LabLifethe magazine for alumni, parents, and friends of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Fall 2019 FALL 2019 in this issue

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 20 Celebrating Half 03 In the Halls a Century of Rites 04 The Bookshelf of May 11 Sports Highlights 26 Taking a Purposeful 15 Behind the Scenes LabLife Break Before 16 Alumni Weekend College 2019 30 Getting Their Feet in 37 Alumni Notes the Door 46 Alumni in Action 34 LabArts Has Earned its Place as a Full- Blown Lab Tradition

FROM DIRECTOR CHARLIE ABELMANN At Lab, we embrace lifelong Summer is learning and support all a teaching members of our community and learning in their continued pursuit of recharge knowledge.

Dear Friends, companies were possible because Hosting a two-day Collaborative realize our mission, both in and Lab is part of the University for Academic, Social and out of the classroom, of “igniting At Lab, the summer offers and that connection enhances Emotional Learning (CASEL) and nurturing an enduring opportunities for adults and kids so much of the Lab experience. Summer Institute. Attended spirit of scholarship, curiosity, to connect to new experiences It was exciting for me to visit by the 30+ faculty, staff, creativity, and confidence” in and to have a teaching and Facebook with our students and administrators, and parents who each student. learning recharge. learn about the importance of make up Lab’s new Wellness teamwork and interdisciplinary Councils, this customized We welcome your engagement Nearly 1,000 children attended thinking as we listened to our program will help the Councils with Lab and hope you will one of our mission-driven hosts talk about their jobs. support social-emotional share your expertise, time, and Summer Lab programs. These learning and health and resources to help Lab continue programs have the added benefit The summer also offers an wellness at Lab, and plan for the to be a first choice for so many. of helping our students connect important time for Laboratory upcoming school year. Our admission yield rate this to new friends as many campers Schools teachers to connect year was nearly universal, which and summer school students do with one another around Collaborating around curriculum. is a testament to the passion not attend Lab during the school special projects or to recharge Computer Science (CS) faculty people bring to Lab when they year. A large number even come their practice by participating worked together to review and join our community. We are from abroad for an immersive in professional development re-articulate the scope and thrilled to have you all as part Lab experience. activities. Over break, Lab sequence of CS education at Lab of the Lab family and I am had more than 150 educators from grades N–12. excited to be working with the More than 50 U-Highers engaged in a wide range of provost’s office in new ways to had the chance to participate Developing lesson plans that activities including: leverage Vivian Meier photos strengthen our partnership with in a Summer Link science, the University’s departments, humanities, or civic engagement Attending the Harvard Graduate from the UChicago Special Collections Research Center to programs, and other K–12 activity, almost all of which School of Education Project initiatives. are made possible by a Zero Institute to consider what teach preschoolers lessons that University of Chicago professor, is required to create a powerful cross social-emotional learning, Welcome to the new school year department, graduate, or a learning experience in the fine art, and writing. and thank you for all you do to local employer. Another 17 21st century. In a Project Zero At Lab, we embrace lifelong support Lab. High School students went to classroom, teachers are learners learning and support all Best, the Bay Area as Lab piloted an who model intellectual curiosity members of our community age-appropriate version of the and rigor, interdisciplinary in their continued pursuit of UChicago undergrad program and collaborative inquiry, and knowledge. By doing so, we are Charlie Abelmann called Career Treks. Our visits to sensitivity to the ethical and better able to ensure that we Wag Hotels, Google, and other aesthetic dimensions of learning.

LabLife, published twice Editor Design Lab Notes Correspondents Please send comments or Reproduction in whole or a year, is written for the Catherine Braendel, ’81, Janice Clark Dozens of diligent alumni updated contact information part, without permission of University of Chicago to [email protected], the publisher, is prohibited. MLA’19 agents Laboratory Schools’ Contributors Photography or call 773-702-0578. community of alumni, parents, Anna Johnson Publisher faculty, and staff. Megan E. Doherty, AM’05, Chris Kirzeder University of Chicago Volume 13, Number 1 PhD’10 Kathryn Smidstra Laboratory Schools Director Heather Preston 1362 E. 59th Street © 2019 by the University of Charles H. Abelmann Paul Schellinger Chicago, IL 60637 Chicago Laboratory Schools www.ucls.uchicago.edu

02 LabLife Fall 2019 InIn thethe HallsHalls Kids in the Kitchen

PA grant helps teachers expand curriculum

which we were able to do Kids learn One further byproduct thanks to a grant from the of the program involves Parents’ Association.” This knife skills, publishing a cookbook— has allowed the program to with a twist. While making expand its scope to include the difference gingerbread, for example, field trips, a food drive, and between tasting students wrote “fractured guest chef demonstrations. gingerbread tales,” adapting Students use a different and eating, and classic fairy tales and changing main ingredient every month, how to read a them according to the learn about how it grows, its students’ imaginations. “No one is born a great cook; nutritional values, and then recipe. “It’s been a truly well- one learns by doing.” Those use it in the food preparation. rounded program, with an “It’s an integrated program,” emphasis on making in all its are Julia Child’s words, but Kitchen are in a leading role Johnson noted. “There’s math forms,” Johnson noted. “It they sum up Lab’s approach for collecting food and seeing involved, and science. The has also been wonderful to very well and could have been it delivered to the depository kids have to read a recipe involve parents who might spoken by Dewey himself. for distribution. Eli Johnson carefully, and collaborate not otherwise be able to get ’s second-graders “I’ve been very impressed and work as a group.” They directly involved in their not only learned the iconic by how independent the also learn knife skills, the children’s education. They can chef’s quote; they put it into kids become in their cooking difference between tasting help shop for food, or come action in the Kids in the skills,” Johnson said. “They and eating, and how to read to the classroom and help Kitchen program that Johnson need adult supervision less a recipe. prepare it.” and second-grade teacher and less. It’s a very organic Another important Catie Gillespie are sponsoring. and authentic way to teach aspect of the program is its “We’ve been cooking kids how to work together, involvement with the Chicago with kids in our classroom and it definitely fits Dewey’s Food Depository. While all for a solid 10 years,” Johnson idea of learning by doing.” second-graders participate in noted. “This year we wanted to take it to another level, this food drive, Kids in the

LabLife Fall 2019 03 THE BOOKSHELF

Recommended reading Members of the sixth grade Sutherland Committee review this year’s winner, Where Ocean Meets Sky, by Eric Fan and Terry Fan

As told to LabLife by sixth Ocean Meets Sky is about a to win. The pictures and the It’s almost like grade students Sebastian Gans, boy who goes on an adventure text work together to really Maxine Hurst, Ayush Mishra, through his imagination. immerse you in this adventure. the text becomes Sonakshi Mutreja, and The story takes place on It’s almost like the text becomes part of the image Zane Reese what would have been the part of the image in a way— e call them grandfather’s 92nd birthday. they work hand-in-hand to in a way—they picture Finn decides to build a boat create this magical place. The work hand-in- books, but to honor his grandfather. magical sense shows up on they are While he is in the workshop so many pages, and it’s just hand to create this not only (where he spent many days beautiful and there is so magical place. for little kids. There’s lots and with his grandfather) he falls much detail. lots of meaning behind picture asleep and has a dream about If we just had the books if you really look into it, a special, magical realm that text it would not be truly Even the construction of the because the authors have put his grandfather had described representative. The pictures book adds to the story. When a lot of time and thought into to him many times: the place help show how big Finn’s you take off the dust jacket their work. No matter what where ocean meets sky. imagination is and they give you see magical images (all of your age is, you can really feel We were part of the group a real sense of trueness to his them are in the book) and it is with the character. that “fought” for this book imagination. golden and it glimmers. The

FROM THE SYLLABI Ocean Meets Sky by Eric and Students as real-world literary Terry Fan won Best Overall and and art critics: Best Illustration. The 2019 Sutherland Award This is the second Sutherland for the Fan Brothers whose book,The Night Gardener, won the 2017 Sutherland. In an important At the end of April, author Lab tradition, each spring, Jeanette Winter stood before the school brings the previous BEST TEXT the hushed audience in Gordon year’s Sutherland award- BEST ILLUSTRATION Parks Arts Hall. When she winning author to campus. BEST OVERALL Nothing Stopped Sophie announced the title of the 2019 Ms. Winter’s title, The World Cheryl Bardoe and Zena Sutherland award-winner, is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Ocean Meets Sky Barbara McClintock the crowd went wild. Lower and Architect Zaha Hadid, won Best Terry Fan and Eric Fan Middle Schools students stood Overall in 2018. Students host screaming and cheering for their the award ceremony, introducing favorite, some moaned the agony the author who announces the of defeat. All this emotion—over newest winners. a book. Created and funded in honor It is the culmination of a of Zena Sutherland (a former process that lets kids be critics UChicago faculty member and gives real-world purpose FINALIST FINALIST FINALIST and still considered among the to their critical thinking and world’s most influential scholars communication skills—in Alma and How She The Dam The Patchwork Bike of young people’s literature), support of excellence in children’s Got Her Name David Almond and Maxine Beneba Clarke the Zena Sutherland Award for Juana Martinez-Neal Levi Pinfold and Van Thanh Rudd literature.

04 LabLife Fall 2019 In the Halls Summer Lab students got guts

Dogfish Shark dissection surprises and delights covers are so different but they mean the same thing. It is a great thing done by the Fan brothers. It’s a really big deal for the authors to have won Sutherland twice. People might be like, “Well they shouldn’t have come here twice,” but it’s really not about who gets to come to our school. It’s about how well they did the book. The Fan brothers earned it for making two really amazing books.

Children’s Literature is one of the only kid-selected book awards in Sick of hearing “Baby Shark” it was great!” the United States and has grown an yet? The fifth through eighth Sanders describes Got international reputation. grade students in Micyelia Guts? as “yucky, but cool!” Here’s why it’s so special: Sanders’ Summer Lab class The course examines the “Got Guts?” aren’t. Sanders internal and external anatomy It’s student led, with adults providing explains they were all in for of different specimens and structure. quite a surprise during their then compares and contrasts Lab librarians review new children’s dogfish shark dissection: them to our own. They start books and narrow the group to 20, “The dogfish shark small, dissecting a cherry, then from which sixth-grade students dissection was amazing an owl pellet, then a chicken choose five finalists based on criteria because we didn’t know our wing. As the course goes on, they help shape. sharks were pregnant. Some the class moves to larger, It integrates critical thinking and dissections are individual, more complex specimens analysis. some are paired, and some are like a mink, a pigeon, a fetal Sixth graders work from November performed in either one or pig, and a rat. In addition to March negotiating the finalists and two groups with myself as the to dissection procedures and then promote each book, writing and facilitator. The dogfish shark anatomy, students learn about giving persuasive presentations in dissection was held in two biotic and abiotic factors, support of their “candidate.” groups as I facilitated. While characteristics of living things, looking for the small intestine, research techniques, and It’s predicated on cross-grade one of the groups noticed a organ systems. collaboration. large sac with smaller, firm Sanders says, “I’m all in for Older children take leadership round tissue inside that wasn’t every specimen except the rat, positions, but the younger ones are on the diagram. When we when we get to that one in the also empowered as Lower Schoolers cut it open we found five or last week I tell the kids they’re vote on best illustration, best text, and six baby sharks inside of each on their own. They’ve learned best overall. mama shark! They were all so much by then they don’t screaming and singing ‘baby really need me to be as hands shark do do do do do do,’ on anyway.”

LabLife Fall 2019 05 In the Halls A century later, John Dewey’s travels to China influence a new generation Lab hosts colloquium on 100th anniversary of founder’s seminal visit

there,” said Lab junior Gershon of education at Tsinghua Stein, during the discussion University. “There are ways moderated by Larry Hickman, “The conference brought in which you can emeritus professor Southern together leaders from Illinois University, who served around the world to discuss learn about a for more than 20 years as Dewey’s ideas and his global director of the Center for influence, and to see how his culture and learn Dewey Studies. philosophies of education are about a country and The students underscored being practiced at Lab,” says how the ideas of Dewey and Director Charlie Abelmann. history, but until A year after traveling across his landmark trip through “Building from the ideas of China together, a group of 10 China continue to resonate. our founder, we are teaching you go it doesn’t students shared their distinct To mark its 100th anniversary, students the skills to reflect really connect.” journey with educators, Lab brought together at the upon real-world experience, policymakers, and scholars colloquium senior Chinese discuss and respectfully debate —U-High student during the Centennial officials, teachers and their ideas with peers and Colloquium on Dewey: Then & students, and internationally- educators. This is learning by Gershon Stein Now. The high schoolers—from known policymakers, doing in action.” Lab, the UChicago Charter philosophers, and practitioners. The conference was applying his philosophies of Schools, and from Lab’s During three days in designed to deepen education. Beijing partner high school, May, more than 250 people international connections During the colloquium, RDFZ—had retraced the very reflected upon Dewey’s in the area of pre-collegiate educators from the United steps taken by pioneering role in education and his education, with Dewey’s States and China visited philosopher and educator John relevance today in the United seminal two-year trip to China Lab classrooms to see the Dewey 100 years earlier. States and China. Speakers serving as a starting point. As Schools’ internationally “There are ways in which included James Heckman, Dewey and wife Alice traveled regarded program, one that you can learn about a culture Nobel laureate and the Henry through China, he gained what embodies Dewey’s ideas and learn about a country Schultz Distinguished Service some have called “superstar” on learning by doing, being and history, but until you go it Professor of Economics at status, with people flocking to child-centered, and helping doesn’t really connect. There’s UChicago, and Shi Zhongying, his lectures or reading in books young people develop into something really solidifying director of Mingyuan Institute and newspapers translations meaningful contributors to about being there and standing of Education and a professor of the talks, and then widely a democratic society. The

06 LabLife Fall 2019 Books and narratives and lab reports, oh my!

Second-grade writing curriculum spawns well-rounded authors

speakers, panelists, and affords students opportunities As a culminating event, presenters came from to use various types of families were invited to the institutions across the United writing, and affords teachers classroom to read the personal States, including UChicago, Princeton University, and Texas the opportunity to take a narratives, books, and lab Tech University, and from multidisciplinary approach.” reports their young authors across Asia, including Peking The writer’s workshop created. Commenting sheets University, Beijing Normal, begins with a 10-minute were attached to each piece of Tsinghua University, and Hong mini lesson during which writing so that families and Kong University. students learn a specific writing fellow students could leave “This effort reaffirms technique, such as how to grab compliments. Flowers were Lab’s history as a convener a reader’s attention or how to placed on each table for a of original thinkers and use descriptive language. Then nice touch. an international leader in the students work individually “The students were so education.” Abelmann says. or with partners to try out the excited to share their work,” Watch Learning by Dewey Will a Hot Wheels car travel method. After one such lesson says Gillespie, “and their in China, a documentary further on carpet or bare floor? on informative writing, the families glowed with pride.” Catie Gillespie film made by high school ’s second students chose topics on which students from Lab, graders set out to answer they felt they were experts— UChicago Charter Schools, this, and other inquiries, cats, soccer, Rubiks Cubes, and and RDFZ: https://vimeo. using the scientific method, dogs were among the topics com/334071437/1d0f99464a carefully logging their results kids picked—and proceeded in a specific, Lucy Calkins lab to write and illustrate their Lab thanks the following for report format. own nonfiction books. The last their generous support and “My assistant teacher, step in the writing process is partnership: Jun Zhou of Kathy Iatarola, and I have sharing: Students share their Jefferson Education Group; been using the Lucy Calkins work in front of the class or Fushun Li; Demay Education writing curriculum for three with partners. and HnR; and Mingyuan years,” says Gillespie. “It Institute of Education

LabLife Fall 2019 07 In the Halls Circuit town Cycling Chicago

A science-computer science-maker Alumni return as Summer Lab space construction leaders and educators

Working in pairs, the “If someone’s students created 72 buildings, each approximately 3 by 3 bike breaks inches, that were mounted on a 6 by 4-foot platform. After down, everybody cutting the materials using stops and helps. templates and assembling them, students created If I forget the their own circuits for each directions, the Down Kimbark, a left on building. The kids scavenged Students have enjoyed biking Kenwood, and a right on for possible materials like as part of the Summer Lab kids will always Woodlawn, you’ll reach a copper tapes, paper clips, and program for several years, but speak up.” house—this one made out note cards. Some engineered recently the school’s Cycling of plywood. Third graders switches with buttons, others Chicago offering has seen a spent three months this designed levers to turn their new twist: Lab alumni are Buckingham Fountain, and spring creating an entire buildings’ lights on and off. leading the six-week class. Chinatown. They’ve even neighborhood, each building lit “This is creativity and participated in scavenger hunts Ruby Koontz, ’14, along up with its own electric circuit. collaboration, having them around Hyde Park. “They’re really excited with Isabella Light, ’18, use everything they’ve learned This is Koontz’s second to be trusted with stuff they organizes outings for students about figures, math, spatial year sponsoring the program. think only big kids get to awareness, materials, problem ranging from grades 6–12. use. This made them feel -solving, and tinkering,” says This summer, 12 Lab students “I absolutely love this class,” empowered,” says science Lohitsa. “We also modeled joined Koontz and Light she noted. “It’s a dream job for teacher Sushma Lohitsa. She failure for the kids. Even each weekday morning to me.” Her unique position as and computer science teacher grownups stumble through a former student lends special Katie Lechowski collaborated explore the city’s lakefront and things a few times. But you try beyond. Destinations included flavor to her new role. “As to bring “Circuit Town” to life. a few times and it gets better.” a student, I wanted to have They taught the class about Navy Pier, Northerly Island, Shedd Aquarium, freedom, go fast, feel trusted,” electricity and how to use the Koontz said. “Now, I really software for laser cutters.

08 LabLife Fall 2019 Lab welcomes new leaders Alumni return as Summer Lab leaders and educators

Paul Beekmeyer, Carol Rubin, Associate Daniel Ryan, High School Principal Director of Schools N–2 Principal

Paul served as the assistant Carol has nearly 30 years Daniel has a wealth of head of upper school for of experience in leadership experience in independent academics at Brooklyn Friends positions in nonprofit and and public schools, is deeply want the kids to experience School in New York, an public organizations, including knowledgeable about the that same freedom and trust.” independent, pre-K through the Chicago Public Schools, Reggio Emilia philosophy grade 12 Quaker school. Chicago Transit Authority, and that underpins Lab’s N–2 She emphasizes the element In that role, he oversaw Chicago Park District, where program, and is committed of adventure and discovery as their academic program, she was chief administrative to progressive education and students learn valuable tools, assessment, and curriculum officer. She worked at John Dewey’s ideas. Before both practical and ethical. “We reviews, and helped the UChicago and has a track joining Lab, he served as: learn bike maintenance and community of Brooklyn Friends record of success in helping assistant superintendent for safety,” she noted, “and we also navigate a period of change organizations work through the Winnetka Public Schools, learn how to work as a team. If and complexity. challenges. grades K–8; director of the someone’s bike breaks down, Before that, Paul spent She brings deep knowledge Baker Demonstration School; nearly a decade working in of Lab to her work: She is and founder of Children’s everybody stops and helps. If I schools overseas: as high the parent of two “lifers” and School of Oak Park. forget the directions, the kids school principal and teacher has served as a volunteer Daniel has also served will always speak up. If I don’t at the Casablanca American leader at Lab, beginning nearly as an executive leadership know something, someone School in Morocco, and at 20 years ago. Carol earned coach at the Chicago Public will always have the answer.” the American University her bachelor’s degree from School New Teacher Center, Koontz values seeing students of Afghanistan and in an Colgate University and a an assistant dean at National- function as a unit, building International Baccalaureate master’s degree in public policy Louis University College of program in Turkey. Paul from the Kennedy School of Education, and served in the attentiveness, kindness, and obtained his BA and bachelor Government at Harvard. She Peace Corps. He received empathy. of teaching from the University currently serves on the boards his PhD in educational “It’s all a huge learning of Western Sydney before of High Jump and College administration from the experience,” Koontz remarked. going on to Macquarie Possible. Teacher’s College at Columbia “Lab is about learning by University School of Education University and his master’s doing, and in this class, if you for his Masters in Education in educational administration tell me what you want to do, Leadership. from Harvard. we do it!”

LabLife Fall 2019 09 In the Halls How many You haven’t is 100? lived until you’ve plunged a toilet Seniors learn “adulting”

“100 Day” at Earl Shapiro conceptualize large numbers, For the second year, U-High “You haven’t lived until you’ve Hall is so important to the but know they are important seniors got a special dose of life plunged a toilet.” kids that only Halloween gives and interesting. That’s why skills in the form of “adulting” This year’s workshops, it a run for its money as a Lab you often hear young kids classes. Senior advisory led by senior advisors and a tradition say, ‘I am 794 years old!’ or cohort leader Hannah Roche few guest workshop leaders 100 Day (yes, the ‘There are 924 candies in my 100th day in school) is the pocket,’” says Jennings. continued the workshops included: culmination of mathematical The students wondered if begun last year by Meghan > How to do laundry Janda, and she looked to both conversations during which their classroom could fit 100 > How to find a rental Lab’s youngest students are kids. So they invited other the seniors and their advisors in learning to understand the classes to come see if they shaping the topics. property and complete a rental very concept of what 100 could all fit. In one workshop, students agreement means. It arrives with the Says Jennings, “At this age, gathered outside to learn how > Time management (on a excitement and anticipation children are learning one- to change a tire and jumpstart more open schedule) a major holiday-like event to-one correspondence—1 a car. As the instructor opened > Dealing with racism (all the deserves. number = 1 thing. So to the trunk and removed the As part of 100 Day, special understand 100, they needed isms) classes have their own special to see 100 people. They floor panel to reveal the spare > Dorm room eating: cheap activities. In PE, for example, counted off by tens and were tire, one of the students— the children did “100s of delighted to discover that clearly not expecting a hidden and healthy meals things,” think sit-ups or 100 people could, indeed, fit tire—exclaimed, “Whoa! That’s > Making medical jumping jacks. inside their classroom.” crazy!” In a sewing workshop a appointments and staying In homeroom classes, the Similarly, across Earl student asked, “Is it supposed healthy work moves from thought Shapiro Hall, children were to look this messy on the to celebration. The nursery gathering collections of all back?” And instructors doled > What to do if you get in a car children in AJ Jennings class sorts of items—as long as the out great advice like “Don’t use accident had questions about big collection totaled 100. There numbers. How many is 10? bleach on your socks unless > The transition to college life were collections of beads, you want your feet to be itchy,” How many is 20? pennies, even 100 uneaten (what they don’t tell you) “Young children can’t yet Halloween candies! “Pick good roommates,” and

10 LabLife Fall 2019 SPORTS WINTER & SPRING HIGHLIGHTS 2018–19

Seniors learn “adulting”

BASEBALL BOYS Amanda O’Donnell, freshman TENNIS Sophia Park and junior Franzi The baseball team won Wild—won the IHSA Sectional the IHSA 2A Regional The boys tennis and qualified to State. Championship for the second team sent the Amanda finished 15th in the consecutive year defeating doubles team 3200m at the IHSA State Harlan High School in the of sophomore Championship meet. championship game at the Danny Han and Kroc Center. All-Conference junior Charlie ISL honors went to juniors McGowan to Zach Leslie, Eli List, Noah List, the IHSA State and freshman Colin Leslie. Southpaw pitcher Eli List was Championship named ISL Player-of-the-Year. meet, where the team scored 4 GIRLS BASKETBALL points in their 6 GIRLS SOCCER matches. Sophomore Freddie The Maroons finished the Tang won All-Conference ISL season with a 7–14 record The girls soccer team finished honors winning the second under first year head coach with a 8–10–2 record (4–2 singles draw. Sumayyah Muhammad. ISL ISL). The Maroons were 2A The boys 4x800m relay team All-Conference honors went Regional finalists losing to TRACK & FIELD won IHSA 2A All-State honors to junior Eve Grobman and Nazareth on penalty kicks with a strong sixth place senior Haley Wanner. under the lights on the new Freshman Amanda O’Donnell finish, setting a new school Jackman Field. Students won All-Conference ISL record of 8:08.99. The relay BOYS BASKETBALL named All-Conference honors winning the 3200m. team consisted of sophomore included: first team player Amanda also qualified to IHSA Nicky Edwards-Levin, junior The Maroons finished with junior Liz Gately; second 2A State winning the IHSA Eli Ginsburg, junior Luke a 15–13 record (10–2 in team sophomore Izzy 2A Sectional Championship. Sikora, and senior Abraham ISL second place). Winning Kaufman-Sites, junior Isabella Sophomore teammate Zelchenko. Luke won the All-Conference honors Kellermeier, and sophomore Aanika Atluri finished second ISL and IHSA Sectional were seniors Mohammed Iris Xie. and qualified to State in the 1600m, and Abraham and Alausa and Jamie Miller and 3200m. Junior Franzi Wild Nicky qualified to State in sophomore Tolu Johnson. SQUASH won the 2A IHSA Sectional the 3200m. Nicky, Eli, Luke Senior Johny Brown was Championship in the 1600m and Abraham also qualified selected honorable mention. The squash team competed and teammate freshman to State in the 4x400m relay. in the Chicagoland Squash Sophia Park finished second Junior Stanley Shapiro won FENCING Conference under first year and qualified to State in All-Conference honors in the varsity coach Seetreeon the 1600m. The Maroons 100m. The Maroons earned Torres. Juniors Peter Grissom 4x800 relay team—senior a medalist (top 8) with and Gaurev Shekhawat won Hannah Herrera, freshman sophomore Jonathan Liu All-Conference honors. at the Great Lakes High School Fencing Conference BOYS SWIMMING Championship meet.

Jonathan won a silver medal in the Illinois State Senior Mitch Walker set an Championship tournament. IHSA Sectional meet record and new school record in GIRLS GYMNASTICS the 100m breaststroke with a 59.13. Mitch qualified Sophomore Tierney for the IHSA State Swim Cunningham competed for Championships at New Trier the Maroons for her second High School. Freshman Will season. She had a 5th Maharry set new school diving place finish at the Riverside- records in both the 6m and Brookfield Invitational and 11m compulsory dive events, competed at the IHSA Diving coach Will Guedes was Glenbrook South Regional named IHSA Sectional Diving Championship meet. Coach of the Year.

LabLife Fall 2019 11 In the Halls The Class of 2019 matriculates

For the 120 graduates in the THE CLASS OF 2019 WILL MATRICULATE AT: Class of 2019 their choices for “The international next year are as varied as the options are fantastic students themselves. One is ARIZONA STATE MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF growth opportunities UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA, SANTA postponing college and moving BARNARD COLLEGE (4) MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE CRUZ to another country. One is doing BOSTON COLLEGE NEW YORK UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO in countless ways, (19) a post graduate program for BOSTON UNIVERSITY (2) UNIVERSITY OF athletics and at least one other not to mention BROWN UNIVERSITY NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (5) COLORADO AT BOULDER is still deciding on a gap year. COLBY COLLEGE economical,” says PRINCETON UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS As has been the case in recent COLLEGE OF DUPAGE (2) AT CHICAGO years, several are going abroad COLORADO COLLEGE REED COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS college counselor AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN for college. “The international COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCRIPPS COLLEGE (6) (3) options are fantastic growth Patty Kovacs. “They ST. OLAF COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (2) CORNELL UNIVERSITY (2) opportunities in countless ways, STANFORD UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF usually are far more DENISON UNIVERSITY not to mention economical,” SWARTHMORE COLLEGE MICHIGAN (9) says college counselor Patty affordable than DREXEL UNIVERSITY (2) UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DUKE UNIVERSITY (2) DAME Kovacs. “They usually are far SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY American colleges GEORGETOWN THE GEORGE UNIVERSITY OF more affordable than American UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON PENNSYLVANIA (2) colleges and universities.” and universities.” GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF She continues, “Our Lab COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL PITTSBURGH UNIVERSITY OF graduates this year have much HARVARD COLLEGE (2) THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA (2) ROCHESTER to be proud of, and we are HAVERFORD COLLEGE TUFTS UNIVERSITY (3) UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF VERMONT very proud of them, too. They TECHNOLOGY TULANE UNIVERSITY have chosen a wide variety of UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY AT UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III WISCONSIN, MADISON institutions to attend, and their BLOOMINGTON DE MADRID VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY visions for the future will take KENYON COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA WASHINGTON them far!” LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY OF LOUIS (3) UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES WILLIAMS COLLEGE MACALESTER COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF YALE UNIVERSITY (4) MCGILL UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO

12 LabLife Fall 2019 Identity talks

Fifth-graders tackle complex social-emotional topics

Every Wednesday, Carl Lewis led for all fifth-grade “They’re learning vulnerability, respect, and Farrington’s fifth grade class classrooms. emotional generosity. circles up to do a mindfulness To understand gender about classmates “At the beginning of exercise, and then they wade identity and unpack the year, there were kids into some hard conversations. stereotypes, the students who are different who wouldn’t say anything. Everything from anxiety about watched a video about from them and But now, everyone makes a school to competition in PE gendered marketing in stores comment every time,” says class to race, gender, and police and thought about words their perspectives, Sullivan. “They’re learning brutality is on the table. These that could be used to describe about classmates who are “peace circles,” which have themselves. After school that and that a lot of different from them and their their origins in the restorative day, a male student went to the what they feel or perspectives, and that a lot of justice movement, model doctor, who told him he must what they feel or fear, others how to agree and disagree be pretty active because he’s fear, others do, do, too. They’re not alone.” respectfully. a boy. “And our student said, too. They’re not “It creates a safe place ‘Well, that’s a stereotype,’” where students can have these says Sullivan. “They’re really alone.” conversations,” says Farrington, getting it.” who has been holding the Lewis visited Farrington’s weekly talks with Lower class a second time to talk are denied, purely by virtue of School counselor Christine about inequity. Groups traits they’re born with. Sullivan since October. “It were given different bags of Lewis gave input on how to teaches listening and empathy, materials. Some got colorful continue handling discussions regardless of one’s own paper, others newspaper. about race, gender, and religion experiences and belief systems.” Some bags came with helpful on an ongoing basis. The The peace circles grew directions, others didn’t get resulting peace circles, which out of “identity talks” that any guidance at all. The point other fifth-grade classrooms University of Illinois at was to demonstrate how have adopted, have helped Chicago professor, and parent some people are handed more students continue practicing of a Lab fifth-grader, Amanda resources and help that others

LabLife Fall 2019 13 In the Halls Mark Making: A Journey To Joy Art show at Corvus Gallery highlights Nursery and Kindergarten art

Her findings were “This exhibit plentiful. In Tracey Aiden’s Nursery class, students were speaks in the all shown the same dandelion language of art and asked to paint a picture of it with watercolors. The where learning students in Elspeth Stowe- and play are Grant’s Kindergarten class, after completing a unit not separate, about trees, were all where marks “We want people to know “For years I’ve envisioned asked to paint a tree from that this isn’t refrigerator art,” an art show for Nursery and memory. Nisha Ruparel-Sen’s give voice to the says Nursery assistant teacher Kindergarten students,” says Kindergarteners created self- human motivation and artist Wendy Minor with Minor. When the Corvus portraits with accompanying a laugh. “This show is about Gallery opened, she saw her shadows, in which they wrote to represent children making their mark. opportunity. She presented words to describe themselves, experience.” They have utilized various a proposal—complete with i.e., “I ama big sistr”; “I am mediums...clay, watercolors, images of student artwork— you neek.” collage, pencils, blocks...so to the gallery board, and “This exhibit speaks in the they may share their unique found an outpouring of language of art where learning perspectives with us.” support at every turn. and play are not separate, The show—which runs “It was important to me where marks give voice to from June 20–September that teachers not do any extra the human motivation to 20 in the Corvus Gallery at work,” says Minor. “So I represent experience,” says Gordon Parks Art Hall—was visited classrooms to find out recently retired Principal Lab’s first to highlight the what kind of art projects Carla Young. “Every child is art of three to six-year-old the students were already a maker, and every mark is an students. It was also Minor’s working on.” intention.” brainchild.

14 LabLife Fall 2019 Behind the Scenes DAVE KALETA

Kindergarten teacher moonlights as a Lego artist

“I attended for the first time wedding cake; his son taking in 2009 and I haven’t missed a his first steps in their living year since.” room; and a piece titled “Sleep Kaleta also attends Regression”: an exhausted building competitions. He Kaleta asleep on the floor and excelled in a 2010 tournament a very-much-awake toddler with a piece called “Dissected standing in a crib. Frog”, which he constructed from the prompt “Lego anatomy.” An incredible opportunity arose from this experience: A curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London found an image At home, he is working with his

son on a series of “They say if you’re an f you were to visit then pursued his masters in spaceships, each artist, you should create the home of early childhood education of which is shaped what you know,” Kaleta says. Kindergarten teacher at the Erikson Institute. “Autobiographical work is Dave Kaleta, ’95— But his love of Lego never like a different something I haven’t seen other and his students have, relinquished. Lego artists do.” as part of his class’s “adventure “Until the dawn of the letter of the Kaleta shares his love for curriculum”—you would internet, I never knew there alphabet. Lego with the children in find the usual: furniture, was a community of people his life: his own son and his appliances, books...and an art out there who love Lego as students. For a 100th day of studio dedicated primarily to much as I do,” Kaleta says. of “Dissected Frog” online school project, his students building with Lego. That’s how he found out and asked to include the piece build structures using 100 Kaleta, who has been co- about Brickworld, which in an exhibit about expert bricks in the “beginner’s teaching Kindergarten with is the largest Lego fan crafting. studio” he has carefully Amy Tomaszewcksi for 12 convention in North America. “I don’t glue any of my designed in his classroom. At years, started building with sculptures, so I had to home, he is working with his Lego bricks when he was four send the frog in several son on a series of spaceships, years old. Well-meaning adults pieces, along with a 60- each of which is shaped like a would admire his advanced step photo guide so their different letter of the alphabet. structures and opine, “You curators would be able He credits his wife—who should be an architect!” He to reconstruct it,” Kaleta is an art director—as a creative listened, and entered Miami says. “Lab generously partner as well as a source of University–Ohio as an flew me out to see the support and inspiration. architecture major. show, and it was pretty “She builds with Lego “Both of my parents were amazing. My Lego bricks as well, and she helps educators, so architecture were next to Alexander me conceptualize my was my futile attempt to McQueen’s shoes.” autobiographical pieces,” do something different,” The pieces he holds Kaleta says. “And those are says Kaleta with a laugh. most dear, however, the pieces that resonate the “But education was where I are the pieces in his most with people at Lego belonged.” autobiographical series: a conventions.” To change his scene of how he met his path, he switched to an wife at the Lurie Garden; To see Kaleta’s Lego art interdisciplinary major with the bride and groom he portfolio, please visit http:// an emphasis on art education, designed to top their www.davekaleta.net/

LabLife Fall 2019 15

Recognizing that our Schools are a better place because ALUMNIWEEKEND2019of the people who contribute After a several years-long New this year at experiment, and in response Lab: The Alumni Awards to alumni preference, Lab Ceremony as a new lead-in returned to hosting Alumni to the reunion dinners—a Weekend in the spring, perfect opportunity to concurrently with UChicago socialize, celebrate reunion activities. Having outstanding alumni, and get already hosted more than “in the spirit” of reconnecting 350 alumni in October 2018, with Lab; and, an all alumni another 400 returned in June after-party. Alumni said they to reconnect with classmates loved the “Club Lab” motif and the Lab community, and dancing to “grad year” celebrate milestone reunion music. dinners, and enjoy special programs and events. In addition to better weather and easier travel, many Lab alumni (some with other UChicago degrees) enjoyed the chance to attend University lectures and reunion events.

Miranda Garfinkle, Blake Hensel, Arjun Nandy, Sam Curry, and Rush Brown, all Class of 2014

Lab Alumni Weekend after party

16 LabLife Fall 2019

their time and resources, Lab held two special events to say thank you.

Distinguished Alumna Award winner Valerie Jarrett, ’73, with U-Highers

Eric Larson, ’06, Cheryl Cortez, ’92, Rising Star Professional Achievement Award winner Amanda Willams, ’92, Alumni Service Award winner Susie Stein, ’45, and Zach Levin, ’03

Karl Wright, ’79, and Rachel Kligerman, ’79 The Class of 1999 celebrated their 20th reunion

Lab Alumni Weekend after party Lab’s Alumni Authors Collection Leah Taylor, ’78, Lab parent Ruth Slaughter, Kimberly Bragg, ’92, Edith Williams (mom to award winner Amanda Williams,) and Cheryl Cortez, ’99

LabLife Fall 2019 17 Career Treks Tailored for high schoolers, this variation of a UChicago program gives U-Highers a better sense of the work world

ver several days in specific employers.” While the High June, a group of 17 School students are years from choosing rising juniors traveled a profession, this program is designed to to San Francisco to give students a practical understanding visit Facebook, True of the jobs available and the daily life in Ventures, Google, a possible field of interest. Students also Peet’s Coffee, and learn about professional networks and have Wag Hotels, to see just what it looks like to the opportunity to meet and connect with work in one of these environments. UChicago and Lab alums. The Lab Treks program is an age- appropriate adaptation of a program offered by the University of Chicago to Says Mr. Zarobe, “So many of us graduated undergraduates. Says Director Alumni from college not even knowing what Relations Michael Zarobe, who worked kinds of jobs exist out in the world. with UChicago Careers Program Director Career Treks help give Lab students a Tara Ford, “Our goal when we began better understanding of what’s out there developing this idea with the UChicago is the real world—and a vocabulary—in Office of Career Advancement was to an experiential way. It’s a very Dewey use our University connection to give approach.” Lab students a unique opportunity for Says Director Charlie Abelmann who career exploration, and to visit industry- joined the group for a day, “The students

1822 LabLife LabLife Fall Fall 2019 2017 Alumni Honored

ON SATURDAY, JUNE 8, THE LAB COMMUNITY CELEBRATED THREE EXTRAORDINARY ALUMNAE AT THE 2019 ALUMNI AWARDS CEREMONY DURING LAB ALUMNI WEEKEND.

Distinguished Alumni Rising Star Professional Inaugural Alumni Award Achievement Award Service Award

LAB’S HIGHEST ALUMNI THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES A THIS BRAND-NEW AWARD HONOR, THIS AWARD LAB ALUMNUS OR ALUMNA RECOGNIZES ALUMNI WHO CELEBRATES THE WHO HAS GRADUATED HAVE DEMONSTRATED ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF WITHIN THE LAST 30 YEARS AN EXTRAORDINARY ALUMNI ACROSS SPHERES AND HAS MADE AN IMPACT IN COMMITMENT TO THE OF PROFESSIONAL AND HIS OR HER FIELD. LABORATORY SCHOOLS AND PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT, THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY. PUBLIC AND CIVIC SERVICE, AND PHILANTHROPIC AND A Chicago-based visual VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT. artist who trained as Susie is a passionate an architect, Amanda volunteer leader and has exhibited widely, tireless supporter of Valerie is a distinguished including at the Museum Lab. She has been a senior fellow at the of Contemporary Art in committed member of the University of Chicago Law Chicago and the Pulitzer Lab Alumni Association School. As the longest- Arts Foundation. Her Executive Board, serving serving senior advisor to art is in the permanent as reunion committee President Barack Obama, collections of the Museum chair and regional she oversaw the Offices of Modern Art in New outreach advocate. In were everything you would expect from a of Public Engagement and York City and of the Art addition, Susie has served group of Labbies: They actively engaged Intergovernmental Affairs Institute of Chicago. She on Lab’s Connections with the company hosts (even CEOs!) and and chaired the White is a member of the Obama Committee as well as on House Council on Women Presidential Center the University of Chicago asked intelligent, thoughtful questions. and Girls. She currently Museum Design Team Women’s Board, UChicago Our students were open to the many serves on the boards of and a frequent lecturer. Urban Education Institute’s astute perspectives they heard—on careers, Ariel Capital Management Amanda’s creative Partners Committee, business models, and organizational Holdings, the Kennedy practice employs color as and the UChicago Music strategies, missions, and values.” Center, the Economic a way to draw attention Department Visiting Club of Chicago, When to the complexities of Committee. We All Vote, 2U, and Lyft. CALL TO ACTION: race, space, and value in Her memoir, Finding My cities. Her many accolades Lab hopes to run Career Treks in Voice: My Journey to the include a 2018 USA Ford the coming years to New York City, West Wing and the Path Fellowship, and she is also Washington DC, Boston, and Los Angeles, Forward, appeared in a Joan Mitchell Foundation with a focus on other vibrant industries. 2019. Valerie is the proud awardee. Amanda was parent of Lab alumna Lab’s Mark Plotkin | Muriel Please join us in supporting this innovative Laura Jarrett, ‘03. Rosenthal Alumni Speaker program for current and future students in 2016. She and her at Lab by offering to host a visit or by husband are the proud supporting this program philanthropically. parents of two current Lab students. Contact Michael Zarobe, mzarobe@ucls. uchicago.edu.

LabLife Fall 2019 19 Celebrating half a century of Rites of May

20 LabLife Fall 2019 Celebrating half a century of Rites of May

LabLife Fall 2019 21 ore than 1,200 puppetry and pageant to the event. people, a She devotes hours of her time, in record number partnership with many other parent of performers, volunteers. This year the parade booths, and included the magic of a giant bird t-shirt sales, more puppet manned by three adults and inflatables than students, plus costumed children, ever, dozens of parent and student teachers, and parents, all led by Grand volunteers, and a spectacular spring Marshal Principal Carla Young, who parade leading into a maypole dance. retired from Lab in July after more than This was one of the largest Rites of three decades. May ever, taking over all of Kenwood Says Director Charlie Abelmann, Mall, Scammon Garden, and Lower “A school works because of how Kovler Gym. people care for each other and come Starting a few years ago, Lab together in public spaces to deepen parent Tria Smith, formerly a principal relationships and create meaning—it of the renowned Redmoon Theater, is even better when everyone is having rejuvenated the idea of the maypole so much fun.” dance by adding a parade full of

22 LabLife Fall 2019 LabLife Fall 2019 23 24 LabLife Fall 2019 LabLife Fall 2019 25 Taking a purpos eful break before college The “gap year” as a learning bridge to college and beyond

By Megan Doherty

26 LabLife Fall 2019 Taking a purpos eful break before college

LabLife Fall 2019 27 hen Brazil elected its new president, Natalie Glick, ’18, started getting emails. Her friends in college were taking international relations classes, but they wanted her to explain it to them. “It shook across the world, but living there, specifically in the south of Brazil, gave me this insight that people who don’t understand Brazilian culture wouldn’t understand,” said Glick. “I was living through it.” Glick is describing her “gap year,” typically when a student takes time between finishing high school and starting college. Some work, some travel, some volunteer, others may use the opportunity to focus on health or family issues. While still not commonplace in the United States (estimates suggest about two percent of American students take a gap year,) the experience is the norm elsewhere, like Ireland. “Because it’s not part of the standard educational pattern here, our American culture became used to a covert or even overt expectation that if you’re going to go to college at all, it must happen immediately after your senior year of high school,” said Patty Kovacs, college counselor. This expectation feeds into certain myths, such as the perception that if a student takes a gap year, then it will look bad to prospective colleges and universities. But institutions of higher education don’t all march in lockstep like that, advises Kovacs. “There’s also the fear from parents mentor, having an internship, and doing that if their child takes a gap year, they Through China, Vietnam, Cambodia, a project that takes a semester or more to just won’t return to college at all. This and Thailand, Hannah taught English complete. is another false myth,” she said. “The and worked with kids who had been Robert Hannah agrees. vast majority report that students who affected by the lasting effects of Agent “I could not be happier,” said Hannah, take a gap year start their freshman year Orange, used during the Vietnam War. ’17, now at the University of Colorado of college in a more settled way, because He then went to South Africa with Boulder. “Taking a gap year was more they’ve had real life experience. They see a company that engages in wildlife beneficial to my mental health and a higher purpose in education, and have preservation in Kruger National Park. stability than anything else I possibly a little bit more maturity to navigate A few times a day, he would help the could have done. And, personally, I would college.” team with their animal research and recommend it to everybody.” According to the Chronicle of Higher preservation work, whether it be counting In the spring of his senior year at Lab, Education, research supports a period animals or taking down traps and nets. Hannah was agonizing over which college of purposeful, hands-on learning. The After South Africa, he traveled to pick. He was stuck, and couldn’t seem Gallup-Purdue Index, a large study that to Australia with an internship for a to find a way to move forward with his seeks to track college outcomes, has company called Startupbootcamp, an decision. His mom suggested he give demonstrated that how students go to accelerator focused on environmentally himself permission to think on it some college is much more important than efficient or energy-focused startups. While more, and he began exploring his gap year where they go to college. Their data there, he helped facilitate an event where options. He decided to spend the fall with suggest that the strongest predictors of companies from all over the world would ARCC, one of many organizations that future success are experiences that require show off their ideas and business plans to offer tailored gap year experiences around initiative and agency—such as finding a potential investors and partners. It was the world.

28 LabLife Fall 2019 exciting, and by this point Hannah had Pandolfi opted for a gap year because long since realized how much he made the she wasn’t satisfied with the schools she right call. got into. It was after having gone through “My decision to take a gap year was the whole college application process tough at first, because all my friends went that she felt she understood how to best straight to school. But my experience was navigate it. A gap year let her have a “do honestly pretty life changing,” he said. “It over.” can be hard to remove yourself from the For five months, she spent her days idea that going to college immediately at an olfaction lab that studies neural equates with success or happiness. That’s signals in rats’ brains when they learn to just something that’s preached to us.” differentiate between scents. She helped In fact, some studies have shown train the rats and also did video coding to that taking a gap year boosts students’ track their movements. Part of her job was to read science articles each week, which from academics has reconfirmed for represented a shift from when she had to her that she really does want to work in “I see so much read articles to earn a grade. politics or government one day. “I learned to slow things down a Her program was run through Global value in taking bit and to read the material to truly Citizen Year, which focuses on cultural time away from understand it, not just for what I would immersion. She lived with a host family need in order to get a better grade.” and worked part-time at a nursery school a structured Later, in Nepal with an organization while learning Portuguese. Since being called Where There Be Dragons, she had abroad, she feels she’s getting the hang classroom a couple hours of language study, followed of how to be more than a student—she by instruction in Ayurvedic medicine. learned how to be a person outside of setting and Over a week at a Tibetan monastery where a school setting for the first time in her she learned how to meditate from the adult life. learning through monks. Leah Iosevich, ’19, left in August conversation, “I think I’ve grown a lot through this for her gap year in Israel with the Bina whole experience,” she said. “I’ve become International Gap Year Program. “I fell and by failing, a lot more confident in myself and my in love with languages even before I fell abilities, without following the normal, in love with chocolate, and I cannot and by just being prescribed course that everybody else remember a time when I did not worship does.” chocolate,” says Iosevich who studied present in the Glick has grown, too—she feels more Latin at Lab, Italian at the University comfortable with who she is and soaked of Chicago, and Russian with a tutor at world,” says Glick. up the calmer, slower Brazilian way of home. “I love all languages, but there is life—but instead of rethinking what she one that is especially close to me, the ‘72 wants to pursue, taking this step back percent cocoa with raspberries and sea performance once they matriculate: The salt’ of languages: Hebrew. Hebrew and actual academic performance of those family tradition are almost synonymous who took a gap year was higher than their in my mind. It is in Hebrew that we pray predicted performance at the time they in synagogue. It is in Hebrew, and in applied. This improvement was noted to Israel, that I read my Torah portion. That’s last across all four years of college. why the Bina gap year is so important to “Like a lot of people, I was set on me.” She hopes the year will increase her going to a good school, becoming wealthy, confidence and leadership skills and help having a life with certain milestones. her learn more about political differences But I realized that what I really want has in Israel. “I want to have the courage to nothing to do with any of that,” said act on my beliefs, help others, and be a Hannah. “It rather has to do with how leader.” I changed my mindset and how I now Says Glick, “Lab is a really special approach my life every day.” school, but there’s so much more out Similarly, Guinevere Pandolfi, ’18, there. I would encourage students to underwent dramatic shifts in her look beyond the Lab bubble. Take an perception of what she thought she opportunity to live in another country. wanted. During high school, she was Now, I see so much value in taking time aiming for a very rigid science program away from a structured classroom setting in college. Now, she plans on getting a and learning through conversation, and broader liberal arts education instead. by failing, and by just being present in the “I had been very mechanical in the world.” way I made choices, but this gap year experience has shown me that I don’t have to be,” she said.

LabLife Fall 2019 29 30 LabLife Fall 2019 NATHAN APPELBAUM, BELOW

Getting their feet in the door U-Highers embark on life-changing UChicago internships via Summer Link program

By Heather Preston

LabLife Fall 2019 31 his summer dozens of senior Nathan Appelbaum’s summer spent Time travel in the Media Arts, U-High students participated studying bimac octopuses at the University Data, and Design (MADD) in Summer Link, a program of Chicago. that connects Labbies to “I am extremely fortunate to be Center unique opportunities in working at the Ragsdale Neurobiological Meanwhile, in the Weston Game Lab, the world-class offices, Laboratory, the very lab that sequenced the senior Leland Culver is connecting to the laboratories, and studios of octopus genome,” Nathan says. year 2049. the University of Chicago. Others join the Nathan joined three UChicago graduate The lab, which opened in early 2019 work taking place at alumni- or University- students, two undergraduates, and in the MADD Center on the UChicago connected businesses, arts organizations, Neurobiology Professor Cliff Ragsdale, campus, features classrooms, studio and non-profits. These unparalleled whose team of researchers sequenced spaces, open work areas for collaborative opportunities reflect the unique reality the octopus genome in 2015. For the design and development, and access to that these high school students are learning first three weeks of his internship, the UChicago Library’s collection of within the context of a world class research Nathan worked with graduate student historically significant video games and university. Summer Link is a prime Grace Schulz to explore octopus arm consoles. Here students have access to example of what makes Lab such a special regeneration. He was also involved in a digital fabrication, virtual reality, GIS, place to learn. study of the axial nerve cord, which runs data visualization, and other cutting-edge technologies. Along with Lab classmate Ella Beiser, Leland is working with a group that calls themselves the “fourcasters”—a team comprised of UChicago faculty and interns from the graduate, undergraduate, and high school levels—to build a virtual world. Their goal? To find possible solutions to climate change. Leland and Ella are working with a group that calls themselves the “fourcasters”—a team comprised of UChicago faculty and interns from Summer Link began decades ago as an inside the arms of octopuses and allows informal program run by retired U-High each arm to function independently. the graduate, science teacher Murray Hozinsky, who “The arms function individually as if they undergraduate, and helped students find summer jobs in have minds of their own,” Nathan says. the University’s biological and physical “They reportedly even grab for food after high school levels— science research labs. The program was so amputation.” successful, however, that Lab expanded When Ragsdale and his team first to build a virtual it to include other disciplines. This year’s sequenced the genome, Ragsdale described Summer Link interns embarked on what they found as something that was world. Their goal? individual adventures to explore the worlds “thrown in a blender.” To find possible of neurobiology, visual art, economics, and “Aliens aren’t going to land and even game design. offer themselves up for experimental solutions to climate neuroscience, so the next best thing is Limb regeneration at the cephalopods!” change. Ragsdale Neurobiological Nathan, for his part, is thriving in the Laboratory laboratory environment. “It’s really exciting to be working on “No day is the same as the last,” something as monumental as this,” Leland A laboratory...octopuses...arm Nathan says. “I am constantly challenged.” regeneration...a professor...a high-school says. “We are working on several games intern. That may sound like a choppy and other interactive media in order to synopsis of a Spiderman movie, but really help get students thinking about possible it’s just a few of the highlights from Lab solutions to environmental predicaments and potential disasters facing us.”

32 LabLife Fall 2019 a lot of its meaning,” “I didn’t even know all the career Veronica says. possibilities at a museum,” she says. “Maintaining the art “Being able to see this has broadened my work is maintaining the perspective.” artists’ visions. So, there is a small amount of Social studies at the pressure there.” Kenneth C. Griffin She’s even had the Department of Economics opportunity to visit In 2018 TheBestSchools.org voted some of the programs Lab parent John List, the Kenneth C. of which the Smart is a Griffin Distinguished Service Professor in part, such as the Sweet Economics at the University of Chicago, Water Foundation, among the top 25 behavioral economists a neighborhood in the world. And this summer, U-Higher regeneration project Noor Asad worked by his side. which transforms some List’s award-winning research provides of the city’s deteriorating insight into discrimination and wage gaps, buildings and vacant education incentives, pricing behavior, spaces into sustainable valuation of non-marketed goods and community assets. services, provision of public goods, and “It is really cool to see charitable giving. But List doesn’t just the behind-the-scenes describe the problem: He is yielding of a museum,” Veronica solutions. He pioneered the TMW Center says. “It takes a lot of for Early Learning + Public Health, a people to run the Smart joint venture between the University of [and their programs], Chicago’s Biological Sciences and Social and I’m really happy that Science divisions that fosters “evidence- Part of his job is to build and maintain a I get to talk to them and based interventions to help parents and server to support these projects. learn from them.” caregivers optimize foundational brain “This is just the kind of work I want As it turns out, people are also learning development in children birth to age five, to do: social advocacy through gaming,” from Veronica. She and another intern are particularly those born into poverty.” Leland says. “We have the chance to translating some of the Smart’s materials List is grateful for his team members communicate with the future. That gives from English into Spanish. This furthers and the interns who help make his work us a kind of second chance, a chance to the museum’s effort to make sure that possible. “The human capital that Summer get things right now, and we’re all about everyone, regardless of what language they Link, and more specifically this summer building the kind of environment for those may speak, can fully enjoy the museum. Noor Asad, provides to my research studies ideas to flourish in.” As for her future, Veronica is keeping is invaluable,” List says. “They provide her options open, but working at the the backbone to my work, and without Maintaining artists’ visions Smart has opened her eyes to the avenues this catalyst much less science would be at the David and Alfred available to a student with her potential. completed.” Smart Museum of Art If Veronica Godina could describe her summer internship in one word, it would be “unpredictable.” In a single day at the David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, Veronica might make a coffee run, work the scanner, assist in the opening of an exhibition, or help maintain pieces of art. One of the installations she’s responsible for is “Untitled (We are a thousand petals to no one)” by Harold Mendez. It is an obsidian rock with a small pool of water in the center that is surrounded by petals, and each day Veronica is tasked with carefully refilling the water and replacing wilted petals with fresh ones. Another piece is comprised, in part, of ivy, which Veronica nurtures. “If the ivy plant dies, then the piece loses

LabLife LabLife Fall Fall 2016 2019 27 33 LabArts has earned its place as a full-blown Lab tradition

34 LabLife Fall 2019 LabArts has earned its place as a full-blown Lab tradition

ow in its eighth year, Working alongside homeroom teachers, LabArts has earned its atelieristas, and Fine Arts, Music, and place as a full-blown Drama faculty, students obtain the technical Lab tradition—one of skills necessary to produce art with both the Schools’ signature intention and impact. The work exposes the all-community activities. passions of students and the subject matter It began in 2011 with a display of they deem most critical in our world today. photographs, paintings, sculptures, and The LabArts exhibition illustrates, in a most drawings in Kovler Gymnasium. The event powerful manner, the depth and breadth moved to Earl Shapiro Hall before finally of Lab’s arts program as well as the artistic finding its home in Gordon Parks Arts Hall. directions many students will pursue in their More important, over time, the exhibit next chapters—and it’s only a fraction of the expanded to two full weeks and from one work our students create. floor to occupy three full floors with more LabArts was originally conceptualized, than 1,700 pieces of art. and has been realized each year, under LabArts represents the culmination the leadership of parents Cynthia Heusing of work from students of every age at and Cheryl Rudbeck with help from many Lab—nursery through high school—and parents and a coalition of arts faculty. allows one to see the full arc of Lab’s arts Together, they have grown this event into a education. From traditional painting and truly magnificent, comprehensive, and joyful drawing to photography, textile art, and celebration of the arts at Lab. sculpture, students have embraced a wide range of media and styles, producing work CALL TO ACTION: truly representative of the diverse arts Heusing and Rudbeck are seeking a curriculum at Lab. special parent volunteer or two who will have the time and experience to become ongoing LabArts owner/curator/leaders. Please email [email protected].

LabLife Fall 2019 35 36 LabLife Fall 2019 Art Koff lunched recently with Gail Meyers Elden. He hears Alumni notes 50s occasionally from Jim Rosenblum and from Michael Padnos, who EMERITUS ALUMNI REUNION is still living on his houseboat in JUNE 6, 2020 Paris. Art and his wife traveled – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – recently to Prague and Berlin, Class of 1950: Interested in where they were “struck with the volunteering to serve as your huge difference between the areas class representative? Email that were under Soviet rule for 30 the Office of Alumni Relations years and those farther west that and Development at labnotes@ were not.” ucls.uchicago.edu. Compared with these world travelers, my escapades are a bit Keep in Touch – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 1946 Class Representative more modest. I did, however, The Lab Notes section of this 1951 Class Representative Judy Daskal Lynn Manaster Alperin manage a week in New York magazine is where alumni in May to take in the complete come to connect with the 5050 South Lake Shore Drive 16 North Dansby Drive Apt. 1804S Galveston, TX 77551 Wagner “Ring Cycle” at the Schools and fellow classmates. Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Vail Chicago, IL 60615 [email protected] Please contact your class would have been proud of me. I [email protected] – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – representative or the Office had not been there in 30 years, and 773-493-8373 of Alumni Relations and From your class representative: was quite tickled by the experience Development with any updates I do hate to start with the bad I relate below: 1947 Class Representative Lou Dean about yourself or friends news, but here it is: Standing in line waiting for who attended Lab. If your Annette Martin Craighead died on January 10. Two days the Metropolitan Museum of Art graduation year is without 6650 West Flamingo Road prior to that, he sent me a text to open its doors, I began talking a representative, please Apt. 209 that read, “To keep things swift: with a young woman standing consider volunteering to serve Las Vegas, NV 89103 I’m in the hospital with stage behind me. She told me that she in this fun and important role. 702-648-9913 four cancer...I have between 2–5 was an art historian at Vassar. The Email notes, information, or – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – months to live. Cancer has taken conversation continued like this: Class of 1948: Interested in my voice, so talking on the phone questions to labnotes@ucls. ME: Do you live in the city? uchicago.edu. volunteering to serve as your is impossible.” class representative? Email Last October Lou sent me SHE: Yes, where do you live? the Office of Alumni Relations a story that appeared in the ME: Galveston, Texas. and Development at labnotes@ Richmond, VA, newspaper, the SHE: Galveston! ucls.uchicago.edu. Richmond Times Dispatch. The ME: My goodness, do you know it? 30s & – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – article was headed “Beloved SHE: My father graduated from Roland Schneider writes: “I was Richmond radio host Lou Dean medical school in Galveston in 1972. married for 50 years to Sandy a tireless contributor to the ME: The University of Texas 40s Mosley, who graduated from community.” I would like to share Medical Branch? EMERITUS ALUMNI REUNION U-High in 1949 (maybe 1948). here some selected passages from SHE: Yes. JUNE 6, 2020 Sandy died in 2016. Currently, I’m that article with you: ME: My husband has been on the – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – still cooking. My novel, Jesters, is “At a time when few radio faculty at UTMB for 55 years. He about to be published in paperback Classes of 1940–43: Interested stations stayed on the air past may well have taught your father. in volunteering to serve as your and Kindle e-book forms on midnight, Dean’s voice was a warm, What specialty did he enter? Amazon, and soon other venues as comforting presence, a reminder class representative? Email SHE: He is a psychiatrist. the Office of Alumni Relations well. A section is about the time that there was more to the dark ME: Does he practice in New and Development at labnotes@ the novel’s protagonist spent at than things that go bump,” wrote York? ucls.uchicago.edu. U-High. If you should want to a fellow broadcaster. “He was there SHE: No, he practices in Chicago. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – buy a paperback copy, buy it from for those who worked the midnight I grew up in Chicago and attended 1944 Class Representative me, not Amazon. If any of my shift, for those out late on a date, the University of Chicago RuthAnn Johnson Frazier classmates survive, hello. If anyone and for those who liked a little Laboratory School. 9109 Walden Road wants to contact me: rhsnew1@ music as they drifted off to sleep.” ME: (dumbfounded) I went to the Silver Spring, MD 20901-3529 gmail.com or 310-710-3802.” Lou has been quoted as saying, University of Chicago Laboratory [email protected] “Today, it’s about staying relevant, School! 1949 Class Representative staying involved.” He certainly Ernest J. Dunston succeeded in doing that and will Gail Elden writes, “It was fun to 1945 Class Representatives talk to Jim Rozenblum and Art Bud Gibbs 4 Tetilla Road be sorely missed! Please see the Santa Fe, NM 87508 obituary section in the back of this Koff recently. I am still doing Apartment 19E therapy on Erie Street. Seeing [email protected] magazine. 146 Central Park, West the new Laboratory School is 505-466-4346 On to happier news. Andrea New York, NY 10023-2005 overwhelming!” [email protected] Arentsen Atlass followed 212-362-0104 up her three-month cruise 1952 Class Representative circumnavigating Australia last William T. Salam Susie Stein fall with another in the Caribbean 114 Prospector Pass 211 Apple Tree Road and Cuba in February. In June Georgetown, TX 78633 Winnetka, IL 60093-3703 she headed to the Baltic for three [email protected] [email protected] weeks, and in January 2020 she 512-868-1915 will take a four-month around-the- world cruise.

LabLife Fall 2019 37 1953 Class Representative Earl Silbar inspired and for the best. I moved to the Texas Cordelia “Corky” Dahlberg co-edited the book, You Say You Hill Country, three years ago, Benedict 60s Want a Revolution: SDS, PL, and just south of Fredericksburg and 885 West Stone Barn Road Adventures in Building a Worker- bought a small house with great Franklin Grove, IL 61031 60TH CLASS REUNION / 1960 Student Alliance. views and a peaceful environment. JUNE 6, 2020 [email protected] Last year, I had the fortune to meet 815-677-0093 1961 Class Representative a wonderful lady who lives in San 1960 Class Representative James Orr Antonio and we have been seeing 1954 Class Representative Ellen O’Farrell Leavitt Apartment 3802, 1660 North each other now for almost a year. Richard Heller 7508 North Red Ledge Drive LaSalle Drive She’s a piano teacher and a flutist 421 Ellendale Avenue Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 Chicago, IL 60614-6027 (as well as a retired U.S. Marine), Nashville, TN 37205 [email protected] [email protected] and we literally and figuratively [email protected] make great music together! She 615-343-0473 From your class representative: After graduating from Lab, Gerry has inspired me to start composing – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SAVE THE DATE! Next year Kraines went on to receive a again, and I think I have inspired Class of 1955: Interested in UChicago Alumni Weekend bachelor’s degree in Organic her to practice her flute more, volunteering to serve as your will take place on June 4–6. It Chemistry from Oberlin College too. I continue to be active in the class representative? Email will be our 60th reunion! Lab before attending Case Western Fredericksburg Theatre Company the Office of Alumni Relations has planned a fantastic day and Reserve School of Medicine. Upon and Development at labnotes@ (in April of this year, had the roles evening of activities, and all for completion of medical school, he of the Historian and Sir Bedevere ucls.uchicago.edu. completed an internship in internal a very reasonable price. Early in Spamalot), and hope to be in – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – medicine at the University of New polling indicated a number of you one of their 2020 productions. I Class of 1956: Interested in are interested in attending. Your Mexico Hospital and a residency in continue to be active in astronomy, volunteering to serve as your reunion committee (which has psychiatry and public health at the as well as spending a few hours class representative? Email already started planning), urges all Harvard Medical School. During the Office of Alumni Relations who are physically able to attend. his career he has served as medical a week maintaining my Android and Development at labnotes@ Last summer you should have director of mental health centers Calendar Software. My two ucls.uchicago.edu. received a blast email with more in Littleton, NH, and Keene, NH. grandsons are growing up fast—the – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – detail; please let us know you’ll join After that he opened a private older one, Charlie, is fascinated 1957 Class Representative in the fun. practice in Keene which operated with space, so he was very excited Elizabeth (Elsie) Hughes In June, Phil and I spent a for 10 years before he left to be the when I showed him a tiny piece of Schneewind few days in SoCal doing business. CEO of The Levinson Institute, foil from the Apollo 11 Command Apartment 8A, 130 Eighth Avenue Happily we were able to spend a position he still holds today. He capsule that I have. My son, James, Brooklyn, NY 11215 time with classmates Wendy plans on retiring around the age of lives in Salt Springs, FL, and I [email protected] Tucker, Laurie Braude (and Lois 80 but says he is having too much will be going on a big trip in my 718-783-0003 Bostwick), Randy DeLave, Ronnie fun to stop sooner. According camper to see him as well as check Anson (and Susie), and Dee Dee to Gerry, “The central theme in on my old wildlife facility in 1958 Class Representative Bickson Just. Back home we throughout my career has been North Georgia, which is now home Allen S. Musikantow celebrated July 4 with Ian Dresner a passion for developing healthy to some 100 or so chimpanzees. 9110 NW Highway 225A (and Carol), Michael Newsom systems (community, healthcare, I continue to follow the posts of Ocala, FL 34482 (and Arcelious Stevens), and Ken government, business) that release fellow Lab alums on FB and enjoy [email protected] Dry, ’61 (and Harri). the full potential of organizations seeing what others are up to!” Sadly we lost another classmate and the people who populate Bob Factor writes from From your class representative: The with the death of Karen Lisco them.” Additionally, he has served Madison, WI: “After 35 years third week in August, my wife, Lieberman on March 4. Karen as a faculty member at Harvard Amy, and I hosted a three-day working 10 hours per week at attended Lab from Kindergarten Medical School since 1990. Gerry gathering of my fellow classmates, what used to be called the Mental through High School graduation. has been married twice and has Lee Preston, ’61, Barry Preston, Health Center of Dane County She married fellow classmate Hal three children, five granddaughters, Murray Dry, Herb Simons, Eliot (now called Journey Mental Lieberman in 2001. Please see the two step-children, and three step- Health Center) doing community- Finkel, and their wives in Door grandchildren. County. We have been meeting obituary section in the back of this based treatment of people with – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – twice a year for the past 15 years magazine. serious mental illness, I retired in Class of 1962: Interested in in various locations with each of January. I continue to work about volunteering to serve as your us taking turns hosting. Our last 10 hours per week doing similar class representative? Email gathering was in the LA area with work with an assertive community Herb Simons and Eliot Finkel the Office of Alumni Relations treatment team (ACT) through organizing the activities. As you can and Development at labnotes@ the VA, the only single-payer imagine, it was three days of love ucls.uchicago.edu. health system in the United – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – and laughter.” States; and also about 10 hours 1963 Class Representative – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – per week doing psychotherapy David Stameshkin Class of 1959: Interested in and general psychiatry in an office volunteering to serve as your 176 Treetops Drive Lancaster, PA 17601 across the street from the State class representative? Email Capitol Building (for those of the Office of Alumni Relations [email protected] 717-341-5188 you who know Madison). I’m and Development at labnotes@ still a Professor Emeritus at UW– ucls.uchicago.edu. C. E. Steuart Dewar sent this Madison. I’m spending more time – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – with friends, traveling, reading, and Owen Cramer writes, “I’ve update: “After JoBeth passed away in 2015, the future seemed rather doing political work on progressive entered a new stage of life: My causes. My son, Sam, just finished first grandchild graduated college uncertain, but I am happy to report his fourth year toward a PhD in (Williams) in June.” that life has taken an unusual turn

38 LabLife Fall 2019 Marc Gold, Merle (Silverman) Gold, nature of the book, which wanders Press. The book, originally However, the opportunity to be ’64, Carol (Soble) Siegel, ’64, and over a large variety of pursuits published in 1987, highlights the included in such a celebration was Charles Siegel (sociology, politics, economics, major people and ideas that shaped irresistible. From the moment the religion, literature, et cetera) but the New Left in America. The plane landed at Lagos airport he ties them all with a few common republished version will include a week was full of new and exciting themes informed by neuroscience, preface by Jim that connects the experiences. experimental psychology, and original ideas in the book to today’s The first thing you must know neural network theory. I have also society. about Nigerian celebrations is the added a preface which argues that – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – importance of the clothes. Families the book’s conclusions are still valid Class of 1966: Interested in will have their outfits made by local after 20 years and lists additional volunteering to serve as your seamstresses, but most importantly support for these conclusions from class representative? Email they will all wear the same fabric more recent scientific findings. I the Office of Alumni Relations made up in different styles. For hope you find the book enjoyable and Development at labnotes@ instance, the birthday girl declared astronomy at the University of reading! I also just finished the ucls.uchicago.edu. that the theme color for the party Texas at Austin, and he’s probably third edition of a textbook on – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – would be pink. This determined got about two years to go. He very neural networks, published by Stuart Herman writes, “My first the color of most of the women’s much enjoys research and teaching Routledge. retirement project was to renovate outfits, or at least their gelee (head as a grad student, and living in I’m hoping for an active a 100-year-old house to net zero dresses—pronounced ‘gilly’) Austin, which former governor retirement in the next few years, and LEED Platinum to boot. The party took place in a local Rick Perry described ‘as a blueberry keeping research alive and spending During the past two and a half hall that was festooned in pink. in a bowl of tomato soup, if you more time on writing and speaking years, it has offset about 40 tons of A six-piece band played without know what I mean!’ I really enjoyed for general audiences—along carbon. Right now I am finishing a break, and tables had been laid seeing so many classmates at the with hobbies such as music, word up a Mission-style side table, which for about 300 guests. The formal reunion last fall, and I hope we can games, and cooking. With the has been a Dewey-esque project in start of the party was marked by do it again at 60. If you want to country and the world teetering on practical learning. Painful learning, the honoree, followed by her family reach out my email is rmfactor@ the edge of craziness, writing (and at times. Being a sometime pilgrim, and many friends, dancing into the wisc.edu.” sometimes contributing money) is I organized a trip in April 2018 for hall and down the aisle between the And Chuck Weiss was pleased the best tool I have in the cause of Lutheran educators to the Sinai tables. The emcee proceeded to call to report that he and his wife took sanity. Lorraine and I are expecting highlands in Egypt. We went as various people to the microphone. their extended family to Oahu to move in the next year from our guests (of the Jebeliya Bedouin), First was Remi who had praises to celebrate their 40th wedding house in Arlington, TX, to a lively builders (to construct a catchment heaped upon her by the emcee. anniversary in July. retirement complex in downtown dam to trap the occasional rains) Once she had returned to her seat and seekers (to learn about St. many other friends, relatives and 1964 Class Representative Fort Worth, less than a half hour away.” Katherine’s Monastery at the foot colleagues took their turn at the Robert Friedman microphone to tell stories about Carol (Soble) Siegel and of Mt. Sinai).” 720 Appletree Lane Joey Kenig writes, “I’m still Remi. My daughter was one of Chuck Siegel visited Merle Deerfield, IL 60015 playing ‘the poet game,’ (Greg those who spoke. She and I were (Silverman) Gold and Marc Gold [email protected] the only two white people in the in Maine this summer. Brown), working as a musician as 847-945-6933 often as I can, driving back and room. I felt highly honored to be 55TH CLASS REUNION / 1965 forth between Ely, MN, and St there. Ruth Orden Leitner writes, JUNE 6, 2020 Louis, MO. If you’re interested in Throughout all of this food “Retiring and turning 70 at the what that looks like or in when/ was served to the table in an almost – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – same time were a lot to handle, so I where I might be performing, unending stream from various Class of 1965: Interested in knew I needed a new passion in my please visit my website: www. outdoor cook stations near the hall. volunteering to serve as your life. I found it: writing life stories. joeykenig.com. My dad used to say There was chicken and fish and class representative? Email I just completed a wonderful that if we live long enough we have vegetables I recognized and some the Office of Alumni Relations course in Tel Aviv and am hoping many opportunities to reinvent I didn’t! A bottle of wine was set and Development at labnotes@ to find clients to write about. ourselves. I think he was right on our table because it was known ucls.uchicago.edu. Anybody coming to Israel is always about that.” that I like a glass of wine at times. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – welcome.” Anne-Marie Nicol writes, “As I Promptly at 6 p.m. the power Jim Miller’s book on the Students Daniel Levine writes, “My approach my three score years and generators were turned off and for a Democratic Society, book, Common Sense and Common 10, I realize that most of us have the party was over. (Nigeria has an Democracy Is in the Streets, is being Nonsense: A Conversation about also achieved this milestone this unusual power situation—ask me republished by Harvard University Mental Attitudes, Science, and year (or are about to)! It has been a about it another time.)” Society, has been published strange year for us as we have done as an ebook by Mavs Open very little traveling, but I wondered 1967 Class Representative Press, a venue sponsored by the if you would be interested in Barry S. Finkel University of Texas at Arlington hearing about a fascinating 70th 10314 South Oakley library. It is available for reading birthday celebration I attended a Chicago, IL 60643 and downloading at http://hdl. couple of years ago? [email protected] handle.net/10106/27541, by My son-in-law is of Nigerian 773-445-4112 following another link in the left heritage. His mother, who lives in hand column of the first page on Lagos, Nigeria, celebrated her 70th 1968 Class Representative that site. The book was originally birthday a couple of years ago. I Richard Dworkin written in 1998 and not published was fortunate enough to be invited Apartment 24 then for a variety of reasons. Since to the celebrations along with my 130 West 16th Street then I have added the subtitle daughter, Wendy, and son-in-law, New York, NY 10011 to emphasize the conversational Babfunso (Babs). [email protected] 212-366-6636

LabLife Fall 2019 39 1969 Class Representative Class of 1969 at their 50th reunion ‘recognizes significant contributions Kelley Anderson to Wisconsin archaeology and [email protected] anthropology.’ I’m only the second person to have won both Paula Fan writes, “I didn’t make the Lapham Medal and the Iowa the reunion, alas, but met David Archeological Society’s Keyes-Orr Kovacs, Carolyn Wilkins, and Award (2002), a recognition that Vinette Ashford at the Medici began in 1977 for ‘outstanding in April. I quote Vinette: ‘Like service to the Iowa Archeological fine wine we are looking better Society and in the research, with time.’ This was the day of reporting, and preservation of the Notre Dame fire. Afterwards, Iowa’s prehistoric and historic I headed to Billings, MT, for four heritage.’ I’m six months into an weeks, to be a rehearsal pianist and enjoyable retirement now, doing coach for Blodwen, the first Welsh a paralegal and mother of our seniors could take the last month a lot of traveling and still writing opera. (Yes, I can now speak a bit grandson Noah, and Tracy is a of school for an independent archaeology papers.” of Welsh, and certainly pronounce commercial property manager and study project. During the course In June, Erica Meyer met up it!) After Wales I headed to Paris, mother of our granddaughters of the year, I participated in with Karen Goetz at the Park West where I did not see Notre Dame. Gabriella and Sophia. meetings with faculty and parents in Chicago to attend a concert of Next stop: five concerts on the “Looking back 50 years to help facilitate acceptance and the Chromatics, an electronic rock Queen Elizabeth as she heads after graduation, I appreciate the implementation of the idea. We band featuring Adam Miller and through the Panama Canal. Strange importance of all of the things I were successful and students Nat Walker, both sons of Laura life I’ve fallen into, but interesting.” shared in common with so many were able to do some fascinating Friedberg Miller and nephews Stephan Korshak writes: classmates and not the differences things. Perhaps not surprisingly, of Cass Friedberg, ’60, also in “After graduation from U-High, that divided us. I am lucky and my work career has largely attendance. It was remarked that, I graduated from the University grateful to have experienced Lab. involved project management. collectively, Erica, Karen, and Cass of Chicago in 1974 and John It influenced me in such a positive First, as an environmental probably raised the average age of Marshall Law School in 1980. I manner throughout my life.” engineer, and more recently, as the audience of hundreds by at have also developed a number of Peter Kovler was awarded a cybersecurity professional. For least two decades! projects including one of the first the Robert H. Kirschner Award the reunion, once again I joined Jethro Smith writes, “I timeshare projects in Orlando, for Global Activism this past the Steering Committee. This received a Lifetime Achievement a Publix Anchored Grocery spring. According to Heartland time, we produced a memory Award from the American Dental Shopping Center in Longwood, Alliance International, “Robert book consisting of responses from Association. Guess it pays to be Florida, eight Keller Williams Real H. Kirschner, MD, was an about a third of the class on what alive and still practicing for 40 Estate offices in Central Florida, a internationally recognized they’ve been doing since U-High, years. My art career continues. condominium project in Morton authority on forensic pathology, what is important to them, and I have pieces in the SIP Coffee Grove, a townhome project in human rights violations, police what their teenage self would be House and Artisan Cafe in Crown Maitland, Florida, title insurance brutality, torture and child abuse. surprised to see in their current Point and Highland, IN, and in companies in both Chicago and The recipient of the Robert H. self. I facilitated the online form the Wildrose Brewing Company Orlando, and law firms in Chicago Kirschner Award for Global to collect the information and in Griffith, IN. My pieces will start and Orlando. For several years Activism embodies the spirit of Ellen Irons (I think the only other showing in July at the 119th Street I was also a part-time instructor Dr. Kirschner and, like him, has classmate with a civil engineering Artists Concepts and Compositions of Real Estate Licensing Law at conducted exemplary work to degree) produced the document. Show in Whiting, IN. I am the Chicago City College, and two serve the world’s most vulnerable I highly recommend this for all featured artist at the Dyer Centier years ago I purchased the industrial populations and to give a voice to reunions. It has been fascinating to Bank right now. This journey into manufacturing company, Ideal those who have been silenced.” see where classmates have gone in the arts is new at about two years Stitching, in Chicago. David Snyder writes: “How their lives and wonderful to pick up but the artist friends I have are cool “In my spare time I have timely to get this request for input conversations with people I have and supporting.” assembled a critically acclaimed to LabLife! The U-High Class of not seen for a long time.” collection of early science fiction 1969 just had its 50th year reunion 1971 Class Representative and fantasy illustration art and and it was a blast. It turned out to Susan Yost authored five books on various be a great ‘bookend’ between my 70s 2759 Plymouth Avenue science fiction artists. One of those U-High days and today. Back then, Columbus, OH 43209 books includes an introduction I joined the Senior Class Steering 50TH CLASS REUNION / 1970 [email protected] by Ray Bradbury and another Committee to help promote JUNE 6, 2020 614-231-9435 has an introduction by Sir Arthur the idea of ‘May Project,’ where C. Clarke. Our art collection 1972 Class Representative 1970 Class Representative Colin Smith of illustrators from the last 150 Hannah Banks years, ‘Illustrations of Imaginative 99 Mill Road 107 Garland Road Santa Cruz, CA 95060-1612 Literature,’ has toured 12 different Newton, MA 02459 museums in the United States, [email protected] 617-.877-.7885 cell 831-818-1455 Japan, and Spain. 617-.236-.1876 “My wife Alma and I have [email protected] been together 38 years. Alma Pam Wang writes, “I was offered ran her own short sale company early retirement a year and a half Bill Green writes, “A bit of news, ago and took it. I was lucky to get and managed our title insurance to brag on myself. The Wisconsin company in Orlando. Together an old fashioned pension, so now Archeological Society recently I have time to pursue my interests we have four children and honored me with its Increase three grandchildren. Samuel is David Kovacs, Paula Fan, Carolyn of walking in the woods and A. Lapham Research Medal, an taking pictures. I’m still living in a real estate attorney, Joshua is Wilkins, and Vinette Ashford, all award inaugurated in 1926 that a commercial realtor, Irene is Class of 1969, at the Medici Indianapolis, which is uncrowded,

40 LabLife Fall 2019 inexpensive, and has better weather advocacy have been instrumental in Members of the Class of 1979, Liz most pressing issues of our time. than Chicago, though in return advancing understanding through Altman Harberger, Tina Pompey, and Freshfields is using its expertise you have to put up with politicians the visual arts and sustaining Ann Hightower, celebrate their 40th and experience to advise businesses reunion like Mike Pence. Still married cultural communities in Chicago on how to navigate these urgent to my husband, whom I met at and beyond. The award is named challenges and identify and UChicago 46 years ago.” in memory of philanthropist and implement innovative strategic dean of Chicago art collectors Joe opportunities. I am delighted to be 1973 Class Representative Shapiro (1904–1996), a legendary taking on this new role, to step up Kevin Spicer advocate for the arts who was our efforts to help clients pursue a Apartment A an alumnus of the University of more sustainable future,” Wilkins 1122 Chelsea Avenue Chicago. said in a statement. As a first step, Santa Monica, CA 90403-4656 Freshfields is bringing together [email protected] 1976 Class Representative leading businesses, financial 310-315-1833 Stuart Field institutions, city authorities, think- 1609 Blue Sage Drive 1979 Class Representatives tanks and academic institutions, to Carol Lashof writes, “I am Fort Collins, CO 80526-3714 Karl Wright explore ways to tackle New York currently immersed in the world of [email protected] 13957 Davana Terrace City’s sustainability challenges, seventeenth century New England. 970-219-5364 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 including waste, resource scarcity, My newest play, Witch Hunt, opens – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – [email protected] climate change, and job creation. in Berkeley this summer, produced Class of 1977: Interested in 818-981-2723 Wilkins joined Freshfields by Those Women Productions. It volunteering to serve as your in 1999 and has advised a range tells the uniquely American story class representative? Email Jessica DeGroot of Asian, European and U.S. of Tituba, an enslaved Indigenous the Office of Alumni Relations 4918 Cedar Avenue multinational corporations on woman who was the first person and Development at labnotes@ Philadelphia, PA 19143 cross-border M&A, private equity, to ‘confess’ to witchcraft in 1692 ucls.uchicago.edu. [email protected] and joint ventures. He serves Salem Village. My research for this – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 215-471-5767 on the board of the New York project has led me to discover how 1978 Class Representative City Economic Development much of what I thought I knew Andrew G. Neal Hans Massaquoi Corporation as chair of the about the witch trials and Puritan 2438 North Marshfield Avenue 26054 York Road governance committee, appointed New England was actually made up Chicago, IL 60614 Huntington Woods, MI by the mayor, and is a trustee on out of a tissue of myth, prejudice, [email protected] 48070-1311 the boards of New York Public and outright lies. I’m trying to set 773-348-6367 [email protected] Radio and the New York Public the record straight.” 313-510-7721 Theater. Amity Shlaes writes, “The 1974 Class Representative Coolidge Foundation, where I am 1983 Class Representative Dan Kohrman chair, has launched an academic 80s Cheryl Buckingham 3606 McKinley Street NW full-ride merit scholarship, and [email protected] Washington, DC 20015 has already named fourteen 40TH CLASS REUNION / 1980 [email protected] winners. One of our winners is at JUNE 6, 2020 1984 Class Representative 202-966-2445 the University of Chicago. Dave Susan Mack Taple Coolidge, a longtime Chicagoan, 1980 Class Representative [email protected] 45TH CLASS REUNION / 1975 Mike Keiser of the golfing world JUNE 6, 2020 Rhonda Gans and Charlie Bobrinskoy, ’77, 35TH CLASS REUNION / 1985 Apartment 112 440 North JUNE 6, 2020 sit on the scholarship’s Chicago McClurg Court 1975 Class Representative jury. My next book, Great Chicago, IL 60611 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Goddess Simmons Drew Society: Socialism and Capitalism [email protected] Class of 1985: Interested in 10305 Jimenez Street in the 1960s, will be published 312-645-0248 volunteering to serve as your Lake View Terrace, CA 91342 by HarperCollins late this fall. class representative? Email [email protected] I’m more of a Milton Friedman 1981 Class Representative the Office of Alumni Relations 818-890-9740 Labbie than a John Dewey Labbie. Paul Robertson and Development at labnotes@ My husband, Seth Lipsky, and 8835 South Harper Avenue ucls.uchicago.edu. Pamela Joyner was awarded I live nest-near-empty with a Chicago, IL 60619 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – the Joseph R. Shapiro Award, senescent female Labbie, Frances [email protected] Established in 1995, the Joseph R. the Lab(rador) dog, in Brooklyn. 773-667-4012 Shapiro Award recognizes collectors Some of your children know my whose vision, connoisseurship, and children—one, Eli Lipsky, is in 1982 Class Representative Chicago, and another, Theo, is in Eliza Tyksinski the army with the 173rd Airborne 237 Orchard Drive in Germany. Herr Heggen, I miss Oregon, WI 53575 you. Herr was a German teacher [email protected] at Lab, an emigre from Germany, 608-334-2795 and an institution at Lab. Daughter Flora works for the Manhattan Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, DA, and Helen, goddaughter of LLP appointed Timothy Wilkins Jacqueline Pardo Hornung, is still as its first global partner for in school.” client sustainability. “Climate Class of ’74: Mariye Inouye, change, waste, resource scarcity ’84 grads Matthew Shapiro Dan Kostyk, and Phillip Zellner, and inequality are some of the and Reed Brozen celebrate their celebrate their 45th reunion 35th reunion

LabLife Fall 2019 41

Members of the Class of 1989, Rachel Levine lives in Members of the Class of 1999, 2003 Class Representative John Wilson, Shannon Woods, and Brooklyn. She recently opened Richard Siegler, Brendan Monaghan, John Oxtoby Kinya McDowell celebrate their 30th Brooklyn Voice Studio (www. Jeremy West, and Kenny Smith, [email protected] reunion celebrate their 20th milestone brooklynvoicestudio.com), which reunion offers private singing lessons Ryan Sturgill and wife Alex were to singers of all abilities and thrilled to welcome their baby who enjoy all styles of singing. Rowan Sturgill to the world last Previously she worked as an opera August. Ryan and family continue singer/classical singer for 20 years. to live in Jerusalem where Ryan is the Director of Gaza Sky Geeks, 1991 Class Representative the first startup accelerator and Mariann McKeever coding bootcamp in Palestine. [email protected] 2004 Class Representative 1986 Class Representative 1992 Class Representative Marcelo Pappas Sam Perlman Shrunali Rai 1996 Class Representatives [email protected] P.O. Box 652 [email protected] Shira Katz Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 1068 Ashbury Street Sophie Lee writes, “I’ve been samperlmandoorcounty James Shapiro writes, “This San Francisco, CA 94114 working as a registered architect @icloud.com spring I was named executive [email protected] full-time at Bohlin Cywinski producer at Fox Sports South, Jackson, a firm ‘noted for elegant 1987 Class Representative Fox Sports Southeast, Fox Sports Elena Arensman McPeak and humane design, ranging from Barbara Harris Tennessee, and Fox Sports [email protected] modest houses to large academic, [email protected] Carolinas. I oversee all live event civic, cultural, commercial, and – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – production, studio production, and 1997 Class Representative corporate buildings’ (from our Class of 1988: Interested in original content for the networks, Win Boon website). I was part of the design volunteering to serve as your covering seven pro teams in Atlanta 10433 Lochmere Court team that worked on a number class representative? Email and across the Southeast. Atlanta Fort Wayne, IN 46814 of Blue Bottle Coffee shops at the Office of Alumni Relations is a great town. My family and I [email protected] various East Coast locations (our and Development at labnotes@ are thrilled to be here after two 260-616-1022 SF branch worked mostly on ucls.uchicago.edu. great decades in South Florida and – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – some West Coast locations), and – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Orlando.” Class of 1998: Interested in we were recently honored with an 1989 Class Representative volunteering to serve as your award from Architectural Record’s Mekeda Johnson-Brooks 1993 Class Representative class representative? Email ‘Good Design is Good Business’ 7425 South Rhodes Avenue Alan Heymann the Office of Alumni Relations program.” Chicago, IL 60619 2703 Dennis Avenue and Development at labnotes@ [email protected] Silver Spring, MD 20902 ucls.uchicago.edu. 15TH CLASS REUNION / 2005 773-783-0445 [email protected] – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – JUNE 6, 2020 202-468-9554 1999 Class Representative Jessica Kirshner writes, “I live in Katherine Le 2005 Class Representative NYC with my husband, my six- 1994 Class Representative [email protected] Mark Berberian year-old son, and my eight-year-old Michelle Maffia Tarkowski 2540 North Spaulding Avenue daughter. I have been working as [email protected] Chicago, IL 60647 a biotech scientist for the last 15 [email protected] years, most recently developing 25TH CLASS REUNION / 1995 JUNE 6, 2020 00s 773-348-7233 cancer therapies at Regeneron – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Pharmaceuticals in Tarrytown, NY.” 20TH CLASS REUNION / 2000 JUNE 6, 2020 Class of 2006: Interested in 1995 Class Representative volunteering to serve as your Dan Hartley class representative? Email 90s [email protected] 2000 Class Representative the Office of Alumni Relations Tiago Pappas and Development at labnotes@ 30TH CLASS REUNION / 1990 Joanna Alexander is moving for 1501 West Jackson Blvd. JUNE 6, 2020 ucls.uchicago.edu. a new job and will now be the Chicago, IL 60607 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Cantor at Temple Israel of [email protected] 2007 Class Representative 1990 Class Representatives Omaha, NE. 773-330-8583 Molly Schloss Dan Kirschner [email protected] 606 Forest Avenue 2001 Class Representative River Forest, IL 60305-1710 Greg Kohlhagen [email protected] [email protected] 312-346-3191 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Class of 2002: Interested in Tara P. Shochet volunteering to serve as your 1182 East Court Street class representative? Email Iowa City, IA 52240 the Office of Alumni Relations [email protected] and Development at labnotes@ 319-354-0893 ucls.uchicago.edu. ’94 grads Mona Knock, Michelle – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Wellek Gavin, Eve White-West, Tiffany Elder, and Vanessa Ford, The Class of 2004 celebrated their celebrate their 25th reunion 15th reunion

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Simon Bean, ’07 at a reading for Aimee Lucido will be at 57th Charles Chamberlain, ’14, and Anna Knes writes, “I just his new book, Anansi and the Street Books to sign copies of her Harrison MacRae, ’14, celebrate graduated from Wesleyan Apple Tree first novel,Emmy in the Key of their fifth reunion University with a double major in Code, on October 4! Keep an eye neuroscience and psychology this out for this book that combines past May. I am happy to announce poetry, music, and computer code that I was inducted early into Phi to tell the story of 12-year-old Beta Kappa, and I am the recipient Emmy learning that there’s more of four University awards/prizes than one way to make music. for excellence in neuroscience, scientific research and writing, and fostering community on campus. I look forward to spending a fifth year at Wesleyan working on a master’s degree in neuroscience.” as through clinics in Guatemala and Ecuador). I participated 2016 Class Representative Simon Bean writes, “When I in a clinic week, helping create Julian Lark was in Kindergarten, I remember prosthetic devices and interacting [email protected] hearing stories of Anansi the with patients and prosthetists at the Spider, a great trickster, master Fundacion Hermano Miguel clinic 2017 Class Representative manipulator, and fair-weather in Quito. Jonathan Lipman friend with a penchant for trouble Eighteen patients from in [email protected] and a belly that was never quite and around Ecuador received full. There is something fiercely prosthetic devices and gained – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – relatable about a character who back their mobility. A goal of this Class of 2018: Interested in uses wit and charm to try to change organization is to push the limits of volunteering to serve as your their situation. Just as my amazing 10s mobility for people with prosthetic class representative? Email teachers shared these stories with 10TH CLASS REUNION / 2010 devices, and ROMP encourages the Office of Alumni Relations me, I now have the joy of sharing JUNE 6, 2020 and facilitates athletic events for and Development at labnotes@ them with new generations of people with prosthetics (mountain ucls.uchicago.edu. students. climbing, running, etc.) During the – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 2010 Class Representative Inspired by Anansi stories week, ROMP gave me the amazing Class of 2019: Interested in Loren Kole originating from the Ashanti gift of a running foot for my volunteering to serve as your [email protected] people in West Africa, my own prosthetic leg, and I’m super class representative? Email 2017–2018 Senior Kindergarten excited to start using it!” the Office of Alumni Relations Michael Angone writes, “Hi! class decided to create our very and Development at labnotes@ I’m currently working as a social own Anansi story. We worked in 2011 Class Representative ucls.uchicago.edu. worker (LMSW) in Austin, TX, committees to research, design, Rachel Sylora – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – write, illustrate, and assemble the at an elementary school (KIPP [email protected] original story called Anansi and the Austin Connections). I recently Apple Tree. The students started by volunteered with a super awesome 2012 Class Representative identifying a lesson they wanted to organization called the Range Ary Hansen pass along to future Kindergarten of Motion Project (ROMP) in [email protected] students and then crafted a story Ecuador: www.rompglobal.org. 773-324-4012 that fit that message. The lesson The organization was started in they decided to pass along was: Chicago by a former patient of 2013 Class Representatives When someone is giving you bad Scheck and Siress—the same Sarah Curci advice, listen to your own ideas, prosthetics/orthotics clinic that [email protected] not the ideas of others. I went to as a patient while The book is available growing up for my prosthetic leg. Amartya Das on Amazon and through ROMP provides prosthetic care to [email protected] Barnesandnoble.com, Powells. underserved populations (under- com, and other online retailers. resourced and uninsured people in 2014 Class Representatives An eBook version and Spanish parts of the United States, as well Lillian Eckstein language version will be available [email protected] soon! I hope that this book can 773-548-7390 serve as inspiration for future generations of young storytellers Boluwatife (Bolu) Johnson and writers to go out and tell [email protected] their stories. 708-351-8473

2008 Class Representative 5TH CLASS REUNION / 2015 Victoria Rogers JUNE 6, 2020 [email protected] 2015 Class Representative 2009 Class Representative Members of the Class of 2009, Michael Glick Jaya Sah Kamaal Harris, Mike Casey, Sina [email protected] [email protected] Kimiagar, and Sina’s fiance, Shirley Qin, celebrate their 10th reunion

LabLife Fall 2019 43

Parts Rebuilders, an auto parts Magicians. Lou will also be company. He was active in remembered for being the Master Obituaries civic affairs throughout his life, of Ceremonies for the Festival serving, among other things, as a of Arts at Dogwood Dell each long-time board member of the summer beginning in 1962. Friends of the Parks. He leaves He was preceded in death by behind his wife Susan Schwartz his wife of 35 years, Sandra and children Alex, Ned, Debra, Linville Dean. He is survived and Emily, their spouses, and by his stepdaughter, Katy Jones, eight grandchildren. her husband, Phil, and two grandchildren. Lou Dean, ’51, died on January 10. Lou was an entertainer Karen Ingrid Lieberman, ’60, on WRVA-Radio from died on March 4 at the age of It and other works. That work 1957–2000. He was the host 75 from Parkinson’s disease. prepared him for his legal career, of the station’s All-Night Show She was raised on the South Stevens said in 2002, when from 1957–1977, becoming Side of Chicago in a family of he received an Alumni Medal the unofficial night mayor of famous scientists, including from the University of Chicago Richmond. His program was her grandfather, James Franck, Alumni Association. Stevens heard by listeners in 38 states. winner of the Nobel Prize for was commissioned as a Naval While at WRVA, he was also physics in 1925, who helped the officer on December 6, 1941, the host of the call-in program family escape from Germany in a day before the bombing of “Viewpoint” from 1978–1982 the 1930s. She graduated from Pearl Harbor. Stevens eventually and served as program director Oberlin College in 1964. She earned a Bronze Star for his of the station from 1982–1986. was passionate about the arts and work as a codebreaker during He was manager of community played the piano until the last World War II. He then attended services for four years. From day of her life. She was associate Northwestern University Law 1990–2000, Lou was host of director of the arts in Education School, eventually clerking for the news magazine program, Institute of Western New Supreme Court Justice Wiley “Newsroom.” After retiring York; executive director of the Rutledge and becoming an expert from WRVA, Lou worked in Lancaster Opera House; director John Paul Stevens, ’37, in antitrust law. In addition to the public relations and media of Rockwell Hall at Buffalo State AB’41, a long-serving Supreme his private practice, he lectured services department of Henrico College; development director Court justice who traced his at the University of Chicago County. Lou was involved in the of Pick of the Crop Dance; a preparation as a lawyer to the Law School during the 1954–55 community for over 50 years. presenter of classical music and University of Chicago, died at the school year and in the summer At various times he was a trustee jazz on WBFO, Buffalo’s public age of 99. A Hyde Park native, of 1958. Stevens is survived and foundation board member of radio station; and an auditor for Stevens attended the University by his children, Elizabeth Jane the Science Museum of Virginia, the New York State Council on of Chicago Laboratory Schools Sesemann and Susan Roberta board member and president of the Arts. She is survived by her from Kindergarten through Mullen; nine grandchildren; and the SPCA, the Richmond Region husband, Hal, ’60, children Lisa High School, walking just a few 13 great-grandchildren. He was Tourism, and the Richmond- Konstantellis and David Kosman; blocks from his family’s home preceded in death by his first First Club, a board member stepson, David Lieberman; one near the corner of 57th Street wife, Elizabeth Jane; his second and Chairman of the Boards granddaughter; sister, Barbara and Kenwood Avenue. He then wife, Maryan Mulholland; of the Virginia Division of the Lewis, ’52; brother-in-law, enrolled in the undergraduate his son, John Joseph; and his American Cancer Society and the Sandy Lewis, ’56; brother, and College, studying English daughter, Kathryn. Carillon Advisory Commission, Tom Lisco, ’55. The following literature and graduating Phi To see the full obituary visit the and a board member of Lab alumni attended Karen’s Beta Kappa. Nominated in 1975 University of Chicago website. Swift Creek Mill Theater, memorial on May 12, 2019 at by President Gerald Ford and the Maymont Foundation, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: confirmed unanimously, Stevens Charles P. Schwartz, Jr., ’43, the Boys Club of Richmond, Peter Bornstein, ’60, Helen joined the Supreme Court with AB’45, died on March 17 at the Richmond Emergency Halverson (Obenhaus), ’60, a reputation as a moderate age 91 after a long illness. A Planning Commission, the Nancy Goodman (Rosenthal), conservative. His nomination lifelong Chicagoan, he graduated Virginia Capital Chapter of ’60, Michael McKeon, ’60, was recommended to Ford by from Lab in 1943 and the the American Red Cross, the Carol Stein, ’60, Carol Barkin then-U.S. Attorney General University of Chicago in 1945 Virginia Retail Merchants (Aldrich), ’61, Molly Hauck Edward Levi, who had served as part of the Hutchins Plan. Association, the Richmond (Perkins), ’60, Terry Strauss as president of the University His mother, Lavinia (Duffy) Police Memorial Foundation, (Sawyier), ’61, and Brenda and dean of the University of Schwartz, also graduated from the Virginia Thanksgiving Owre (Matteson), ’60. Chicago Law School. Stevens Lab (around 1917), as did his Festival Committee, the Greater served on the Supreme Court son, Alex, ’75, and daughters, Richmond St. Patrick’s Day Susan Gilbert Seigle, ’60, for more than 34 years, leaving Debra, ’80, and Emily, ’84. He Parade Committee, the Autumn died on July 9 of natural causes in 2010 with the third-longest served twice as president of Lab’s Harvest Parade Committee and following a stroke. Susan was tenure. While a University of Parent Association. After earning was a member of the Atlantic born in Alma, MI, raised in Chicago student, Stevens studied his law degree from Harvard Rural Exposition (State Fair) Flossmoor, IL, and educated poetry with novelist Norman University, Charlie worked as Public Relations Council. He at Lab and the University of Maclean, PhD’40, the renowned a business consultant and was was a member of Ring 180, Michigan. She worked at the author of A River Runs Through president and CEO of Champion International Brotherhood of Chicago Council on Global

44 LabLife Fall 2019

Affairs in the 1960s and 1970s, early career included serving as and daughters Kathleen Fritz and championed causes related Faculty & Staff director of education for the and Patricia Rexford, and four to women’s rights and Judaism Brookline Early Education Project grandchildren. She was preceded in Former Lab Director Mary Jane throughout her life. She raised her and assistant superintendent for death by daughter Mary Yurchak. Yurchak died on Friday, August 9, family in Elgin and East Dundee, special education and services for Donations in her honor in Warren, NJ, at age 83. Yurchak IL, and later moved back to the Wayland Public Schools. She may be made to the Washington served as Lab’s director from 1985 Chicago. She was a loving wife, lectured at institutions including Ambulance Assoc. (washingtonct. to 1989. She went on to head two mother, grandmother, sister, and UChicago, the Harvard Graduate org/ambulance-association) or the other independent schools: the friend to many. She is survived by School of Education, and Steep Rock Assoc. (steeprockassoc. Hewitt School and Poughkeepsie her husband of 45 years, Harry Wheelock College. org). Day School, both in New York. Seigle; her three sons, Benjamin, Upon her retirement, she After graduating from Vassar Max, and Joe (and their spouses), volunteered and even obtained College she earned her master’s two grandchildren, and her her certification as an emergency degree in elementary education and siblings. medical technician in 2012. a doctorate in human development Mary Jane is survived by from Harvard University. Her son Michael Yurchak, ’90,

EMERITUS FACULTY

Children (1999), and A Child’s context” for interaction and Work: The Importance of intellectual growth among Fantasy Play (2004). kindergartners. This view, She also took on difficult however, flew in the face of topics, including the role of what many early childhood race in the classroom, which education teachers thought at she explored in Kwanzaa and the time: that with the rise of Me (1995) and White Teacher television’s easily accessible (1979), among other titles, for portrayals of violence, children which she received critical were becoming too intense acclaim. and restless, and if anything, Psychologist David Elkind, needed more vigilant limits on who came to the Laboratory playtime. VIVIAN GUSSIN PALEY, PHB’47, In Paley’s case, the prize Schools in 1992 as part of She received her master’s a renowned educator and recognized her special a two-day conference on degree in education from researcher in the area of early contributions to education, parenting, wrote in The New Hofstra University in 1965 and childhood education who which included developing a York Times about Paley’s in 1971 joined the Laboratory spent most of her career at “story playing” technique that work: “Vivian Paley is an artist Schools, where she remained the Laboratory Schools, died helps teachers understand whose medium is children teaching until her retirement on Friday, July 26, at the age of the ways in which children’s in the classroom. The end in 1995. It was during the 90. Paley was a keen observer natural interest in fantasy can product of her year’s work is a 1970s that she began writing of young children who defined be used to help them learn. group of children who can live books on early childhood a key tenet of how children Stories, which students can comfortably with themselves learning. Paley received many should negotiate relationships tell or act out, play a central and with one another.” awards including the Erikson at the Laboratory Schools and role in children’s growth, Vivian Gussin Paley was Institute Award for Service to on the playground in general: she contended. In particular, born January 25, 1929, in Children in 1987 and the John You can’t say you can’t play. Paley was interested in issues Chicago. She received her PhB Dewey Society’s Outstanding Paley, who spent most of fairness and the ways in from the University of Chicago Achievement Award in 2000. of her nearly four decades which students understand the in 1947 and a BA in psychology In 1997, Paley’s book, The Girl teaching at Lab, wrote 13 concept. from Newcomb College in 1950. With the Brown Crayon was books about children based Among themselves, children She began her teaching career awarded the Harvard University on her experiences in the tell and act out fantasies to in New Orleans in the 1950s, Press Virginia and Warren classroom. Paley was Lab’s describe their feelings and and later in Great Neck, New Stone Prize for the outstanding most prominent example of ideas, she wrote. “We call it York. It was during her time book about education and Lab teachers who contribute play. But it forms the primary teaching in New Orleans that society. In 2004, Paley was to academic scholarship in the culture in the classroom. she began to reflect on some named Outstanding Educator area of education. Fantasy and storytelling are the of the ways in which childhood by the National Council of Paley was recognized for abstract thinking of the young, learning at the time was being Teachers of English. her work with a 1989 MacArthur carrying a deeper sense of choked by an overemphasis She is survived by her Fellowship from the John D. reality than could any form of on strict learning boundaries husband, Irving, and her and Catherine T. MacArthur adult thoughts,” she explained. (e.g., that children could only be son, David, AB’73, three Foundation. The award Vivian Paley’s research allowed to learn how to write in grandchildren, and three recognizes outstanding people focused on the ways youngsters capital letters, not lower-case) great grandchildren. She from a variety of fields for their grow socially as well as and perfunctory memorization. was predeceased by her creativity. intellectually. Her books include While teaching in Great Neck, son, Robert.

You Can’t Say You Can’t she began to reflect on how Play (1993), The Kindness of play can be the “most usable

LabLife Fall 2019 45 RUSSELL COHN AND WIFE, CAROLYN BLAIR, ’01

Alumni in Action Director and Pain doctor associate professor John Prunskis, ’73 Rachel Shelden, ’99

“I was interested in how should receive them, without folks from around the country, stigma. And there should be and with very different parti- no overzealous investigations san and sectional allegiances, of physicians who are, in good worked together in the city faith, prescribing opioid pain during such a turbulent political medication to those who need moment,” she explains. them,” he cautions. “We don’t Her next book project, want our patients in pain. The Politics of Judging: The U.S. If we can, we diagnose the Supreme Court in the Long Civil source. With all the significant War Era, investigates the political developments in technology culture of the Supreme Court in recent years, maybe before from the 1830s to the 1890s, we couldn’t help them but now focusing on how the justices of we can.” this period interacted with and One recent advance is in “History is always relevant, but saw themselves as part of the John Prunskis, MD, had no idea neuromodulation devices, which certainly it feels more pressing broader political world. his entire professional life would stimulate nerves imperceptibly. today,” says Rachel Shelden, ’99. In 2017 she received a be devoted to pain. They have helped Prunskis and “Since 2016, more students want University of Oklahoma Regents As a resident at the his team help patients who to understand how people in the Award for Superior Teaching. The University of Chicago Medicine, previously had few options. past dealt with oppression. They teachings on African American he chose to complete a pain desire to see how people, who history of emeritus Lab teacher management fellowship to were in many cases in worse Charles Branham still play an im- expand his skillset. But when Prunskis is one of circumstances, could rise up and portant role in the way she thinks he started his private practice, see possibilities for change.” about historical problems. more and more consults came only 29 experts in Shelden, having served as “His class on African his way for people who had back, associate professor of history American history demonstrated neck, and spinal pain. He realized the country selected at the University of Oklahoma, how black history is American there was a need in the medical to be on the US is now the new director of the history,” she says. “It’s important profession that he could fill, so George and Ann Richards Civil to see the perspective of African after a few more years he and Department of War Era Center and an associate Americans in every element of his wife started their first clinic professor of history in the Penn American life from its culture and completely devoted to pain. Health and Human State College of the Liberal politics to the history of the US “Back in 1992, people Services task force Arts. Her role will be to facilitate economy.” didn’t even know what we did. academic conversation about the Sometimes even now they still to address the Civil War, the years leading up to don’t know what we do,” says Prunskis, ’73, who is the co- opioid crisis. it, and its impact all the way up to “Issues in the news the Civil Rights Movement. founder and co-medical director “The Civil War period, to today such as of the Illinois Pain Institute. Prunskis, who was voted me, is critically important for “But now we have a national a “Top Pain Doctor” in Chicago understanding ourselves as a race, citizenship, reputation.” by his peers nine times, is also people today,” says Shelden. “Is- the problem of Prunskis focuses on finishing 12 years representing sues in the news today such as diagnosing the root of the pain, 900,000 Lithuanian Americans race, citizenship, the problem of nativism, and how and fixing the source of the in the Lithuanian Parliament. nativism, and how the backlash problem rather than masking During that time, he ushered against immigrants has shaped the backlash against symptoms. This is one reason in an overhaul of the soviet-era our country: what we see in our immigrants has he is one of only 29 experts in labor code, helped ensure that modern life, you can see much of the country selected to be on Lithuania contributes two percent that in the past.” shaped our country: the US Department of Health of its GDP to national defense, and Human Services task force Her interest in history has what we see in our and changed the law to prohibit always been the personalities, to address the opioid crisis. His any advertising of alcohol. Five and the ways people inter- modern life, you can job was to help identify gaps years ago, the President of act, talk, and negotiate their and inconsistencies in current Lithuania even knighted him for circumstances. In her first book, see much of that in pain practices in medicine, and his professional and philanthropic Washington Brotherhood: Poli- the past.” to provide recommendations for contributions. tics, Social Life, and the Coming how to scale what he does in “Being a knight has its of the Civil War, she focused on Chicago on a national level. advantages,” he quips. the social lives of DC politicians “The report itself clearly in the 1840s and 1850s. states that patients who truly need opioid pain medications

46 LabLife Fall 2019 Immigration and Jazz musician and criminal justice psychic medium attorney Carolyn Wilkins, ’69 Chesa Boudin, ’99

He recognized there’s only so inviting local innovative musicians much he could do from the to visit their class and work ground up, so in January he with the students. “It was very started campaigning to be the inspiring and allowed us to feel next district attorney of San connected and up-to-date with Francisco. If successful, he trends and what was going on in hopes to make his city safer the music business.” by enhancing the fairness of It’s only later in life that the criminal justice system by she has felt confident and ending money bail, decreasing racial disparities, focusing comfortable enough to tap into a resources on serious violent gift she long set aside. Now, she’s crimes rather than petty combining improvisation with the offenses, and by restoring trust kind of open mindedness that’s between law enforcement and Music and mediumship may not required to work as a psychic. Chesa Boudin’s Lab experience impacted communities. seem to have much in common, In her new Boston event series, was typical in many ways, filled “We need to expand and but Carolyn Wilkins operates at Music, Magic and Mediumship, with sports and extracurricular focus resources on restorative their crossroads. activities. But he also traveled she tunes into people’s souls and justice practices, which would “Both are about surrender,” then creates a tune to help them to New York many weekends to do a better job of giving victims visit his parents, who were in says Wilkins,’69, a professor at through their life situation. prison. Seeing how they were Berklee College of Music and a “We’re all connected on convicted of a crime not in psychic medium. “You have to different levels, and this includes keeping with what they actually “Ours is a draconian release your conscious mind to our spiritual support team that did sparked a lifelong interest in system that utterly play music well, and I use the we have around us at all times. I the law. same faculty to help people as an connect with people’s ancestors “Ours is a draconian fails to meet the intuitive counselor.” and spirit guides, and then each system that utterly fails to As a little girl, she’d get participant receives a reading that meet the needs of victims. needs of victims. visions and see things. But includes music that’s designed to The government spent tens of growing up in the 50s and 60s, millions of dollars to punish my The government be healing,” she explains. parents, but did little to heal the spent tens of she didn’t have a framework for Hopefully, the combination damage done to the victims,” what to call it, so she kept it to of spoken information and music says Boudin, ’99, an attorney millions of dollars to herself. She spent most of her life will nudge people closer to the who has focused on immigration pursuing music and the creative direction they need to go to be issues and criminal justice punish my parents, arts, particularly with the help of in better alignment with their reform. “It’s good at punishing but did little to heal Lab jazz band director Mr. Hey. life purpose. And it is in this people but bad at uplifting “He went out of his way to alignment that we can experience victims.” the damage done to expose us to the contemporary true freedom. His papers about the the victims.” music conditions that were in the “Jazz is also a form of death penalty in Middle School area,” she says, which included eventually led him to law school freedom, after all. You express a voice and healing the harm yourself improvisationally while at Yale, where he focused on that’s been done, rather being in a structure, and within both human rights issues and than simply punishing the immigration. When he graduated perpetrators,” he says. “Jazz is also a form that structure you can be free,” and began clerking for a federal Regardless of how his she says. “It elevates the whole judge on the Ninth Circuit Court bid pans out, he hopes to be of freedom, after all. atmosphere.” of Appeals, he and the other remembered as someone who You express your- clerks were allowed to choose experienced a trauma and which cases they wanted to turned it into an opportunity self improvisation- work on the most. He found for not just personal healing, himself gravitating toward but also for improving a broken ally while being in a the criminal cases, those that system. structure, and within dealt with criminal procedure, “This is a defining civil rights constitutional rights, and issue for our generation,” he that structure you sentencing. says. “I’m grateful to be finding Now as a public defender ways to turn my own experience can be free,” she in California, he’s aware of the into an opportunity to radically high stakes. The community rethink and improve our says. “It elevates the he serves is impacted by country’s approach to crime and whole atmosphere.” mental illness and addiction, punishment.” discrimination and trauma.

LabLife Fall 2019 47 Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Chicago, IL 60637 Permit No. 1150 1362 East 59th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637

Inaugural Lab Athletics Hall of Fame Reception Saturday, October 19, 2019 Alumni and friends are encouraged Lab’s Historic Campus to return to campus, show your Lab and Induction Ceremony pride and celebrate a new annual 6 p.m. reception, tradition. 7 p.m. program Watch your email for your invitation. Join us as we induct Lab’s inaugural class into the Athletics Hall of Fame, newly established to honor SAVE THE DATES outstanding contributions and Lab’s rich athletics history. Young Alumni Social Saturday, November 30 Connections 2020 Saturday, February 29, 2020