacy tests. Stan Wyatt ’43, you read this, that we have lost a Paul Marks couldn’t make our feel the need to add: For decades, ’47 GSAS, a professor of art at City treasure in the person of Bob Butler. recent class luncheon because of Ed was president of Broadcast College, became the resident artist Our class has many reasons to be a conference he attended in Paris. Music, the entertainment industry for the Shanks newspaper that was proud but proudest must we be for His note reads: “I am continuing organization dedicated to protect- started, The Villager, and did dozens having had Bob as our friend and my work on our cancer drug and ing the rights of writers and pub- of cartoons about life at Shanks [see classmate, and most rich are we all trying to understand more about lishers for the performance of their photo]. His son, Greg ’71, is the not- for his legacy of knowledge and how and why it works.” music around the world. ed sculptor-in-residence at the Ca- care. [Editor’s note: See Obituaries.] Our class’ scholar in the Class Ed McAvoy thinks green these thedral Church of St. John the Divine Find time! Make time! Let us of ’57, Richard Gooder, a profes- days with the move to more on Amsterdam Avenue, adjacent to hear from you. sor at Clare College, Cambridge, carpooling for conservation and the main Columbia campus. e-mailed: “I read quite a lot about remembers in the late ’40s he was Columbia these days, and it is involved in this movement, but for Mario Palmieri gratifying to think that the College a different reason. Columbia had Columbia College Today 50 33 Lakeview Ave. W. I attended, and the course I went spearheaded conversion of bar- 48 Columbia Alumni Center Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 through, still figures so prominent- racks in Camp Shanks in Rockland 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 50 [email protected] ly in developing academic debate. County, N.Y., into temporary hous- 48 New York, NY 10025 It shows how well it had all been ing for faculty, administrators and [email protected] Our 60th reunion attracted 22 put together, and how durable it students: Shanks Village. classmates to campus. That number has proven. I remain grateful to Probably 10,000 Columbia fami- The Class of ’48 still is looking for may not sound impressive, but you and your classmates for mak- lies resided in these apartments a class correspondent to write a it equaled the attendance at the ing it possible for me to have been during Shanks Village’s short bimonthly column for Columbia 55-year reunion, and it’s good that a participant and beneficiary.” lifetime. Its sudden presence in this College Today. If you want an open we held steady. Attendees were If you haven’t noticed the header then-rural county created a few platform and a chance to reconnect Phil Bergovoy, Norman Dorsen, at the top of this column, we will problems. There was no Tappan with classmates, please contact Franklin Gill, Ralph Italie, Ted celebrate our 65th reunion Thurs- Zee Bridge and New York State Associate Editor Ethan Rouen at Karchuta, Dave Karlin, Bud Kas- day, June 2–Sunday, June 5, 2011. Thruway, nor that beautiful 50- [email protected]. Until then, sel, Jerry Kaye, Dan Kelly, Len Quite a milestone. I find it a little mile Palisades Parkway from the please send notes about your life, Kliegman, Jerry Lasser, Glenn hard to believe, yet happy in its an- George Washington Bridge to Bear thoughts, travel, family and experi- Lubash, Mario Palmieri, Ted Reid, ticipation. How should we note and Mountain. Commuting to the 116th ences at Columbia to the address at Dave Sampliner, Ray Scalettar, Al celebrate the occasion? Please send Street campus and further uptown the top of the column. Schmitt, Tom Sebring, Norm Skin- me your thoughts and ideas. medical center was by Red & Tan ner, Bob Socas, Art Trezise and Ric I am sorry to report the passing bus and subway (then 5 cents). The Yarwood. of Raleigh Estrada, who lived in bus company greatly raised fares, John Weaver A highlight of the weekend was Chicago Heights, Ill. as did many local stores (there 2639 E. 11th St. an enthusiastic discussion, follow- were no supermarkets and big box 49 Brooklyn, NY 11235 ing the Saturday luncheon, led stores then), and Shanks commut- 49 and moderated by M.D.s Glenn [email protected] Bert Sussman ers started an organized 25-cent Lubash and Ray Scalettar, on the 47 155 W. 68th St., Apt. 27D carpool from the seven areas of After the “rush” of mail from subject of the nation’s health care. New York, NY 10023 Shanks to, mainly, 116th Street and classmates, which I shared in July/ The class as a whole responded 47 Broadway. August’s notes, there has been a well beyond the norm for our class [email protected] At almost any hour of the day, paucity of communication from (in a non-reunion year) in support- Ed Cramer sent the following re- riders would be waiting at street classmates, so I guess all are out ing a class gift to the College. Par- port: “Congregation Adas Emuno corners in Shanks and at 116th having a great time doing things ticipation in the Columbia Col in Leonia, N.J., honored three of Street for the half-hour drive. that do not allow time for reporting lege Fund provided $43,494, which its members at a dinner on June Sometimes, several empty cars to this column. will be used to grant McVeigh- 12. Included were Ed Cramer; his might be awaiting passengers. I do hear from Bill Lubic that Buchmann current-use scholarships. wife, Ethel, better known as Robin; These scholarships have long been and Dr. Sam Shapiro, a retired the focus of our class’s fundraising physician. Ed has been the longest efforts as a meaningful way to me- standing member, and all of them Dave Berger ’50’s one-act play, Ray Who, was one of 11 morialize Tom McVeigh and Bob are active in weekly services and in plays in 24 sold-out performances of Sixth Street The- Buchmann, who died heroically special events. Introducing Shapiro as Marines in the Korean War. All was Alan Alda, known for his star- ater’s “2010 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival.” donors will be acknowledged in the ring role in the long-running televi- CC Fund’s Annual Report. sion series, M*A*S*H, and active in Dave Berger has had two lecturing on science. One villager even bought a his wife, Ruth, has gotten interna- significant successes in his post- “Ed was introduced by Sheldon hearse and built in extra seats for tional recognition for her work in retirement career in playwriting. Harnick, a distinguished co-writer, added income. Of course, gas was Washington, D.C., in the Devel- His one-act play, Ray Who, was with Jerry Bock, of many Broad- only 25 cents a gallon then. oping Families Center. The BBC one of 11 plays in 24 sold-out way shows including the Pulitzer- Residents also started a success- featured Ruth in an interview. It al- performances of Sixth Street The- Prize winning Fiorello; She Loves ful co-op food market that helped ways is a sobering reminder when ater’s “2010 Snowdance 10 Minute Me; The Rothchilds; and Fiddler on feed the community. With limited we are told of the dismal ranking Comedy Festival” in Racine, Wis., the Roof. He is not only a lyricist but monthly G.I. benefits checks of of the United States in health care. in February. The Ray of the title is also a songwriter and a composer, slightly more than $99, this was In the face of such discouraging Raymond Nowske, a 60-year-old

september/october 2010 38 columbia college today class notes man who thinks that he is Ray He asks so many questions, they president Bob, Willard and Elliot Columbia University Trustees, Nitschke, the deceased middle come by the score, met with Archie McGregor, after browsing through more than linebacker for the Green Bay Pack- And when you’ve answered every- George Prozan, Mark Kaplan, a dozen shades of blue (swatches ers and Pro Football Hall of Fame thing there’s always one more. Paul Wallace and Harvey Krueger of which remain in the archives), honoree. Raymond’s plan to stay in He teaches me things he says I at the first of several luncheons selected what is today’s official shape is to train by tackling adult must know, to plan activities and a program white and Columbia Blue. (No tell- deer. A game warden spots him About art and literature and music for the 60th reunion of the Class ing what a person can learn from a doing his training exercise, and from long ago. of 1951, scheduled for Thursday, campus newspaper!) Raymond ends up in court, which Chopin and Bach, Mozart and June 2–Sunday, June 5, 2011. If you Hope you enjoyed a great sum- is where the play takes place. Beethoven. would like to join the Reunion mer. Tell me about it soon. E-mail Dave’s second work, The Reel “I’m listening I promise, must my Committee, please contact Bob is best! Thing, was one of 30 one-minute eyeballs be open?” at [email protected]. TEP plays presented at Spare Change Just when I think my head will fraternity brothers should contact Theater’s “In a New York Minute” explode Stan Schachter at Ulysses330@ Sidney Prager festival in Manhattan in June. In He hands me a piece of chocolate aol.com to discuss membership 52 20 Como Ct. this play, two fish at the bottom of cake á la mode. participation. Manchester, NJ 08759 a lake are commenting on fisher- Richard Wiener, living in 52 [email protected] men’s lures passing over their The trips we have taken, adventures Rockville, Md., came to the United heads. But they don’t bite until and more. States at 13 as a Holocaust survi- As the poet says: “It’s a long, long one of them sees what he thinks He once drove away without clos- vor. He experienced Crystal Night time from May to December/And is a big, juicy night crawler. The ing my door. while his father was interned at the days grow short when you plays were run on two consecu- Car horns were blaring, they Buchenwald and was one of the reach September.” tive nights and were competitively seemed quite perturbed, Kindertransport children who Of course, as intended, these judged by the audiences. The Reel One guy shouted, “You left the escaped to England. When the words have more than one mean- Thing finished third on the first kid’s door open!” Berlin Wall fell, Richard made ing, but right now let’s stick with night and second on the next night. We swerved to the curb. “Oh my several visits to his hometown the seasonal interpretation. Sad to report, Desmond J. Nu- God,” Grandpa gasped, of Wittenberg and expects to be So, did you enjoy the lazy days nan Sr. of Ocean City, N.J., died on “What’s wrong with you? Why inducted as an honorary citizen of summer? Going to the beach, pic- May 5. didn’t you tell me?” this fall. Following a tour of duty nics on those sweet summer days, Amanda was five, me barely two. with the Army, Richard entered perhaps fishing and/or swimming Columbia College. His collegiate in some cool lakes and streams, and REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 His family and critics are one and claim to fame included a stint with enjoying that ice cream as if it were Alumni Office Contacts the same. the Columbia Players and some a reward for having all that fun. Alumni Affairs Jennifer Freely Has ever a man been so loved and published articles in the Columbia Graduations and weddings in [email protected] so blamed? Review. This led to a recommenda- June, fireworks and hot dogs in 212-851-7438 tion from Professor Lionel Trilling July, vacations and baseball games Development Paul Staller Let my words now be clear, with ’25 to the Dodd, Mead Literary Fel- in August. [email protected] so much in jest, lowship contest, where Richard’s As they say, it’s a tough job, but 212-851-7494 Remember this, forget all the rest. novel was awarded second place. somebody has to do it. George Koplinka You’re the dearest to us, grandsons After obtaining a law degree at Of course, it’s acceptable to 51 75 Chelsea Rd. and granddaughters, NYU and The George Washington vacation in July and even see a White Plains, NY 10603 We love you Grandpa, you’re the School of Law, Richard became baseball game as well, and eating a 51 perfect Grandfather. an international patent lawyer, hot dog in August is OK, too. [email protected] ultimately running his firm’s Now changes will happen again. (Poem published without any How many classmates know the Washington, D.C., office and then Mother Nature will be getting ready reference to the late Art Linkletter origin of the official Columbia chairing the Patent, Trademark and for her nap. Slowly, the days shorten and what he said about kids!) colors, white and light (Columbia) Copyright Section of the D.C. Bar and cool off, and soon the bright and blue? To get the true story, check Susan K. Feagin, e.v.p. for uni- and serving as a member of the glorious colors of autumn are ev- the last paragraph of this column. versity development and alumni bar’s board of directors. erywhere and sending the message No survey has been made con- relations, recently announced that Richard is active in The Mankind of “Hello” and “Goodbye,” smiling cerning the number of grandfathers the Columbia Campaign reached Project, a mission-oriented interna- and waving at the same time. Yes, and grandchildren in our class. the $3.5 billion mark, with a goal tional men’s community, as head gentlemen, those of us who are However, from reunion conversa- of raising $4 billion by December elder of its Washington center and lucky have reached September. tions, the number is substantial. 2011. Congratulations to all con- as a facilitator in its transformation- Robert Adelman writes: “Re­ Willard Block passed along a poem tributors, who can now take pride al weekend trainings. He speaks cently,­ I took two trips to south written by his granddaughter, Tess, in the long-range plans to develop widely to diverse audiences and Florida. In late January, on my way and he is justifiably proud to be state-of-the-art University facilities. offers a workshop, “The Power of to Naples, my wife, Judith, and I called The Perfect Grandfather. Here’s Alumni Reunion Weekend 2010, Forgiveness,” at venues around had lunch with Charlie Jacobs and the poem: June 3–6, featured a return to the the country. His marriage of 23 his wife, Rosalind. Charlie is busy more familiar style of past Dean’s years ended in divorce. Richard’s writing and has recently published Time said to Grandpa, “You are Days. Class members and wives daughter, Evelyn, and her husband quite a few books. Visit his website eighty, you must slow.” attending included Dave Berman run the well-known Doma Cafe at www.retirement-writing.com. In Grandpa said to Time, “I’m in a and Sharon, Willard Block and in Greenwich Village, and his son, late February, on my way to Stuart, hurry, you should go.” Roberta, George Koplinka and Michael, is a New York actor and I had lunch with Howie Hanson Peg, Warren Nadel and Susanne, performance artist. and his wife, Diane. They are both He travels the world, he see all Bob Snyder and Elaine, and Elliot So, what about Columbia’s True fine and active in the insurance things anew, Wales and Fran as well as Lowell Blue? According to an article pub- services sector. With Grandma by his side there is Ackiron. Stimulating lectures from lished in Columbia University’s “Based upon the conversations little he won’t do. Columbia’s talented faculty were The Record, dated May 14, the first at these meetings, I was wondering He wakes with a melody, a hymn if combined with affinity group display of Columbia colors was if any other of our classmates have you please, receptions affording additional op- unveiled in 1873 when the College considered the possibility of a 60th The song of the universe, he portunities for celebrations. Dean competed in the Springfield Boat reunion. This could be a one- or learned from the trees. Michele Moody-Adams paid a Race. In the ensuing years, various two-day event on campus, and any He gives a greeting to all, strang- special visit to Low Library to greet shades of blue decorated athletics other place that people would like ers, neighbors and kin, ’51 alums at the class luncheon. uniforms, course catalogs, banners to visit.” Always helpful, always a friend. A week prior to Dean’s Day, class and beanies. Finally, in 1957, the So, gentlemen, the question is,

september/october 2010 39 class notes columbia college today

after increasing the class size to proclaimed but took that posture make room. A professor at the Uni- so we could debate the issues with versity of Toledo College of Law vigor. He was fun to be with. He said, ‘Dean Walwer believed it was loved his family and his friends. essential to broaden the ranks of He leaves his wife, Mary Anne; the law schools and thus enrich the son, Gregory; and grandchildren.” profession and system of justice. It Thank you all for your contribu- was as simple as that. Whether that tions. analysis was a normative-based social justice approach, a market based approach or a color-segre- Lew Robins gationist approach, by his action 53 1221 Stratfield Rd. it was clearly the approach of an Fairfield, CT 06825 activist to the problem: find blacks 53 [email protected] and admit them.’ Crew team members from the 1950s and ’60s got together in the “Frank’s efforts to recruit more Every so often, news arrives indi- Gould-Remmer Boathouse on June 4 to tell war stories and relive old people of color to American law cating that a book by one of our times. Joining the party were (seated, left to right) Dan Hovey ’55, Jim schools led to the creation of the esteemed classmates has just been Cooper ’59, Bob Prendergast ’53, Don Fagan ’53 and Marty Fisher ’57; Bar Association’s Council for Legal published. Thus, several weeks and (standing, left to right) D’Arcy Roche ’60, Ken Bodenstein ’57, Terry Education Opportunity. While he ago, Daniel S. Greenberg sent an Doremus ’55, Bill Mink ’55, Roy Hanson ’60, Bob Hanson ’55 and Paul was chairman, the council pub- e-mail describing his first novel, Neshamkin ’63. lished a study of law school cur- Tech Transfer: Science, Money, Love ricula and also adopted affirmative and the Ivory Tower. For many years, would you be interested in a 60th Bob Hartman writes: “I came action standards, revised the code Dan was a journalist in Washing- reunion? It’s never too early to start across a [classmate], George Pax- of recommended standards for bar ton, D.C., who covered science and thinking about making plans for ton, an Alpha Delta Phi. George examiners and so forth. health politics. For more than 25 a Reunion Committee that would went to medical school at Boston “Frank left Columbia in 1980 to years, he wrote an op-ed column work with the Alumni Office to University, then to New Orleans become the dean of the Univer- that appeared in The Washington make it happen in 2012. and ended up in Denver in 1960. sity of Tulsa School of Law and Post and was a frequent contribu- This is from Henry William He was a pediatrician for many remained in that position for 11 tor to The New England Journal of Kramer: “Upon graduation from years in Denver and recently re- years. In 1987, he was in a small Medicine; Nature; New Scientist; Columbia Engineering in June tired. He said that he really enjoys group that visited the Peoples The New York Times and U.S. News 1953, I went into the Naval Civil spending time with his children Republic of China to enhance & World Report. In 2002, the Brook- Engineer Corps for three years to and lots of the grandchildren.” relations between American and ings Institute asked Dan be a guest fulfill my obligation to the NROTC Peter Carbonara ’53 sent this Chinese legal educators. In 1994, scholar and to report on his re­ program. heartfelt obituary: Frank left Tulsa and became dean search concerning “The Impact of “After discharge from the Navy “On New Year’s Day, Frank of the newly founded Law School Commercialization on Academic in 1956, I joined Spencer, White and Walwer was driving in Bradenton, at Texas Wesleyan University in Health Research.” Previously, Dan Prentis (three Columbia alums) in Fla., when his car crossed the high- Fort Worth, where he worked until authored three nonfiction books NYC. In 1959, I moved to Coakley way divider and slammed head-on 1999. During Frank’s tenure, the that were published by the Uni- and Booth (another alum of NYC) into a large truck. Frank was killed. Law School was fully accredited by versity of Chicago Press concern- and then to Schnabel Foundation No one else was hurt. He was 79. the American Bar Association. He ing science, politics and money: Co. of Bethesda, Md. All three jobs I met Frank in 1944 shortly before was co-author of a book published The Politics of Pure Science; Science, involved the bidding, design and we graduated from P.S. 69 in in 1974, Cost and Resources of Legal Money and Politics: Political Triumph supervision of difficult building Jackson Heights, N.Y. We quickly Education. In the copy he gave me, and Ethical Erosion; and Science for foundation work. In these moves, became friends with mutual hopes he inscribed: ‘No publisher has yet Sale: The Perils, Rewards, and Delu- I progressed from a field engineer and needs, not the least of which accepted my manuscript entitled, sion of Campus Capitalism. to general superintendent. In 1970, was the fact that our fathers had The Costs and Resources of Friday As soon as I learned that Dan’s I signed a contract with American died not too long before. We both Night Poker Playing for High School latest venture was a fictionalized ac- Structures of Chicago and super­ went on to William Cullen Bryant Students (fictional of course, but count of faculty intrigue at a highly vised the first contract on the Wash- H.S. in Astoria, Queens, and when based on fact).’ ranked, dysfunctional university in ington, D.C., Metro. we graduated in 1948, Frank was “Frank also served on the Ameri- New York City, I flew to Amazon. “In 1971, I joined the George class treasurer. That year, Frank can Bar Association’s Law School com to purchase a copy of Tech Hyman Construction Co., also in enrolled at Columbia. In college, Admissions Council, the Section of Transfer and was rewarded with Bethesda, as a general superinten- Frank was a member of the Senior Legal Education and Admissions to several spellbinding days of read- dent on general construction con- Society of Nacoms, Sigma Chi, the Bar, and chaired many commit- ing a fascinating story about what tracts. I retired from there in 1994 Dorm Council, Pre Law Society, tees on law school admissions and really might happen when a widely as an s.v.p. I was involved in many Canterbury, and Gold and Silver financial aid. Despite his distin- respected professor and scientist projects in many parts of the coun- Crowns, and the business manager guished professional accomplish- under a secret Army contract invents try but mostly in the D.C. area. of Spectator. He entered Columbia ments, Frank always was humble an anti-sleep drug that will keep The company now is called Clark Law School and graduated in 1955, and self-effacing, maybe even a troops permanently awake on the Construction Group and does a then did his military service until little bit wacky. Those who knew battlefield. yearly volume of $3–$4 billion. My 1957. He was appointed associate Frank welcomed his company and The director of the Center for the last project was the renovation of dean at the Law School in 1958 and the laughter and playfulness that al- Absorption of Federal Funds wrote the Willard Hotel in D.C. worked there until 1980. He over- ways came with our get-togethers. the following review of Dan’s novel: “I live near Asheville, N.C., with saw financial aid and admissions. As a matter of fact, it took us time “Tech Transfer reveals far too much my wife, Judy. We have two children “In 1960, Frank had a conversa- to realize that this entertaining guy about how the science system really and four grandkids. Our daughter, tion with an assistant dean at Har- was fast becoming a giant in the works.” Jean, lives in Denver. Her husband, vard Law who inquired how many field of legal education. He was a The novel is published by Ka- John Welch, is an assistant coach African-Americans were at the gentleman and loved nothing more nawha Press and is available from under George Karl with the Denver Columbia Law School. There were than engaging in sometimes heated Amazon.com. Don’t miss Dan’s Nuggets basketball team. Our son, almost none, motivating Frank political debates, but always with fascinating tale. Good luck, Dan! Davis, is chief estimator for Blach to visit several predominantly kindness and humor. A week after my reading Dan’s Construction in San Jose, Calif. His black colleges. He indentified five “I became convinced that Frank first novel,T ony Robinson sent wife, Maria, is the head of research promising students and had them was too good and kind to really along a copy of his sixth novel, The for Stem Cells of Palo Alto.” admitted to Columbia Law School be a hardened Republican as he American Golfer. Thus, for the next

september/october 2010 40 columbia college today class notes

three days, I was buried in Tony’s he retired to travel, read, spend One bit of sad news is that Max Okean, Jim Hudson, Bob Spar- intriguing story and soon became time with his family and take on- Pirner died on May 9. His wife, row (getting better every day), aware of why our classmate has line courses in history and finance. Marilyn, wrote that he had pancre- Harvey Greenberg (still practicing been acclaimed as “America’s con- Through the years, he found the atic cancer for more than two years. psychiatry on the Upper West Side summate golf novelist.” The Ameri- time to co-author with Talde a They were married for nearly 54 of Manhattan and clinical profes- can Golfer is about a “down on his number of articles and books about years and dated during high school sor of psychiatry at Albert Einstein luck” PGA Tour golfer who goes to pathology. For many years, Talde and college. Perhaps she summed College of Medicine) and Shelly Ireland for the summer in order to also was an active pathologist. it best when she wrote, “He was a Bloom (living in Ojai, Calif., and visit his great-grandmother’s vil- On the telephone, Tess told me wonderful man.” teaching courses in psychology lage. Reading Tony’s words about that Irwin remained a wonderful, Please continue to keep in touch and American government at the Irish romance, political intrigue warm, caring person who will be and wear light blue whenever you Brooks Institute in Ventura). and self-discovery, I began to feel sorely missed. Tess can be reached can. A lot of interesting things will be what it might be like to return to at [email protected]. and have been taking place around Professor Fred Dupee’s compara- His classmates will remember the world, in the United States and tive literature class and once again Irwin as a hard-working, great guy! Gerald Sherwin on campus over the next several read James Joyce’s Ulysses. 55 181 E. 73rd St., Apt. 6A months. As part of the Columbia Tony has clearly inherited his New York, NY 10021 Alumni Travel Study Program, father’s writing gene. When we Howard Falberg 55 in March there will be a tour by [email protected] were undergraduates, Henry Mor- 54 13710 Paseo Bonita private jet of the “Hidden Wonders ton Robinson’s bestselling novel, Poway, CA 92064 The results are in for our reunion, of the World,” a journey to extraor- The Cardinal, was published and in 54 held in June. The stalwart Class of dinary cultural treasures of remote [email protected] 1953, he was invited to be the guest 1955 has set several records for a lands (Japan, Indonesia, New speaker at the annual Spectator George Fadok enjoys active 55th reunion — largest attendance Guinea, Vietnam and more). Noted dinner. I’ll never forget the moment retired living in Arizona. He also ever and dollars raised (more than commentator Bill Moyers will be Tony’s distinguished, famous father takes great pride in his children’s $226,000). We even beat other class- the special lecturer for a cruise in looked at the audience of aspiring achievements and reports that es with larger enrollments. late 2010 exploring “Ancient Cities young journalists, and referring “daughter Val treated a golden bear Following the write-up of the of North Africa and Andalusia.” A to our campus on Morningside at the Houston Zoo for allergies. reunion events in the last CCT, we special voyage will be conducted Heights said, “We were nourished She thinks a change in the weather must include additional classmates in February 2011 to Namibia and on this self same hill.” will help the critter out. Son George who made an appearance on- and South Africa with guest lectur- Interestingly, professors Mark retired from the Navy with the off-campus: Norm Goldstein (all ers Paul Volcker (yes, that Paul Van Doren and George Noble rank of captain. Son David pinned the way from Hawaii), Milt Merritt, Volcker) and David Welsh (Cape encouraged Tony to pursue writ- on another star and is now a major Stanley Corngold, Tony Disanto, Town native). ing as a career. After his first two general in the Air Force. Son Chris- Herb Finkelstein, Sven Johnson, Columbia will be well represent- novels were published, he became topher was ordained a Dominican Ivan Leigh, Julius Brown, Neil ed at the Sundance Film Festival by an instructor of English in 1964 at priest on June 25 and has invited Opdyke, Jesse Roth, Ed Siegel, the School of the Arts in Park City, SUNY New Paltz, N.Y. His first our entire class to confession.” Joe Vales, Ralph Wagner, Anthony Utah, in late January. It is always wife, Mary, died in 1976. In 1998, Congratulations George, you Viscusi, Ed Francell, Paul Frank, an exciting and rewarding event. Tony married a childhood friend have much to be proud of. Dan Hovey, Bill Mink, Jules In case those classmates in the and an accomplished artist, Tatiana Two classmates have been Rosenberg and Herb Gardner. Lew Chicago area missed it, Provost Padwa of Woodstock, N.Y. Tony named to the Columbia University Sternfels (our roving photographer Claude Steele spoke to a packed and Tatiana live in New Paltz, Athletics Hall of Fame: Steve So- from Los Angeles) took close to 140 house about his groundbreaking where they write and paint. bel and Al Thompson. Congratu- pictures as he traveled from event research on stereotypes. We are sure Good luck, Tony! Based on your lations are certainly in order. to event. If anyone is interested in there will be a repeat performance. special, delightful sixth novel, The Bob Weber reports from his seeing the photos, let your class A huge crowd turned out for American Golfer, the Columbia Col- home, which is “near Plymouth scribe know. the fifth annual Columbia Alumni lege Class of 1953 is expecting to see Rock, Mass.,” that he is president Special thanks should go to Association picnic, held on South your works included in the litera- of the Friends of the Kingston Gerry Pomper, who shared the Field in July and bringing Colum- ture of the 20th and 21st centuries Library and sits on the board of the microphone with Sid Sheinberg bians from different departments, that is taught in college classrooms KPL Foundation trying (among on Saturday morning. Gerry gave as well as alumni and students across America. The American Golfer other things) to narrow the gap an invigorating and thoughtful talk (who were around the city) to- is available from Amazon.com. A between the budget and state aid. on the presidency of the United gether to eat, drink, play games book that is not to be missed! Washington, please learn from a States. and just be happy. We espied Sad news: Irwin Kline’s daugh- pro. Bob also is involved with a As a side note, Harold Kushner Columbia’s new men’s basketball ter, Tess, telephoned with news that local environmental group and has lived those days of yesteryear by coach, Kyle Smith, around campus. her father had passed away on July been counting herring at the fish being interviewed and taped on (In fact, Ron McPhee, our captain, 4. As an undergraduate, Irwin had ladder three days a week. John Jay WKCR for about a half-hour of met Kyle during a brief interlude been a rigorous, active member Dining Hall, please take note. reminiscences. The good old days at reunion.) It could be an exciting of the class. He became v.p. and David Bardin and his wife went in Hamilton Annex. year for the Light Blue. secretary of Alpha Episilon Pi, the to Morningside Heights for a week- It is always good to give a plug The Café series has been pro­ production manager of Spectator, a end to see and hear their grandson to a Columbian in another class. ceeding­ apace. Two interesting lec­- member of the Sawbones Society, (Class of 2012), who lives in Livings- Ben Oppenheimer ’94, a member of tures were given by the all-star secretary of the Pre-Medical Society ton (now Wallach) Hall, perform in the astronomy department, gave a Columbia faculty. Café Humanities: and a member of the freshman a Columbia Musical Theatre Society fascinating lecture Friday morning the George Sansom Professor of swimming team, the Ted Kramer production. David reports that “It’s of reunion to a group of ’55ers at the History and Professor of East Asian Society and the Class Steering Com- striking how much construction has American Museum of Natural His- Languages and Cultures Carol Gluck mittee. taken place and is in progress but tory and then joined everyone for explained how, after 65 years, WWII Irwin met his wife, Talde, while how much remains familiar.” lunch. The Core comes to life! remains a contested issue in history they were medical students at Some people talk about changes Others who could not be part and memory in many countries; Western Reserve. They were mar- in what is considered a “normal of the festivities and sent regrets Café Science: Palisades Geophysical ried in 1956 and had four children, work week.” Sheldon Licht but promised to be at the 60th Institute Senior Re­search Scientist Tonie, Joel, Tess and Stephan, and 12 remembers when he was a com- were Mike Vaughn, Charlie and lecturer in environmental grandchildren. missioner for the NYC Department Sergis (family issues), Jack Stup- science Robin Bell explored the Irwin was chairman of pathol- of Buildings. His work week con- pin (whose art exhibit in March extremely cool science at the ends ogy at Lankenau Hospital in Phila- sisted of 16 hours a day for six and received an excellent review in of the earth. Remember, every Mon- delphia from 1969–95, after which sometimes seven days a week. Art News), Ben Kaplan, Herman day from 6–7 p.m., there is a lot of

september/october 2010 41 class notes columbia college today knowledge coming forth from the Bonfonte enjoyed the lectures and restaurant’s owner. Al, by the way, He was having coffee with a friend PicNic Café. Be there. Read more on a luncheon discussion with the is working with Joseph Godfrey ’69 and enjoying the view from the the Alumni Office’s Events Calen- dean, Michele Moody-Adams. She Business at Mass Mutual (Advance north windows on the 44th floor dar: www.college.columbia.edu/ expressed interest in expanding the Wealth Solutions). You may recall when the first plane struck. All he alumni/events. courses offered to alumni, which Joseph’s wealth management could see was a blur above him. A new sport has emerged — Alan Miller has taken and speaks presentation at our 40th reunion. So ‘The building shook, making it hard speed dating. Although it might of so highly (www.college.colum you can see the benefit of network- for me to maintain my balance,’ he not pertain to most members of bia.edu/alumni/events). ing with Columbia alums. related. our class, the purpose in mention- As for more of our literary class The next scheduled reunion “In a most moving three-page ing it is to broaden everyone’s members, Joe Pimsleur, who planning meeting will be at Alan account of the day’s events, Al tells scope of knowledge on how recent has worked for the San Francisco Press’ office, East 41st Street and of his descent on the smoke-filled grads socialize and try to find their Chronicle for many years, penning Lexington Avenue (details will be stairway, passing firefighters and soul mates. The last gathering was many articles including one in sent out) on Tuesday, September security people, and his subse- held during the summer at the 1958 about Cuba that predicted the 21. Any thoughts or comments quent odyssey through the finan- Columbia University Club in New chain of political events before Fidel you have about events you would cial district, Chinatown, Little Italy York City and will be repeated as Castro came to power, is collecting like to see during our 55th reunion and Greenwich Village. All the we get into the colder months. records of all his past contacts and should be sent to me at tball8000@ while he was unable to reach his Gentle and sensitive souls of the hopes it will become an interesting earthlink.net. I will pass these on to wife, two sons and daughter; only Class of 1955. Stay on top of your book some day. Leonard Wolfe, the Reunion Committee members in the afternoon did they learn that game. You guys are the best in ev- who has worked for Time, is writ- for inclusion in our September 21 he was safe. erything you do. Let’s not rest on ing a primer on economics for the meeting. In that regard, Bob Siroty, “Seared in his memory is ‘the our laurels. Love to all, everywhere! layperson. I have seen an initial former president of the Columbia image of the young firefighters draft of his book, and if anyone can University Club of Northern New and security people heading up make economics simple, under- Jersey, and I will be coordinating the stairs ... in all likelihood going REUNION JUNE 2–5 standable and fun, it is our Lenny. efforts to get two exceptional speak- to their deaths.’ Al thought of this Alumni Office Contacts Jordan Bonfonte will be relocating ers, one for our Saturday lunch and passage from John 15:13: ‘Greater Alumni Affairs Stella Miele-Zanedis from Germany, where he was based one for our Saturday dinner. Again, love hath no man than this, that a [email protected] as a Time correspondent, to NYC. suggestions are welcome. man may lay down his life for his 212-851-7846 We look forward to seeing more of Thanks to Class Agents Daniel friends.’ He added, ‘The hate that Development Paul Staller Jordan. Link, Alan Press, Al Franco ’56E, inspired the raid has been eclipsed [email protected] Ron Kapon celebrated his 75th Alan Miller and Stanley Soren by the love and compassion and 212-851-7494 birthday at the Hudson County for making this year’s Class of ’56 devotion to duty that has charac- Stephen K. Easton Community College of Culinary class scholarship fund a success in terized New York and, indeed, all 56 6 Hidden Ledge Rd. Arts; Marvin Geller attended. I terms of total dollars and class par- America in the past few days. If Englewood, NJ 07631 can only assume that the food and ticipation. Thanks to all classmates we can retain this spirit, all the loss 56 wine were superb. Ron is arrang- who contributed. and suffering will not have been [email protected] ing for a wine tasting event at our Class members who want to in vain.’ ” Alan Miller, our esteemed class 55th reunion. keep in touch should send their Ed Weinstein: “Seventeen ’57ers president and longtime CCT class Fred Brooks tells me that he and e-mail address to Lou Hemmer- gathered at The University Club correspondent, is fighting pancre- Sid Sheinberg ’55 and other Sammy dinger: [email protected]. This on June 14 to partake of friend- atic cancer. Hopefully by the time fraternity brothers meet regularly seems to be the best way to stay ship, good food and an elegant you read this he will have been to discuss — what else? — business in touch with the majority of class architectural surrounding. There released from the hospital and will deals … go for it! John Censor, when members. Please keep in contact were two round tables and the be involved in treatment to cure he is not busy with his consulting with Columbia in whatever ways conversation was animated, rang- this serious disease. Meanwhile, business, contributes to New York you feel appropriate. It has been a ing from the ramifications of the I have been keeping classmates theater organizations, and regularly force of power, I am sure, in each oil spill, the idea of altering the informed as to his condition and in-line skates to keep in shape. My and every one of our lives. format of these luncheons (little attitude, and it is all good. We have twin brother, Maurice Easton (Pop Until our next issue, love and support was found for this) and a number of classmates who have quiz: How many twins were in our regards to all. discussion of current economic beaten cancer or serious illness, class? Answer in next Class Notes.) and stock market conditions, to including Mark Novick and Lou keeps in shape with regular tennis discussions of recent events in our Hemmerdinger, who beat prostate games with his Michigan group of Herman Levy lives. We welcomed Jim Barker, cancer; Joe Pimsleur, who beat players while planning his annual 57 7322 Rockford Dr. Mike Lipper and Peter Anker, and colon cancer; and Ron Kapon, who six weeks of skiing in Aspen. Falls Church, VA 22043 especially Stan Barnett, who trav- survived thoracic surgery. We can On Friday, October 22, Frank 57 eled from Kingston, R.I., to join us. [email protected] only hope that Alan’s name will Thomas will be inducted into the Regulars in attendance included be added to that list. I ask for your Columbia University Athletics Hall George Leibowitz: “I was shocked Neil McLellan, Alan Brown, Bob continued concern and prayers for of Fame at a reception on campus. when I read in CCT of the passing Klipstein, Carlos Muñoz, Dave Alan’s recovery. Anyone interested in attending of Albert Anton Jr. He was a class­ Kinne, Joe Feldschuh, Ron Kush- In the interim, I will be writing should contact Felicia Ganthier, mate of mine at Wharton as well. ner, Sal Franchino, Mark Stanton, the Class Notes along with Leon- development assistant, athletics de- Although we were never very close, George Lutz, Marty Fisher and ard Wolfe, our class historian. I partment, at [email protected]. during our professional careers we myself. Bob Lipsyte also joined will collect all the information that Since 2011 is a reunion year, crossed paths several times and us and announced the comple- you had previously sent to Alan or there are many exciting upcoming almost did some deals. Al was in tion of a book of memoirs on his the Alumni Office. Please contact events. The first will be Homecom- the World Trade Center on 9-11 and sportswriting career, which will be me at the postal or e-mail address ing, Saturday, October 23, Columbia reduced to writing shortly thereaf- published next year. The conver- at the top of the column, and vs. Dartmouth, at Baker Athlet- ter his observations.” sation was spontaneous among Lenny and I will make sure your ics Complex. In connection with Al’s account of his escape on both old friends and classmates note makes it into a future column. Homecoming, Al Franco ’56E will 9-11 appeared in the November making new acquaintances. After I did this edition solo in order to work with Danny Link to arrange 2001 issue of CCT; it is reprinted the meeting broke, Steve Fybish, make the deadline. Please bear an after-football-game dinner at the here as a memorial to Al: who had been attending another with me while I get up to speed! Compass Restaurant. Danny ar- “Al Anton experienced what he lunch at the UC, joined Marty and Members of our class (and one ranged that for us last year, and ev- described as ‘a day like no other’ on me for further conversation and wife) who attended Dean’s Day eryone enjoyed the special food and September 11, when he was at the regaled us with stories of recent events this year: Ruth and Stan service we were accorded thanks World Trade Center for a seminar romances. Several who had arrived Soren, John Censor and Jordan to Danny’s relationship with the instead of at his midtown office. early used the club atrium and

september/october 2010 42 columbia college today class notes

reading room for a prelude to our and seven grandchildren. Fabrizio Melano’s “sleek direc- painting, writing, wife and kids luncheon. As usual, we all left with We also are truly sorry to pass tion” led to rave reviews for the have pretty much consumed my smiles, grateful for a great educa- along the news of the death of Joan Juilliard Opera’s production of life since ’59. Right out of Colum- tion and wonderful camaraderie.” and Mark Weiss’ daughter, Sara- Dialogues Des Carmelites earlier this bia, I did brief stints at the New York Alan Zuckerman: “My wife, beth, who died of a heart attack on year. Fabrizio had a long involve- Post and The Wall Street Journal. I Marilyn, and I moved to Madison, May 16. Sarabeth graduated from ment with the New York City received my M.Arch. degree from Wis., on June 14. We took posses- Clark and earned an M.A. in special Opera. Harvard in ’66. Harvard and my sion of our new downtown condo education at Bank Street College. New but retro horizons await life away from home in Cambridge on June 15. Our address is 360 W. She devoted her career to teach- Dick Dreiwitz and his trombone. gave me the self-liberation that I’d Washington Ave., #704, Madison, ing special education and in Head Dick played in the College march- not been able to attain to during WI 53703. Start programs for underserved ing band and for many years was my commuter years at Columbia. “We still have our cell phones: populations in the D.C. area. At part of Woody Allen’s combo (along But even though I soon made it Marilyn, 302-344-1933 and Alan, her death, Sarabeth was teaching with Dick’s wife, Barbara, on the to becoming a senior designer at 302-344-1458; our land line is 608- special education classes at Sar- tuba). He and Barbara still perform I.M. Pei first and then at SOM New 237-2884. Our e-mail address will gent Shriver Elementary School in regularly. Now Dick will appear in York before going off on my own, remain the same. We hope you will Maryland. Your reporter knew her a new HBO series, Boardwalk Em- architecture ultimately panned out stay in touch with us. for her entire all-too-short life. A pire, as a member of a band that’s as an arid wasteland for me, as it “We are just 10 minutes from sweet child who grew up to become featured in this story of Atlantic was too much of a detour from my where our son, Jonas, daughter-in- a warm and caring woman, she City in the 1920s. The series stars writing and painting passions that law, Kate, and grandson, William dedicated her life to kids who really Steve Buscemi as a political boss, my fearsome lack of self confi- (1), live. William is the magnet that needed her and had an unusual and along with Gretchen Mol, Dabney dence shunted aside post-’59 and drew us to Madison. impressive ability to connect with Coleman and Michael K. Williams did not allow their taking full hold “We’ll miss our friends in Betha- the wide range of people she dealt (Omar from The Wire). Dick’s role of me until the late ’80s. ny Beach, Del., but we plan to stay with. Sarabeth is survived by her requires regular visits to the main “Mid-’80s, I designed and patent- in touch and come back to visit, siblings, Rebecca, Jonathan ’88 and set at Steiner Studios at the Brook- ed two novel furniture systems. The as we have with friends we left in Debby. lyn Navy Yard to refresh his ’20s first I sold to a Swedish manufac- Philadelphia, North Miami Beach, turer. The second — a Lego-style, Washington, D.C., and South all-solid-hardwood, no-hardware- Africa. We’re looking forward to a Bob Tauber ’58 has been appointed the chairman of the or-glue required self-assembly new adventure in our lives.” system — I decided to manufacture Council on Ethics of the N.Y. State Dental Association. and produce on my own. But my marketing ignorance and essential Barry Dickman antipathy to marketing never knew 58 25 Main St. Congratulations to Steve Jonas haircut. “Until now, I had to pay the how to get it off the ground com- Court Plaza North, Ste 104 on receiving the Distinguished barber; now he pays me. What a mercially. 58 Hackensack, NJ 07601 Alumni Award from the Yale School curious world,” Dick observes. “This in keeping with my be- [email protected] of Public Health. In addition to his Marshall Front hosted an infor- ing probably so archetypically a College degree and M.D., Steve re- mal breakfast at the Chicago Club locked-inside-himself outsider that We regret to report the deaths of ceived his M.P.H. from Yale in 1967. for Dean Michele Moody-Adams there will be hardly any of my ’59 two classmates. James Meyers Steve teaches at SUNY Stony Brook and a group of Chicago-area alum- classmates remembering my hav- died in Ithaca, N.Y., on April 15. as a professor of preventive medi- ni, including Norman Gelfand ’59, ing existed amongst them all. And According to his obit in the Ithaca cine at both the School of Medicine John C. von Leeson ’62, Thomas C. with possibly only those several of Journal, he was a “civil rights ac- and the graduate program in public Homburger ’63, Paul D. O’Connor my high school classmates — Bob tivist, dancer of Universal Peace, health. He has written or edited ’79, Daniel Balsam ’91 and Re- Pecora, Joe Krieger, Ray Cohen librarian, free thinker, writer, actor, more than 30 books and published becca L. Nathan ’01. This was the and Allan Franklin — remember- lover, nudist and free spirit.” Quite more than 135 papers in scientific dean’s first trip to Chicago, her ing that I’d gone with them out a resume! James met his wife, Joan, journals. In his spare time, Steve is a hometown, since her appointment. of New Utrecht H.S. in Brooklyn while he was at the College, and triathlete and ski instructor. She updated the group on College to Columbia. Same goes for my they returned to her hometown, Bob Tauber has been appointed activities and answered questions Yeshiva Ohel Moshe classmate Is- South Bend, Ind., where he was the chairman of the Council on Eth- about the University’s expansion ser Woloch, who likewise went to for many years the film librarian ics of the N.Y. State Dental Associa- above 125th Street, athletics and Columbia with me, but in his case at the South Bend Public Library. tion. The Council holds hearings on the future of the Core Curriculum, out of Yeshiva of Flatbush H.S. Unusual for both the “Silent Gen- complaints by patients about pos- among other things. “Isser, as everyone knows, eration” and Indiana in the ’60s, sible NYSDA ethics code violations. The Class Lunch is held on the later found himself everlastingly Jim joined the countercultural Bob is a past president of the 9th second Wednesday of every month Columbia-embedded as a French revolution and became an anti-war District Dental Association (cover- in the Grill Room of the Princeton/ Revolution specialist, tenured in the activist; he conducted a seminar ing Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Columbia Club, 15 W. 43rd St. ($31 University’s history department un- at the library called “World Peace Dutchess and Orange Counties). per person). E-mail Art Radin if til his retirement in 2008. Aside from Through World Law.” He later was “Getting older, but still going you plan to attend, up to the day those several high school and grade a librarian with the Albuquerque strong,” Bob Waldbaum has taken before: [email protected]. school carryovers, there won’t be Public Library. James is survived on two new jobs. First, he is head- any others who’ll remember me by his sons, Pete and David, and ing the Robert S. Waldbaum Center because of how few friendships one grandson. (named in recognition of Bob’s Norman Gelfand my fearful shyness allowed to me Robert Ott, a Pennsylvanian accomplishments), a Manhasset c/o CCT for countering my near-absolute from first to last, died in Mt. Leba- satellite office of the Arthur Smith 59 Columbia Alumni Center isolation that my being a full-time non, Pa., on March 27. At the Col- Institute for Urology. He also has 59 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 West-End-line commuter from 78th lege, Bob was on the football team. been named vice-chair of the De- New York, NY 10025 Street, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, had He served in the Navy during the velopment Council of the AUA [email protected] me embracing. Korean War. After many years as a Foundation. He remains chairman “Isser then lived two blocks director of personnel for U.S. Steel emeritus of the Department of Ralph Alster sent an interesting away on 80th street in Benson- (which became USX) in Pittsburgh, Urology at North Shore University contribution, which unfortunately hurst. But he’d managed to swing he became a consultant after he Hospital. And in his spare time, Bob is too long for a single issue of CCT. it somehow, his becoming full-time retired. Bob’s wife, Eary, prede- is chairman of the Dean Council of I am including the first part here; resident starting during the spring ceased him. He is survived by five the new Hofstra North Shore LIJ the second part will be included in semester of our freshman year. children, Eary, Robert, Aleta Weak- Medical School, which will greet its the next issue. And so while Isser’s joining Phi land, Ilena Yurochko and Bruce, first class in September 2011. Ralph writes, “Architecture, Sig along with Allan Franklin had

september/october 2010 43 class notes columbia college today him eventually developing closer Globality Studies Journal, and a visit- try and my family, lay in climbing “The day was beautiful. There ties with my high school friends ing scholar at the university. I’m tall mountains. To me, mountains was a champagne brunch, and a than my own painful shyness had likewise a member of the Columbia are like life: You see them from the good time for us, friends/spouses been able to maintain, even those seminar, “20th-Century Global bottom up and the summit seems and the about-to-graduate Class of grade school and high school Politics and History,” as well as a hard to reach. However, once you 2010. Marcia, my wife of 50 years friendships that I’d brought with contributor, on occasion, to New are on the top, everything is clear. by the time you read this, was most me faded into nothingness rather Labor Forum and (forthcoming) Dis- I associate the top of mountains impressed by the dignity and fun quickly. sent. I not only edit GSJ but also am with success, achievement and of the whole morning and proud “Perhaps John Corigliano and its book review editor, and I have freedom. In contrast, the lower part to see the Class of 1959 banner go Jerome Charyn will have some much thinking, reading and writing of the mountain possesses many by, held by Steve, Jack and me. The vague recollections, as vague as to do for a book of my own, tenta- obstacles and challenges that need speakers were excellent, including my own, of our lives having briefly tively titled, Fateful Decisions: The to be overcome. This is really not Dean Michele Moody-Adams and intersected. In Charyn’s case, re- Rise And Fall Of The American Politi- so different from bringing a chemi- President Lee C. Bollinger. The lated to our A-grade essays having cal Economy Of Growth (1945–2008). cal research project to fruition and representatives of the Class of 2010 translated into our becoming Jim “Since my open-heart surgery, getting it published. whom we heard and met were Shenton ’49 favorites. Lifelong-so I have had a few trivial complica- “My first real mountaineering extraordinarily gifted with positive for Charyn, while not so endur- tions, not always well-treated or experience was a climb to the top ideas for the future of mankind. I ingly to my own timid insular- easily discerned by local doctors of Mount Rainier in 1984. Dur- think we are in good hands.” ity that did not allow my actively — I live on Long Island, near ing the ensuing 26 years, I have Steve Trachtenberg is a grand- engaging Shenton as a friend once Huntington (West Suffolk) — and climbed extensively in Ecuador, father once again, “Isaac, 6 lbs., 12 post-graduation. I’d fallen away to ensure that my pump continues Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, oz., born in San Francisco to Beth from any more resorting to his to work well (above 65 ejection frac- Tanzania, Western China and and Adam Trachtenberg ’97. All is laughter-filled patter that I’d seek tion) and with repaired valves, daily Nepal. A table of climbs is listed well. Huzza!” as a student from time to time (or almost daily) exercise is both following. Not long ago, I climbed Josh Fierer has celebrated his whenever I’d be able to muster the necessary and pleasurable. I also the Volcano Licancahur in the Salar 50th anniversary. Congratulations! courage for yet another visit to his keep up endlessly with friends scat- de Uyuni region of Bolivia, which He writes that, “In 1960, I married a Hamilton Hall attic office. And as tered over the globe, am a devoted tops out at 19,600 ft. I am still Barnard woman, Norma Damashek, for my really having been a favorite movie buff who has published three scientifically active as a professor who was in her senior year. We have of his, mightn’t it simply have been or four long and serious reviews of chemistry at Emory. For anyone three children who are grown, and the delusional beguilement that of movies such as Savage Nights, interested in details and photos of three grandchildren under 7. his large-spirited genius knew so Mystic River, Crash and Syriana, some of my climbs, go to http:// “We gathered them all, with well how to cast, and with especial and I meet many friends in NYC euch6f.chem.emory.edu/padwa. their spouses, to take an Alaskan effectiveness on the friendship- and elsewhere for lunch, dinner, html. cruise in June after the grandchil- hungering of such introverted souls drinks whatever, as well as trying “1984 Mount Rainier U.S.A. 14,400 ft. dren were done with school. We as I’d then been one of myself? to pursue a life in line with the “1987 Mount Cotopaxi Ecuador had never been to Alaska; in fact, “With regard to Corigliano, I can demands of eros and libido, having 19,800 ft. we had never been on a cruise. remember only that it had been been divorced since 1992. So where “1988 Mount Chimborazo Ecuador This seemed like a good time to the animated irrepressibility of his is there time for chat? 20,700 ft. break the mold. outgoing friendliness that sought “I don’t remember our class as a “1992 Mount Fuji Japan 12,400 ft. “Norma stepped down from her to befriend the non-responsiveness particularly cohesive group and, in “1994 Mount Aconcagua Argentina second term as president of the San of my own overwhelmed sense of addition, as I mentioned in an earli- 22,840 ft. Diego League of Women Voters, inadequacy that had brought us er blog or communication, many of “1996 Mount Kilimanjaro Tanzania and I finished my 40th academic together only ever so briefly. the people who were my friends or 19,340 ft. year at UC San Diego School of “My wife, Adi, and I met in the chums or whom I admired greatly “1997 Asangate Cocha trek Peru Medicine.” States when she visited from Israel. are dead, such as Henry Ebel, Er- 17,160 ft. Josh has agreed to tell us about Our rocky-road marriage is in its win Glikes and Dale Kramer. I’ve “1999 Mount Cabezade Condor the cruise for a later edition of our 38th year. We dearly love our ador- kept in touch with Ken Scheffel, Bolivia 18,640 ft. Class Notes. able children. Our son, Adam, is an but that’s largely because he was in “2000 Mount Quandry, Lincoln, We also have a contribution from attorney; our daughter, Orel Alster- my fraternity. Where, for example, Democrat USA 14,280 ft. Ralph Wyndrum Jr. about a trip MacNamee, is a teacher — these is Ben Haimowitz, an old chum “2001 Mount Kala Pittar – Everest through the Panama Canal, which days a full-time mother to her son, and fraternity brother? What’s he trek Nepal 18,300 ft. will have to wait for the next issue. Hudson (3), and her daughter, Grey doing and where does he live? I “2003 Mount Cuyoc - Huayhuash Also, Ken Scheffel has promised to (5). Our 3-month-preemie daughter, heard a good number of years ago Peru 19,000 ft. tell us about his trip to Europe this Aviv, functions in technical consul- that he was doing publicity for “2005 Mt Kosciuszko Australia summer. tation to the pacemaker embedment Giuliani rather than being the poet 7,300 ft. Take care and stay well. and activation procedures that heart he was meant to be. Anyway, you “2006 Mount Elbert , Mount Mas- surgeons engage in. September 2 is get the drift. At least Jacques Barzun sive USA 14,400 ft. the scheduled date for her marriage ’27 is still alive.” “2007 Torres del Paine - Patagonia Robert A. Machleder to Mike Mihalic that will have her Allan Franklin was on a ride. Chile 10,000 ft. 69-37 Fleet St. becoming Aviv Alster-Mihalic. All “My big activity will be a bike ride “2008 Mustagh Ata West China 60 Forest Hills, NY 11375 of my children studied undergrad halfway across America, from Brain- 16,300 ft. 60 [email protected] and grad at Rutgers.” erd, Minn., to Bar Harbor, Maine. I “2009 Annapurna trek, Thorung- Sheldon Golub writes, “I have am doing half of what we call Sea- La Pass Nepal 17,870 ft. During that memorable extended retired from the practice of child to-Shining-Sea. The trip has started, “2010 Volcano Licancahur Bolivia weekend in June, Alumni Reunion and adult psychiatry in Great and if anyone wants to follow the 19,600 ft.” Weekend 2010, the Class of ’60 Neck, Long Island, and now live exploits of my colleagues you can returned 141 classmates who reg- in sunny Sedona, Ariz., and enjoy go to www.crazyguyonabike.com/ Bob Stone wants us to know that, istered to commemorate the 50th Red Rock country. I would like to doc/seatoshiningsea2010. “On May 17, Steve Buchman, Jack anniversary of our graduation. The hear from members of the Class of “I joined the group on July 1 and Kahn and I accepted an invitation previous record for a 50th reunion, ’59: [email protected]. became the leader of the peloton, from the Alumni Office to carry the set by the Class of ’55, was 141. It From Wally Katz we hear “about but only if you start counting from Class of 1959 banner in the Alumni was a goal our reunion commit- not participating. I would guess the rear.” Parade of Classes at Class Day. I tee had hoped to surpass, but our that many of us are busy and have Al Padwa sends us the informa- assume the invitation/honor can be achievement of that number was lost touch with some in our class. tion that, “It was in the mid-1980s attributed to our continuing support, gratifying. We salute the Class For example, I am associate editor that I discovered that another pas- financial and other, of the College of ’55 for setting a standard that of an online journal at Stony Brook, sion in my life, aside from chemis- and its activities. challenged us to exert every effort

september/october 2010 44 columbia college today class notes

to duplicate its accomplishment. Robert Morgan, George Morren, tended for another two years when He was uncertain whether he In due course, particularly with Paul Nagano, James O’Reilly, Bob offered a billet as press officer for would be able to make the reunion. significantly larger class sizes, the Oberhand, Stephen Ollendorff, the 9th Naval District in New York On April 28, after a brief illness, record surely will be broken. Elliot Olstein, Carlos Otalvaro, Tom City. “I had gotten our ship a lot of Norm died. A Reunion Committee, which Palmieri, John Pegram, Frank Pepe, good press in my collateral duty as Norm was born in Pori, Fin- worked relentlessly to encourage Peter Phillipes, Martin Piltch, Mar- ship’s public information officer. I land. He came to the United States your return through direct mail, tin Pincus, Rene Plessner, Josh Pru- had hoped to stay in, but there were with his parents and grew up in e-mail and countless telephone zansky, Tony Quintavalla, Stephen no openings in the PIO ranks where Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. Com- calls, has taken its bows. The pro- Reich, Ian Reiss, D’Arcy Roche, I felt I had the best shot at an inter- missioned an ensign, his first duty fessional Alumni Office staff that Rich Rodin, Lee Rosner, Joe Rubin, esting career. I left the service as a assignment was in Rhode Island. was indefatigable in working with Larry Rubinstein, Vince Russo, Mi- lieutenant (jg), but for some reason, He became a naval aviator flying our class and pulling together the chael Scheck, Steve Scheiber, Dan- my discharge papers promoted me the Douglas Skyraider. He served events that assured a seamless, iel Schwartz, Joe Schwartz, Peter to lieutenant even though I never on the aircraft carriers USS Indepen- magical weekend, including Paul Schweitzer, Bill Seegraber, Howard got to wear two full stripes. dence, USS Saratoga and USS Forestal Staller, Meghan Eschmann and Seyffer, Dan Shapiro, Serge Shew- “I spent most of my business life from 1961–65. He had 303 carrier Kimberly Peterson, deserves the chuk, Joel Silverman, Frank Sira- in the photo industry and built a landings. From 1965–67, Norm was highest praise, as does Susan Fe- cusa, Fred Slavik, Steve Solender, successful manufacturing compa- a flight instructor in Pensacola, Fla., agin, who has taken the University Irwin Sollinger, Jonas Strimaitis, ny that I sold in 1998 and thought I instructing student naval aviators Office of Alumni and Development Phil Suraci, Bill Tanenbaum, Orlin was going to retire. in carrier landings. He achieved to a new level of professionalism. Trandahl, Frank Tuerkheimer, Ivan “Some years back, after a divorce rank as Lt. USNR Ret. After leaving But the highest accolades belong Vamos, Mike Villano, Robert von and a remarriage, my wife begged the Navy in 1967, Norm pursued a to all of you who made the trip to Zumbusch, Steve Wang, Rolf We- me to run the business side of her distinguished career with TWA that Morningside from every part of ingardt, Paul Wolsk, Irwin Young, growing practice, and I found my- lasted 31 years, flying every major the country, from across oceans Jack Zeller, Marvin Zelman and self again working 60-plus hours a aircraft, including the 707, 727, and from as far as Taiwan, bearing Frank Zmorzenski. week; this time pro bono. L1011 and 747. a radiant warmth and enthusiasm On the subject of records, two “I am active with the Coast Norm was an avid fisherman that infused every event on and discoveries at the reunion will be Guard Auxiliary program, and and loved deep sea fishing, or just off campus. So here’s an acknowl- noted: when we have an occasional week- spending time on a lake with his edgment to the magnificent 141. First, in the alphabetical listing end free, my wife and I cruise on wife, Denise, and grandchildren. And if you were a walk-on who above, Vince Russo and Michael Lake Ontario on our 36-ft. trawler. He is survived by Denise; daugh- attended but didn’t register, or if Scheck appear, coincidentally, My ties to the Navy remain strong. ter, Carolyn; sons, Michael and the list omits a classmate you know sequentially. It had long ago been I am in contact with my beloved Karl; and four grandchildren. was there, drop a note and let us reported that Vince held the tin can skipper, although he now is We missed Norm and send our know (not that we’re competitive grandfather record with 16 grand- very frail. I also am in touch with deepest condolences to his family. of course, but it would be a treat if children. Michael, however, estab- several of my wardroom mates. We Some final thoughts: we could add to our total, thereby lished with photographic evidence have been trying to save our ship Reflections, recollections, re- establishing a record): that his 18 grandchildren put him from the welder’s torch for years, union highlights and sidelights are Bob Abrams, John Albright, indisputably in the lead. and it will come down to the wire yours. They are best when shared. Don Altshuler, Alan Ashare, Barry And we learned that a second shortly.” Peter Fischbein commented to Augenbraun, Geoff Basson, Robert member of our class has the distinc- Another NROTC member, Mi- me that the Class Notes seemed to Berlind, Bob Berne, Bob Berselli, tion of having an asteroid or minor chael O’Connell, wrote this: serve a handful of guys sending Peter Bogdan, Paul Brief, Steve planet named after him by the Brown, Jerry Cantor, Paul Cheva- internationally recognized naming lier, Eldon Clingan, Steve Cooper, authority, the International Astro- Joseph D’Erasmo, Art Delmhorst, nomical Union, for his achieve- Paul Feldman ’60 was honored for his work in spectro- Ted Demetriou, Bill Engler, Bruce ments in science. scopic astronomy at The Johns Hopkins University, Ettinger, Byron Falk, David Farmer, Paul Feldman was so honored Harold Federman, Fred Feiner, for his work in spectroscopic where he has been since 1967. Alan Feld, Paul Feldman, Andrew astronomy at The Johns Hopkins Feuerstein, Paul Fierstein, Peter University, where he has been Fischbein, Robert Fischbein, John since 1967. Paul, a professor in the “After three years of active Navy letters to each other. “But Peter,” Foulds, Richard Friedlander, Lenny Department of Physics and As- duty, I worked for more than 20 I rejoined, “you never wrote.” Fuchs, Ralph Galdo, Michael Gel- tronomy, had Asteroid 3658 named years in various aspects of the inter- Loquacious and open about their fand, Joe Giacalone, Marvin Gil- after him. The designation reads national engineering and construc- lives in face-to-face conversation, bert, David Goldman, Syd Gold- that he was so honored for his nu- tion business: large industrial plants our classmates are a fairly reticent smith, Frederick Gordon, Nathan merous contributions in ultraviolet for minerals processing, chemicals, bunch about submitting a note for Gross, John Gubbings, John Ham- spectroscopy, particularly of the forest products and so on. publication. So join the conversa- by, Tom Hamilton, Sidney Hart, Earth’s atmosphere, Venus, the “I then got involved for a while tion. Let’s hear what you’re do- Carl Henriquez, Bob Hersh, Gary outer planets and comets. His de- in development of commercial and ing; what’s on your mind; what’s Hershdorfer, Mike Hertzberg, Phil sign and supervision of a number industrial real estate until I settled important to you in your life; what Hirschkop, Bill Host, Jay Jackman, of spacecraft instruments have led down to something I enjoyed: thoughts and emotions you took Ira Jaffrey, Lee Jaret, Danny Jezer, to many advances in our under- building and repairing small boats. away from the reunion; or why Fred Johnson, Elliott Kaback, Ernie standing of physical processes in “At middle age, I got back into you didn’t attend. Kaiman, Ron Kane, Joel Kanter, the solar system. competitive rowing at the masters As a four-year commuter at the Alfred Kaplan, Michael Katz, Dick In our outreach efforts to class- level and still have my single-scull College, I shared a lunch table on Kerber, David Kirk, Ivan Koota, mates, one of the most successful sitting in my yard. virtually a daily basis with a sizable David Krebs, Andy Kubishen, was spearheaded by David Kirk, “Four years ago, I retired to group of commuters, most of whom Norm Lane, Larry Lefkowitz, who was responsible for contact- North Carolina with my sweetie, I’ve not seen in 50 years. Spending Stephen Lerner, Joel Levine, Bob ing NROTC members. Of the 44 unfortunately now deceased. I am time and catching up with Andy Levine, Bob Lewis, Herb London, surviving classmates who were in restoring (slowly) my 38-year-old Feuerstein, Bill Engler and Lenny Thad Long, Leonard Lustig, Bob NROTC, 22 returned for the 50th. 36-ft. ketch, which is consuming Fuchs was the highlight of many Machleder, Geoffrey Maltin, Harris Two who didn’t attend responded most of my time and money.” highlights for me. What were yours? Markhoff, Claudio Marzollo, Karl to the NROTC survey. Only weeks before the reunion, Take a few moments and send Mauzey, Miles McDonald, Doug Steven Hess served for two David Kirk was on the phone with a note. McKnight, Alvin Michaelson, years as damage control assistant Norman Nordlund. Norm had George Miller, Mike Millman, on the USS Forrest Sherman and ex- responded to the NROTC survey.

september/october 2010 45 class notes columbia college today

REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 John Freidin District Urban Renewal District. audio/visual tributes to the artists Alumni Office Contacts 62 1020 Town Line Rd. In May, Barbara and Ed Press- they had studied for their doctor- Alumni Affairs Jennifer Freely Charlotte, VT 05445 man, Brenda and Burt Lehman, ates: Matisse, Van Gogh, Gris, Roy [email protected] 62 and Kathryn Thompson and I had Lichtenstein, Manet and Klee, to [email protected] 212-851-7438 a wonderful Asian dinner together name a few.” Development Paul Staller Roman Kernitsky practices in New York. As Ed said, “I hope You can follow Dick’s blog ad- [email protected] ophthalmology in Freehold, N.J. the ladies were not bored with us ventures, “Tell it like it is,” at www. 212-851-7494 He writes that the Core Curriculum talking so much about old times.” rjschwartz.blogspot.com. Dick Michael Hausig helps him interact with his patients We laughed too much and told would love to hear from you at rj@ 61 19418 Encino Summit because “I can discuss any topic endless stories of our experiences richardjschwartz.com. San Antonio, TX 78259 with any patient regardless of his/ together 50 years ago. Hilmi Toros (wordsmithsailor@ her cultural background.” In addi- Ed’s daughter Susan recently hotmail.com) wants us to know that 61 [email protected] tion, the Core Curriculum affects received the President’s Award for he is alive and well and living on the We are now less than one year the way Roman spends his leisure. Math and Science Teaching, for tiny isle of Sovalye (from the French away from our 50th reunion, He recently vacationed in Turkey, which she was honored in Wash- word chevalier, it having been a for- which will take place Thursday, where he visited Greek and Roman ington, D.C., and met with Presi- tress during the crusades) and the June 2–Sunday, June 5, 2011. The ruins. He found that his “knowl- dent Barack Obama ’83 and Vice town of Fethiye in southern Turkey, Reunion Committee is planning edge of Greek and Roman classics President Joe Biden. More recently, also known as The Land of Lights. the event with the help of the enabled me to enjoy and appreciate Susan appeared on the 11 p.m. After a career at the Associated Alumni Office. Anyone interested the trip even more.” Roman also news on Channel 4 in NYC because Press with assignments in New York, in helping should contact Tony interviews students from central she has been front and center in Miami, the United Nations (1964–80) Adler (awadler@spartacommer New Jersey who are applying to the budget battle with New Jersey and heading the media operations of cial.com) or Burtt Ehrlich (burtt@ Columbia. He may be reached at Governor Chris Christie. the U.N. Food and Agriculture Or- bloomberg.com) with their ideas. [email protected]. His son, Ed’s granddaughter, Maddy ganization in Rome from 1980–2000, Bob Pollack has been a profes- Andrew ’03, is a diplomat with the Poage, is a high school student and Hilmi opted for sun, light, organic sor of biological sciences at Colum- State Department and has been as- budding author who is writing a food, swimming and so on. “If any bia since 1978, even when he was signed to our embassy in Warsaw. fictional trilogy. She has honored classmates have an intention to come dean of the College in the ’80s. For Anthony Avalerio (avalerio@ her grandfather by allowing him to our way,” he writes, “please let me the past decade, he has been the wesleyan.edu) is surprised to find make suggestions about her early hear from you. Best from myself and director of the Center for the Study himself “at this stage” able to “em- drafts! Ed would love her to go to Karen, my Welsh partner. (Nobody of Science and Religion as well, ploy all that I learned as an editor our alma mater. At a recent Colum- is perfect!)” You can find lots more and this past year was appointed a and writer to help in a major way a bia Bridge Program event, Ed spent about both Sovalye and Hilmi by member of the Faculty of the Earth much younger person at an impor- a wonderful time with Paul Alter. using Google. Institute at Columbia. tant crossroads in her creative life “It is,” writes Ed, “extraordinary Since July 2007, Stan Lupkin Now 70 and in his 23rd year as a and at the same time engage in a ma- how much our college experiences ([email protected]) has been Columbia professor, Bob will take jor writing project of my own. How stay with us throughout our lives.” almost wholly occupied by a long- on another new responsibility, re- is this? Happy-go-lucky fool. Trained Although officially retired, Ed term assignment (through 2013 or placing his Humanities A teacher, and practiced and worked real hard works part-time with a founda- 2014) as the CEO and executive Professor Emeritus of Slavic Lan- without much expectation. Focus is tion that runs summer camps for director of Fortress Monitoring guages Robert Belknap, as director even sharper, shot straight and true inner-city kids from NYC. He is the Group. The Port Authority of New of University Seminars. through the eye of a needle.” summer camp coordinator, helping York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Bob is looking forward to seeing Anthony is working on his 10th hire staff and taking the parents selected FMG to be the integrity many classmates next spring. He book. He claims it is “a purely tech- through the process of enrolling in monitor for the construction of invites classmates to be in touch nical enterprise to do with sex.” the program. “I have done much 1 World Trade Center (formerly with him at [email protected] Paul Gitman (pgitman@opton volunteering over the years, but referred to as the Freedom Tower). and to let him know when there is line.net) recently retired from North this is the most rewarding work I “What,” writes Stan, “is an integrity something happening on campus Shore Long Island Jewish Medical have ever done,” Ed writes. monitor? Some have described it that they would like to know more Center, where he was v.p. for medi- Dick Schwartz continues his as an organization of experienced about. cal affairs. Following a long career work as v.p. and advertising investigators, forensic auditors, Among the six books honored as a general internist, Paul moved director of Mort Walker’s The Best of attorneys with law enforcement with Ambassador Book Awards into administrative medicine with Times Magazine and is developing backgrounds and, in the case of from the English-Speaking Union an emphasis on quality and then two new associate publishers for this construction project, forensic on June 10 were two by mem- entered the final segment of his it. His client, Mort Walker, of Beetle structural engineers, whose task bers of the Class of ’61, Morris career in a health system posi- Bailey and Hi and Lois cartoon fame, is to detect and attempt to prevent Dickstein’s Dancing in the Dark: tion. He is married to Gail Yeager will celebrate the 60th anniversary white-collar crime in a business A Cultural History­ of the Great Gitman ’63 Barnard, and they are of Beetle later this year. or government-funded project. Depression, in American studies, approaching their 47th anniversary. Great tennis player that he is, Dick We report directly to the Inspector and Melvin Urofsky’s Louis D. They have three children and nine nevertheless has been suffering from General of the PANYNJ.” Brandeis: A Life, in biography. grandchildren. Paul enjoys travel- ligament, tendon and cartilage trou- So far, Stan has found his assign- Morris delivered the June 2 Com- ing and photography. You may see ble in his right knee. He attributes ment to be challenging and excit- mencement Address at the CUNY many of his photographs at http:// that to about 20 years of competitive ing. “It has been,” he writes, “an Graduate Center. gitman.shutterfly.com. “So far,” he hard-court tennis in California. For- emotional return to ground zero, The George Washington Univer- writes, “retirement is a blast.” He tunately, the prolotherapy treatments where I served the same executive sity Associate Professor of Sociol- and Gail recently traveled to Tibet, and nutritional supplements his function in 2001–02 monitoring the ogy Richard Zamoff, who directs Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), physician has prescribed are work- deconstruction of the remnants of the Jackie Robinson Project at GW, Bergen, Norway and Iceland. ing, and Dick can again walk and the Twin Towers. It has enabled me is looking for elementary schools, Last year, Neilson Abeel exercise seven days a week! and many members of my team middle schools and junior high ([email protected]) was one This spring, Dick attended an to witness Phoenix literally rising schools interested in partnering of a group of citizens who sued all-day colloquium at Schermerhorn from the ashes.” with GW’s Jackie Robinson Society the City of Portland (Ore.) over Hall in honor of Theodore Reff ’52, Stan’s wife, Anne, and he are in to further Robinson’s legacy as the misuse of Urban Renewal professor emeritus of art history. “It the 48th year of a marriage that “gets an informal civil rights leader by Funds and succeeded in stopping was an awesome experience,” Dick better and better as time moves for- introducing his story to their stu- the creation of a satellite district says, “for I met many of Dr. Reff’s ward.” Their children, Jonathan (41) dents. Representatives of interested comprised solely of an elementary students who had traveled from all and Deborah (39), have blessed Stan schools should contact Richard: school (non–tax-paying) eight over the country to pay tribute to and Anne with five granddaughters 202-994-8125 or 202-994-6345. miles from the established River him. All had prepared 30-minute and one grandson. They range in

september/october 2010 46 columbia college today class notes

age from 12–18. Shira, the eldest, was the Western Historical Manuscripts that they will definitely attend of the last 10 years enjoying life and accepted early decision to Barnard. Collection of the University of Mis- (36 percent answered “maybe”). working on a graduate degree in Her father, Jonathan Lupkin ’89, souri has asked to be the official Obviously, a lot of you have been couch potato. My wife, Ruth, and ’92L, is a partner in the NYC law repository of his papers and other looking forward to this one. Mark I have two married daughters and firm of Flemming Zulack William- artifacts of his life. He has copies of your 2013 calendar. I hope you will six grandchildren. One daughter son & Zauderer. He specializes in Jester issues that he edited, his final all be there; it should be a terrific and four of our granddaughters complex commercial litigation and exam blue book from Margaret gathering. live in Israel, so each year we travel some white-collar criminal matters. Mead’s class and all sorts of other Lee Lowenfish and I proudly there in the spring, then “import” Jonathan recently was elected chair material. Armando considers this carried the Class of 1963 banner them in the fall to keep the interval of the New York State Bar Asso- “a good excuse to clean out my in the Alumni Parade of Classes between hugs at six months. ciation’s Commercial and Federal closets and basement files! Every- on Class Day. The College threw a “A friend told me that at this Litigation Section. thing will be catalogued online and great breakfast and arranged for a stage, what counts are health, family Anne has been consulting part- then stored. It’s mentally comfort- glorious day (the University had a and friends. So far, health has been time as a teacher of underprivileged ing to know that some part of me little trouble with rain at Com- good, and two years ago, I started parents of pre-schoolers, where she will survive.” mencement the following day). working on my family tree. So far guides them on building learning In May, I spent a delightful I hope more of you will consider the tree has several hundred ‘leaves,’ and reading skills and how to be morning in Burlington, Vt., with joining us next year at what has and I’ve made it back to 1825 with parents. She recently was president Charlie Morrow, whom I hadn’t become a great tradition. Patrick two great-great-grandparents, leav- of the Solomon Schechter School of seen since Columbia. Charlie was Cary-Barnard continues to post his ing only 30 more to find at that level. Queens. There is only one blemish warm and superbly interesting. reports to YouTube. You can see his However, this quest will end only, as in this idyllic story. In Stan’s words: He has been composing and doing latest “Pimento Report” by search- one genealogist has said, when I can “We are all rabid Mets fans.” sound art since graduation and ing for Pimento3. Patrick deals reach the Garden of Eden with one Barry Leeds (bhleeds01@snet. recently developed a fascinating mostly with environmental and click of the mouse!” net), distinguished professor way to reproduce true three-dimen- development issues in Montréal. Travel notes from all over: Don emeritus at Central Connecticut sional sound. Recorded sound is I must say, Patrick, you are look- Margolis recently returned from an State University, teaches senior and now almost exclusively available as ing most youthful! Alaskan cruise, and Jerry Dwyer graduate level courses in Hem- binaural, usually called stereo. That Barry Jay Reiss sent in an update and his wife are back from London. ingway and Mailer. He became a means that the recorded sounds we on his remodeling project: “My Let me know what you did this grandfather last June, when Gavin hear actually travel only horizon- wife, Brenda, and I are completing summer. Leeds Woods was born to Barry’s tally, while live sound travels verti- a major remodeling of the first floor The Alumni Office sent me an daughter, Brett Ashley Leeds, and cally as well. Consequently stereo of our home, which we’ve owned update saying that Dr. Charles son-in-law, Gary Woods, both of sound is unable to fully reproduce since 1968. Like most homes of the Cantor, chief scientific officer of whom are professors at Rice. Barry natural or live sound. Charlie’s ’60s, our ground floor had rooms: Sequenom, is a director at Exsar looks forward to hearing from systems correct this shortcoming by a hallway, a kitchen, a dining room Corp. and is a member of the Na- classmates and seeing everyone in using a computer to adjust what is and a family room. We have entered tional Academy of Sciences. With 2012 at our 50th (!) reunion. recorded on a CD for example and the new millennium by taking down a Google search, I discovered that Tobias Robison is almost retired, then playing it through speakers in the walls and making what is called Sequenom manufactures a mass- enjoying the trials and tribulations or near the floor and ceiling as well a ‘great room,’ and we are doing it as array genetic analysis system, and I (with his wife, Elaine Golden Robi- the ones along walls. This incredible green as possible. Our new floor will found that Exsar is “a development son ’63 Barnard, ’71 Princeton Ph.D.) invention also produces true sound be bamboo, our ceiling lights low- stage company dedicated to identi- of two children, Naomi and Ezra, regardless of the acoustics of the power halogen, our under-counter fying, developing and commercial- and four grandchildren. space where it is heard. Charlie has lights LED, our paint low-VOC, our izing small molecule therapeutics “When I graduated from installed systems in major build- cabinets with wood from certified for protein misfolding diseases.” Columbia,” Tobias recalls, “I asked ings, outdoors and in a few private renewable forests, our appliances David Alpern reports that, after friends for advice on how to make residences. Someday I’d love to ‘Energy Star’ and our countertops May, Newsweek On Air became money before starting graduate have one of his True 3D inventions from a wonderful company we “For Your Ears Only.” If you school. Someone suggested I try in my home. For more information, found here on Long Island that haven’t listened to David’s broad- computer programming. My re- go to www.sensations3D.com or makes them entirely out of a combi- casts, you can find them on the sponse was, ‘What’s a computer?’ contact Charlie at cmorrow.com. nation of recycled bottles, recaptured Web (just Google David) or sub- But I soon learned, because the Many apologies to Dr. Sylvain stone dust and recycled mirrors, all scribe to them as podcasts. I often Princeton music department was Fribourg for my failure to include bonded with a natural corn resin. listen to them on my Zune when trying to use computers in every his May note. Sylvain received the They are as hard and durable as I’m driving. Great stuff, David. possible way. A career in program- “Distinguished President” award granite and cost just about the same, If you are in NYC, try to make ming, management and auditing for his year of service to the Kiwan- and the colors are wonderful. All the next Class of ’63 lunch, sched- ensued, an intense 40 years of is Club of Warner Center, Division will be powered, of course, by the uled for Thursday, September 9 fascinating software, hardware and 25, Cal-Nev-Ha District of Kiwanis solar panels on our roof.” (then on Thursday, October 14. It’s people interfaces.” International. You may reach him Steve Langfelder writes, “Last always the second Thursday of Tobias and Elaine have run a tiny at [email protected]. winter in Florida, I saw my four-year the month.). Check our website at consulting company for nearly 25 Thanks for all the news. Please college roommate, Don Putnoi, www.cc63ers.com for details and years. Through it all, he longed to keep e-mailing. for the first time in decades. After to see pictures of our perpetually see computers hit the mainstream Columbia, Don and I stayed in touch youthful classmates. See if you can so that people would understand for a while and were even each spot an old friend. what he was doing. “So,” he writes, Paul Neshamkin other’s best man at our respective In the meantime, let us know “it was very gratifying to see the PC 63 1015 Washington St., Apt. 50 weddings in 1964. But he went on to what you are up to, how you’re make it big, and yet so horrifying to Hoboken, NJ 07030 Harvard Medical School, became an doing and what’s next. see all the evils that the intercon- 63 ophthalmologist and eye surgeon, [email protected] nected computer world has brought and settled in the Boston area, where upon us: spam, and, sadly, so much It occurred to me that in three years, he still resides. Both of us enjoy the Norman Olch more.” you will be reading a summary Berkshires, and we planned to meet 64 233 Broadway In his almost-retirement, Tobias here of our great 50th reunion. It’s there again this summer. New York, NY 10279 writes novels. His first, a fantasy, hard to believe, but planning will “I remained in New York, obtain- 64 [email protected] as well as others, are available at start in earnest this fall (if you’d like ing an M.B.A. in accounting from Amazon.com. Tobias and Elaine to help, let me know). The results of Columbia and spending the better It is early in July, very hot in New live in Princeton, N.J. He may be the Class of 1963 survey that Don part of the next four decades in York City, and writing this column reached at [email protected]. Margolis and I recently sent to you public and corporate taxation. I in an air-conditioned office is my Armando Favazza reports that showed that 38 percent indicate retired in 2001 and have spent most escape from the heat.

september/october 2010 47 class notes columbia college today

With the arrival of summer, Leonard B. Pack While we all had a chance to William Alanson White Institute our monthly class lunch at the 65 924 West End Ave. catch up on comings and goings of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Columbia Club was adjourned till New York, NY 10025 with such common themes as Psychology in New York. From the September. Thank you to those 65 children and grandchildren, retired age of 4, the ability to say, ‘It wasn’t [email protected] who have attended during the past or not?, second and third careers, me,’ or more complex confabula- few months and contributed to the Regular readers of this column philanthropic activities, travels, tions, he said, ‘fuels the develop- good-natured banter and wide- know that a family commitment and sadly, departed classmates, ment of fantasy life, creativity, and ranging discussions: Steve Case, required me to miss our class’ 45th the “open mike” class lunch on is often at the core of play and dra- Marty Isserlis, Gil Kahn, Fred Alumni Reunion Weekend, held Saturday was a real treat that al- ma: ‘I can fly!’ ‘Bang, bang, you’re Kantor, Beril Lapson, John Lang- June 3–6. Two of the attendees, lowed each of us to take no more dead!’ ‘Let’s play house.’ bein, Jeff Newman, Rob Rivitz, Brian Fix and Michael Schlanger, than three minutes to reminisce “In other words, lying is the Steve Rodner, Nick Rudd, Dan graciously agreed to report on all and consider what College meant foundation of fiction itself. ‘Within Schechter, Steve Solomon, Allan the doings I missed. Here is their to him (as in 1965 there were no certain normal limits, there’s noth- Sperling, Alan Tobias, Harvey report: hers!). Several common themes ing pathological about that at all,’ Weiss and Mark Zucker. The Class of ’65 came out in emerged, particularly how Colum- he said.” We will resume in the fall and great numbers and in even greater bia instilled in each of us a sense Hear ye, hear ye: A committee meet on Thursdays, September enthusiasm to produce a sterling of values, spiritual as well as intel- is now being formed for the 45th 16, October 14, November 11 and 45th reunion. And a very good lectual and utilitarian, and what is reunion of the Class of 1966! All December 9. All the lunches are time was had by all, from Mike important in life; an opportunity to those interested in taking part at the Columbia University Club Cook’s opening cocktail party (and explore new horizons, whether or in the planning for this splendid in Manhattan. We begin at 12:30 we are proud that Dean Michele not they led to a career; a sense of event, to take place Thursday, June p.m., so mark your calendars and Moody-Adams started her rounds intellectual curiosity; and of course, 2–Sunday, June 5, 2011, should join us. that evening with us), through a sense of camaraderie, whether in contact Stella Miele-Zanedis, as- Jeff Newman is president and the Chelsea Art Gallery Crawl the classroom, in sports, among the sistant director, Alumni Affairs, at executive director of the National (ably led by A.G. Rosen), to more faculty or just carousing, partying the e-mail or phone number above. Child Labor Committee, a private, drinking on Friday evening at the and taking advantage of this great The next meeting of the plan- nonprofit organization founded architecturally exquisite new head- city of New York. ning committee will take place on in 1904 that is one of the nation’s quarters of Bloomberg (complete To that end, we urge — and in- Wednesday, September 15. Please leading organizations working with with aquariums and the Charlie deed implore — each of our good contact Stella for information about major corporations and government Rose studio), to a three-hour class classmates to sit down now and time, place and so forth. agencies on behalf of young people lunch and “open mike” session send to our three e-mail addresses in the areas of child labor law, youth in Casa Italiana, to a rousing Glee below a few paragraphs on your occupational safety and health, and Club alumni concert (featuring Jeff Columbia experience and comings Albert Zonana education. Jeff’s son, David, will be Krulwich, Bill Wood, Bob Gunn and goings, so that we can reprint 67 425 Arundel Rd. married in October in New Orleans. and Brian Fix, inter alia), to a quiet as many of them as we can in the Goleta, CA 93117 Congratulations. David is the and dignified dinner in the newly coming issues of CCT. Certainly, 67 [email protected] former director of clinical research renovated reference room of Butler our liberal arts education trained at the St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Library (that is, quiet and dignified us for that! George Leonard writes, “Hello to Emergency Medicine Department until one of our classmates stood And now we start planning for all the guys from the fifth and sixth in Manhattan, and the author of next to a cabinet to better hear and the big 50th! Are we truly that old? floors of John Jay Hall. My son, An- Hippocrates’ Shadow: Secrets from the see our featured speaker, and to the We look forward to receiving your drew Charles Leonard ’13, wrote House of Medicine, a highly regarded surprise of all (including build- blurbs. to Housing and to Dean Michele book on improving the physician- ing management), when his rear Leonard Pack: [email protected] Moody-Adams to be sure he got to patient relationship. He recently end hit a button that looked like a Brian Fix: [email protected] live in John Jay, where his grand- moved to Mount Sinai Hospital in cabinet key lock, we also heard a Michael Schlanger: mschlanger@ father, Charles ’37; father; and Manhattan. 10-minute “Glories of Columbia” cov.com uncle, Robert Andrew Leonard ’70, Gene Meyer is editor of B’nai manifesto from the late Larry Wien had lived. My middle name is Jay B’rith Magazine, the quarterly pub- ’25). because my mother waited on the REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 lication of the 167-year old Jewish It is only fitting and proper that steps of John Jay so often for Pop Alumni Office Contacts humanitarian, human rights and we tell you all who came: Don that she became curious about who Alumni Affairs Stella Miele-Zanedis advocacy organization. The maga- Bachman, Marty Blank, Allen John Jay had been. You’ve heard [email protected] zine can be viewed at http://bnai Brill, Mike Bush, Dan Carlinsky, of dorms named after people, but I 212-851-7846 brith.org/magazines/index.cfm. Bob Caserio, Peter Clough, Mike am a person named after a dorm. Development Heather Hunte Richard Epstein, who taught Cook, Andy Fisher, Brian Fix, “Dean Moody-Adams kindly [email protected] for many years at the University Jim Fleischer, Dean Gamanos, wrote Andrew back and said she 212-851-7957 of Chicago Law School, now is the Lionel Goetz, Ed Goodgold, Louis was forwarding his letter to Hous- Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law Goodman, Alan Green, Mike Stuart Berkman ing, and Andrew got into John Jay. at NYU School of Law. Griffin, Bob Gunn, Bob Henn, 66 Rua Mello Franco, 580 He is third-generation Columbian Nick Rudd, a Glee Club alum, Peter Herman, Steve Hoffman, Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro and third-generation John Jay. has been hard at work reviving the Paul Hyman, Mike Krieger, 66 25960-531 Brasil There have now been Leonards organization that was founded in Bob Kronley, Jeff Krulwich, Jay [email protected] in John Jay Hall over a span of 76 1873. Through his efforts, a reunion Kuris, Arnie Lesser, Barry Levine, years. was held in June during Alumni Jim Levy, Marty LeWinter, Ed Mark Levine brought to our atten- “Even more meaningful, Andrew Reunion Weekend/Dean’s Day; Malmstrom, Howie Matz, Chris tion a few months ago an article had the incredible luck to take Lit about 100 attended, and the group Morren, Mike Newell, Bruce in The New York Times’ “Week in Hum with the great John D. Rosen- put on a 75-minute performance Peck, Noah Robbins, A.G. Rosen, Review,” commenting on senate berg ’50, ’60 GSAS, who was my Lit for an audience of 300. Nick has Peter Sack, Dave Sarlin, Jonah candidate Richard Blumenthal’s Hum teacher in 1963–64 and later put up a website at http://cugc Schein, Michael Schlanger, Char- apparent lapse of memory about my Ph.D. dissertation director. I was alums.com. [Editor’s note: See lie Schwartz, Rick Shuart, Neil whether he served in Vietnam. In sitting in John’s class as a freshman, “Alumni Corner.”] Silver, Don Smith, Neil Smith, it, Jay Kwawer is quoted: doing Aristophanes, when Kennedy By the time this is printed, the Steve Steinig, Dave Stewart, Steve “ ‘In the normal developmental died and all the bells of St. John the summer will be over. I hope it was Strobach, John Sullivan, Mike process — beginning in early child- Divine started tolling. (Remember?) a good one for you and your loved Tapper, Bernard Weinstein, Serge hood — the discovery that one can What an education both Andrew ones. Send me a note about your- Wind, Derek Wittner, Elliot Wolff, lie is a significant advance in per- and his father have gotten from self or someone else from ’64. Your Bill Wood, Jay Woodworth, Bob sonal growth and development,’ John. It’s been a great year. classmates want to hear from you. Yunich and Leonard Zwerling. said Jay S. Kwawer, director of the “I would love to hear from one

september/oct0ber 2010 48 columbia college today class notes

and all. You can reach me through halftime. That would be grand. So, facing a deadline with an empty of the Fraud Section, he organized my professional website, www. Janet Furman Bowman wrote inbox, I went to the web. I discov- national complex investigations georgeleonard.com.” me a note. (Janet, bring your sneak- ered some news of which I had not and prosecutions of corporate, Mark Minton writes, “I retired on ers. We can jog four miles and bike been aware. securities, health care, procurement November 1 from a 35-year career six. That is the best I can do.) She Mark Kator is the president and and bank fraud matters. Joshua re- in the Foreign Service, after duty in wrote: “I recently completed a CEO of Isabella Geriatric Center, a ceived the DOJ’s highest award for Washington, D.C. (of course) and in short memoir about my profes- not-for-profit organization serving litigation, the Attorney General’s Japan, Korea and Mongolia — the sional life. It has lots of anecdotes the elderly since 1875, and the im- John Marshall Award. He also was last from which I retired as U.S. about the Grateful Dead and the mediate past chair of the board of a recipient of the Criminal Divi- ambassador. This spring, I started a rock and roll scene of the ’70s. Not directors of the Continuing Care sion’s highest award, the Henry E. ‘second career’ in New York City as your usual Columbia academic Leadership Coalition, which is Petersen Memorial Award, and a the president of the Korea Society of stuff. I tried to make it entertaining. dedicated to improving continu- Presidential Rank Award for Dis- the United States, the foremost pri- Check it out if you have a moment ing care services in New York. For tinguished Service. vate organization promoting broad (well, about 15 minutes. It’s not many years, Mark was a member of Looking over the class list, I was relations between the two countries. a book-length extravaganza) at the adjunct faculty of the Robert F. surprised to find a classmate with I would be delighted to have class- http://furmanhistory.com. Wagner Graduate School of Public an address in Lerner Hall. Alan mates living in the city or traveling “I live in Corte Madera, Calif. If Service of NYU. He spent more Kouzmanoff joined Columbia’s here visit our headquarters at 950 I weren’t so far away, I’d be calling than 20 years in the public health Health Services in 1976. Alan’s Third Ave. (at East 57th Street) to say you for a run in Central Park.” care system in New York City and professional interests include the hello, attend one of our programs or It has been a while since I heard has had a long interest in develop- treatment of anxiety and bipolar visit our gallery. A more convenient from Hollis Petersen. He was in ing and improving systems of care and post traumatic stress disorders. opportunity to see classmates may the Keys enjoying, I suspect, great for underserved and vulnerable He also has a private practice in be at the Korean Film Festival we weather. He reported that he was populations. Mark has been chair geriatric psychiatry, forensic psy- will run in conjunction with MoMA on his way back, and I am hoping of the New York Association of chiatry and psychiatry at a West at the museum in September.” to see him at a football game this Homes and Services for the Aging End Avenue office. year. I think with my prediction of a and has chaired the Commission These bios drawn from the web great season, he will return. I recom- on Ethics of the American Associa- show that there is class news that Arthur Spector mend getting tickets this year and tion of Homes and Services for the has gone unreported. It would 271 Central Park West enjoying the fun. Aging. He is a board member of really be appreciated if classmates 68 New York, NY 10024 I continue to run into Seth Wein- the Audubon Partnership, an eco- sent in news about themselves or 68 stein. He spent July 4 in London, I nomic development corporation for others in the class, or shared views [email protected] think. Wrong place, Seth. The win- northern Manhattan, and a member on how the College years have had With 10-year treasuries below 3 ners are here. He looks great, seems of the Health Policy Forum of the an enduring impact on your life percent, we surely are seeing an to be enjoying biking in Central United Hospital Fund. since graduation. We spent several amazing era. Paul Brosnan regularly Park. Gregg Winn and Vera were Martin Konikoff is a partner interesting hours during our 40th sends e-mails that have good humor married in D.C. in June and live in at Robert Derector Associates, a reunion last year reflecting on the or political views that I of course Naples, Fla., at least part of the year. full-service engineering firm that College’s impact, and both for censor, so I need some updates from Congratulations, Vera and Greg! focuses on the design and commis- those who attended and those who him as to what he is up to. And Bob I continue to enjoy public finance, sioning of corporate offices and did not, that dialogue can continue Carlson sends the best pictures from though the public sector financing mission-critical facilities, as well as in this column. Sitka, Alaska. If you would like to world is becoming more complex on the modernization of existing receive them, let me know. and challenging. I went to Newport building infrastructures. RDA is Mas Taketomo helped organize Beach for the July 4 weekend, good a tenant advocate, structured to Leo G. Kailas a Glee Club reunion with a group of fun. I was in Saratoga for one night make sure its clients achieve their Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt others that was held during Alumni in late June, and I must admit, the project goals in an efficient and ef- 70 885 Third Ave, 20th Fl. Reunion Weekend/Dean’s Day and country is beautiful. Surely that fective manner. Since joining RDA 70 New York, NY 10022 drew a large turnout. Mas wrote: would be a wonderful place to in 1985, Martin has (quoting the [email protected] “The Columbia Glee Club had its spend more time. firm’s website) “overseen many of first reunion for all classes on June I heard that Ted Kaptchuk was the firm’s largest tenant alteration The most significant matter I have 4–5. The following classmates at- looking for my e-mail address. I sent and building modernization proj- to report on is our 40th reunion, tended — joining Glee Club alumni it to him (and it’s always at the top ects for commercial, institutional, which turned out to be a smashing from 1952 to now, plus current un- of this column), so I will be hearing industrial and residential develop- success. We had 68 attendees at the dergrad members — Art Gallancy, from him at some point, something ments. His engineering specialties Friday night cocktail party at Mark Jeffrey Kurnit, Robert Levine, about reunion. Ted, sorry no more include design of medium voltage Pruzansky’s apartment. Mark and Jeffrey Rosen, Rich Rosenblum, ’68 Bust stuff at reunions. We have distribution systems, retrofit/mod- his lovely wife deserve our thanks Paul Spirn and Mas Taketomo, done it so many times. I think we ernizations of electrical distribution for hosting this event, as they have along with John Suggs ’69. Several can talk about good health. systems for high-rise buildings, in the past. others had conflicts but planned to I hope you are all well and fire alarm systems, on-site power Michael Braun also deserves come for the next one: Jon Bauman, enjoying a year that seems to me generation, high-tech tenant fit-out special thanks for his dedication to Steve Brown, James Charney, Tony to be quite different. Hope to see projects and vertical transporta- raising money for the College. The Kao, Terry Noyes and Jim Rizzo. you at Homecoming on Saturday, tion.” Martin also is an active Saturday dinner was an even bigger (Hope I didn’t forget any names.) October 23, and do write in. member of the Illuminating Engi- success — we filled every table in We had a couple of rehearsals and neering Society and the Institute of the room and had more than 125 gave an informal performance that Electrical and Electronic Engineers. College and Engineering School included Glee Club standards and Michael Oberman Joshua Hochberg is a partner attendees. Peter Joseph, an emer- all the Columbia College songs. A 69 Kramer Levin Naftalis & in the Washington, D.C., law firm gency room physician in the Bay great reunion, and the next one is Frankel of McKenna Long & Aldridge, Area, spoke to us passionately — in scheduled for 2013, which would 69 1177 Avenue of the where his practice focuses on true ’60s style — about the dangers coincide with ’68’s 45th. I ran into Americas individual and corporate white of global warming. I caught up with Buzz Zucker as I was checking in New York, NY 10036 collar defense, internal investiga- old friends Bernie Josefsberg, Dan Saturday morning.” moberman@ tions and compliance. Prior to Feldman, Paul Rosen and Tom Sounds like a fabulous time. kramerlevin.com joining MLA, Joshua was chief of Keenan, and spent time learning [Editor’s note: See "Alumni the Fraud Section and deputy chief about the important events in the Corner.”] Mas, did you tape any Once again, there was no incoming for litigation of the Public Integrity lives of dozens of other classmates. of this? Maybe you all could sing news from classmates, and e-mails Section, in the Criminal Division of Among the others in attendance at a basketball game this year at requesting news went unanswered. the Department of Justice. As chief were James Periconi, Phil Russot-

september/october 2010 49 class notes columbia college today ti, Fred Rapaport, Bob Douglas, lenging and rewarding month, daughter, Deborah, was accepted years in a few paragraphs: Spring Dennis Graham, James Hazen, Dr. with three well-planned cultural early decision to the Barnard Class semester 1968 was, for this student Fred Kushner, Charles Silberman, projects launched and landed. Two of 2014. She had participated in its from Greece (then under a right- Professor Paul Starr, Fred White, are a long distance away so I’ll summer program the last two years wing junta) a composition in cul- Paul Lehner, Michael Onishenko, share a few written impressions: and was very happy when ‘the fat ture shock, political awakening Charles Strouthides, Norman “On Memorial Day weekend, envelope’ came in December. Unlike and sheer exuberance. I stayed at Greene, Martin Newhouse, Mi- the Price of Freedom, a bronze mon- the College, which posts decisions Columbia, taking classes on and off chael Passow, Peter Sugar, Victor ument in tribute to WWII veterans, online, Barnard still lets its applicants for 14 years, all the way through a Hertz, Joel Mintz and Professor was unveiled at the Visitors Center know by mail only. She’ll be living D.Phil. in Greek and Latin. I mar- David Sokolo. I also attended two of Arlington National Cemetery. on campus, three blocks from my of- ried fellow Greek and Latin student, of the lecture programs, The Miri- Many WWII veterans attended. fice in the Columbia Alumni Center Alice Sparberg Alexiou ’76 GSAS. am Champion Professor of History “Within 10 days, my wife, Fay, on West 113th Street.” Sanity and market forces directed Martha Howell’s talk on feminism, and I then traveled to Pisa, Italy, Joshua Rubenstein: “Our fam- me to NYU Business School and a which just blew me away — both for the installation and unveiling ily marked two milestones this career in banking, trusts and estates in content and the participation ceremony of the Two Rivers bronze past year. Our son, Ben, celebrated administration. of the audience — and the Meyer monument, permanently placed his bar mitzvah in December. It “In 1998, a second career change Schapiro Professor of Art History at the Duomo Museum garden, was a lovely event, with friends (after two years of studying nights David Rosand ’59’s talk on Venice, within yards of the famous Lean- joining us from Budapest and at Columbia) brought me to Pain- which also was brilliant. ing Tower of Pisa. Oxford, as well as family and still eWebber, and then UBS, as database “A few days later, I conducted other friends from the Midwest architect; I spent 10 wonderful open-air architectural watercolor and along the East Coast. years translating between finance REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 studies in a three-week interna- “And to my astonishment, I executives and computer nerds, and Alumni Office Contacts tional study program developed have now been on the staff of designing some pretty complicated Alumni Affairs Ken Catandella with Kathryn Yatrakis, dean of Amnesty International USA for 35 databases. The best part — I could [email protected] academic affairs, and Michael Pip- years. I started as a volunteer activ- go to work in jeans. 212-851-7430 penger, associate dean of fellow- ist in spring 1975. With some work “Semi-retired a couple of years Development Heather Hunte ship programs and study abroad. and lots of luck, our chapter helped now, as a database consultant, I [email protected] Full scholarships for three students secure the release of three prison- spend time with the Institute for 212-851-7430 were provided by a private ers of conscience that summer in Retired Professionals at the New Jim Shaw foundation. The selected Columbia Ecuador, Rhodesia and Pakistan. School, teaching and taking classes. 71 139 North 22nd St. undergraduates, absolutely true Then, in the fall I was hired to be a I hope to teach Plato and the trial Philadelphia, PA 19103 to our highest academic College part-time organizer with a focus on of Socrates next spring. I am mov- 71 standards, spent 12 outdoor hours starting chapters in New England. ing back to the Upper West Side [email protected] per day working with me (as did The rest, as they say, is history. I after many years in the suburbs. Ron Rosenberg: “Passing the Pippenger, whom I asked to join also am soon to finish my eighth “I remember fondly Vinnie 60-years-old marker has given me us) in a penetrating study at the book, a concise biography of Leon (now Father) Rigdon and brothers a greater appreciation for people three Magna Grecia historically Trotsky for a new series about Phil Bartolf and Mike Bartolf, and places in my past. I never significant Paestum temples. famous Jews to be published by from sixth floor Livingston, and Ed realized how significant those four “When we then arrived to Ephe- Yale University Press.” Eitches from fifth floor John Jay. years were in terms of establish- sus, all of us became in-residence Arvin Levine: “After almost a “Two sons: Alex, a computer ing my intellectual outlook and at the Crisler Institute Library, year of hunting, I joined the inter- engineer living in Boston and worldview. It is really amazing immersed with daily academic national bank/brokerage Credit married to Ayse Asatekin Alexiou, how durable some ideas can be. lectures, archaeological site digs Suisse in NYC. So after many years a multitalented young woman “I appreciate hearing about peo- and field tours with five renowned of home office, I am now com- from Turkey who teaches chemical ple and events that were important Viennese archeology professors. muting into NYC again on a daily engineering at MIT; and Joseph ’11J, back then, i.e., Dave Newmark ’69, The three Columbia students basis. If any classmates want to a journalist and student at the Jour- Jim McMillian ’70 and so on. joined a 15-member international meet for lunch around the Chelsea nalism School, who was paid to live “One thing that hasn’t been men- group of archeology students (from area, give me a buzz! in Paris in July and visit restaurant tioned has been the great success Russia, Germany, Turkey, Palestine, “Reflecting for a moment, I after nightclub after bar after ... as of the 1967–68 freshman basketball Austria and the United States). have had multiple opportunities to he updated the Paris for Dummies team, of which I was a member. With them, I continued my daily redefine myself, including the years travel guide (for the third time). We did extremely well that year architectural watercolor instruc- at Columbia. I am grateful to the “My wife’s second book, The and produced a number of future tions at the Hellenistic masterpiece Core Curriculum, which enhanced Flatiron: The New York Landmark and varsity players of distinction.” in stone, the Celcus Library.” my broad view of what life is about. the Incomparable City that Arose with Ron, I remember and enjoyed Ed Wallace: “In 2008, I was Even so, I keep gravitating to the It, came out June 8. For more about the freshman team games, which privileged to represent Columbia same ‘rut’ of putting technology the Flatiron, and Alice’s connec- often were played just before the before the New York City Council into practice, which provides me tion to it and about her book, go to varsity games. Let’s do something in obtaining final approval for with satisfaction and compensa- www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/ in a future column, and members the West Harlem site [for the new tion, while allowing time for a life realestate/commercial/26flatiron. of that team, write. Manhattanville campus]. The outside of work. Jim will recall how htm. And thinking back to Jimmy Court of Appeals recently upheld I wrote a computer program for “Many fond memories of the Mac, I enjoyed finding this link, the use of eminent domain for non- him in [senior] year (satisfaction but years at Morningside Heights, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ residential property to complete no compensation). Graduate school looking forward to reunion next 1970_NCAA_Men’s_Basketball_ assembly of the site. Maybe we for ‘computational’ linguistics, year.” All-Americans, which, with its will finally get a 50-meter pool as multiple computer companies and Peter Jacoby: “I retired as a gen- companion pages for 1968 and the CC coach promised me in 1967 projects during the past 30 years eral attorney in the AT&T federal 1969, confirms that Wes Unseld, we would have! (developing, selling, strategizing) all regulatory law group in Wash- Bob Lanier, Rick Mount and Calvin “Even more thrilling, our second have pointed in the same direction. ington, D.C., after 26 years as an Murphy were consensus All-Amer- son, Will Falk-Wallace ’14, will join At the same time, family, religion in-house counsel and eight years icans. And, of course, we know that his brother, Richard Falk-Wallace and music have been deeply involv- before that at the Dewey Ballantine the varsity Lions defeated every one ’12, at the College in September. ing. Despite passing the ‘big 6-oh’ law firm in New York City, where I of those future NBA superstars, as Both are swimming for coach Jim together with most of the Class of also principally represented AT&T well as Geoff Petrie. And the page Bolster. My wife, Pamela Falk ’92L, ’71, I don’t see myself getting out of and its Bell System affiliates. While confirms that McMillian was an and I are very proud.” my rut any time soon. I’m having at Dewey, for job enrichment I All-American. Alex Sachare: “My wife, Lori, and too much fun!” spent two years involved in a chal- Greg Wyatt: “June was a chal- I are proud to let you know that our Nick Alexiou: “Thirty-nine lenge to Grand Central Terminal’s

september/october 2010 50 columbia college today class notes

landmark designation, represent- bian Oxonians Bob Delahunty ’68, ing the developer of proposed Peter Darrow ’72 and the late Dave office towers on the site. (A visit Gelfand when I left the Navy after to Midtown will tell you how that two years as an enlisted man, I endeavor turned out.) Fortunately, pursued my physiology degree at my in-house career was generally Oxford (Brasenose College) and more successful. that launched me into a career in “It was an enormously exciting medicine and public health. I have period for me to practice on AT&T’s had a great 30-year run with the behalf, as it spanned the time from U.S. government, mostly with the the filing of the government anti- Centers for Disease Control, and trust suit against the Bell System; have led major research and pro- the subsequent divestiture of the grammatic efforts in public health local telephone companies; AT&T’s in Central Asia (mostly in Kazakh- period of growth (e.g., the acquisi- stan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and tions of NCR, McCaw Cellular and Tajikistan) and in Cote d’Ivoire. cable systems); the corporation’s “But the real credits go to the lengthy retrenchment through the inspiration of my dad (William Charlie Ferguson ’71, Len Renery ’71, Ray Stricker ’71, Francis Lu ’71, NCR, Lucent Technologies and Chorba ’22, ’25 P&S); to the Alice- Lambert Chee ’71 and Jim Shaw ’71 (left to right) and guests had a AT&T Wireless spin-offs, as well as in-Wonderland adventure that splendid time at dinner at the Waterfront Cafe and Restaurant in San de facto exit from several markets; was Columbia, with its exacting Francisco on June 5 during a mini-reunion organized by Shaw to coin- and ultimately the company’s two-year science requirement cide with his vacation there. merger with SBC, which has ad- that exposed me to chemistry and PHOTO: Amy Shaw ’08 opted the AT&T brand. experimental psychology; and to “Along the way, there were sea the encouragement of friends long changes in both the technology ago such as Steve Varady ’71E, Art field and is going on to graduate June. Dennis was a judge in the U.S. and regulation of telecommunica- Lenehan, Steve Steindel ’69 and studies in history.” Bankruptcy Court for nine years af- tions that made for constant need Manuel Pietrantoni ’70, and the Tim recently was elected to the ter serving more than 25 years as a to learn new approaches in sup- beginning of an incredible walk- board of directors of the Financial prosecutor, municipal attorney and porting the corporation’s business about. I enjoy reading about you Planning Association of Western litigator in private practice. From and regulatory agenda. I feel I truly all. Keep the CCT notes coming.” New York. 1988–91, he was chief deputy attor- endured the ‘Chinese curse’ of As for me, Jim Shaw, I arranged Armen Donelian was “in Tel ney for Suffolk County, N.Y. Dennis living in ‘interesting’ times, and it a mini-reunion dinner with class- Aviv, Israel, this summer to join Ex- was an active alumnus of Regis was great fun that I wouldn’t trade mates in the San Francisco area at ecutive Director Martin Mueller and H.S., serving as president of the for a moment. the Waterfront Cafe and Restaurant professors Rory Stuart and Richard Alumni Association from 1987–89. “After a three-year sojourn on June 5 and had a splendid good Harper from The New School Jazz He lived in Greenlawn, N.Y. residing in historic Old Town time with Lambert Chee, Francis Program (NYC) to continue our The June 7 edition of The New Alexandria, Va., I have returned to Lu, Charles Ferguson, Len Renery work as academic consultants in a Yorker highlighted Eugene Drucker Bedminster, N.J., in the Somerset and Ray Stricker, and guests. The pioneering venture, a curriculum and the Emerson Quartet on pp. County hunt country, where my trip coincided with a visit to my collaboration with the Israel Con- 80–81, discussing their then-new family and I have lived since 1985. daughter, Amy ’08, a UCSF medi- servatory of Music through which three-CD survey of Dvorak’s later On May 24, I became a grandpar- cal student. [See photo.] students there undertake their New chamber works. Interesting reading. ent for the second time with the See you next column. And, Thurs- School degree requirements and We’re light this edition, fellas. birth of granddaughter Mackenzie. day, June 2–Sunday, June 5, 2011, see then complete them in New York. Someone sent me a response to a My older granddaughter, Taylor ya at reunion! Rory and I also appeared at Shablul plea for notes that “nothing new (3), named in memory of my late Jazz Club.” has happened.” In 37 years? The wife Toby, is thrilled to be a big Capitalizing on his trip to the mind boggles. Let us know! sister. And my dad, Herb Jacoby Paul S. Appelbaum area, Armen spent time in the Pales- ’34, ’37L, is overjoyed to once again 72 39 Claremont Ave., #24 tinian Territories as a jazz clinician be a great-grandparent.” New York, NY 10027 for one week at the Al-Kamandjati Fred Bremer Mike Kusin: “Reading this latest 72 [email protected] Summer Music Camp, hosted by 74 532 W. 111th St. [’71C eNewsletter] was especially the Talitha Kumi Lutheran School New York, NY 10025 pleasurable. I especially enjoyed Tim Sobolewski writes to catch in Beit Jala, and followed up at Ed- 74 [email protected] seeing the names of several class- us up on his life. “After years of ward Said National Conservatory mates whom I thought had fallen unhappily working as a financial of Music at Birzeit University with a A few months ago, The New York off the edge of the earth: Charlie adviser in the banks, I thought three-day jazz piano clinic. Times carried an article reporting Ferguson, John Dubberstein and it would be a good idea to start My wife, Dede ’75 Barnard, and on a recent Gallup poll that found Larry Teitelbaum. BTW, I’ll make my own financial planning and I are pleased to say that our son, that, starting at age 50, there was a a major effort to be at the 40th re- investment management firm in Yoni ’03, and daughter-in-law, Em- sharp rise in the level of happi- union.” the middle of one of the worst ily ’03E, have presented us with ness reported. The article noted Classmates, if you did not re- financial crises in history. It was a our first grandson, Joshua Even, that many studies have found over ceive the eNewsletter, I may not predictably rough first year, but who was born in June. He joins his the past years that “middle age” is have your correct or best e-mail business has improved so that I’m sister, Elisheva (2). Think there’ll be generally the happiest time of life for address. Send it to me. able to keep living in the style to some family pressure about which a majority of Americans. (The most Terry Chorba: “My wife, Lindy, which I’ve become accustomed — university they’ll attend? anxiety-ridden years are the 20s and and I are still in Atlanta and have a indoors. I do financial planning at early 30s. Take that, Gen Xers!) A few son at Georgia State, a daughter at an hourly rate and fee-based invest- weeks later, the same publication Emory and two sons in high school. ment management, specializing in Barry Etra said that those in the “middle age” Lindy teaches at Emory, and I the middle-class investor; having 73 1256 Edmund Park Dr. NE group had overtaken those in their finally brought to successful closure grown up in the ’60s, if I called my- Atlanta, GA 30306 80s as the group with the highest a 35-year quest, receiving my doctor self a ‘wealth manager,’ as do some 73 rate of suicide. Speculation is that [email protected] of science from the University of of my colleagues, I would choke on this may be due to the increased Oxford ‘for original contributions to the words. I also am starting a non- As we enter the twilight of our financial stress and job loss in the the advancement of knowledge in profit for financial education. My youth, startlingly enough, some of enduring economic downturn. public health.’ much smarter and better-looking us pass on. One such case is Dennis One conclusion to reach is that “Originally inspired by Colum- son is wisely avoiding the financial Milton, who passed away in early the bulging baby boom generation

september/october 2010 51 class notes columbia college today is large enough to contain both the Torrington, Conn., and lives hap- There you have it. A choice reunion was a private party at most content and the most desper- pily (according to Gallup) with his between happiness and despair in “Grateful Dead: Now Playing at ate. It also might indicate the need wife and four sons (19, 17, 13 and 4). “middle age.” Classmates retiring the New-York Historical Society.” for all of us to stay in contact with He says that the addition of his lat- but continuing to contribute. And Classmates, friends and guests from each other in order to find the joy est child means, “There is no early new progeny continuing to add to CC ’74 and CC ’76 had a private of old friends and to be there when retirement for me!” While lawyers our mosaic. There are a lot more party at the exhibit, which features those friends need our support. Jon Cuneo and Abbe Lowell were stories to follow. Stay tuned! the first traveling collection of Our mutual support might the dueling champions for young- materials on loan from the Dead’s be especially important during est offspring (by my incomplete own vast archive of art, documents, times of transition, such as when records), lawyer Jerry seems to have Randy Nichols photographs and memorabilia, we are moving — voluntarily or beaten them. (What’s with the cor- 75 734 S. Linwood Ave. which the band donated in 2008 to involuntarily — from working to relation of lawyers and fertility?) Baltimore, MD 21224 UC Santa Cruz. retirement. For some it will feel like The mention of Abbe Lowell 75 While we celebrate our 35th [email protected] the ultimate success of a lifetime made me recall the recent article in reunion, we also send condolences of hard work. For others, it will the New York Post that said “high- Alumni Reunion Weekend 2010 to the family and friends of Joseph feel more like a workhorse being powered Washington defense law- (our 35th!) is over, and a great time F. Slade III, a physician and profes- sent to the “glue factory.” As we yer Abbe Lowell” had been named was had by all. In addition to the sor of orthopedics and rehabilita- enter the last few years of our 50s, I the interim attorney of the former good times, the class did very well tion from Guilford, Conn., who would expect we’ll hear a lot more Scores stripper/wife of jailed for Columbia College. We met the passed in May. tales of both. We’ll also hear from money manager Kenneth Starr. goal for our Reunion Gift: more Poet Fernando Castro was one classmates of their different visions (While Abbe obviously has a lot of than $575,000 in unrestricted funds, of the recipients of the Los Angeles of “retirement.” more significant clients to represent, with substantially more when all Department of Cultural Affairs As of October 1, 2009, Mike I have to include a little prurient categories are considered. By meet- Individual Artist Fellowships. The Rozza clapped his last chalk eraser patter in order to make sure you ing our class dollar goal, John Kluge fellowships are annual awards given and retired as an NYC school- read the rest of the column!) ’37 will establish a financial aid by the Department of Cultural Af- teacher. He said in a recent e-mail, With the BP oil spill filling the endowment in honor of our class fairs to 15 established visual, literary “I think some of my Columbia nightly airwaves, it seemed time upon the realization of his bequest. and performing artists who live and English professors might be just to talk with our National Oceanic Many classmates upgraded their work in Los Angeles. Each COLA a little surprised that I ended up and Atmospheric Administration John Jay Associates membership grant recipient receives a commis- teaching English for 30 years!” classmate, Evan Forde, to find or became John Jay Associates sion to create new work that is Since “retiring,” Mike has out whether the spill might enter members. All of your Class Agents showcased in a non-thematic group continued to teach part-time in a the “loop current” and spoil the deserve our gratitude for their work exhibition, a series of performances, program for the Specialized High Florida coast. With a master’s in to meet our goal and secure the special events and a catalog. Fernan- School Institute that helps prepare marine geology and geophysics scholarship endowment. Bob Katz do’s new work explores the notion “motivated, academically talented and 36 years with NOAA, Evan summed it up best: “We are proud of place, real and imaginary, and the but economically less-advantaged knows a lot about how to look for that a deserving young man or myth and spirit of Los Angeles. middle school kids” for the stan- oil underwater and via currents. woman will have part of his or her Fernando couldn’t make reunion, dardized test to get into NYC’s top Unfortunately, as of the early July college expenses paid with a schol- as he was in China. In 25 days, he high schools. such as Stuyvesant deadline of this column, Evan arship provided by our class.” Ira toured Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Gui- and Bronx Science. He says, “It’s confirmed that the loop current Malin deserves special thanks and lin, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The probable that the new group of was both real and powerful. I’ll try credit for his extraordinary leader- language barrier was frustrating. He seventh-graders I recently met may to reach other classmates working ship of the Class Agent Program. wished for subtitles but discovered include several future applicants to in the oil industry to find out what Updates from attendees and the magic of pointing: directions the Class of 2020!” insights they can add. other reunion items will fill Class from the hotel desk, the Chinese To this I add, “Keep the dream writings of maps, phrase books and alive.” mimicry skills. Since 1979, somehow A last note from Mike: “I am still a scary Red Communist Mao turned ‘happily unmarried’ to Melissa, Poet Fernando Castro ’75 received a Los Angeles into a Confucius patriarchal figure whom I met at the Plimpton Hall Department of Cultural Affairs Individual Artist and the country went on triple Valentine’s Day party in our senior overdrive into a market economy. year.” Fellowship. While American cities skimp on Ah, a story that brings a tear to services, there is plenty of money our (wives’) eyes! to do gigantic infrastructure, keep As part of the Class of ’75’s 35th Not since news of a few years Notes for the next couple of issues. parks clean and build ambitious reunion, the Classes of 1974 and back of Brad Higgins being ap- But there also is news to share from complexes such as for the Olympics 1976 were invited to join them at pointed as the COO of the Coalition others, so I’ll mix it up a little bit. or the World Fair. (Does investing in the Grateful Dead exhibition at Provisional Authority in Iraq have After all of the work, planning the United States render that much the New-York Historical Soci- we been able to report on a new and anticipation; I missed reunion. funding?) Fernando says he came ety. There, I met, among others, appointment of a classmate (or Darn! Car and cat troubles! I did back to the States with more ques- Charlie Lindsay ’75, who is active relation) to the national leadership. ask for other eyes, ears and scribes tions than answers. in Chinese business ventures. I Thanks to Dewey Cole (or more “on the ground,” and your class- After years of service to the NYC suggested he contact Don Koblitz accurately, his law-student son), we mates helped. I received e-mail City area with the MTA, Gary Del- (general counsel of Volkswagen learn that Richard Briffault’s wife, updates during the weekend from laverson now is special counsel at for China) for advice in dealing Sherry Glied, has been appointed “the regulars,” and Steve Jacobs Proskauer Rose. Proskauer, founded with China’s “red tape.” While by President Obama as the assistant and Bob Schneider left a message in 1875, is an international law firm looking up Don’s e-mail address, I secretary for planning and evalua- after the Saturday dinner at Casa providing a variety of legal services happened upon Tom Polin, among tion for the Department of Health Italiana. Jim Dolan, who lives in to clients worldwide from offices in Columbia alumni living in China. and Human Services. Sherry had Baltimore, where I recently moved, Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Hong Seems that Tom, a longtime reporter to step down from her position as attended my housewarming party Kong, London, Los Angeles, New for Asiaweek magazine, has retired chair of the Department of Health (with his wife, Yasmin) the next Orleans, New York, Newark, Paris, and still lives in Hong Kong. I’ll dig Policy and Management at the week, so I heard some news first- São Paulo and Washington, D.C. deeper to find out what he is up to Mailman School of Public Health, hand. I have great pictures of Jim By my still-unofficial determina- these days. but you can be assured that we can and Yasmin on my roof deck from tion, Peter Garza-Zavaleta traveled A classmate who says he has no all feel more comfortable about the the party. Maybe you’ll see one on the farthest to be on Morningside plans to retire soon is Jerry Sanchy. evolution of our nation’s healthcare Jim’s Facebook page soon. Heights for reunion, coming from Jerry has a general law practice in system. One of the class highlights of Sarasota, Fla. Peter and I reconnect-

september/october 2010 52 columbia college today class notes

Alumni Sons and Daughters

Fifty-seven members of the College Class of 2014 and three members of the SEAS Class of 2014 are sons or daughters of College alumni. This list is alphabetical by the parent’s last name.

STUDENT PARENT STUDENT PARENT STUDENT PARENT

Anastasia Barnes Edward Barnes ’79 Alexander Jonokuchi vivian Jonokuchi ’90 Sarah Perez James Perez ’73 Manhasset, N.Y. • Manhasset H.S. Greenwich, Conn. • Brunswick School New York City • Ramaz Upper School

Ari Berg Howard Berg ’76 Samuel Kazer Ross Kazer ’68 Abigail Pucker Michael Pucker ’83 West Orange, N.J. • Kushner Yeshiva H.S. Englewood, Colo. • Cherry Creek H.S. Chicago • Walter Payton College Preparatory School

Kate Berger Barry Berger ’75 Joanna Kelly Michael Kelly ’79 Kathryn Reggio william Reggio ’84 Englewood, N.J. • Fieldston School Wilmington, Del. • Tower Hill School North Massapequa, N.Y. • Friends Academy

Marcus Bonvillian william Bonvillian ’69 Noah Kolatch Jonathan Kolatch ’78 Bessie Rentzler Joel Rentzler ’62 Great Falls, Va. • St. Andrews Episcopal School Englewood, N.J. • Ramaz Upper School New York City • Stuyvesant H.S.

Nathan Bram Jonathan Bram ’87 Benjamin Kreitman stuart Kreitman ’79 Elena Ripp * Marc Ripp ’80 Bronx, N.Y. • Fieldston School Palo Alto, Calif. • Henry M. Gunn Senior H.S. Short Hills, N.J. • Millburn H.S.

Justin Brathwaite Evan Brathwaite Sr. ’79 Jordan Lebovic Saul Lebovic ’83 Grace Rosen Gideon Rosen ’84 Brooklyn, N.Y. • Xaverian H.S. Scarsdale, N.Y. • Ramaz Upper School Princeton, N.J. • Princeton H.S.

Jane Brennan douglas Brennan ’87 Rebecca Lebwohl * nathan Lebwohl ’79 Andrew Seife Alan Seife ’79 Ossining, N.Y. • Croton-Harmon H.S. Surfside, Fla. • Rabbi A.S. Gross Hebrew Academy White Plains, N.Y. • White Plains H.S.

Leigh Colvin geoffrey Colvin ’74 Eva Levy carlos Daniel Levy ’75 ** Eugene Stolow Joshua Stolow ’80 New York City • Trinity School West Hollywood, Calif. • Harvard-Westlake School San Antonio • Texas Military Institute Douglas Lopez Edward Lopez ’82 Margaret D’Arcy sean D’Arcy ’81 Julia Straus Daniel Straus ’78 Pleasanton, Calif. • College Preparatory School Mt. Vernon, N.Y. • Ursuline School Englewood, N.J. • Ramaz Upper School Andrew Victor Andrew Dugue gabriel Dugue ’82 Lopez-Balboa Lopez-Balboa ’82 Jacob Sunshine andrew Sunshine ’79 New Hyde Park, N.Y. • New Hyde Park New York City • St. Paul’s School New York City • Stuyvesant H.S. Memorial H.S. Rebekah Lowin leeam Lowin ’66 Elliot Taffet Allan Taffet ’81 Emma Ziegellaub Eichler Richard Eichler ’76 Greenwich, Conn. • Greenwich Academy Ardsley, N.Y. • Ardsley H.S. New York City • Stuyvesant H.S. Elie Kaplan-Marans hillel Marans ’76 Christina Vlahos louis Vlahos ’84 Steven Evans Steven Evans ’81 Lawrence, N.Y. • Hebrew Academy Five Towns Port Washington, N.Y. • Paul D. Schreiber Senior H.S. Upper St. Clair, Pa. • Upper St. Clair H.S. Dara Marans Zvi Marans ’79 William Falk-Wallace Edward Wallace ’71 Gabriel Falk Elliot Falk ’74 Teaneck, N.J.• Ramaz Upper School Andover, Mass. • Phillips Academy Andover Riverdale, N.Y. • SAR H.S. Michael May Morgan May ’67 Isaac White Jonathan White ’85 Camille Richardson gary Friday ’73 New York City • Stuyvesant H.S. Port Washington, N.Y. • Paul D. Schreiber Senior H.S. Berwyn, Pa. • Lawrenceville School Camilla Mazzolini renato Mazzolini ’69 Yael Wiesenfeld batia Wiesenfeld ’88 Rachel Garfinkel Arthur Garfinkel ’67 Monaco • Lycée Albert Premier Scarsdale, N.Y. • Scarsdale H.S. Santa Clarita, Calif. • Buckley School Kyle McCormick paul McCormick ’78 Gideon Wolf Edward Wolf ’76 Jerome Genova leonard Genova ’85 Ridgewood, N.J. • Immaculate Heart Academy Baltimore • Beth Tfiloh Community H.S. Massapequa Park, N.Y. • Chaminade H.S. Dalia Mnaymneh sami Mnaymneh ’81 * Member of the SEAS Class of 2014 Reza Gheissari Ali Gheissari ’79 London, U.K. • American School in London ** Deceased La Canada, Calif. • Flintridge Preparatory School Joshua Muniz * Peter Muniz ’86 Eight incoming College transfer students are Morgan Goodman Marc Goodman ’76 Fox River Grove, Ill. • Choate Rosemary Hall Honolulu • Punahou School sons or daughters of College alumni. Robert Robert STUDENT PARENT Olivia Harris Herbert Harris ’64 Muzikowski Muzikowski Sr. ’78 Brooklyn, N.Y. • Brearley School Chicago • Chicago Hope Academy Samuel Bodkin John Bodkin ’78 Claudia Brodsky Kevin Crotty ’71 Elena Holodny andrei Holodny ’84 Yael Neugut Alfred Neugut ’72 Trevor Cohen Gary Cohen ’81 Demarest, N.J. • Northern Valley Regional H.S. Teaneck, N.J. • Frisch School Mary Escherich Kyle Escherich ’81 Quinn Jackson Donald Jackson ’73 Emma O’Connor stephen O’Connor ’74 Zac Kornberg Thomas Kornberg ’70 New York City • Fieldston School New York City • St. Ann’s School Joseph Pomp Martin Pomp ’67 Wesley Johnson theodore Johnson ’81 Alexander Ortiz Angel Ortiz ’81 Bennett Rosnick lyle Rosnick ’70 Brooklyn, N.Y. • Millennium H.S. Garden City, N.Y. • Chaminade H.S. David Strauch Robert Strauch ’82

september/october 2010 53 class notes columbia college today ed about two years ago and have the past few years planning and analysis process for new analysts. I studies at the University of Illinois been talking about reunion since. building an oceanfront house in run the company’s weekly invest- at Chicago College of Liberal Arts Peter also was enticed by the Glee Bridgehampton, Long Island, and ment meeting, host client confer- and Sciences. Ralph, a historian spe- Club reunion and concert, held he recently put it on the market ence calls, manage several model cializing in early-modern Catholi- as part of Dean’s Day. I’ve asked for $14.95 million. Now that the portfolios, co-manage the Argus cism, most recently was a professor him for a report on the Glee Club house is just about finished, David Focus List and prepare the Argus of religious studies at the University reunion, and by writing this now, I spends his time going to garden daily Technical Analysis product. of Iowa. am really putting him on the spot! tours and open houses. As a senior analyst, I continue to Walter F. Schleimer ’82L re- [Editor’s note: Also see “Alumni After a few deep breaths, the cover communications technology cently joined the 550-lawyer Texas- Corner.”] Peter visited his sister in “regulars” are back at work plan- (equipment and semiconductors) based firm of Haynes & Boone. He NYC and brought her to reunion ning things to keep us busy for the and electronic manufacturing will be a partner in the New York events, and then spent part of June next five years. In this age of social services. Along the way, I became office and continue to practice real and July visiting family in Texas. networking and with the tools a chartered financial analyst and a estate and finance law. We all learned (much earlier for oral histories and other types three-time winner in The Wall Street Robert C. Klapper: “In the past than our Columbia days) “one of documentaries, we’re talking Journal’s ‘Best on the Street’ All-Star year, two of my marble sculptures man, one vote.” Voters in Port about using both tools to foster Analyst Survey.” were featured in an art exhibition Chester, N.Y., recently experienced communications and capture and Jim lives in northern Westchester at the American Academy of Or- cumulative voting, in which resi- share more of our individual and county with his wife, Marie Fergu- thopedic Surgeons. The exhibit is dents get six votes each to appor- collective Columbia histories. And, son, and their kids, Angus (12), Jack dedicated to injured war veterans, tion among the candidates. They of course, our efforts to continue (9) and Wallis (4). and the show will move around rejected a government proposal to supporting Columbia College in its “I know, I lag the ’76 average on the country over the next several break the village into six districts, mission always will be part of our kids’ ages by 10–15 years; keeping years. The exhibit, Wounded in Ac- including one that took in heav- work. When called and asked for me young, I guess.” tion, will travel from New Orleans ily Hispanic areas. Although the support, please be generous. Apologies to Robert Siegfried, to the State Senate to Walter Reed village of about 30,000 residents is Finally, from all of the class, espe- whose name I misspelled in the Army Medical Center and the nearly half Hispanic, no Latino had cially those who worked on and at- May/June column. United Nations. (They have a web- ever been elected to any of the six tended reunion 2010, a huge thank site, www.woundedinactionart. trustee seats, which until now were you to Kimberly Peterson, associate org, if you want to check it out.) chosen in a conventional at-large director, alumni affairs, and to Sam David Gorman “The reason I mention it is election. Randolph McLaughlin, Boyer, assistant director, Columbia 77 111 Regal Dr. because this passion has enriched who represented a plaintiff in the College Fund, who provided the DeKalb, IL 60115 my life so profoundly. The joy I get lawsuit, said the goal was not ultimate in guidance and support 77 from sculpting in marble — both [email protected] merely to encourage more Hispan- throughout the last year. in Italy and in my studio in Man- ics to vote but “to create a system On to our 40th in 2015! This is one of those rare columns hattan Beach, Calif., also reaches whereby the Hispanic community without news. I hope everyone is many of my patients who proudly would be able to nominate and ferociously busy finding and keep- tell their friends that their surgeon REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 elect a candidate of their choice.” ing a place in the new economy or, is an artist. None of this joy would Alumni Office Contacts Robert Morgan is of counsel at even better, taking advantage of have happened if I had not attend- Alumni Affairs Stella Miele-Zanedis Emmet, Marvin & Martin in New rock-bottom hotel rates in Iceland. ed Columbia and been forced to [email protected] York City. He earned a J.D. from But please do write in! learn something I had no interest 212-851-7846 Vanderbilt before being admitted in or knowledge of coming from Development Sam Boyer to the bar in New York and Ten- the streets of Far Rockaway. As I [email protected] nessee. Matthew Nemerson get older, I realize that the things 212-851-7452 Firm managing director at Wil- 35 Huntington St. you really want in life are those lamette Management Associates Clyde Moneyhun 78 New Haven, CT 06511 that are priceless. The education Robert Reilly recently received the 76 Program in Writing and 78 [email protected] that the Core Curriculum gave us prestigious Institute of Business Ap- Rhetoric all was just that, priceless. praisers (IBA) literary award for the 76 Serra Mall 450, Bldg. 460, Sorry folks, again, a slow month “Till next time, God bless!” Best Business Valuation Article of Room 223 with no news coming in and your the year. Robert received this liter- Stanford University humble scribe a bit too maxed ary recognition for his article, “Intel- Stanford, CA 94305 out to collect it by hand. We had a Michael C. Brown lectual Property Appraisal During [email protected] good run for 30 years, and we have 80 London Terrace Towers a Distressed Economy.” That article hit a dry patch of late. Let’s see if 410 W. 24th St., Apt. 18F was published in the 2009 Third My former Riverside Drive we can draft a few letters while sit- 80 New York, NY 10011 Quarter issue of Business Appraisal apartment-mate Jim Kelleher now ting on the deck in the Hamptons [email protected] Practice, the IBA’s quarterly profes- is director of research and senior or on Nantucket and send them in. sional journal. Robert accepted the analyst at Argus Research in New We are in the midst of an excit- “Football combines the two worst award at the 2010 Annual Consul- York. McGraw-Hill is publishing ing (well, it is if you like politics) things about America: it is violence tants Conference, co-sponsored by his book, Equity Valuation for Ana- race for governor here in Connecti- punctuated by committee meetings.” IBA and the National Association of lysts and Investors, which builds on cut, and my organization has been —George Will Certified Valuation Analysts. Robert decades of investment valuation compiling useful information and was honored in 2009 with IBA’s experience during which Jim has policy ideas for all the candidates. The fall is such a great time to be in Best Publication of the Year literary built financial models for hundreds At the end of July, the family trav- NYC with the wonderful weather, award for the book Guide to Property of companies in nearly every sector eled for two weeks in China. changing of the leaves and plenty Tax Valuation, co-authored with and industry. The book introduces Hope to see you at Homecom- of good football to watch. The Li- partner Bob Schweihs. a proprietary methodology, Peer ing on Saturday, October 23, and to ons are coming off their best league Some people’s job is real estate Derived Value, that values an hear from you soon. finish in six years, and coach Nor- and real estate is their hobby equity based on the stock’s current ries Wilson’s team is ready for that as well. David J. Wine, a vice- variation from its historical relation breakout year. I hope to see you at chairman of Related Cos., spends to a user-specified peer group. Robert Klapper Homecoming on Saturday, October his days in Manhattan toiling over “Things are lively at a small 79 8737 Beverly Blvd., Ste 303 23! [Editor’s note: See “Around the intricate design and marketing Wall Street firm trying to weather Los Angeles, CA 90048 Quads.”] plans for commercial real-estate two market collapses just since 79 Our 30th Alumni Reunion [email protected] development. For fun, he toils the millennium turn,” Jim reports. Weekend was a success with the over plans for a private residential “As research director, I’ve helped Ralph Keen has been named the Class of ’80 exceeding expectations development deal. David spent develop and refine the investment Arthur J. Schmitt Chair in Catholic on both attendance and commit-

september/october 2010 54 columbia college today class notes

ment to the College. We owe David Classes during Class Day. Since all University of Michigan Medical not responsive. And suddenly Leahy our gratitude for his hosting three have full heads of hair and do School. He is the chief of pediatric he turned around and was able of the cocktail party at the NYAC. not have significant weight gain, I’d plastic surgery and director of the to leave in a wheelchair. The life John Metaxis, Josh Stolow and say they are a perfect representation Craniofacial Anomalies Program at had returned to his eyes, and he John Schutty had a great conversa- of our class 29 years after gradua- the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, was laughing and talking with his tion on the state of the Big Apple. tion. Jay reports: and he holds a joint appointment family. The medical staff said they Neil Sader was impressed with the “We had a great time coming as a professor of neurosurgery. The didn’t know what happened. It new baseball stadium at Baker Field back to Columbia for the College’s endowed chair was awarded to Ste- looked like he had decided to get and hopes to see his son play there. Alumni Parade of Classes. It was a ven for his distinguished service in better. But we knew that God had On Friday night, we had a walking real honor and joy to represent the the reconstruction of children with answered our prayers.” tour of the High Line conducted Class of ’81. The day started with congenital deformities, his clinical Lastly, I leave you with a note by Kevin Baker. His historical a fancy breakfast at the John Jay teaching and his NIH R01-funded of lovely continuity: Patricia and prospective of this 1930s elevated Dining Hall, where we reminisced research. As a tip of the hat to his Steve Masiar are soon to celebrate railway turned into a public park while receiving our Class Day education at Columbia College, 29 years of marriage. They were was enlightening. We then went to Pins. We then gathered outside the Steven’s lecture at the inauguration married by Fr. Paul Dinter, then Gaslight’s G2 Lounge for a reception building where each class’ banner was titled “Guiding Telemachus on Catholic chaplain at Columbia. with Dean Michele Moody-Adams. was handed out. the Road to Knowledge.” Rob Canning was best man. Jim Gerkis, Bruce Paulson and Van “We casually chatted to pass the Still more so-called news from the Gothner enjoyed the festivities over time before collectively marching relentless Ed Klees: He co-chaired a martinis. toward Butler Library, where the presentation and published a paper Andrew Weisman On Saturday afternoon, I hosted parade started. We then started the on investment law at the annual 710 Lawrence Ave. a discussion on the College in the formal traditional procession along meeting of the National Association 82 Westfield, NJ 07090 same classroom in which many the path between the fields as the of College and University Attorneys, 82 [email protected] of us studied Don Quixote with Class of ’10 cheered us on. The held in Washington, D.C., on June Professor Karl-Ludwig Selig. cheering was so loud and enthusi- 28. Ed also will speak at Institutional Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Kevin Matthews did a wonderful astic that as we walked by holding Investor magazine’s annual hedge Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of job with his perspective as both a our class banners, we could not fund conference in San Francisco in most excellent fancy; he hath borne parent and executive of the institu- help getting a little sentimental. September. me on his back a thousand times; tion. Jeff Field reminded us that 30 It certainly was one of the best Fred Meyers takes time out and now, how abhorred in my years ago the acceptance rate was post-CC moments in nearly three from sitting on his porch and yell- imagination it is! For still extant he about 40 percent, compared with decades for me.” ing at those pesky neighbor kids to would have risen from his keester 9 percent today, which made us all I’m happy to relay that Bob check in: and made fair contribution to this thankful for our timing. Saturday Zinna has rejoined the workforce, “For 30 years, banks gave me missive. night, Jon Dahl gave an enlighten- as a system programmer working money when they shouldn’t have, How’s that for some impromp- ing speech at our dinner on the at Austin Community College. Per- but now that they should, they tu editorial throat clearing? By future of the financial system. It haps this will force Bob to drop the won’t. There is some real existential way of warning, I’m going to start was great to see Dave Malouf, golf clubs and slowly back away humor in that that only a Core Cur- with Zs and work my way back Sam McPherson and Stephen from the tee. riculum education could teach one until I’ve rustled some commen- Kane. On behalf of the Reunion Kevin Bilms has managed to to appreciate. My oldest daughter tary from every one of you; even Committee, I thank you all for simultaneously lose his mind and completed her freshman year at if your response is nothing more coming to the event. get into great shape: “Not much to Elon College, and I am dismayed than a devil-may-care “Aroint Greg Semler won the longest report here, except that, in my dot- by how little she actually learned thee, rump-fed runion!” drive contest for his trek from Port- age, I have taken up distance run- that I would consider of value, but land, Ore., to reunion. Greg is the ning. I ruptured three lumbar disks I guess the Columbia curmudgeons co-founder and managing director in 2008 and was unable to walk for have been saying that for years. If Roy Pomerantz at Pivotal Investments, a venture two months. As I recuperated, my anyone out there needs logo shirts 83 Babyking/Petking capital firm focusing on growth neurosurgeon told me that walking (minimum order four shirts, great 182-20 Liberty Ave. companies in the Northwest. He was great exercise for my back — prices, unconditional 10-year guar- 83 Jamaica, NY 11412 is a clean tech entrepreneur with the more the better. I figured that antee) you automatically qualify for [email protected] more than 20 years of experience since running is really nothing the CC ’81 discount. (Custom logo financing high growth companies. more than fast walking (in my case shirts: www.queensboro.com.) And Greetings, classmates. I look forward to seeing you at not too fast), I started running. A if any of you happen to be the CEO Robert Hughes: “It was an Baker Athletics Complex for Home- mile, then 5k, 10k and so on. I ran of Wachovia/Wells Fargo, up yours! unexpected, but pleasant, surprise coming on Saturday, October 23, my first half-marathon at Virginia Best to my brethren (we can still say to see the mention in the May/ and always feel free to drop me a Beach on St. Patrick’s Day, and in that safely!) and don’t worry, things June Class Notes. But it seems that line at [email protected]. a fit of foolish elation, submitted are actually going pretty well.” the edition of The New York Times an entry for the NYC Marathon. Roger Keller has a slightly that you read is different from Never having won anything in my more upbeat world view: “God the one I read. Or perhaps there’s REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 life, I figured there was no chance continues to be good to me and another Robert Hughes working in Alumni Office Contacts my name would be drawn in the my family. I am blessed to have a parallel universe to preserve old Alumni Affairs Kimberly Peterson lottery. It was (luck of the Irish, I a job I enjoy where I can make a horses and help their owners avoid [email protected] guess). So, come Sunday, Novem- difference. I am a milieu therapist liability. In my universe, I work to 212-851-7872 ber 7, I will be slogging through on a tuberculosis unit. I run into all preserve historic houses and try to Development Sam Boyer the five boroughs, and no doubt kinds of folks, many very troubled. ensure that preservation of those [email protected] cursing the dementia that made It is my job to help them follow houses does not impede their liv- 212-851-7452 me think this would be fun. My through with their treatment by ability. Since we’re on the subject, Jeff Pundyk daughter Joanie ’12 and her friends helping them with activities and I recently secured a $400,000 grant 81 20 E. 35th St., Apt. 8D have all promised to meet me at setting up a supportive, friendly from the New York State Office New York, NY 10016 the finish line. I only hope that they and responsive environment. I of Parks, Recreation and Historic 81 won’t have to carry me across.” intervene to resolve problems. A Preservation (and you thought [email protected] While Kevin takes to the streets, few of the staff meet regularly to it had no money) to restore and Although they look somewhat un- Steven R. Buchman takes a seat, pray. God is concerned with these expand a historic building used derdressed without their freshman although in a comfy endowed chair. suffering folks, and we pray for to house the Huntington Histori- beanies, Jay Lee, Dan Tampkin Steven was inaugurated on June them regularly. I saw one man cal Society’s extensive archive of and Harvey Cotton represented the 10 as the first M. Haskell Newman who was not long for this world. historic records. In the last several Class of ’81 in the Alumni Parade of Professor in Plastic Surgery at the His eyes were glassy and he was years, we have raised by donations

september/october 2010 55 class notes columbia college today and grants more than $1 million nee Kagan. The New York Times we’d been in fourth the whole time. that they will market and distrib- to restore various properties in the reports, “As they had on Tuesday, We had thought the tachometer ute. (Of course, these publishers National Register Old Town Hall Republicans extracted an endorse- was running kind of fast. After 14 pay me considerably less than historic district in Huntington’s ment from Ms. Kagan of Miguel hours, we hit Nashville, and Ben Warner Bros. pays Oliver Stone.). downtown. Estrada, a former law school class- continued the next day to Austin, Some of the Agincourt titles I write; “I also am working to restore the mate and longtime friend of Ms. another 14 hours. Ben’s architecture others, involving more well-known last home of John Coltrane, who Kagan’s whose nomination to the firm continues to thrive and to do authors, I edit. For all, I manage moved to the Dix Hills section of federal appeals court was blocked interesting work. Classmates can the creative process from the idea Huntington in 1964. Considered by Democrats when George W. see some of it at Heimsath.com.” stage through publication, which by many around the world to be Bush was president. On Tues- I caught up with Doug Novins makes my job consistently interest- a spiritual as well as a musical day, Ms. Kagan testified that Mr. in between our respective travels. ing and satisfying. As Marx wrote landmark, as it was where Coltrane Estrada was qualified to sit on not Doug and his wife, Andrea, live in about alienation, it’s important to composed his masterpiece A Love only the appeals court, but also the Denver with their daughters, Sylvie see one’s self in one’s work. I’m Supreme, the home has been vacant Supreme Court. On Wednesday, (15), a sophomore at Denver’s East fortunate that I get to do that. for about 10 years. We are assem- Mr. Coburn demanded to know H.S., and Lena (12), a seventh-grader “Another benefit of my work bling a board of directors to help if she would have voted for him. at Denver School of the Arts. Andrea is that it allows me to live in the steer the restoration project and ‘I would have,’ she said, before ’83 GW, ’89 Brooklyn Law, recently country. My wife of 15 years, Julia, create innovative programming that amending her comment to hedge left a small law practice to be a career likes to say that I’ve never left home will spread the Coltrane legacy. If just a bit.” counselor at the University of Den- (she’s from the Upper Peninsula of any of Columbia’s Coltrane fans are Castle Connolly Medical is the ver’s Sturm College of Law. Doug Michigan), but that’s only because interested in getting involved, I’d be publisher of America’s Top Doctors. was promoted to professor of child, she defines ‘home’ quite broadly. happy to hear from them. In a full-page announcement in adolescent and general psychiatry at In fact, 14 years ago, we moved to “You may want to note that The New York Times, it listed David the University of Colorado’s School Chatham, N.Y., a small town in the Marcus Brauchli, who now is the Kriegel as one of the selections. of Medicine. Doug has spent most Hudson Valley about two hours executive editor at The Washington David also was listed in New York of his career focusing on improv- north of the city. My office is on Post, was the keynote speaker at Magazine’s Top Doctors. He is a ing mental health and substance Chatham’s one-block-long Main Spectator’s annual Blue Pencil Din- board-certified dermatologist and abuse services for American Indian Street, but we have DSL and a FedEx ner. Marcus spoke to the aspiring specializes in Mohs micrographic and Alaskan native people across box, so I can work just as effectively journalists about the future of skin cancer surgery and cosmetic the United States. His research has as I did when my office was on journalism. After the dinner, a few laser surgery. been supported by several NIH Lafayette Street in SoHo. I write for of us old-timers and many of the I was blown away by the full- institutes and has included work both adults and children — mostly, students gathered at Haakon’s Hall page First Republic Bank ad in The with a southeastern tribe to develop but not exclusively, about American on Amsterdam Avenue, where New York Times Magazine section an intervention for their traumatized history. Classmates may even have Marcus and Stuart Karle ’82 sat on featuring a photo of Daniel Schultz youth with substance use problems one of my children’s books on their the backs of their chairs and the and Ross Goldstein, co-founders that blends Western psychothera- shelves and not know it. Several current Spec staff literally sat at and managing directors of DFJ peutic approaches, such as cognitive have told me that they picked up their feet to seek their advice and Gotham Ventures. They state: “First behavioral therapy, with traditional my encylcopedia of the presidents at absorb their words of wisdom.” Republic always meets our needs. native healing. For the last 12 years, a Scholastic book fair only to notice Robert, I’m sorry for butcher- They move quickly to customize Doug has directed a technical as- months or years later that my name ing your write-up in The New York solutions for us.” sistance center for tribes and tribal was on the cover. Times. It highlights why you were David Lyle: “Mary Charlotte organizations that receive federal “Because book deadlines are publisher of Spectator, and I was Lyle-Murray, 6 lbs., 10 ozs., and funding to redesign their children’s much longer than the newspaper the campus juggler/clown. Frances Elizabeth Lyle-Murray, 5 mental health services. He also has ones I used to work under as sports In the New York Times Book Re- lbs., 7 ozs., were delivered at 1:51 been a leading advocate of the use editor of Spectator, I typically get view, Lloyd Grove critiques Sarah p.m. and 1:52 p.m. on July 7. Both of videoconferencing to provide to enjoy a rural pace. I drop my Ellison’s new book, War at The Wall girls and their gestational carrier, mental health services to Native children (a 12-year-old daughter Street Journal: Inside the Struggle to Suzanne, are thriving. My spouse, communities that do not have easy and 11-year-old son) off each morn- Control an American Business Em- Charles Douglas Murray, and I access to specialty care and uses ing at the local middle school and pire. She notes, “Marcus Brauchli, stayed in Sacramento with them un- videoconferencing himself for serv- drive another three blocks to work. the top-ranking editor at the time til July 28 to let them put on weight ing his native patients in Alaska. Even with this detour, my commute of the sale, worked diligently on before they join the jet set and fly Doug is particularly proud of having is just 10 minutes. I also get home a detailed editorial-independence home to Nashville. The squeak- finally found the time, perseverance most evenings early enough to agreement that, in a version Mur- ing noise coming from this part of and wisdom to put together his cook dinner. During the summer, doch rejected, would have created California is the sound of our hearts first Boston Marathon qualifying we get our vegetables from the an advisory board to vet personnel getting wrapped ever more tightly performance last year and had a large garden in back of the house. choices and would presumably around their little fingers. great time at this year’s race (where Over the years, I’ve been active in have protected senior editors from “Just moments before I wrote my he qualified again). the area of local food. I took part in the new owner’s whims. Brauchli first note to you about the twins, “The amazing people I’ve met a campaign to keep farming eco- tried to meet Murdoch’s mandate Ben Heimsath and his wife, Sandi, and worked with at Columbia and nomically feasible in the town, and that the Journal drop its idiosyn- drove away from our house in in my life since have reinforced for five years, I hosted a program cratic identity to cover breaking Nashville after an overnight visit. some of my core personality traits — on Northeast Public Radio, What’s national stores and beat the Times. They’re on their way home to Aus- humility, listening hard and working for Dinner?, that featured fresh But his efforts to placate the boss tin after driving to and from New harder — while also pushing me meals parents could make for their came to naught. He lasted less than Hampshire for a two-week holiday. to overcome my inherent shyness,” children on school nights. If any- a year before Murdoch forced his It reminds me that Texan Ben al- he says. one’s interested, I’m in the process resignation.” ways has been a demon about long David Rubel: “I work in pub- of transferring them to my new My son, Ricky (2), modeled sev- drives. He and I ended our fresh- lishing as a book producer (also blog (authordavidrubel.blogspot. eral Easter fashions on The Today man year by getting a Karmann known as a book packager). My com). I’ve also begun to dabble in Show. A photo of my wife’s 1979 Ghia through a drive-away service company is Agincourt Press, and wine- and cheesemaking. When the Hunter College Elementary School (for transporting other peoples’ my business is similar to that of revolution comes, I’m planning to class appeared in The New York cars), which we drove at one sitting an independent film producer. In be well-fed!” Times article, “Meet the Kagans.” from the Carman Hall gate on much the same way that Warner Lastly, I had an enjoyable tele- Elena Kagan’s mother, Gloria Broadway to my parents’ home in Bros. gives Oliver Stone $150 mil- phone conversation with Eric Ep- Kagan, was their teacher. Nashville. We had gone through lion to make a movie that Warner stein. Eric and his dad are tireless Miguel Estrada received heavy most of New Jersey before we real- Bros. will market and distribute, Columbia supporters, and Eric is praise from Supreme Court nomi- ized this thing had a fifth gear, and publishers hire me to create books looking forward to our 30th reunion.

september/october 2010 56 columbia college today class notes

Dennis Klainberg all-classes reunion on July 31 at the who were there. My apologies in provides legal support for a variety 84 Berklay Cargo Worldwide Amsterdam Restaurant and Tapas advance for not getting to everyone. of product, engineering and mar- JFK Intl. Airport Lounge at 1207 Amsterdam Ave. Please send me an update with ad- keting teams at Adobe, including 84 Box 300665 You can find more info on Face- ditional info. Brand Marketing, Advertising Jamaica, NY 11430 book, or e-mail Reggie: reggiepv@ On the fundraising side, I am and eBooks. He often bumps into [email protected] rochester.rr.com. pleased to report that the Class David Zapolsky, who is in an David Stafford and his wife, of ’85 exceeded every benchmark in-house corporate counsel role Dr. Adam P. Dicker, also a Ph.D., Caryn Tager ’85 Barnard, celebrat­ from previous years. Six years and who has been at Amazon for has been appointed chairman of ed the bar mitzvah of their son, ago, our class raised $29,000. Five 13 years. His son, Ian, completed the Department of Radiation On- Andrew, on June 13. David is a years ago, we improved to slightly his junior year in high school and cology at Jefferson Medical Col- v.p. and associate general counsel more than $100,000 (this level was spent three weeks playing jazz in lege, Thomas Jefferson University at The McGraw-Hill Companies, approximately maintained the last NYC this summer. Ian played in (where one of the residents is Dr. where he’s worked since 1992, several years). This year, our class the national finals at Lincoln Cen- Nitin Ohr ’03E). Adam is an inter- having returned to the company’s raised approximately $325,000 in ter. Finally, it was great to spend national authority in radiation on- legal department after a three-year unrestricted funds (with athletics time with former Glee Club head cology, drug development and the rotation working as the chief of receiving additional donations in honcho John Phelan and his wife, treatment of prostate cancer and staff to the company’s chairman excess of $100,000). By meeting Kimberly. Their children (Unity, brain tumors. He is proud to an- and CEO. David and his wife our class dollar goal, John Kluge Amanda, Joseph and Jack) were nounce that his daughter, Michal, live in Scarsdale, N.Y., with their ’37 will establish a financial aid around during the weekend. Unity will attend Barnard in the fall. children. In addition to Andrew, endowment in honor of our class lives in the city as a high school Bruce Skyer, aka “Baruch of they have a son, Daniel (16), and a upon the realization of his bequest. student. John continues to lead the the Buckboard” and “Blotto Band daughter, Allison (9). David says So our class was able to give Zweena effort, to provide coordi- Booster,” checks in: “As of April 1, his life these days revolves around more than $525,000 to Columbia nation for electronic patient records I am the COO of the National Kid- his kids, including tons of week- this year. Wow! And our class (with the new health care bill, the ney Foundation. NKF is dedicated end sports events. He reports that participation level soared as well. timing couldn’t be better … ). to preventing kidney and urinary Allison is the all-around athlete Our class traditionally has given I spoke with Mike Rivera, who tract diseases, improving the health that he always wished he could be. in the 16–20 percent range; this went to law school at UCLA; his and well-being of individuals and David plays tennis regularly, and year, more than 22 percent of our firm serves the entire Southern families affected by kidney disease, he looks fondly back on his time class made a gift. To everyone who California area, including the and increasing the availability of at Columbia. He said he’s thrilled contributed, thank you so much for counties of Los Angeles, Orange, all organs for transplantation. I am to see the school enjoy a surge in your generosity and support. Riverside and San Bernardino. responsible for maximizing the popularity and with it, a growing Reunion started off with a great His firm is bilingual (English/ effectiveness of our operations to reputation as one of the top and Thursday evening reception at The Spanish) and helps in legal matters pursue our mission and meet the most coveted academic institutions New York Times building. Thanks to regarding bankruptcy, corpora- objectives of the foundation and in the country. Brian Cousin for coordinating the tions, real estate, and trusts and its many volunteers. As you can estates. Additionally, Mike has imagine, this is a wonderful oppor- provided clients with services in tunity about which I am incredibly drafting and negotiating contracts, excited. Heather Paxton ’85 is the author of four books with prosecuting or defending litigation, “All alumni should feel free to an emphasis on Kansas City history, and works assisting with compliance with contact me to donate or to learn of governmental regulations and sponsorship opportunities of our with The Independent there. dealing with other legal issues that many events: bruce.skyer@kidney. arise in a business setting. org.” I also spent time with Adam Jim Satloff started a new gig as After eight years as the chief great space. We had a nice gather- Catana, who is an attorney, works executive chairman of Investor- administrative law judge for New ing of about 20 classmates. The for JP Morgan Chase and lives in Force, a financial services data York City, Roberto Velez will good part for Brian was that it was Manhattan with his wife and two company that operates in the become v.p. for corporate compli- easy for him to get to the reception, children; and Heather Paxton, institutional investment arena. He ance and counsel at Promesa, an as his office is in the same building. who has lived in Kansas City for maintains his position as chairman organization that provides a range The bad part for Brian was that it eight years but traveled extensively of Liberty Skis, the Colorado-based of services to Bronx communities. was too easy for him to go back to before that. She is the author of independent ski manufacturer. Jim Roberto has purchased a home in his office. Brian is an employment four books, with an emphasis on recently had lunch with his former Riverdale, the Bronx, and moved practice attorney at Seyfarth Shaw. Kansas City history, and works suitemate, Frank Sommerfield, and in late June with his wife, Natalie, He lives in Larchmont with his with The Independent there. Barnard alumnae Kay Diaz and and daughter, Noelle. Roberto is wife and three children. We were graced with the pres- Margie Smith. Jim’s wife, Emily, very proud that Noelle will be at- Tom Carey, from my Contem- ence of former Dean of Students was named “America’s top new tending the prestigious Fiorello H. porary Civilization class, helped Roger Lehecka ’67 (along with his jewelry designer” by Vogue, and her LaGuardia School of Music & Art to memorialize the evening (and wife, Ria Coyne ’84 Barnard) and wares can be seen either at Barneys and Performing Arts. much of the weekend) by taking Peter Johnson (who also worked shops around the country or on her pictures with one of the few non- in the Dean of Students’ office, and website (www.larkspurandhawk. digital cameras left in the world. who now is associate dean in the com), in both cases under her trade Jon White Tom lives in Great Falls, Mont., Admissions Office). Both happened name of Larkspur & Hawk. Jim 85 16 South Ct. having ventured to many other to be on the same floor attending laments that buying jewelry for her Port Washington, NY 11050 places in the last 25 years. He is a another reception. Roger’s eldest now is “like bringing coals to New- 85 pathologist and has three children daughter, Vivian ’13, completed her [email protected] castle.” Jim also recently attended (18, 16 and 13). first year at the College. a ceremony honoring his father, After many months of planning, I spent much of the evening On Friday, while there were a Aaron ’56, for 50 years of continual our 25th reunion has come and with three of my fellow Glee series of lectures and tours, my medical practice in Jim’s hometown gone. I was not sure I knew what Clubbers. Dan Poliak is senior afternoon highlight was with of Rochester, N.Y. to expect, but I can report that ev- corporate counsel for Adobe and the Glee Club alumni reception/ Reggie Henderson sends the eryone (myself included) seemed to lives in Seattle; he is responsible for rehearsal. The Alumni Office has following announcement: “Several have had a wonderful time. There managing the trademark group, (properly) recognized that so many members of the Class of ’84 were are many stories to tell … and I will which includes supervision of of us have strong connections to in the now-defunct Phi Epsilon Pi use the next several columns to the registration, protection and the activities that we participated fraternity, which had lots of track relate some of the weekend’s activi- enforcement of all Adobe trade- in as well as our class at large. For and rugby players. Phi Ep held an ties, as well as my notes from those marks and domain names. He also many years, various sports teams

september/october 2010 57 class notes columbia college today

of the Department of Psychiatry at and children (14, 12 and 8). Intermountain Healthcare. Seeing Among others present was Mike fondly reminded me of the 11 Furnald grocery maven Kevin Jay midnight soccer games that often Kelly, who continues his work in rattled my door during freshman the Department of Small Business year. Services for NYC Mayor Michael Also in attendance were a pair of Bloomberg; his previous post- Pauls: Paul Getzels, who continues Columbia stints have included the both his legal practice and voice­ Peace Corps, various stops around over career in New York as well as the world and with Bloomberg. regular singing with the City Bar And Daniel Savin, continuing chorus, with his wife, Kathy; and with his work as a senior research Paul Bongiorno, who made it a scientist at Columbia’s Department family night out with his wife, Fran- of Astronomy and Astrophysics, cesca, and young children, Paul, also was there, in the midst of a Gabriel and Olivia. Paul is working spirited discussion with several A hardy corps of Glee Clubbers gathered at the Sundial at midnight in the city with Opus 3 Artists. College and Engineering class- during Alumni Reunion Weekend in early June. Enjoying the music and Steve Carty and I chatted both mates. beverages were (front row, left to right) Thomas Vinciguerra ’85, Beth prior to and at reunion. Steve has A few of our Barnard classmates Knobel ’84 Barnard, Jon White ’85, Ari Brose ’84 Barnard, Shelley Fried- 20 years of multi-disciplinary and attended (my apologies for not land ’87, Laurie Gershon ’87 and Sue Raffman ’87; and (middle row, left multi-industry investment banking seeing any of the faces in that part to right) Rich Froehlich ’85, Cathy Schwartz Cotton ’83 Barnard, Maya experience. His experience has of the room), ably greeted by Rich Panvell-Hartheimer ’87, David Zapolsky ’85 and Linda Macri ’87; and included advising both U.S. and Maimon. Rich continues his archi- (back row, left to right) Tom Scotti ’85 and John Phelan ’85. international companies regarding tecture practice in Philadelphia and corporate finance and M&A activity, was kind enough to spend some and advising U.S. and international time at lunch Saturday with my el- have done a great job with this. bass section nearly 30 years ago institutional investors (pension dest son, Isaac ’14, who is thinking For the first time last year, “affin- when I joined the Glee Club, and funds, endowments, foundations, about a career in architecture. ity receptions” were held during continued to do so that weekend. investment advisors and partner- Stay tuned for Part Two of the reunion/Dean’s Day, allowing all It also was great to spend time ships) regarding investments and reunion update in the next edition alums, not just the reunion ones, with former Glee Club President fundraising activities globally. He is of CCT… to attend. This year’s receptions Cathy Schwartz Cotton ’83 Barnard. managing director at GTK Partners. included such groups as Spectator, Cathy is married to Harvey Cotton Prior to joining GTK, Steve was REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 WKCR, Marching Band and Glee ’81, and our lives have had similar employed at Lehman Brothers Alumni Office Contacts Club/singing groups. post-Glee Club turns: Between our from 2000–06, and at UBS from Alumni Affairs Jennifer Freely More than 80 former Glee Club- kids going to Columbia (Cathy’s 1994–2000. He lives in New Jersey [email protected] bers, spanning more than 40 years son Ben ’11 is editor-in-chief of with his wife and two children. 212-851-7438 of Glee Club history, attended, Spectator) and Cathy marking the Some of our Engineering class- Development Kimberly Rogers including two former wonderful end of Harvey’s turn as president of mates were at reunion as well. I [email protected] Glee Club conductors, Bruce Trin- their synagogue. It was wonderful chatted with Lydia Tang ’85E, who 212-851-7492 kley ’66 and Gerald Weale ’57, who to catch up with Beth Knobel ’84 has three kids (15, 12 and 9) and led the group in the ’60s. As the a Barnard, who I know from my Stuy is a math teacher, also doing some Everett Weinberger cappella groups have grown dur- High days. Beth was the Moscow options trading. Daniel Lew ’85E 86 50 W. 70th St., Apt. 3B ing the last 25 years, starting with correspondent for CBS News for works in Darien for a large broker- New York, NY 10023 the Kingsmen and now numbering many years (I would often hear her age firm. 86 [email protected] 10 groups, Glee Club member- radio reports). She has two children Leading the crew contingent as ship waned significantly and was and lives in Whitestone. Other fa- always was Colin Redhead, who George Shea and his brother, Rich- in jeopardy of disappearing after miliar faces included Ginny Perrin is a director of structured finance at ard, have a public relations firm, more than 130 years. Fortunately, ’85 Barnard, and the musical talents MBIA Insurance Co. After getting Shea Communications, in Chelsea. some great work by Nick Rudd of CC ’87: Sue Raffman, Lee Ilan, his M.B.A. at a somewhat well- But that’s not what George is best ’64, Michael Garrett ’66 and several Laurie Gershon and Maya Panvell- known university in Cambridge, known for. I’ll let The New York others have helped to revitalize the Hartheimer, among others. Mass., Colin was a v.p. at JPMor- Times take over from the article on alumni network. [Editor’s note: See On Friday night, we filled the gan Securities Inc, assistant v.p. at George and Richard in the sports “Alumni Corner.”] back room at V&T, with dinner Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. section on July 2. “Without the There were many familiar faces featuring the same pies, pasta, and a senior analyst at Chemical Shea brothers, there would still in the room from the various classes decor and tablecloths that you may Bank. He and his wife, Anne ’87, be a county fair pie-eating contest from the ’80s, both from our class remember from long ago. Dean have four children (eldest age 14) here, a bar-sponsored chicken- and beyond. From our class, in ad- Michele Moody-Adams stopped by. and live in Westchester. wing chowdown there. The July dition to the classmates mentioned There also was face painting for the After dinner concluded, many 4 Nathan’s hot dog eating contest above, it was great to see Leslie kids. We sat with Tom Vinciguerra, of us headed over to The West End, might still be in Coney Island, Smartt McCarthy, who lives in the writer par excellence. After his work or rather what’s left of The West where it started in 1916. But few Bay Area, has worked with the AP as an editor at CCT for more than a End, which is now an establish- beyond New York would know and was enjoying NYC with her decade, and many years as deputy ment called Havana Central at about it, and it would certainly not three children (15, 12 and 9), and editor of the newsmagazine The The West End. The “back room” be televised live to ESPN’s biggest my former Stuyvesant classmate, Week, with frequent contributions is gone, and the music made it audience of the day. The words Alan Newman. Alan lives in Den- to The New York Times, Tom still is difficult to chat. I spent time with ‘competitive’ and ‘eating’ would ver, where he is a practicing psy- writing and still is unmatched in Brian Margolis, who is a partner not be conjoined. There would chiatrist and author. Several other relating great Columbia stories. in the Corporate Department at be no International Federation of classmates joined us on Saturday I also spent some time with my Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. Competitive Eating. And presum- morning (to be included in the next John Jay 11 floormate, Mike Cou- Brian has a corporate and securities ably, there would be fewer eating issue’s column). dreaut, who was there with his wife, law practice, with an emphasis on contests, particularly those on Other early ’80s Glee Club Kimberly, and their children, Curtis public offerings, private place- Independence Day: pies in Houl- veterans and legends were there, and Tillie. Mike attended medical ments, mergers and acquisitions, ton, Me.; hot peppers in Round including Ed Krishok ’81, Eric school at Columbia and was a major corporate governance issues and Rock, Tex.; burritos in Coralville, Hansen ’81 and Larry Scoones ’82. in the Air Force. He is a psychiatrist general corporate counseling. He Iowa; and veggie dogs in Austin, Eric and Larry had anchored the in Salt Lake City and is the chairman lives in Larchmont with his wife Tex., to name a mouthful. Now

september/october 2010 58 columbia college today class notes

Roy Braeger ’86 Celebrates Good Times

B y Go r d o n Ch e n o w e t h Sa u e r ’11 Ar t s

hen Lincoln Cen- evident in the thinking, which is ter celebrated its evident in the implicit position 50th birthday in in the world that you’re granted May 2009, tens of when you leave. Big thinking. thousandsW of orange and fuchsia Big design,” he says. balloons were used for decora­ Braeger was accepted to tion, with 2,000 of them devoted dental school but deferred. He to a 20-foot tall “50.” The man designed a line of handmade responsible for this “kids’ birth­ table lamps and worked at day party for adults” was Roy a friend’s Brooklyn design Braeger ’86, founder and opera­ company before starting Roy tor of the party-planning com­ Braeger Events in 2004. Best pany Roy Braeger Events (http:// friend Jacob Werksman ’86 says roybraeger.com). it was a wise career decision. Braeger, who works from “Roy went through Columbia his design studio in Red Hook, trying to convince people he Brooklyn, specializes in event was planning to be a dentist,” design and production. He is says Werksman. “I think he has responsible for both the orga­ found a more painless way of nization and execution of ga­ improving peoples’ smiles.” las, birthday parties, corporate Party planner Roy Braeger ’86 with some of the colorful fabrics he Braeger, who recently fin­ events, weddings — “basically, uses in designing an event setting. ished writing his first book, a any occasion worth celebrat­ Photo: jon courie horror novel, has not been im­ ing,” he says. mune to the economic down­ “On the planning side,” Brae- rate and private clients, includ­ Humanities, and now I do work turn. “Everything is becoming ger explains, “I coordinate all the ing A&E Television Network, for the Metropolitan Opera and much more last-minute, and vendors, such as the entertain­ NYU Langone Medical Center the City Opera; the first sympho­ that makes me nervous,” he ment, caterers, photographers, and eBay. ny I saw was at Lincoln Center, says. And though he has worked tent companies, limo compa­ Braeger describes his vision and now I do Lincoln Center’s hard to “ratchet things up,” in­ nies, DJs, security services and as “combining an East End el­ special events. Basically, Colum- cluding opening a Los Angeles more. On the design side, I cre­ egance with a Brooklyn edge.” bia gave me my start here in office, his optimism is perhaps ate the look and layout of an Basically, he says, “That’s taking the city in every area — culture, his greatest rebounding asset. event. I create the floor plans; any object that you might find music, everything.” “I have a new campaign, which design the lighting scheme; and anywhere and doing something Majoring in English with a I state on the home page of my provide custom linens, flowers, fun and elegant with it.” pre-med concentration, though website, called ‘get happy,’ ” says props, furniture or anything else Originally from Southampton, taking many art courses, Brae- Braeger. the party requires.” N.Y., Braeger chose Columbia in ger believes his design sensi­ With a staff that varies from order to live in Manhattan and bilities also are a product of his Gordon Chenoweth Sauer two to 20, depending on both credits the College for his intel­ College experience. “There is ’11 Arts is a freelance writer, the number and scale of events, lectual preparation and his ex­ a sense of monumental scale, instructor in Columbia’s Uni- Braeger maintains a diverse posure to the city. He says, “The which is evident in the archi­ versity Writing Program and clientele of 30 ongoing corpo­ first opera I saw was with Music tecture at Columbia, which is M.F.A.-in-fiction candidate. the brothers conduct more than 80 40,000 spectators, and they put on the Tea Party. We’re curious to see his family live in Short Hills, N.J., eating contests each year, most not an extensive pre-show featuring what John does next. As he said on and look forward to reconnecting involving hot dogs. They have an Ringling Brothers and several well his website, “ChachasforNevada. with their CU and NYC friends. archive of about 150 eating records, known rappers and DJs. George com will become an interactive Peter Muniz and his wife, Ivette including those for cow brains, emceed the festivities and at some outlet to disseminate policy ideas Feliciano-Muniz ’86E, are happy to cheese steaks, candy bars, cabbage, point found himself singing 99 relevant to the public discourse inform their friends and classmates cannoli, crab cakes, corn dogs, Luftballoons in German to the on how to improve life in Nevada that their son, Joshua Muniz, is a cranberry sauce, crawfish and crowd. Chestnut won this year and the nation. Some of what we member of the SEAS Class of 2014. calamari — to name some starting for the fourth consecutive time by post will be concurrent with policy John “Murph” Murphy e-mailed with ‘C.’ About 250 eaters compete eating 54 hot dogs and buns in 10 pieces I published in the Republican a great first-time update. “Hard to exclusively under their Major minutes (that’s 16,052 calories). primary. But we will also post data, believe we’ll be celebrating our 25th League Eating banner, though You can see the fun side of George interpretations, opinions and work reunion next year, and I am only only Joey Chestnut and Takeru at www.ifoce.com. of others.” now providing an update, although Kobayashi of Japan make a living It was not to be for John Chachas, Stay tuned! I have tried my best to stay current from overeating.” as he could not overcome the name Kevin Quinn is back in NYC with many of my fellow Columbia I watched the Nathan’s hot dog recognition that his Nevada Repub- after 10 years away (six in the Bay graduates. In fact, in late July, my eating contest on ESPN and heard lican primary opponents had built Area and four in Tokyo). He’s been family and I shared a summer house George introduce all the competi- up over the years. John also was not with Goldman Sachs for almost 20 in Massachusetts with Dr. Donna tors with tremendous enthusiasm. as far to the right as winner Sharron years and is a senior member of its Pacicca ’87 and her husband, Domi- He told me that there were about Angle, who enjoyed the support of technology/media team. Kevin and nic DeCicco ’84E, godparents to my

september/october 2010 59 class notes columbia college today son, and their two boys, and An- Mass., singer-songwriter Luanne time in the suburbs, we do go into and Sophie (13) recently had her bat drew F. Upton ’85, his wife, Alison, Crosby’s new CD, Ceremonies and NYC many times a year and often mitzvah.” and their two girls. While back East, Celebrations, I left my day job with visit the Columbia campus. I think I am looking forward to hearing we hope to catch up with my former Nuance Communications in March both my kids have found the owl more from our class. Please write roommate, and godfather to my 2009 and accepted an invitation to in Alma Mater, but we probably and let us know of your fortunes daughter, the commanding officer join the Foreign Service. I completed should check on that on our next since 1988! of McGuire AFB, Col. Scott F. Smith my training with the State Depart- visit. After a long tenure with and his family, who now live in the ment and have been at my first Credit Suisse, I took the leap and next town over from where I was assignment for the past year as a started my own consulting firm, JD Emily Miles Terry raised in New Jersey. Not a week vice consul in Vancouver. My wife, Advisor. We advise clients, many 89 45 Clarence St. goes by that I do not communicate Carole, and daughter, Kate (9), also of whom are law firms and law Brookline, MA 02446 with the same group of friends that I are enjoying the adventure so far.” departments in corporations, on 89 [email protected] shared a townhouse, known as FIJI, Resident author Garth Stein how to operate their businesses ef- with during the mid-1980s. In ad- reports from the Pacific Northwest ficiently. I feel fortunate that I have Classmates, I hope you all enjoyed dition to Andrew and Dom, e-mail that as of the end of June, his novel, found a career that I truly enjoy. a wonderful summer of travel and and almost yearly visits have kept The Art of Racing in the Rain, is Plus, being self-employed has relaxation. me up to date with Dave Madoff ’85, continuing its run on The New York given me the luxury of spending Thankfully, I heard from Rachelle Dr. Mike Goldfisher, Matt Barr ’87, Times bestseller list with 54 weeks quality time with my husband and Tunik, who traveled enough for all Bill Flick ’87, Arthur Ajzenman ’83 and counting. family. That is the best bonus of all. of us on an around-the-world trip. and many others. I am a lucky man! Joe Feuer is executive director of “Sadly, I have lost touch with She writes, “I’ve always had a pas- “Right after graduation, I thought the Society for International Devel- many classmates and would enjoy sion for architecture. The focus of my I would never leave Manhattan. opment (a professional association hearing from anyone who may trip was great art, architecture and However, I have been happy to call for those working in international remember me. My contact info is gardens.” Having already stepped Southern California home for nearly development) in Washington, D.C. [email protected].” away from her work at Disney in 20 years, and I have been blessed He recently started a CC/Lit Hum Steve Cohen shares his good order to manage an interior design to have my wife, Cindy, and our Book Discussion Club (attached news: “My wife and I are very and remodeling project, Rachelle children, Elizabeth (10) and Ian (6), to the CU Alumni Club of Wash- pleased to announce that we had a had a gap before her project phase enjoy the sun and surf that comes ington). He welcomes any alums beautiful son, Leo Jones Cohen, on would start and decided to take from living in Orange County. My in the D.C. area who would like to January 13, who joins our daugh- advantage of it. Her trip went from family enjoys spending time with join. Please contact him at jcfeuer@ ter, Nina Jones Cohen (2). I live March–June. our West Coast Columbia connec- hotmail.com. on the Upper West Side and am a “After landing in Frankfurt, I tions, including Patrick McGarrigle And I am looking forward to partner at Wachtell Lipton. Of all stopped in Brussels, London (had and his clan, Steve Huskey and hearing much more from all of you the great privileges I have enjoyed, to see the Athenian marbles), Paris his family, Philip Nevinny, Don either by e-mail or on Facebook. being a father to Leo and Nina is (to go in-line skating), Florence, Chiesa ’88, Tony Arguello ’88, and, Remember, this column can only by far the greatest.” Pisa, Genoa, Milan, Athens, Rome, of course, the ever-entertaining Jack be as good and as juicy as you Leslie Gittess also shares some ex- Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, C. Merrick and his merry band of make it! citing news: “After 16 years working Copenhagen, Beijing, Shanghai, children. As some might recall, I had for professional sports leagues (NHL Suzhou, Kyoto, Nara, Mt. Koya a great opportunity during school and MLB) in various capacities (most and Seoul,” Rachelle writes. “I with Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell Abha Jain Sinha recently in digital media business de- returned to the United States via that allowed me to be part of the 88 9633 Eagle Ridge Dr. velopment), Leslie Gittess has opened San Francisco and visited family in design and development team that Bethesda, MD 20817 a media advisory boutique, Blue the East Bay before returning home created the Morgan, the Royalton 88 Sky Media NYC, where she is advis- to Orlando. Thankfully, my dogs [email protected] and the Paramount hotels in NYC. ing early stage companies on their still seem to recognize me. Since that time, I have been fortunate Sweltering summer days are soon digital strategy and distribution of “The biggest challenge wasn’t to have developed several theme to wind down, but as of this writing, their content. She also has launched a volcanic ash, as I had train travel park projects for the Walt Disney Co. talk of summer camps, vacations startup that is developing an iPhone/ already booked during the period and The Grove in the Fairfax District and the hum of air conditioners iPad application that she knows all when flights were grounded over of Los Angeles as well as resort surround me. I hope all of you are Columbia grads will love.” Europe. Nor was it strikes or pro- housing in Utah and Maui. I enjoy enjoying the season in happiness! Jon Burstein is an emergency tests, as those are fairly common in working three miles from my home I have had the pleasure of hear- physician and the Massachusetts Europe when the weather is nice. as I manage the development of ing from Carl C. Eierle, who writes, State EMS director. He lives in The biggest challenges were mil- retail projects in Los Angeles, Orange “In brief, I am the director of adult Lexington with his “wonderful dew and cigarette smoke in Italy County, San Diego, La Jolla and San reconstruction (orthopedics) at the wife and fantastic daughter.” Rob and air pollution in China. I could Jose for the Irvine Co. combined Walter Reed Army and Daniel is an anesthesiologist. He have spent a day at the Shanghai “This summer, I spent a great Bethesda Naval Medical Centers. writes, “I live in Westfield, N.J., World Expo but the air quality evening being part of the Colum- I returned from Iraq just before with my wife, Sharon, and kids, was so poor I couldn’t see the river bia College Southern California Christmas 2009. I have four kids Matt, Erika, Ryan, Colin and Jenna.” three blocks from my hotel despite Summer Advisory Session, wel- and a wife of 21 years at home. My Aaron Gleckman shares, “I am the looking out a 21st-story window. coming the Class of 2014 to the Co- eldest three children are teenagers. medical director of the histopathol- “Aside from having a wonderful lumbia community by presenting Recently, I was ranked among the ogy and cytopathology laboratory time in Athens, my favorite places attendees with a copy of The Iliad top five physicians in patient satis- at Urologic Specialists of New were Kyoto and surrounds and by Homer — perhaps it is time for faction among all physicians in the England in West Warwick, R.I. I live Barcelona. Everything there — art, me to finally read it as well!” Navy. Two years ago, our residents on the east side of Providence. I am architecture, gardens, music, shop- selected me as Orthopedic Educator married to Dorit Kagy, and I have ping, food — was wonderful. I also of the Year. In addition to caring for four kids, Georgia (13), Isabella (13), enjoyed seeing Lord Leighton’s Sarah A. Kass our nation’s warriors, I also provide Marnie (13) and Isaac (3).” home and studio in London; Parc 87 PO Box 300808 top-shelf orthopedic care for retirees Jesse Greenberg is busy “work- Citroen in Paris; the museums of Brooklyn, NY 11230 and a good number of the highest ing at IBM (13 years now) and still Florence and the pietra dure artisans 87 ranking members of the military happily married to my wife of 20 at work; the Alhambra and Gener- [email protected] and government.” years, Karen. Our kids are doing alife above Granada; the gardens We have a few updates from some Ruth Glazer sent in the follow- great: Daniel (17) recently earned of Suzhou; hiking up Mt. Inari old friends. ing: “I live in Weston, Conn., with his Eagle rank in the Boy Scouts and through the torii; and Mt. Koya, Tom Duval wrote: “I went my husband, Steven Glazer, and attended Boys State this summer especially a nighttime lantern-lit through a career change last year. our children, Emily and Ethan. as a delegate. Hannah (15) wants walk through the cemetery past After producing Westborough, Although we spend most of our to go to Columbia (Class of 2017?) markers for Shoguns, royalty (and

september/october 2010 60 columbia college today class notes

their present-day equivalent) to the have to go around with a notepad spirit. I was in NYC the following Arlene Hong became a mom shrine of Kobo Daishi. and pen (does anyone even have week to attend the 2010 Chambers to Colin in October 2009. In July, “The items and information I those things anymore?). I thank my (law) Awards, where I picked up an Arlene and the family left NYC gathered during the trip certainly faithful and first-time contributors award on behalf of the Advertising, for Montclair, N.J. will influence my artwork. I’m for their news. Marketing and New Media practice It happened to me, too: traded spending time organizing the hun- A few weeks before reunion, I group at Venable, the Washington, city life for house and yard when dreds of photos I took and finish- received an update from Eric Hor- D.C., law firm where I am a partner. the family grew. Not that I don’t ing a book about these travels.” witz, who claims he “never does Unbelievably enough, I have been like where I live, but I do miss the Though my summer was far less this” but always reads Class Notes. at Venable for 17 years, nearly as urban landscape and walking to exciting than Rachelle’s, I did attend I think Eric means that he never long as we have all been away from public transportation. a reading at my local bookstore in sends news because this is the first Morningside Heights. I started at Dan Sackrowitz schlepped over Brookline by Ann Brashares ’89 time I recall writing about him. the firm’s D.C. office immediately from the East Side, but next time, Barnard (of Sisterhood of the Travel- Eric got married right after gradu- after graduating from Harvard Law he’ll be driving in. As of mid-June, ling Pants fame). Ann recently wrote ation, became a father nine months School. the family relocated to Larchmont, her second adult novel, My Name later (she is now at the University “This year has been a big one N.Y., and have become homeown- is Memory. It was great to see Ann of Maryland) and also has a son professionally, as I also was recom- ers. Congratulations, Sack! after so many years and to hear her (16) whose driving style is akin to mended in the 2010 Legal500 for Anita hosted an old-fashioned read from her latest novel, which I a grandmother’s. Eric says this is my work in sweepstakes and social sleepover at her apartment on highly recommend to anyone who a good thing. Five years ago, Eric media advertising, and I have been Saturday for Arlene, Gloria (Kim) enjoys well-crafted characters and left his life as a senior manager at serving on the board of the Promo- Pak, Joy (Kim) Metalios ’90E, Betty an imaginative plot. PricewaterhouseCoopers and has tion Marketing Association. (Mar) Tsang ’90E and Peter Hsing Lee Feldman, with his wife, been doing business and life coach- “I live in Chevy Chase, Md., just ’90E. Anita reports that from a Car- Suzanne; and their two sons recently ing to Ivy Leaguers ever since. over the District line, with my sons, man 11 perspective, at reunion she welcomed a third child, a girl, Al- What he has discovered is that Charlie (12) and Jamie (8), along saw Nancy, Betty, Andrew Cohen, lison Margaret. According to Lee, 35-year-olds would get a lot more with our gerbil, Popsicle, who is Marc Seidenberg, Mike Kanner who is a partner at Choate, Hall & out of the Core Curriculum than here on sufferance, as he escaped and Lara Bashkoff ’90E. That’s a Stewart in Boston, “Everybody is 19-year-olds ever can. while I was on a trip to Spain this pretty good turnout, but I think I doing well. Based on the age gap be- Durahn Taylor also wrote for past February and chewed into the can beat that. From Carman 8, we tween Allison and my oldest, Henry his first time (in my nine-year refrigerator power cord. Both boys had Isaac Astrachan, Lisa Cohen, (11), by the time that Allison goes to memory of writing this column) a are, of course, handsome, smart Val Dormady, David Eng, Sharon college (hopefully Columbia), I will few weeks before reunion. He and and talented (at least according to Rogers, Judy Shampanier, Laura probably be a grandfather.” Eric both said that they planned their mother). I was particularly Shaw Frank, Peter Spett, John Ed Hamrick and his partner, Jen, to attend some events, but I think pleased when Charlie announced Vincenti, Robin (Zornberg) Wald welcomed their second child. At I missed them. Guys, were you this spring that he wants to go to ’90E and yours truly. publication date, he was known as there? If I could give Durahn a Columbia, although he was in part I love that in solidarity with “Abby’s little brother.” nickname, it would be Dr. History. influenced by a misperception that our reunion, some Los Angeles My husband, Dave Terry ’90, After earning his B.A. in history, the university is somewhere near types had their own mini-reunion. and I visited with John MacPhee, he got a master’s in history from Katz’s Delicatessen (which he had Andrew “Fuzzy” Lih ’90E hosted president of Strativa Pharma- American and interned at the just visited as part of a religious Jennifer Lee, Balan Venugopal ceuticals, at the launching of the Smithsonian while living in D.C. school trip to Ellis Island).” and Rich Yaker ’90E at his house New York office of Bottom Line, a Durahn returned to Columbia for Hmm, that was one of the reasons in Venice on the Saturday night of nonprofit Dave has chaired for a his Ph.D. in history (1999), writing I wanted to go to Columbia, too! reunion. Word has it they listened couple of years. Besides running his dissertation on Harlem politics And now, people at reunion, all to ‘Plex music (gotta love the late Strativa, John has been busy as the during the Depression and WWII. of whom I had not seen for a long ’80s!) and toasted the rest of us. coach for his daughter’s basketball As a doctoral student, he taught time, and all of whom look abso- Awww, thanks guys. team and holding down the fort CC and some history classes as lutely fabulous! Since March, Anita while his wife, Donna MacPhee, an adjunct professor at Concordia Bose has been director of Health- REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 travels to faraway destinations College in Bronxville. In 1999, he care Business Development for Alumni Office Contacts as part of her position as v.p. of began teaching at Pace. In 2005, North America at MS&L, the same Alumni Affairs Taruna Sadhoo alumni relations for the University Durahn received tenure. Some of global communications company [email protected] and president of the Columbia the classes he’s taught in the past she’s been with for a while now. 212-851-7849 Alumni Association. 11 years include “History of Im- She’s coming up on 20 years living Development Rachel Towers migration and Diversity”; “Culture in New York and as in love with it [email protected] and History of Black America”; as ever. Through the years, Anita’s 212-851-7833 Rachel Cowan Jacobs and “History of the American had the great fortune to enjoy 90 313 Lexington Dr. Presidency.” Every few years, he traveling for work and pleasure. Margie Kim Silver Spring, MD 20901 also teaches immigration history at Last summer, she went to Russia 91 c/o CCT 90 Columbia’s summer program. But to visit Tony Wong ’90E, who has Columbia Alumni Center [email protected] wait, there’s more! Durahn also is lived in Moscow for 12 years and 91 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 What a thrill it was to have seen so the creator, producer and host of a is the general manager for Abbott New York, NY 10025 many people at our 20th reunion. public-access history TV show in Laboratories in Russia. margiekimkim@ And I’m talking dozens and dozens White Plains, Stories in Time with Paul Greenberg also made a job hotmail.com more people than I expected. Unfor- Durahn Taylor. He says he likes change in March. He now is with tunately, although Barnard does its teaching history on TV as much Time as president of digital for its Hello, all! I recently returned from reunion at the same time as we do, as teaching it in the classroom. Lifestyle Group. He is in charge of 10 a trip to NYC, where I spent time there is little overlap with events, Career-wise, Durahn describes the digital brands and properties (in- with Julie Levy, Beth Shubin Stein, so it’s much harder to see Barnard past 20 years as blessed. cluding websites, mobile, iPad, etc.). Ken Shubin Stein, Ann (Giarra- classmates than CC and SEAS. Melissa Landau Steinman was Nancy Pak; her husband, Jim tano) Della Pietra, Jodi Williams, While I was enjoying the Saturday not at reunion but wrote all the Marshall; and their children, Ce- Lara Bashkoff ’90 and Gabrielle Ar- lunch and dinner events, I also was same. “While I could not attend cilia and Ryan, live in Bangkok, mand ’90 Barnard. Even though we thinking about this column. How reunion because my oldest son (12) Thailand, where Nancy is the mar- talk on the phone and e-mail regu- boring it would be to simply list all had the bad manners to be born the keting director of Greater Asia for larly, I love that we can pick up our the people I saw on campus with- first weekend in June, thus ensuring Colgate-Palmolive. How great that friendships in person, right where out having anything to say about a birthday-related conflict for pretty a business trip brought Nancy and we left off, no matter how long it’s them. At dinner, I invited everyone much every reunion thus far, I can Jim to New York and they could been. From reading the updates that to e-mail me with news, rather than assure you I was with everyone in stay for reunion. I’ve received during the past 1½

september/october 2010 61 class notes columbia college today years, it’s clear that a lot of you have And, finally, my suitemate from with Melissa de la Cruz and Janet Lorin the same kinds of friendships from Carman 8, Betsy Kalin, sent in this Thad Sheely … Typical New York 95 127 W. 96th St., #2GH our days at Columbia. update: “I’m a filmmaker living in living!” New York, NY 10025 One of those people is Corey West Hollywood, Calif., and direct- Eric Redhead wrote, “Since 95 [email protected] Wallach, who wrote: “Things are ing and producing three feature- my last update, I’ve done a bit of going well here just outside of D.C. length docs. My short documentary, traveling. I never went back into Our 15-year reunion brought us My little monsters are growing Chained!, is screening at festivals finance, but did a bit of acting, back to Butler Library for dinner in (Zoe (6) and Cole and Drew (4)) around the world. Next up is Michi- namely Conan and some commer- a first-floor room that many of us and had a great spring, once we gan Womyn’s Music Festival and cials. I know John Balestriere has had never been in. finally dug ourselves out of the Vancouver Queer Film Festival in his own law firm now, and he and Maria Celis-Jeanseaume enjoyed snow. I never saw anything like August. More info on my projects his wife recently had their fourth catching up with everyone. She lives it here. Work is going well, and I can be found at www.itchybeepro- child. I sometimes see Rachel in Eastchester, N.Y., with her hus- recently was appointed medical di- ductions.com. I saw Vera Scanlon Mintz and Sandra Fahy.” band, Vincent Jeanseaume, and kids, rector for the INOVA Spine Center ’90 when Chained! premiered in Scott Spivey wrote, “I am a Max (2) and Audrey (4), who had a in Alexandria, Va., and recognized NYC (she came to the screening global account manager at Cisco Sys- blast at Camp Columbia and loved as one of the top 50 spine surgeons in Chelsea) and saw Beth Clem- tems, covering GE. I live in northern meeting all the other alumni kids. in the United States. I also spent ent ’90 during the holidays. I have Kentucky with my wife, Teena; Maria works in the customs and a few days with Joel Barron and been working on a documentary in daughters Sidney (11), Morgan (9) international trade area of law with Darren Finestone in Los Angeles Western Massachusetts for WGBY, and Emma (7); and son, Zach (5). I Neville Peterson, while her husband and, as you know, that is always Springfield’s PBS, so I see Dana Gil- recently caught up with Billy Basso has successfully turned the United entertaining.” lette ’91 often.” and Dennis Lafferty in NYC, which States into a viable truffle market Connie McVey sent in this Our 20th Alumni Reunion Week- was great. I see fellow Sammys Brian with Sabatino Tartufi. update: “Five years ago, Mike So- end is scheduled for Thursday, June Hansen ’94 and Greg Watson at Jamie Bennett last September colow and I moved from Boston to 2–Sunday, June 5, 2011 … how did Brian Williams ’94’s annual memo- moved to Washington, D.C., where Bangor, Maine. Mike left his job at that come upon us so quickly? If rial event, and we usually plan a he is director of public affairs for Brandeis to teach at the University you are interested in serving on baseball or football game in Chicago the National Endowment for the of Maine. I was pregnant with our the Reunion Committee, please or Cincinnati once a year.” Arts. “I was with (Broadway pro- second son. Now Geo (George) is contact Taruna Sadhoo, assistant If your name was mentioned, ducer and NEA chairman) Rocco 4 and Simon is 6. I am a psycho- director, alumni affairs, at the e-mail and I did not hear from you di- Landesman in Chicago at events therapist specializing in trauma or phone number at the top of the rectly, I’d love to get an update! with Mayor [Richard] Daley and and clinical hypnosis, and Mike column. Committee members and the Nederlanders, the MacArthur recently was awarded tenure in the volunteers do not need to live in the Foundation, the Field Museum and Department of Communication and NYC area in order to participate in Leyla Kokmen the Museum of Contemporary Art, Journalism. The slower-paced living the planning efforts — meetings can 94 440 Thomas Ave. S. which is why I wasn’t able to make is great, as is the hiking in nearby be attended in person or via confer- Minneapolis, MN 55405 it to reunion until Saturday night,” Acadia National Park, and eating ence call. 94 he writes. [email protected] from our blueberry bushes, though It will be great to catch up with Jamie was thrilled to catch up sporadic travel to big cities and everyone in person next year! Until Ocean MacAdams writes with lots with Chad Levinson, who is getting exotic places are no doubt essential. next time … cheers! of news, both on the home front his Ph.D. in political science at the It will be 20 years ago this fall when and the work front: University of Chicago; Aileen Love, I met Mike at The West End!” Ocean and his wife welcomed who landed a job for the next year Lee Benaka lives in Washington, Jeremy Feinberg their second child, Axel, in Febru- at the Hospital for Special Surgery, D.C., with his wife, Danielle Feuil- 92 315 E. 65th St. #3F ary. The family recently moved before heading to Philadelphia for a lan ’91 Barnard, and children, Isaac New York, NY 10021 to Park Slope, Brooklyn. Ocean job at Penn the following year; and (11) and Dinah (9). Lee has worked 92 has been just as busy at work. In Sara Moss, who is working on the jeremy.feinberg@ for 10 years for the National Ma- verizon.net 2009, after 13 years at MTV, he Second Avenue subway project. rine Fisheries Service, where he started his own TV production Jamie recently was in Provi- coordinates a fishing gear research [Editor’s note: It’s not just Jeremy company. “It was a lot of fun, and dence with Chris Strnad and Trina program and tracks mid-Atlantic who needs news. It’s all of your I got to produce everything from a Vithayathil, who was at Columbia’s fisheries issues. Lee’s band, The classmates, too. Please send him a daytime talk show on ABC to the School of Public Health before go- Starlingtons, released its second note telling him about life, family, White House Christmas tree light- ing to Brown as a Ph.D. student, CD, I’m Proud, I’m Happy, I’m Sorry, work, travels or the subject of your ing ceremony,” he writes. Then a and their new son, Markose. Chris last December (available on iTunes latest political manifesto so his few months ago, Ocean joined Cur- is the administrator for Family and and Amazon). Isaac and Dinah are CCT editor will stop yelling at him. rent TV, the channel started four Children’s Services for the state of budding musicians, playing elec- E-mail too time-consuming? CCT years ago by Al Gore, and is s.v.p. Rhode Island. He lives two blocks tric guitar and drums, respectively. has made it even easier to send a of programming. Ocean writes, from Juliet Bellow; her husband, Lee was delighted to meet up with Class Note. Just go to www.college. “I’m going help them relaunch and Charlie Schulman; and their daugh- Joel Johnson for breakfast in Feb- columbia.edu/cct and select “Con- rebrand the channel. It’s an excit- ter, Nora (3). Juliet, my Carman 10 ruary. Joel’s band, 2 Skinnee J’s, is tact Us” on the left side of the page, ing opportunity — you don’t get suitemate, was at the reunion. She still rocking out with mini-tours on then “Submit a Class Note” to send to be part of a start-up TV network teaches art history at American. the East Coast. a note directly to Jeremy.] that often — and we have some Brian Lang has been living in Dina Kotkin Feivelson and her pretty great things on the way.” Paris for three years. “I originally husband, Neal Feivelson ’91E, had On a more somber note, I was was a derivative/collateralized twin girls in September 2009, So- Betsy Gomperz very sad to hear that Mildred E. debt obligation (CDO) trader (yes, nya Rose and Dahlia Tamar. Before 93 41 Day St. Niss, a poet and web artist, died everything that caused the crisis) that, Dina earned an M.P.H. and Newton, MA 02466 on November 29. I last heard from for a Belgian bank. However, the a Ph.D. in medical anthropology, 93 Millie last fall, when she reported bank had some issues, so now I am [email protected] both from Columbia. They live in that she and Martha Deed (her a lecturer in finance and economics NYC and have since we graduated. A big thanks to everyone who co-author and mother) presented at a couple of schools in Paris,” he After four years in Atlanta, shared updates with me! Jenny a digital multimedia project, writes. “In other words, I teach the Joel Rubenstein relocated to Ed- Kim said, “I’m an associate Erewhon 2.0, at the fourth &Now youth of France about the evils of inburgh, Scotland. Joel accepted counsel with the Depository Trust Conference on Innovative and communism. In English, no less.” a position as the global sales and and Clearing Corp. on Water Experimental Writing in Buffalo, Brian is training for his eighth marketing director for Lighthouse Street. Live in Chelsea. Love being N.Y., in October. My deepest sym- Ironman race and 18th marathon. Caledonia, the largest independent an aunt to Sophia (2). Planning a pathy goes out to Millie’s family Last year, he ran one in Antarctica, supplier of Scottish Salmon. scuba dive trip for fall. In touch and friends. and he will run one later in the year

september/october 2010 62 columbia college today class notes

in Greenland. He also started a Records, a family-owned business (boys, Teddy and Will, and girl, Scott Walker and his wife, small business, www.parisrunning in Times Square since 1948. She Signe) and moved once again, this Heather, recently purchased a home tours.com. produced a feature documentary time to Rochester, N.Y.” on Lake Valhalla in Montville, N.J., Thanks to Anna Lisa Raya, also that won a Peabody Award, The Andy’s triplets turned 3 in March. where they live with their boys (9, 6 my classmate at the J-school, for a Order of Myths, about Mobile, Ala.’s He said if he learned one lesson at and 4). Scott practices complex com- fruitful update. racially segregated Mardi Gras. She Columbia, it was “take whatever mercial litigation with an emphasis She married Kevin Rivera in lives in Park Slope with a beagle comes your way in stride. Whether it on structured credit products cases September 2008. A year later, they named Simone de Beauvoir. was getting caught in the middle of at Lowenstein Sandler in NYC and relocated from Los Angeles to Sara previously worked in TV two conflicting groups of protesters Roseland, N.J. Scott also is on the Northern New Jersey, where Kevin and film, did a master’s at Oxford in the quad (that was fun) or getting board of directors of the Columbia accepted a new position with and from 1999–2004 ran her own grilled in L&R writing classes, you Club of Northern New Jersey, and BMW North America. eco-friendly and socially-responsible just kept going and learning. I can’t he encourages Columbia alums in “After having been an out-of- clothing company called coolnot- wait to take my kids down to see the the Northern New Jersey to come work magazine journalist for a little cruel. “I had several celebrities wear campus when they get a bit older.” to one of the club’s events and get over a year — the last magazine my clothes: Eva Longoria (before Thanks to so many of you for involved (www.ccnnj.org). where I worked had folded — I she was really famous), Alicia Silver- these updates. See you at the 20th! Adrianna Melnyk lives in Bronx-­ decided to switch careers,” Anna stone, Charlize Theron, Kathy Grif- ville and recently started a job as Lisa writes. This fall, Anna Lisa will fin, Lisa Kudrow and Bill Maher,” v.p. of advancement (fundraising) REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 attend Rutgers’ Master of Library Sara says. at Maryknoll Lay Missioners. The Alumni Office Contacts and Information Science program Sara also worked on the Oscar- organization sends medical profes- Alumni Affairs Taruna Sadhoo and has been designated the Ameri- nominated documentary Murder- sionals, engineers, teachers, social [email protected] can Library Association’s Betty J. ball, co-directed by Henry Alex workers and other professionals 212-851-7849 Turock Spectrum Scholar. She is a Rubin. Jeff Mandell ’96, ’03L, ’03 to sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Development Rachel Towers library assistant at the Ridgewood Business was a producer. Henry is a Latin America to work with poor [email protected] Public Library, near her home in commercial director with Smuggler communities. Adrianna writes that 212-851-7833 Woodcliff Lake. (www.smugglersite.com) and has the work is fulfilling, and if any of “I became a journalist to serve directed national spots for major Ana S. Salper you are interested in a 3½-year stint the public; being a librarian seems brands including Burger King, 96 24 Monroe Pl., Apt. MA overseas, check out mklm.org or find to be a great new extension of this Walmart, AT&T and Microsoft, Sara Brooklyn, NY 11201 the organization on Facebook. goal,” she says. writes. 96 An architect of multi-family, [email protected] Now that she’s back on the East Jennifer (Lew) Goldstone, who affordable housing projects, Phuong Coast, Anna Lisa gets to NYC and lives on the next block from me Greetings, classmates! I’m thrilled Phan-McManamna lives in Bremer- spends time with Belén Aranda- on West 96th Street, started a new to report that my desperate mass ton, Wash., with her husband, Ed, Alvarado and her husband, David job as a v.p. at SeaChange Capital e-mail plea for notes brought about and son, Evan (2). Her first photo Antonio ’95E; Tatyana Tsinberg and Partners, a nonprofit that funds great results. Thanks to all of you exhibit, “Changing Landscapes,” her fiancé, Tom Fahy; Cesar Chavez and raises money for nonprofits who sent me news. I received so which includes landscapes and ’96 and his partner, Joseph Lavin; involved in education reform and many replies that I am not able to sights of the Pacific Northwest and Daniel Cole ’96 and his partner, youth development. put them all in this issue of CCT, through the seasons and floral macro Nick Grinder. Jenn leads communications and but rest assured, if you don’t see photography, was shown in June Belén is v.p. of audience devel- marketing as a senior member of your notes this time around, you and July at Café Paloma in Seattle. opment at the New York office of the high net-worth donor engage- will see them in the next issue. Julissa Ramos (née Villarreal) Urban Daddy. Previously, she was ment team for “this new model of Charles Cho is the global head lives in San Antonio, Texas, and has in online marketing at The New York philanthropic investment inspired of credit flow trading at Bank of two children, Mia (3) and Luke (1). Times. She and David were married by private sector capital markets.” America Merrill Lynch. Charles Julissa received a Ph.D. in biology last summer in Boston. They live in She started her job 10 weeks after played football at Columbia for a from the University of Texas at San the Bronx with her daughter, Natalia the birth of her second son, Charles season and recently was profiled Antonio in 2005 and is a medical (8). Tatyana is a marketing director William. She’s now preparing for a by Investment Dealers’ Digest. The writer for KCI. Prior to that, she was at Pfizer, also in New York. She has a half-marathon in October. dealmaker, who has held various a postdoctoral fellow at Howard son, Nicolai (1), with her fiancé. Jocelyn Liang Freilinger didn’t positions in credit trading at Credit University in Washington, D.C., and Anna Lisa keeps in touch with make it to the reunion but nonethe- Suisse and Morgan Stanley, said he a special volunteer at the National Los Angeles-based Columbia peeps, less sent in an update. She finished loves the world of managing risk Institute on Aging in Baltimore. including Pia Hernandez and her a master’s in landscape architec- and interpreting how economic Klancy Miller moved back to husband, Jason Hashm, and Cecilia ture at the University of Washing- and political events influence the New York City in 2006 and has Cabello ’96. Pia gave birth to her ton in 2007. She couldn’t make the market. second child and is enjoying being trip to the reunion because she was Dorothy Cadet had her fourth a full-time mom to daughters Sierra cramming for licensing exams the child, Alexander, in February. She What’s Your Story? and Marina; she also does a little following week. also wrote her first nonfiction Letting classmates know consulting as a social worker from Jocelyn and her husband, Peter, book, Laundry Can Wait, published about what’s going on in home. moved to Edmonton, Alberta, a in April. Dorothy has spoken at your life is easier than ever. “Everyone is doing wonderfully, year ago after spending five years several conferences and to wom- Send in your Class Notes! career- and family-wise. Fifteen years in Seattle. He is treasurer at ATB en’s groups and soon will host an later, and we all still reminisce about Financial, and she is looking for online video channel. For more Online by clicking our crazy Columbia days like they work “after spending the last few information or to contact Dorothy, “Contact Us” at www. were yesterday,” Anna Lisa writes. months getting familiar with Cana- go to www.DACBooks.com. college.columbia.edu/cct. At the reunion, Anna Lisa also dian bureaucracy.” Jose Machuca is a partner at caught up with Rocco Barone, a se- Andy Tempest wrote that since NOQCA Partners in Madrid, Spain. E-mail to the address at nior sales representative for Boston his time at Columbia, “in Carman Jose joined NOQCA Partners in the top of your column. Scientific who lives in Bayonne with (202b with Rajiv Arya) and the Psi April 2008 from Corporacion Caixa Mail to the address at the his wife, Carolina, and their three Upsilon fraternity house on 115th Galicia, where he was an associate. kids. Vivian and Newman Sund Street, I moved to Texas, moved Prior to that, he was an investment top of your column. live in Baltimore, where Newman to Tennessee, moved to Detroit, analyst for Qualitas Equity Partners, Class Notes received by is an ophthalmologist. They have a moved to New Jersey, got mar- a private equity firm, and earlier September 1 will be eligible daughter, Hadynn. ried (to Lynne ... we had a whole was a financial analyst with Gold- for publication in the Sara Cross is directing and My Big Fat Greek Wedding-type of man Sachs in New York , where he November/December CCT. producing a feature documentary, celebration. She’s Greek, I’m the participated in several M&A, equity Manhattan Lullaby, about Colony WASP-ish non-Greek), had triplets and debt transactions.

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number of other alums, including marriage, set against a vivid South former CU football players Marcel- Florida background; it was called lus Wiley and Bobby Thomason. an “exquisite debut” by Publishers Samantha Averbuck lives in Weekly, and “lushly descriptive and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and is a complex” by Booklist. Visit www. marketing director at Coty Beauty susannadaniel.com. on a color cosmetics line, New York Color. Steven Kasow is a medical biller for an infertility clinic in Sandie Angulo Chen Manhattan. 98 10209 Day Ave. Nicholas Chremos attended Silver Spring, MD 20910 the University of Texas School of 98 [email protected] Law, from which he graduated in 2000. Nick worked for Sematech, The summer was slow with CC ’98 a consortium of the world’s most news, but via Facebook, I learned Tejpaul Bhatia ’00E and Erika Esposito were married in Cecina, Italy, innovative integrated circuit manu- that Lori Meeks, an associate pro- in September 2009. Enjoying the Tuscan wedding were (left to right) facturers. Nick writes that after a fessor of religion and East Asian Tara Gangadhar ’00; Homin Lee ’00, ’04E, ’09 GSAS; Ommeed Sathe ’00; multi-year and highly rewarding languages and cultures at the Bryan Carmel ’00; Ronnie Roy ’05L; Reshan Richards ’00; Andrew War- career with Sematech, he returned University of Southern California, shawer ’00; Davinder Bhasin ’76E; and David Torres ’00E. PHOTO: Jennifer Butler to the University of Texas at Austin published an academic book, Hok- in 2008 to earn a degree in electrical keji and the Reemergence of Female engineering. He recently completed Monastic Orders in Premodern Japan, been a director of constituent note: CCT profiled McGibbon in this degree and is seeking oppor- in April. She received glowing strategy for Columbia University November/December 2007: www. tunities that will use both his legal reviews from fellow scholars, one Medical Center in the Office of college.columbia.edu/cct_archive/ skills and his technical knowledge. of whom said, “Her book should Development. Klancy was in Paris nov_dec07/updates5.php.] Constantine Dimas sold out appeal to a wide variety of readers, from 2000–04 as a culinary student, After years of living in Italy, of the restaurant business two including those interested in Bud- pastry chef and recipe writer, and Costa Rica and (mostly) NYC, Kate years ago and now is director of dhism, Japanese history, Japanese she keeps her food hat on these Villa moved back to Vermont a operations at the Loews Regency literature, and gender, and will days through her blog, klancyspot few years ago. She is the director Hotel. He and his wife, Ana, live in establish her as a leading figure in luck.typepad.com. Klancy writes of development for ECHO Lake Bronxville and have a son, Simos (4). the field of women and Buddhism that Scott Eastman is a chef in Aquarium and Science Center at the Henry Tam Jr. and his wife, Lan, had and Japanese Buddhist history.” Berkeley, Calif., and that Robin Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. a second child, Alexander. Henry left Congratulations, Lori! Shulman is a journalist and was in Kate volunteers for too many good the Atlantic Media Co. in February, Amol Sarva wrote in with more South Africa covering the World causes and is trying to learn how where he was v.p. and managing big news. Not only is his company, Cup. Klancy often runs into Eddie to garden, as she recently bought director of digital product develop- Peek (getpeek.com), responsible Griffin at CUMC; he received hon- a house. Kay Park is an assistant ment. He co-founded a company, the for Time’s Gadget of the Year (now ors as a rising physician-scientist. attending pathologist at Memo- American Learning Network, which available on three continents) but Marcel Agueros will begin a pro- rial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center partners with U.S.-based institutions he’s also building a loft condo fessorship at Columbia this fall. in Manhattan and the associate to provide online and offline training building in his beloved neighbor- Rick Shuart has been living in director of the fellowship training to the China market. hood of Long Island City, to be Los Angeles and working for a program in the pathology depart- Congratulations to Chris Holst, called East of East (eastofeast.com). private equity firm, Caltius Mez- ment. Kay completed her fellow- who succumbed to the urge to write Amol asked if there is an official zanine, since 1999. Rich is getting ship training in oncologic surgical himself in on primary and special class Facebook page. There isn’t an married this fall to a native Ange- pathology in 2005 and stayed on Election Day and got a Certificate “official” one, butS uehyun Kim leno. Congratulations, Rick! Rick staff. She recently had a boy (her of Election to the position of Demo- started one shortly after our 10th lives in Venice Beach and would first), Sydney Matthew Kaplan. cratic Committeeperson in Upper reunion called “Columbia College love to hear from classmates who Hussein Rashid finished his Salford, Montgomery County, Pa., Class of ’98.” It has about 105 mem- find themselves in the area. He Ph.D. in near Eastern languages in the mail. Chris writes: “It seems bers as of this writing. It would also is going to be involved with and cultures at Harvard. He has that one vote was all it took. Ha!” be wonderful if more classmates our 15th reunion committee and is been teaching at Hofstra and And on that amusing note, I leave joined. It’s yet another way you can looking forward to making it back Reconstructionist Rabbinical Col- you. A lot more news to report, but send me your updates! to Morningside Heights Thursday lege. Hussien also is an associate not enough space. Thanks to all of Happy fall to all of you. June 2–Sunday, June 5. Rick writes editor at Religion Dispatches (www. you. Hope you had a great summer! that it is going to be a great event, religiondispatches.org). You can so he encourages everyone to get it contact him through Facebook or Lauren Becker on their calendars now. www.husseinrashid.com. Sarah Katz 99 19 Devalan St., Apt. 3N Ravi Iyer also lives in Venice Tobi Molko is married with a 97 1935 Parrish St. Brooklyn, NY 11231 Beach, and after years in the dot- child, Julian Kizner (1). Tobi works Philadelphia, PA 19130 99 [email protected] com world, he decided five years at Bank of America in the Equity 97 [email protected] ago to seek a different career. Ravi Derivatives Group. Classmates, I’m sorry to report will be finishing a Ph.D. in social John Fitzgibbons is an associate By the time you read this, it will be that it has been a moribund news psychology at USC next year. He in Sidley Austin’s Los Angeles fall, so I’m giving you a homework cycle. Fortunately, Ben Schneider blogs about his research at poli office; he has been there since finish- assignment: Send an e-mail to your has stepped into the void with this psych.com. People can participate ing at Loyola Law School in 2005. Class Notes secretary titled “What felicitous announcement: in his research, which has to do John’s focus is on cases involving I did with my summer.” That way, “I’ve spent years scanning the with the intersection of moral and accounting firms, and he also does we’ll be sure to have more notes life updates and alumni trivia in political attitudes, at yourmorals. antitrust work. John writes that his for a future issue of CCT! Class Notes. Now I have one of my org. Congratulations are also in or- triplets, Jack, Ellie and Brady (2), are The only and yet exciting news own to share: My wedding was der to Ravi, who is getting married great and keep him and his wife, I have to share is that Susanna May 30 to Stacy Kitsis ’01 Amherst, in September. Julie, busy. His fellow Columbia Daniel writes that her first novel, to whom I was introduced some Topher McGibbon recently golf alums, Rick Shuart and STILTSVILLE, was published in years back by Martha Sparks ’01 celebrated the third “birthday” of Dennis Chang ’96E, played with hardcover on August 3 by Harper. in Boston. The wedding was in Kid Car NY, a black car service in Columbia’s men’s golf team during Her husband and 2-year-old son the lovely Tower Grove Park in New York City with children’s car their spring break trip to California are very excited about it. The novel St. Louis (where Stacy is from). seats in every vehicle. [Editor’s last March. They were joined by a is the story of a three-decade-long We live in Maryland, just outside

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of D.C. I am a story writer in the Some stats: video game industry, at Big Huge Whole weekend = 178 alumni, Games, and Stacy, after teaching 260 people total high school English for four years, Thursday Class of 2000 recep- is earning an M.L.S.” tion = 62 And perennial Class Notes Friday Class of 2000 CC and newsmaker Daniel Alarcón was SEAS Reception = 128 featured as one of The New Yorker’s Saturday Class of 2000 Decades “20 under 40” fiction writers. Yay! BBQ = 57 That’s all I got for you. Clearly I Saturday Class of 2000 cocktails didn’t go out of my way to dredge and dinner = 232 up any items of interest, but you To everyone whom I caught up should really be ashamed for con- with at reunion, I’d love to include tinuing to ignore my desperate pleas. your updates in the next column. It’s downright cruel. Consider: We’re Please e-mail me! Akhil Chopra ’01 and Camille DeLaite ’01 hosted a crew of Columbians at that age now where lots of you must their May 2009 wedding in Columbia, Mo. Making the trip to the Midwest have little kiddies running around. REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 for the Hindu/Christian ceremony were (left to right) Usman Tahir ’01, Sejal Or if you plan to never have kids, Alumni Office Contacts Shah ’01, Amy Kimpel ’01, Namrata Tripathi ’01, Elspeth Wilson ’01, Rod- don’t you think your classmates Alumni Affairs Mia Gonsalves Wright man Williams ’01, the groom, the bride, Cassia Mosdell ’01, Sofia Berger deserve to know? Or let’s say you’re [email protected] ’01, Sheila Lavu ’01, Krish Devidoss ’01 and Gareth White ’02 Barnard, and dithering on the whole question; 212-851-7977 (not pictured) Lina Chopra Haldar ’03E and Kavita Kumar Puri ’97. why not share your indecision with Development Eleanor L. Coufos ’03 PHOTO: Adrienne Maples the readers of CCT? It could be [email protected] cathartic, at the very least. 212-851-7483 I hope everyone had a lovely ner in raising online donations. presstime) meals to hungry chil- summer! Jonathan Gordin Using an online fundraising strat- dren. Visit www.feedprojects.com 01 3030 N. Beachwood Dr. egy modified from President Barack to learn more. [Editor’s note: CCT Los Angeles, CA 90068 Obama ’83’s netroots campaign, profiled Gustafson in July/August Prisca Bae 01 David raised money from more than 2008: www.college.columbia.edu/ [email protected] 00 344 W. 17th St., Apt. 3B 1,000 mostly small-dollar contribu- cct/jul_aug08/alumni_profiles.] New York, NY 10011 I hope everyone had a fantastic tors, totaling close to $50,000 in just Rajan Bahl is doing an adult 00 summer and that the fall is off to nine days. psychiatry residency at Massachu- [email protected] a great start. I’m sure the summer David described his campaign setts General/McLean Hospital Afiya Jordan practices law in NYC yielded many weddings. If you as a grassroots effort, fueled by the and will be the chief resident of and lives in Brooklyn. She walked have news, please pass it along. energy, excitement and dollars of addictions this coming year. in the Alumni Parade of Classes Julie Grinfeld married Dr. the state’s progressive community. Nihal Godiwala recently gradu- at Class Day this year as the only David Orbach ’97 Cornell on May Read more about David’s cam- ated from medical school at Tulane representative from our class and 30 at the Central Park Boathouse in paign at SegalforCongress.com. in New Orleans. He and his wife, writes that she “was really there to Manhattan. Julie is the director of Annie Lainer coincidentally sat Michelle, who is a small-animal see her mentee from the Colum- a private tutoring company, Learn- next to Miles Berger at the rehearsal veterinarian, will move to New bia College Women’s Mentoring ing for Life, and recently started a dinner of a mutual (non-Columbian) Haven, Conn., so Nihal can start his Program graduate.” company called Brain-Go, which friend. Miles finished his M.D./ residency in pediatrics at Yale. He Tejpaul Bhatia ’00E and Erika makes fun and educational games Ph.D. at UCSF a year ago and is do- is looking forward to being back in Esposito were married in Tuscany for kids. David teaches biology and ing a residency in anesthesiology at the Northeast, just a quick Metro- on September 9, 2009. I’m told it bioengineering courses at Cooper Duke. He lives in Durham with his North ride away from the Heights was a gorgeous weekend. They Union and is its pre-medical ad- wife, Miriam. Annie recently started and CU campus. When he’s not in live in Manhattan, where Tejpaul viser. They live on the Upper East a new job at Public Counsel, a public scrubs or in his world-champion recently launched a website, Side. Some alums in attendance at interest law firm in Los Angeles. Saints black and gold, Nihal will be RecreateMyNight.com, under his their wedding were Christina Ok- Please keep in touch! sure to wear as much light blue as startup, MediaMerx. Erika works ereke, Sumathi Rajamanickam, possible up in ol’ Eli’s den. for RAI Corp., the U.S. subsidiary Tania D’Alberti, Trina Chaudhuri Sara Velasquez continues to of RAI, the Italian television com- ’01E, ’02E and Jessica Barson ’00. Sonia Dandona work in film, theatre, volunteerism pany. [See photo.] Rachel Goodman reports, “I’ve 02 Hirdaramani and business development. After Nadia Carter writes that her been living in the south and lost 2 Rolling Dr. seven years in New Zealand, she sister, Nicole Carter, was married touch with a lot of my college friends 02 Old Westbury, NY 11568 is moving to do volunteer work on July 10 to Dr. Sadi Ozelge in through the years. I spent my first [email protected] in Indonesia and the Solomon Is- Central Park. They traveled to Is- year at Hampden-Sydney College in lands. Sara will be in Padang, West tanbul for their honeymoon. Nadia Farmville, Va., as an assistant profes- When Alec Borenstein was at Co- Sumatra, working in development lives in New York City and works sor of biology. I love working closely lumbia, he won the George William with a local NGO until Novem- at Accenture. with the undergrads here and get- Curtis Prize for a speech he gave on ber. Afterward, she’ll volunteer Charles Saliba is still in China ting them involved in field research the Quarterlife Crisis. Last month, in development in the Solomon and reports that Johnny-5 is getting and environmental and community he launched his life coaching prac- Islands with her partner, Hassan. married on October 10 to Ethel Choi, service projects. My research focuses tice targeted to men and women in Sara’s first supporting actress lead a fashion designer from Hong Kong. on ecology and conservation biology their 20s and 30s dealing with the role in a New Zealand feature film Sander Cohan and his wife, of reptiles and amphibians. My hus- Quarterlife Crisis. The name of his (http://ahistoryofmapmaking. Katie, welcomed a son, Peter Con- band and I moved to Virginia after new business is Great By 38, and his com/) will be released in 2011. [Ed- nolly Cohan, into the world at 4:11 spending eight years in Tennessee website is greatby38.com. I logged itor’s note: CCT profiled Velasquez p.m. on June 25. He weighed 7 lbs., (where I got an M.Sc. and Ph.D. at on and am sure many of you will in September/October 2007: www. 14 ozs., and measured 21 inches. UT Knoxville) and are coming up on be tempted, too, since many of us college.columbia.edu/cct_archive/ Congratulations all! our seventh wedding anniversary in just reached or soon will reach the sep_oct07/updates3.php.] It was wonderful to see so many of June. Maybe my update will inspire big 3-0! David Chubak writes: “Jamie, you at our 10-year Alumni Reunion some old colleagues to look me up!” Ellen Gustafson appeared on Lindsay and I were overjoyed to Weekend, especially on the Intrepid Rhode Island State Rep. David CNN Money with her business welcome our second child, Benja- and on campus. Congratulations to Segal recently announced his can- partner, Lauren Bush, discussing min Alan, on February 4. Benjamin our class for having the largest 10- didacy for Congress and quickly the success of their company, FEED, is named after my grandfathers and year reunion in Columbia history! outpaced the presumed front-run- which has provided 56,311,140 (at role models, Benjamin Chubak and

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Jerusalem for the third year of my Civilization lecture, and my fiancée, program at Hebrew College Rab- Melanie Lee, who took one of binical School, which is a pluralistic his classes, introduced him to the rabbinical school in Newton, Mass.” audience. And the wine-tasting was Philip Chu was married in a good time as well, although the September 2009 to Flor. extreme mugginess made me stick Lindsay (Shrier) Bourkoff is “a to the cold whites. financial adviser at Shrier Wealth The class dinner was well attend- Management in Beverly Hills (in ed and a great opportunity to catch my fourth year there) and really up with old friends. Some people enjoying what I do. I have started a I saw in attendance throughout new area for our firm and manage the night were Cedrick Mendoz- 401k and other retirement plans Tolentino, Harmony Davis, Mike for startups, entrepreneurs and Camacho, Merry Boak, Sandy mid-sized businesses. I advise the Huang, Stephanie Katsigiannis, owners on selecting the best plans Michael Sin, Jeff Engler, Diana for their employees to maximize Benton, Amalia Goldvaser, Ravi Amalia Golvaser ’05 and Larry Manis ’05 were married at the New their benefits and contributions. Desai, Robert Gross, Anna Lee, York Botanical Garden in May. Joining them were Sandra Amari ’06; My husband, Natan Bourkoff, and Lizza Dwoskin and Anil Kumar. John-Paul Bellistri ’04; Sinan Biro ’05E; David Boillot ’05; Steven Canner I recently celebrated our seventh Unfortunately, I did not attend ’89L; Anya Cherneff ’05; Molly Conley ’10; Daniel Fastenberg ’05, ’11J; wedding anniversary! We met our the party on the Intrepid, but I Gary Gagliardi ’05; Michael Goldberg ’05, ’11 Business; Ru Hockley ’05; freshman year at Columbia and are heard it was a blast. Adam Hussani ’04; Courtney Johnson ’05; Mira Kogen Resnick ’04 GS; still going strong.” Please send me your thoughts Kim Manis ’09E; Neil Manis ’84 TC; Rachel Paul ’05; Kenneth Pollack ’74 Last, but certainly not last, con- on reunion so I can add them to a Pharmacy; Anne Rollins ’05; Zachary Rose ’05; Gabriel Rose ’07; Jona- gratulations to Eleanor L. Coufos future column. than Sellin ’06; ManEui Song ’05; Elizabeth Sovern ’81 Barnard; Ezra on her success with the Young Some notes: Surowicz ’07; and Evan Weiner ’05. Alumni Fund this year; she has Natasha Shapiro, who graduat- PHOTO: Mark Nelson worked tirelessly on behalf of our ed from Albert Einstein College of class and recently assumed a new Medicine in the beginning of June, role as the Director of Annual Giv- started her pediatric residency at Alan Mandel, of blessed memory. Alumni Affairs and Development ing Programs in the Alumni Office. Yale. Luis Saucedo will also be Ben already has enjoyed meeting Derek Wittner ’65, and Malla Hari- in New Haven this fall, working many new friends, including the dat and Courtney Murphy from the toward an M.B.A. at Yale School of many children of my roommates Center for Career Education. Angela Georgopoulos Management. from the legendary suite 1002. We Our class also has had its impact 04 200 Water St., Apt. 1711 Anya Cherneff graduated in Au- are hoping Ben will be a proud on nightlife here in Beijing: William New York, NY 10038 gust with an M.A. in international member of the Class of 2031!” (Bill) Isler’s popular bar, Kokomo, 04 human rights and concentrations in [email protected] Julia Campins (née Wildorf) had has a great view of the city from gender, human trafficking and in- a son, Silas Abraham, in February. the rooftop, and Don Lee’s Bacon Greetings, fellow alumni! ternational development, from the Julia, Silas and her husband, Nick Bourbon Old Fashioned from PDT I hope you’re all doing well and Josef Korbel School of International Campins ’05L, have been spend- in New York City is on the menu settling into fall. Please send me Studies at University of Denver. ing some quality time with Patrick at cocktail bar Apothecary. Let me any and all updates! Shifra Koyfman graduated Gallagher ’04 and his wife, Sarah know if you’re ever in town so I Congratulations to David Molko, from New Jersey Medical School Gallagher (née White) ’04 Barnard, can take you out to one of these hot who was promoted to senior pro-­ in May and began her pediatric and their daughter, Maeve, who spots. Now, on to news in the rest of duc­er at CNN International. He residency at Jacobi Medical Center is two weeks younger than Silas. the world … produces CNNI’s International Desk, in the Bronx. She lives on the Up- Patrick and Julia have been reliving Katori Hall continues to earn anchored by Hala Gorani, the flag- per East Side. the good old times from Shapiro 15, critical acclaim for her work, hav- ship newscast of CNNI’s Europe Julia Stiles will be on 10 episodes Spring 2001 edition, although they ing recently won an Olivier Award primetime programming, seen in of the Showtime hit series Dexter this haven’t yet gotten around to 7th for her play The Mountaintop. Also 100-plus countries. fall. She will, according to a Show- Heaven marathons. in the theater realm, Lisa Petters- Congratulations also to Judy time press release, play a “mysteri- son remains involved with the Vale and Mike Rubin, who were ous young woman who forms a Scandinavian American Theater married on July 4 in Garrison, N.Y. unique relationship with Dexter” Michael Novielli Co., which had a performance of It was a Columbia mini-reunion, after his wife dies. World City Apartments Miss Julie in June. with the following alums celebrat- A birth announcement! Caryn 03 Attention Michael J. Jacquie Strycker writes: “I live ing with the happy couple: Mary (Waterson) Gehrke writes: “My 03 Novielli, A608 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, with my Amasia ’04E, Rajesh Banik ’04E, husband, Martin ’06E, and I Block 10, No 6. Jinhui Road, boyfriend and artistic collaborator, Tom Biegeleisen, Eric Chang ’04E, welcomed our son, Martin Robert, Chaoyang District Samuel Sherman. We also share an Marisa Cohn ’02 Barnard, Mark into the world on April 29. He was Beijing, 100020, People’s art studio nearby. This spring, we Franczyk, Joe Gaynor, Kentaro born uptown at Columbia weigh- Republic of China received a grant from the Action Arts Kaji, Zoe Marcus, Fernando Mar- ing 8 lbs., 9 oz. and measuring 21.5 [email protected] League to create Yellow Brick Road, a tinez, Rae Neugarten, Kimberly inches.” mini-golf hole that was part of the Ong, Zach Rosner, Jon Steiner Congrats! Having lived in Beijing for the past juried Figment Mini-Golf Course ’04E, Sara Topek Spronz ’04 Bar- And an ’05 wedding! In May, year, life has obviously changed a on Governor’s Island all summer. nard and Neil Vaishnav. Amalia Goldvaser and Larry great deal since I worked for alma Time Out New York called it the “most Manis were married at the New mater. Nonetheless, Columbia has inspired” golf course of the summer York Botanical Garden. Alumni a strong presence in Beijing, so it is and mentioned our hole. I also work Peter Kang in attendance included David nice for Columbians living here to at the School of Visual Arts for its 05 205 15th St., Apt. 5 Boillot, Anya Cherneff, Daniel stay connected. In June, a number new M.F.A. Art Practice Program, Brooklyn, NY 11215 Fastenberg, Gary Gagliardi ’06, of administrators visited Beijing, in- and this fall, I’ll teach a printmak- 05 Michael Goldberg, Ru Hockley, [email protected] cluding Dean of the College Michele ing class at Columbia as an adjunct Courtney Johnson, Rachel Paul Moody-Adams, Dean of Student professor. I’m excited to be going Wasn’t reunion fun? It was nice see- ’05E, Anne Rollins ’05E, Zachary Affairs Kevin Shollenberger, Senior back to Morningside Heights!” ing many of you back on campus. Rose, ManEui Song ’05E and Evan Associate Dean of Student Affairs Seth Wax writes, “I’ll be spend- I particularly enjoyed Professor Weiner. Kathryn Wittner, former Dean of ing the upcoming academic year in Andrew Nathan’s Contemporary Congrats to Amalia and Larry!

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REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 work at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley Alumni Office Contacts & McCloy in January. Andrew Alumni Affairs Mia Gonsalves Wright Liebowitz graduated from the [email protected] Maxwell School of Citizenship and 212-851-7977 Public Affairs at Syracuse with a Development Amanda Kessler master’s in public administration. [email protected] He accepted a job as economist 212-851-7883 with the Independent Budget Of- Michelle Oh fice of New York City and plans to 06 17 John St., Apt. 2D relocate to Brooklyn or Queens. New York, NY 10038 As always, classmates are mov- ing to all parts of the globe for 06 [email protected] work. Here’s the latest on some of I hope everyone enjoyed the sum- their whereabouts: Megan Browder mer! swore in as a small enterprise devel- I’m pleased to share exciting opment Peace Corps volunteer in news that Jen Schnidman, a New Kenya on July 22. Daniel Billings Orleans resident, took second has taken on an international as- Ross Gabrielson ’06, ’12 Business and friends showed some Light Blue place in the only business plan signment with Thomson Reuters pride during his wedding to Elizabeth Ruddle in September 2009 near competition focused on improving in Hong Kong, managing public her home in Carversville, Pa. Waving the Columbia banner with him education. Her Drop the Chalk relations for the company’s Markets were (top row, left to right) Andrew Greenspan ’77; Xing Wang ’06; product earned her $15,000 in the Division across Asia Pacific. He Benjamin Russell ’05; Nicholas Jennings ’06E; the bride; the groom; Milken-Penn GSE Education Busi- writes, “I miss New York, but Hong Daniel Concepcion ’06, ’12 GSAS; Patricia Gordon ’14 GSAS; Mansi ness Plan Competition. Drop the Kong is the best place for my career Mehta ’06 Barnard; Gibbuda Witham ’06E; Oren Shur ’06E; and Rachel Chalk is web-based software that right now; it feels like the center of a Sherer ’06E; and (bottom row, left to right) Paasha Mahdavi ’06; Marco empowers teachers and principals different universe. Classmates plan- Persico ’06E; Previn Chandraratna ’97, ’03 GSAS; Tyler Boyd ’06 and to measure students’ academic ning an East Asian adventure or Laurie Stricks ’98 TC. growth by providing an overall coming through the city on business PHOTO: Carol Ross of Carol Ross Photography picture of what students know should say hi! Hongkers love to and what they still need to learn. It party and can show any jaded New ranked second among 125 submis- Yorker a good time.” Thessaly La June. Jeremy recently wrapped an working for more than a year at the sions from the United States, India, Force left her job at The New Yorker electronic press kit for The Punch Small Business Administration in Taiwan and South Korea. For those in April to join The Paris Review as Brothers and another for jazz bassist Washington, D.C., Subash is excited of you in education, especially at its first web editor. Esperanza Spalding. He also com- to move back to New York. He will charter schools, I encourage you And last, but certainly not least, pleted work on a behind-the-scenes start at NYU School of Law in the to reach out to Jen to learn more here are updates from classmates piece for Mountain Dew and a fall. Helam graduated from NYU about Drop the Chalk’s progress. closer to home: Eva Colen is on shoot for Gillette and directed the Law this past May, and will begin a Speaking of schools, many of our Teach For America’s full-time staff. filming of a live performance for clerkship this fall with the Honor- classmates are beginning, continu- She moved to Richmond, Va., in Gretchen Parlato. able Robert P. Patterson of the U.S. ing or have recently graduated from June and transitioned to senior Amanda Rose Smear writes, District Court for the Southern school. Teddy Diefenbach was a recruitment director, managing “In addition to planning events District of New York. [Editor’s note: game designer for Disney Online on-campus recruitment at the Uni- for Marquee Nightclub (where See the feature “Young Lions in Studios this summer. He is going versity of Virginia and the College I’ve worked literally since the day Washington,” in the July/August back to USC’s School of Cinematic of William & Mary, in addition to I finished finals after graduating ’10 issue, which included Iyer: Arts in the fall to continue his M.F.A. managing digital engagement and a semester early) and the new Av- www.college.columbia.edu/cct/ in interactive media. Alicia Harper social media strategy for nation- enue Lounge in Chelsea, I’m also jul_aug10/features1.] completed her first year of graduate wide recruitment. Sean Wilkes helping to open a new restaurant Becca Hartog writes, “I’m back school at Teachers College. She is writes, “After four years in the in the Columbia neighborhood! It’s from my Peace Corps service in expecting her Ed.M. in psychologi- Army, I’m finally getting a break! I going to be called Mel’s Burger Bar Cameroon [since November], and cal counseling in May 2011. “In the am in graduate school at Harvard, and I’m hoping to make it what began medical school at Emory in meantime,” she writes, “I’m enjoy- studying biology. It’s only been The West End was back in our day July.” ing motherhood (Aiden is 2½), and a few weeks, but I’m enjoying it … We were slated to open at the Lenora Babb will leave her job I created a blog for other young immensely. Spent my first week end of August, and you can expect as reservationist at West Village mothers and mothers in general, playing tourist, watching the Red Mel’s to be a big supporter of Co- hotspot The Lion to start law school http://momdelicious.blogspot.com. Sox and touring breweries with lumbia athletics and events! For this fall at the University of Utah Check it out!” my good friend and token New more info, check out www.twitter. in Salt Lake City, where she plans Jasmine Ting went to Taipei, Englander, Bob Wray, and already com/melsburgerbarny. to get in as much snowboarding as Taiwan, to study Chinese inten- met up with some local Columbia possible between classes. sively for a year. Now she will be alumni thanks to the eminent So- Jessica Zen (neé Wong) shares, attending the Paul H. Nitze School phea Chau, the regional chair of David D. Chait “I am sending you greetings from of Advanced International Stud- CCYA in Boston.” 07 1255 New Hampshire Cambridge, Mass. My husband ies at Johns Hopkins for an M.A. After working for Lehman Broth- Ave. N.W., Apt. 815 and I recently moved here, and I in international economics and ers upon graduation and two years 07 Washington, DC 20036 will be starting business school at China studies, but not before first as web producer at Scholastic Pub- [email protected] MIT Sloan this fall. We traveled to attending its Hopkins Nanjing lishing, Carly Miller has moved Los Angeles, Seattle and Alaska for Program in Nanjing, China, this from books into the world of news I hope that everyone had a great a bit this summer.” fall for another year in Asia. as an online strategic analyst at Fox summer! Margaret Bryer writes, “Since Tova Katz and her husband, News. Jeremy Kotin co-produced As the fall approaches, many of January, I have been working on a Ithamar, recently welcomed their and co-edited (alongside producer our classmates are heading off to research project on baboon behav- first child, Amiel David. They Jeff Mandel ’96, ’03L, ’03 Business graduate school, starting new jobs ior, assisting a CUNY Ph.D. student, left Manhattan this summer and and co-writer Evan M. Wiener ’96) and making some exciting an- in Cape Town, South Africa. Being moved to Boston, where Tova will the feature film Monogamy, starring nouncements … here during the World Cup was a pursue an M.B.A. Andrew Lich- Chris Messina and Rashida Jones, Subash Iyer and Helam Gebre- nice perk! I’m heading back to New tenberg (aka Dreb) graduated from which premiered at the Tribeca mariam traveled through France, York this fall to enter Hunter’s mas- Georgetown University Law Cen- Film Festival in April and played Italy and Spain this summer before ter’s program in anthropology.” ter in May. He is planning to start the Seattle Film Festival in mid- returning to New York City. After Samantha Rotstein recently

september/october 2010 67 class notes columbia college today

Elizabeth Craig ’07 Monitors Bird Breeding Activity

B y Na t h a l i e Al o n s o ’08

very spring, Elizabeth tive nesting colonies. since she was a child and was two hours or every four hours Craig ’07 island-hops Craig has worked closely with drawn to ornithology during up until the point where they between the off-limit Dr. Susan Elbin, NYC Audubon’s her junior year of high school, could eat on their own.” islands within New York Director of Conservation, on the when she participated in a Craig majored in ecology, EHarbor — but she’s no trespas­ annual harbor surveys and other semester-long environmental evolution and environmental ser. related projects. education program in Wiscas­ biology (E3B) and recently As a research associate for “Liz doesn’t usually view her set, Maine, offered by the completed her second year New York City Audubon, Craig is research projects — or prepar­ Chewonki Foundation. of graduate school at Cornell, granted access to 18 uninhabited ing for research, presentations “On Saturday mornings we where she is pursuing a doc­ islands that the organization has or programs — as work,” says had a bird identification class,” torate in zoology. She is writing identified as potential nesting Elbin. “She will get up in the says Craig. “We had to learn her dissertation on the ways habitats for a variety of colonial middle of the night to be at a about more than 100 species in which the winter fish diet water birds. The islands are scat­ roost before first light; she’ll before the end of the semester.” of the cormorants that nest in tered throughout the East River, learn how to captain a small During her time in Maine, New York Harbor affects their Jamaica Bay, Lower New York boat in the busy New York Craig also became involved summer breeding success and Bay, Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, the Harbor; she’ll volunteer to help with bird rehabilitation. She en­ hopes to embark on a career Hutchinson River and Long Island colleagues collect data.” joyed the experience so much that will allow her to “have Sound. Craig’s mission is to sur­ Elbin was employed by the that she spent the following six some impact on the manage­ vey the breeding activity of sev­ Wildlife Trust, another nonprofit, summers working at The Rap­ ment and conservation of eral bird species on each island. when she agreed to mentor tor Trust, a wild bird rehabilita­ these important species.” “I do feel that I have the best Craig for her senior thesis, for tion center in Millington, N.J., Craig chose to attend the job in New York,” says Craig. which they designed a project where she dealt primarily with College because of her high “Since there is no longer human to determine the effects of a orphaned chicks of various regard for Columbia’s E3B pro­ activity on these islands they growing double-crested cor­ species. gram and to have access to in­ have been reclaimed by nature. morant population on the New “For the most part, during stitutions such as the American They truly are little wild patches York Harbor ecosystem. the summer my job was to be a Museum of Natural History and within the city.” “Liz was excited about and ‘mother bird,’ ” says Craig, who the Bronx Zoo. She nonetheless The solitude of the islands truly enjoyed urban ecology — adopted a female turtledove believes an important part of makes them appealing nesting not wishing she were somewhere that was brought to The Raptor her education took place not grounds for herons, cormo­ else more exotic,” recalls Elbin. Trust one summer. “Depending in the classroom but in Central rants and gulls. Access to the Craig, from Mendham, N.J., on their age, some birds need­ Park, which she frequented to islands is limited, not only to has been interested in wildlife ed to be fed on the hour, every bird-watch. protect the sensitive habitats “By the time I was a senior I but also because dilapidated was spending a couple of hours buildings and other structures almost every day in the park pose potential dangers. walking around and writing As leader of the NYC Audu­ down what I saw,” she says. bon’s Harbor Herons project, “That’s really where I learned Craig counts and categorizes most of what I know.” the nests, eggs and chicks on each island with the help of To watch a documentary about a research team composed and see a slide show of Craig’s of volunteers from several work, go to www.college.colum organizations, including NYC bia.edu/cct. Audubon, and staff from the New York City Department of Nathalie Alonso ’08, from Parks and Recreation and the Queens, is a freelance journal- National Park Service. The task ist and an editorial producer of sometimes involves climbing LasMayores.com, Major League trees. In 2009, nine of the is­ Baseball’s official Spanish lan- lands showed evidence of ac­ Elizabeth Craig ’07 banding an egret in order to track its activity. guage website. completed her master’s of real ding will be sometime in 2011 (fin- remember and share. Its highlights Kawashima’07E, Ping Song, Vadim estate development from USC and gers crossed!).” include posts about the World Avshalumov, Paul Tietz ’08, Casey is an architect. Avi Zenilman recently left Cup, food and digital marketing, in Levine, Nada Petrovic ’06, Kori Joseph Anzalone “recently got Brooklyn and “is moving back into which he is an expert. You can (and Gatta and John Estrada traveled to his girlfriend, Gillian DiPietro ’07 Savta’s!” should!) check it out at http:// Jaipur for the three-day celebration. Barnard, drunk while in Venice Eric Bondadarsky shares that content-consumer.blogspot.com.” It was an incredible experience for and tricked her into saying yes “Jakob Reich recently started a Allison Mirkin writes, “Am- everyone!” when he asked her to marry him. blog about the various interesting balika Pinto married Ajay Sudan Thank you again for all of the When the hangover faded, she things he reads in magazines or in February in Jaipur, India. Allie submissions, and have a great decided to keep the ring. The wed- on the Internet that he wants to Mirkin, Clay Cordova, Shiho autumn!

september/october 2010 68 columbia college today class notes

Neda Navab Felsman, Jordan Keenan, Ellen 08 53 Saratoga Dr. Kessel, Eric Hirsch, Alison Yang, Jericho, NY 11753 Lauren Rennee and I returned to 08 South Lawn in May to participate [email protected] in the Alumni Parade of Classes I hope everyone had a fabulous sum- on Class Day. It was a warm, mer! Check out the latest Class Notes sunny day that brought back fresh below, and let us know what you memories of our graduation as we have been up to by e-mailing me. celebrated the accomplishments of Ingrid Scholze is moving to the Class of 2010. While we took a Chicago in September to begin law moment to remember the past, our school at Chicago. class continues to push forth. On Mother’s Day, May 9, Da- Since graduation, Idara Udofia linez Martinez married her high has been working on an indepen- school sweetheart, Eliu Lanzo, at dent documentary about female the Surf Club in New Rochelle, professional basketball players in N.Y. Laura Lee, who came up from Senegal and how they revolutionize Virginia and as a surprise, brought the female identity in that country. A large Columbia contingent made the trek to Jaipur, India, in February a groom’s cake in the shape of a Last summer, Idara was in Dakar for the three-day celebration of the wedding of Ambalika Pinto ’07 and boxing glove; Nickisha Berlus, for preproduction, and she now is Ajay Sudan. Crossing oceans were (front row, left to right) Allison Mir- who took a break from med school in Senegal working on production. kin ’07, Shiho Kawashima ’07E, Vadim Avshalumov ’07, Alma Pinto, Alisa finals to come; Meylin Mota ’09 Idara has even been able to train Crowell, Corey Crowell and Maria Tonione; and (back row, left to right) Barnard; and Tiffany Tiburcio ’10 and travel with the team — doing Clay Cordova ’07, Nada Petrovic ’05, Anmol Sinha, the bride, the groom, Barnard were bridesmaids. Also in just about everything with them ex- Danielle Mohney, Atish Nigam, Ambika Singh, Paul Tietz ’08, Ping Song attendance were Marcela Calidonio cept for playing in the tournaments. ’07, David Flowerdew, Leanna Resseguie, John Rowan ’01, Casey Levine ’06, Dali’s roommate in Brazil in She reports that women’s basketball ’07, Phil Lee, Shreyas Vijaykumar, Eric Lee, Nishant Sinha, Hollis Kline, the SEE-U program, and Sadia Col- is pretty exciting in Senegal, and it is Akshat Ghiya and Vijay Sudan. lins ’09, Dali’s Art Hum buddy. actually preferred to men’s basket- PHOTO: KEVIN PAUL PHOTOGRAPHY Scott Hughes is moving to ball. You can check out Idara’s blog Washington, D.C., to join the Car- (joyfuleyeproductions.blogspot. lyle Group as an associate. Before com) for details. based mutual fund Dodge & Cox process of looking for a place to the big move, Scott finally took a Amy Duffuor is pursuing an in August. In their spare time, Jacob live, so if anyone is going to be in well-earned vacation: “I’m bum- M.Phil. in migration studies at Ox- and Annie enjoy biking through San Francisco or has friends there, ming around Spain and Italy for a ford. She recently completed her first San Francisco and looking for new let her know! couple of weeks before I start, so it’s year and was a summer research places to Yelp. Anthony Pascua Jr. has returned nice getting a respite from the bank- assistant for Oxford’s Department of After enjoying a year in Cali- to his native San Francisco Bay Area ing grind.” It turns out that Scott Politics and International Relations fornia’s sun-soaked weather, your to work at Google in its Mountain was in Madrid to watch the World in London. Amy also conducted class scribe (Alidad Damooei) will View, Calif., headquarters. He will Cup final and celebrate the victory! fieldwork for her dissertation, a be returning east, braving the cold join Google’s Global Online Adver- In April 2009, Dan Haley project concerning how West African winters to study at Yale Law. I hope tising division, and he hopes one launched smallGRAND produc- Pentecostal churches impact the to focus my studies on the intersec- day to design a Google Doodle, a tions, a comedy video production local political involvement of a West tion of law and economics while creative logo posted on google.com. company. SmallGRAND’s videos African community in South Lon- also leaving myself open to pursue Valerie Sapozhnikova has have been featured on Gawker, don. Taking advantage of her new other areas of law that inspire me. trouble believing four years at Urlesque, Heavy.com, TheApiary. European location, she’ll travel to Perhaps the greatest perk next year Columbia have come to an end. It org and other irreverent pop culture Brussels, Paris and Tanzania before will be that I will be only a short has been great, and she is thankful sites. In addition to the videos he the end of the year. train ride away from the city on for everyone who made her college has written, Dan has produced Carla Baricz is looking forward Metro-North. I plan to make trips experience as wonderful as it was. videos written by Abby Rosebrock, to a break from New York City. For into New York to visit those of you This summer, she traveled to Italy David Iscoe ’09 and Adam Nover the past year, she has been an as- who are still living in the Empire and Russia, and she started a job in ’10E. “Though a rising comedy sistant editor for Trinity University State of Mind. I hope these trips and New York at the end of July. video mogul, I am by day a media Press, a part-time librarian and a occasional visits to College Walk A big congratulations to the 2010 relations coordinator at North graduate research assistant. This will ensure that my loyalties do not alumni who will be starting gradu- American Precis Syndicate, a public fall, she will move to New Haven stray too far away from our Lions. ate school in the fall. Natalie Gos- relations company in Midtown.” to begin a dual Ph.D. in English sett will be attending Villanova Law Dan lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn. literature and renaissance studies and plans to focus on entertainment Mark Clemente is director of at Yale. Carla spent the summer in Julia Feldberg and intellectual property law. marketing and communications Bucharest, where she conducted 10 c/o CCT Hieu Pham did a summer in- for the New York Junior Tennis research in the state archives and Columbia Alumni Center ternship in public health in Gulu, League. prepared another article for pub- 10 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 Uganda, then began graduate Rachel Levenson is starting a lication. New York, NY 10025 school at Johns Hopkins in August. Ph.D. in clinical psychology this Annie Ma and Jacob Weaver [email protected] Ben Freeman was an R.A. for fall at Ferkauf Graduate School of have had an exciting 2010 so far! Af- Barnard’s pre-college program Psychology, which is part of Yeshiva ter researching behavioral economics Whether you’ve been working, during the summer and is heading University. at Columbia’s Center for Decision traveling, relaxing at home or look- to Harvard Law in the fall. Sciences, Annie joined Google’s ing for a job, I hope all of you have Gabriella Ripoll is excited to Enterprise Division in Mountain had a wonderful summer. Now, on start NYU Law this fall. She spent Alidad Damooei View, Calif. She is helping businesses to the news: the summer in New York City 09 c/o CCT Go Google, working on the Gmail Tara Barrett will be in Ecuador teaching the PSAT to kids. Columbia Alumni Center product support team and occasion- for a year starting in August work- In September, Morgan Parker 09 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 ally supping with fellow Googler ing with WorldTeach. If you hap- will begin her studies as an M.F.A. New York, NY 10025 Brendan Ballou. pen to be in the area, she would candidate in poetry at NYU. [email protected] Jacob spent a few months com- love to see you! Thank you for sending in your muting coast-to-coast every week- Nicole Beach is heading to the notes, and please keep them com- While the Class of 2009 has long end while working for McKinsey, West Coast for the next two years ing! dispersed across the globe, Colin before joining the San Francisco- to work at a law firm. She is in the

september/october 2010 69 columbia college today

Letters Alumni Corner (Continued from page 2) (Continued from page 72) and disposed of relatively quickly. Editor’s note: The print schedule of a Lerner Hall. An audience of more did after four hours of rehearsal Mediocrity is often tolerated for bimonthly magazine makes it impos- than 300 reunion-goers and sing- was pretty amazing. far longer periods of time, either sible to provide up-to-date athletics ers’ families filled every seat in the Our special times in the Glee because administration does not coverage. In addition, we have a finite house. Glee Club alumni filed in to Club pulled us to gather and perceive the defects, the individual number of pages, and sports is only sing together once more: Mozart, sing. We swapped stories about involved is a pleasant and popular one of many areas of life at Columbia Orff, spirituals, folk songs, even a concerts and tours that brought person or because change is dif- that need to be included. We provide barbershop quartet. Plus College Columbia’s name and Glee Club- ficult. In this case, the mediocre sports news highlights in “Roar, songs, of course. bers to California, Puerto Rico, situation persisted for a six-year Lion, Roar” in most issues, and print And the sound! The sound of Canada and Europe. We spoke period, far longer than it should features and profiles as developments all those lovely lifted voices, male about the diminished place of have. warrant. For the most complete and female, ringing together off today’s Glee Club on campus and Columbia cannot tolerate me- coverage of Columbia athletics, log the walls! I lived a part of my life its accomplishments in coming diocrity in the coaches of its major on to www.gocolumbialions.com, the again that day when I sang the back last year against difficult sports programs. Considering official Athletics website. Another bass solo in “Set Down Servant,” odds. That led us to discuss what the recruiting standards that Ivy option during the school year is www. as I had nearly 50 years before, alumni might do to help today’s League schools must impose, it columbiaspectator.com. even though my breath escaped club prosper in the future. We’ve is not possible to assure the suc- and my voice broke as the emo- even started to talk about getting cess of a program merely through The Columbia Club tions grabbed my throat. I know I together to sing as a chorus of recruits. Therefore, the role that On page 9 of the May/June issue, wasn’t the only one feeling those Columbia alumni. coaches play in determining the there is a full-page advertisement emotions. I could see it in the faces We may have started something success of a program may be far for the newly renovated Columbia and hear it in the voices. here. greater than programs in which University Club at 15 W. 43rd St. ChorusAmerica, the choral trade the recruits have such stunning The accompanying picture over association, has research showing For details on Glee Club alumni activi- talent that the success depends the fireplace in the dining room that more adult Americans, 32 mil- ties and/or to purchase the performance less upon excellent coaching. Ad- appears to be Woodrow Wilson. If, lion of them, sing in choruses than recording, visit www.cugcalums.com. ministrative personnel must have by chance, the viewers can’t see his participate in any other musical If you did not receive e-mail messages the perception and the courage to relevance to Columbia, it’s because activity. That Columbia University about the Glee Club reunion perfor- analyze whether coaching excel- the club is the Princeton Club of Glee Club alumni across a span of mance and want to receive communica- lence is present. It is not clear that New York. nearly 60 years gathered to per- tions about alumni singing, send your that was the case in dealing with There was a Columbia Club form proved the point. name, school, class year and e-mail ad- coach Jones. in my time. It was located at We made a CD of the perfor- dress to [email protected]. Richard D. Kuhn ’55, ’58L 4 W. 43rd St., across from the mance, and listening to it after- St a t e n Is l a n d , N.Y. Princeton Club, and had old but ward made me shake my head. Nicholas Rudd ’64, ’67 Business quite beautiful facilities including These men and women had never lives in Westport, Conn., and sings I find it passing strange that your a large dining room, bar, grill, sung together before. None of with the Greenwich Choral Society. He first major article in recent memory library, gym and squash courts, them had sung all the pieces on the looks forward to singing again with a about team sports at Columbia and about 75 bedrooms. The club program before. To sound as we chorus of Columbia alumni. is your apologia, “Hoop Hopes, invited seniors to tour the facili- Coaching at Columbia” [“Within ties and, of course, offered a mini- the Family,” May/June]. mal dues structure for us to join. I am a fairly diligent reader of At the bar for free drinks (the your magazine, and the last article age of consent was 18), we were hanging everywhere is about Mr. Deutch’s letter misses the mark. I remember about a major sport informed that if we received a Princeton. My wife and I joined Despite losing the clubhouse was your celebration some years traffic or parking ticket, we could a number of years ago, and at in the 1970s due to a falloff of ago of Columbia’s Ivy League amble up to the bar and find Dis- the orientation for new members members, many alumni believed baseball championship. The fate trict Attorney Frank Hogan ’24 we received Princeton T-shirts there were benefits in providing of the team since that happy occa- and he would take care of it. Even — luckily I had a business friend a gathering place for Columbi- sion is shrouded in mystery. There at the tender age of 21 I didn’t who had gone there and who ans. Today’s cost of replicating are minor stories of Ivy League believe that, but considering that appreciated the re-gifting. We put the former club would exceed championships in tennis and fenc- I had no prospects of a car it was up one of our daughters and her $50 million. When the oppor- ing, but these are sort of mentioned OK. I used the club with pleasure husband there overnight and she tunity arose to create a special in passing. These items aside, a number of times and then went said this place is all about tigers, relationship with the Princeton perhaps it is my failing memory, on active duty as a commissioned not lions. Club, the directors took it. “In but the only “sports” articles that I officer in the Army, during which So, why are there Harvard, Yale, residence” affiliation has given can remember in recent years were time club dues were waived in Princeton and other college clubs Columbia’s alumni the best celebrations of outstanding indi- the interest of patriotism. By the in New York but no Columbia approximation of what some vidual athletes. time I returned to New York City Club in the city where Columbians remembered, working with an- I think this is a very real failing in the 1970s, the club had been intone “Who owns New York?” is other Ivy partner. in an otherwise excellent magazine. sold to the World Unification a mystery to me. Perhaps one day With more than 2,000 Columbia Many alumni are very interested Church. an old building could be found members and a renovated facil- in how all the teams do, even if the So that was the Columbia and a real club started again. Un- ity with much Columbiana, the reading causes pain. Diligent cover- Club. What is across the street til then, the advertisements and Columbia Club is flourishing age on your part might also help is a very nice place for Princeto- mailings should say the truth: the and welcomes inquiries from all produce greater alumni support for nians, but it’s not a real Columbia Columbia Club in residence at the Columbia alumni, including Mr. the teams. Club. Firstly, the Columbia Club Princeton Club. Deutsch. I urge you to report regularly on is in residence at the Princeton Jay R. Deutsch ’66 Mark Lemle Amsterdam ’66, ’69L how all the teams are doing and Club (its official relationship), Ne w Yo r k Ci t y Pr e s i d e n t to devote regular space to sports but that’s not what the advertise- Th e Co l u m b i a Un i v e r s i t y Cl u b coverage. ments and mailings say. Secondly, Editor’s note: Following is a response o f Ne w Yo r k Arthur Feder ’49, ’51L except for a few pictures and a from the president of the Columbia Ne w Yo r k Ci t y handful of mementos, everything University Club:

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2-BEDROOM Co-op Apartment, newly renovated, immaculate, steps from Columbia. Asking $785,000. www.545west111th.com, 917-687-6876 Mackenzie.

Litchfield Cty. Connecticut — Contemporary Townhouse 3 Br/2 BA gated community. Fishing, indoor/outdoor pools & tennis, camp, horseback riding & skiing. Paid $134,000 — all reasonable offers considered. [email protected], Bill Wood CC ’65, GSAS 67.

september/october 2010 71 columbia college today

A l u m n i Co r n e r Hark! The Glee Club Alumni Sing

B y Ni c h o l a s Ru d d ’64, ’67 Bu s i n e s s

or some of us, that special time was team sports or the Until then, affinity reunions had been planned as two-hour arts, a compelling professor, student organizations or wine and cheese receptions on Saturday, between post-lunch perhaps a close-knit group of classmates — that certain class sessions and dinners. But Glee Club people sing! space of energy and devoted commitment that comes So was born the notion of a performance by Glee Club alumni, to mind when one thinks of the College each of us ex- preceded by enough rehearsal time to avoid undue embarrass- Fperienced in our time. ment. We would sing for everyone attending reunion/Dean’s For me, it was the Columbia Glee Club in the early 1960s: a Day, or at least everyone who cared to listen. As it happened, no large, well-respected, all-male collegiate chorus that was the first other singing group alumni organized to perform. college group to perform in Philharmonic (now Avery Fisher) Fortunately, Jerry Weale ’57 and Bruce Trinkley ’66, both Glee Hall at Lincoln Center, received write-ups in The New York Times Club alumni concerned with the club’s near-demise, had gone on and brought Columbia’s name to high school kids in Westchester from being associate directors of the Glee Club to distinguished and alumni in the Midwest. I found joy in blending my voice with careers as choral directors at Boston University and Penn State, re- dozens of others, learning new music, making lifelong friends spectively. Bruce had even led the Columbia Glee Club for a year. and having experiences I talk about to this day. They took on a daunting musical challenge: We don’t know When I discovered that by the 2008–09 academic year the Glee who’s coming. We don’t know what shape their voices are in. We Club had essentially faded away after several years of decline, I don’t know the balance of voice parts we’ll have. We don’t know was forcefully reminded that things change. A part of Columbia the acoustics of the room where we’ll be singing. We want to put that had been especially important to me was no longer there. on a program both singers and audience will enjoy, but we only

Nearly 100 Glee Club alumni from as far back as 1952 gathered to sing in Roone Arledge Auditorium during Alumni Reunion Weekend/Dean’s Day 2010. To see a larger version of this photo, go to www.college.columbia.edu/cct. Photo: Eileen Barroso

Working with the Student Development and Activities Office have 3 ½–4 hours for rehearsal across two days, and not all sing- and a handful of alumni from my era, some dedicated, motivated ers will be at both rehearsals. Now, what shall we sing? students revived the Glee Club in 2009–10 and sang at December’s Meanwhile, we needed to find some singers. Older alumni Tree-Lighting, put on the traditional Spring Concert on campus in may remember how the yearbook included photos of various April and performed “Stand, Columbia” at Commencement. student organizations and identified participants by name. That But what about the future? practice stopped around 1970, with only occasional returns to When I attended my class’ 45th Alumni Reunion Weekend in that norm since. The Alumni Office had tagged some names in 2009, I noted gatherings of alumni who had been on the Spectator the University alumni database with activity codes, but the list staff or part of WKCR. These relatively new “vertical” receptions was incomplete. were an effort by the Alumni Office to reconnect alumni with That realization kicked off several months of effort to iden- each other and with Columbia through “affinity groups,” ongo- tify 40 years of missing Glee Club alumni and to get their e-mail ing collectives of shared interest and activities. addresses. Efforts included days in the University Archives/ The near-disappearance of the Glee Club suggested that its alum- Columbiana files (now part of the Rare Book and Manuscript ni were not aware of how much things had changed. Getting them Library), digging through concert programs and setting up a Face- together seemed to me like a good place to start. Other former Glee book page. By reunion, we had identified more than 950 mem- Clubbers, like Michael Garrett ’66, also thought a Glee Club affinity bers, with more still to be found. But at least we had a start. reception would be a good thing and had begun talking about hav- Over the course of the weekend, nearly 100 Glee Club alumni, ing one. Former Dean of Alumni Affairs and Development Derek representing College, SEAS, GS and Barnard classes from 1952– Wittner ’65 and Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Ken Catandel- 2010, showed up to rehearse, socialize and sing. A few days be- la agreed. In 2010, Alumni Reunion Weekend/Dean’s Day would, fore the event, registrations exceeded room size and the perfor- for the first time, include an affinity reception for singers, open to mance was moved to the Roone Arledge Auditorium in Alfred anyone who had sung in any group while at Columbia. (Continued on page 70)

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A student pyramid rises on Low Plaza during Activities Day, an event held each fall when more than 300 student clubs and organizations try to attract new members.