michael Rothfeld ’69 GEMMA TARLACH ‘90 beneficiaries Receives ALEXANDER PROVIDES A TOUCH OF Remember Hamilton Medal HOME IN ANTARCTICA John W. Kluge ’37 page 14 page 72 page 22 Columbia College January/February 2011 today CCE Internships Prepare Students for the Future
Students in Singapore spent the summer working at various businesses, learning about another culture and developing contacts through the Columbia network hoose as many as you like. C � Business n etworking � Social mixers for all ages � Lectures and presentations � Meet the author � Concerts � Special meals and wine tastings � Young alumni events � Events with other Ivy clubs � Private museum tours � Family fun events � Sporting events � Special interest groups � Broadway shows and of all kinds… backstage tours � …or start your own group
It’s always your choice at the Columbia Club. Come see how the club’s many stimulating activities and events could fit into your life. For more information or to apply, visit www.columbiaclub.org or call (212) 719-0380.
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Columbia’s SocialIntellectualCulturalRecreationalProfessional Resource in Midtown. Columbia College Today Contents
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Cover Story Alumni News Departments 42 2 CCE In t e r n s h i p s Pr e p a r e B o o k s h e l f Le t t e r s t o t h e 16 Featured: History professor Ed i t o r S t u d e n t s f o r t h e Fu t u r e Samuel Moyn’s new book, The 3 Students get real-world experience before graduation Last Utopia: Human Rights in Wi t h i n t h e Fa m i l y through the Center for Career Education’s domestic History, traces the movement’s 4 Ar o u n d t h e Qu a d s timeline as an ideology and and international internships. 4 2011 John Jay Awards discusses how human rights’ Honorees By Ethan Rouen ’04J unassailable status was 4 anything but inevitable. Columbia Campaign Features Extended 44 b i t u a r ie s O 5 Bollinger Receives 45 Elizabeth A. Dwyer ’92 Ro t h f e l d Recei v e s Ha m i l t o n Me d a l Five-Year Extension 14 The College presented Michael B. Rothfeld ’69, 71J, ’71 SIPA, ’71 47 C l a s s No t e s 6 CC Annual Fund Business with its highest honor at a black-tie gala in Low Rotunda. A l u m n i Up d a t e s Leadership Conference By Alex Sachare ’71; photos by Eileen Barroso 69 Tony Pagan ’85 7 Carnoy Named a 72 Trustee e m e m b e r i n g o h n l u g e Gemma Tarlach ’90 R J W. K ’37 8 22 Some of the students touched by John W. Kluge ’37’s 80 A l u m n i Co r n e r Student Spotlight: generosity express their gratitude in heartfelt tributes. Tina Wadhwa ’07 used her Umar Agha ’11 Compiled by Shira Boss ’93, ’97J, ’98 SIPA Fulbright-MTV Fellowship 9 Alumni in the News to travel to India, where she 10 Campus News Co l u m b i a Fo r u m explored residents’ escape 30 The DeWitt Clinton Professor of History Eric Foner ’63, ’69 from their difficult lives into 12 5 Minutes with … GSAS traces Abraham Lincoln’s journey to his stance against Bollywood films and music. Terry Plank slavery in this excerpt from his new book THE FIERY TRIAL: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. Web Exclusives at college.columbia.edu/cct 34 Th e Su b t l e Ma e s t r o o f Sci s s o r Si s t e r s Scott Hoffman ’99 — Babydaddy to fans of his glam rock band Fi r e wi t h Fi r e Scissor Sisters — honed a strong work ethic at the College. Rock out with Scott Hoffman ’99 and Scissor Sisters’ first By Ben Johnson single on their most recent album, Night Work. 38 Ho w t o Co p e Du r i n g a Rece s s i o n ? Th e Po we r o f Mu s ic St a r t a Fo o d o r Be v e r a g e Bu s i n e s s Tina Wadhwa ’07 spent a year setting up dance and music Challenging economic times did not deter two groups of workshops for some of India’s poorest children. Watch the young alumni from starting businesses — custom chocolate children immerse themselves in the joy of two dance projects. and an alcoholic beverage. i v e o r e i n u t e s By Dina Cheney ’99 F M M Professor Terry Plank ’93 GSAS discusses the joys and
Front cover: CCE interns get a bird’s-eye view aboard the Singapore Flyer, Derek Turner ‘12; challenges of teaching science in the Core Curriculum. back cover: Eileen Barroso columbia college today Letters to the Editor
Kyle Smith and Tom Haggerty ’62 year where we only Volume 38 Number 3 Your article on Kyle Smith [November/ lost to Princeton but won the Ivy League January/February 2011 December] was terrific. He sure has a great championship anyway. Editor and publisher attitude. I met him on my last trip to New Must we wait 100 years or so before we Alex Sachare ’71 York and was impressed. I have a gut feel- have championship seasons? Every other Managing Editor Ivy school has been able to win or share Lisa Palladino ing he will get the job done at Columbia. Unfortunately, when he at least five Ivy football or associate editor men’s basketball champi- Ethan Rouen ’04J does we’ll probably lose him onships, while Columbia forum editor to a higher-paying school … . Rose Kernochan ’82 Barnard But till then, it should be a has won only those two. Contributing writer fun ride. Something is very wrong. Shira Boss ’93, ’97J, ’98 SIPA Good job. We need people who can Editorial Assistants Bob Reiss ’52 bring home winning sea- Samantha Jean-Baptiste ’13 Bo c a Ra t o n , Fl a . sons and championships. Atti Viragh ’12 GS The poor players cannot go Associate Director, Advertising [Editor’s note: The author is through the agony of de- Taren Cowan, 212-851-7967 a three-time letter-winner in feat year after year, and we Advertising consultant Bruce Ellerstein, 917-226-7716 basketball and a member of cannot expect good players Design Consultant the 1950–51 team that went to come to Columbia. Do Jean-Claude Suarès 23–0 before losing to Illinois something about this Greek art director in the NCAA tournament.] tragedy before we lose the Gates Sisters Studio two major sports through the agony of Contributing Photographers This letter is in regard to your article con- constant defeat. Eileen Barroso cerning the new men’s head basketball Theodore Calvin Martin ’60 Char Smullyan coach, Kyle Smith. You mentioned that Ne w Ci t y , N.Y. Columbia last won the Ivy League crown Published six times a year by the Student Life Columbia College Office of in 1968. Also mentioned was the 1950–51 Alumni Affairs and Development for team that won the Eastern Intercollegiate I read with interest the article about im- alumni, students, faculty, parents and Basketball Conference title, the forerunner proved student services at Columbia friends of Columbia College. of the Ivy League, which was created in [September/October]. In my senior year, I Address all correspondence to: Columbia College Today 1954 and began competition in 1956–57. wrote a series of columns in Spectator gen- Columbia Alumni Center Permit me to mention that the 1946–47 tly poking fun at the low quality of stu- 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 basketball team, of which I was an active dent services. The columns about health New York, NY 10025 member, won the Eastern Intercollegiate services and career services prompted 212-851-7852 E-mail (editorial): [email protected]; Basketball Conference title as well. The earnest conversations with well-meaning (advertising): [email protected]. same team won the following year, 1947– administrators seeking ideas on how to Online: college.columbia.edu/cct 48, for the first successive titles in the long improve; other columns (dining services, ISSN 0572-7820 history of Columbia basketball. I was faculty advising) didn’t even accomplish Opinions expressed are those of the no longer on the 1947–48 team, as I had that much. But nobody wrote in to say that authors and do not reflect official transferred to Harvard Medical School I was wrong in my assessment of service positions of Columbia College or Columbia University. on professional option. After completing quality. that year, I was placed in the 1948 Colum- I always thought that administrative © 2011 Columbia College Today All rights reserved. bia College graduating class. indifference actually had many positive ef- Dr. Murray Strober ’48 fects on student life at Columbia; it forced Pa s s a i c , N.J. students to be resilient, and in many in- stances united us against a common en- Agony of Defeat emy (a distraction from the more common Why in the name of whatever have we practice of aiming ill-advised barbs at each not been able to win a basketball or foot- other). It also prepared us for a post-gradu- ball championship since the 1960s? We ation world in which shabby customer ser- won one in basketball in 1968, the Jim vice was and is the norm. But on balance, CCT welcomes letters from readers about McMillian ’70 and Haywood Dotson ’70, of course, it’s a huge step forward for the articles in the magazine but cannot print or personally respond to all letters ’76L years, where Columbia was nation- institution to be providing better student received. Letters express the views of ally ranked only to lose to Davidson in services, and I certainly commend those at the writers and not CCT, the College or the University. Please keep letters to 250 the NCAA tournament on a poor referee the University and College involved in the words or fewer. All letters are subject to call in the final 10 seconds. And we won effort. editing for space and clarity. Please direct one in football in 1961, the Tom Vassal ’62, Elliot Regenstein ’94 letters for publication “t o t h e e d i t o r .” Russ Warren ’62, Bill Campbell ’62, ’64 TC Ri v e r Fo r e s t , Il l .
january/february 2011 2 columbia college today
W i t h i n t h e Fa m i l y Working Adds To College Experience
nternships, summer jobs or part-time possibilities. I got two summer jobs off rowing older beats the alterna- jobs during the school year can be a that bulletin board, and both proved tive, to be sure, but one of the valuable part of the college experi- valuable in shaping my career — even Gprices that must be paid is the Ience and can help prepare students though my experiences in those jobs loss of friends and colleagues. for life in the “real world.” Our cover were decidedly mixed. Seth Neugroschl ’40, longtime class story highlights the growing number of The first job was with a civil engineer correspondent, died on November 4. internships available to students under ing company where I was a go-fer, Seth was an intelligent, thoughtful the auspices of the Center for Career helping wherever needed. I had just com- gentleman who often devoted space Education. The programs offer students pleted my first year at Columbia, where in his column to urge classmates to a chance to gain work experience, clarify I started out in the Engineering School, think about what type of legacy their their career plans and enhance their pros- and I was having second thoughts about generation was leaving to their children pects for landing a post-college job, and whether this was the right direction for and grandchildren. It’s a question that to do so in locations around the globe. me. Spending a summer working with should not be lost with his passing, for The article also illustrates engineers and draftsmen, members of his class and all others. how much one Columbia seeing what they did from 9 Bill Shannon arrived at the College office has changed through to 5, confirmed those doubts. in 1959 but did not graduate — one the years. This is not your So even though the job did friend said he was “too busy going father’s job placement office. not work out especially well, to sports events.” He did find time to Even the name, Center for it was a valuable learning help out the sports information office Career Education, is indica- experience in that it taught me at Columbia, where he discovered his tive of its focus on educating what I did not want to be. calling. If you worked in sports in New students for their careers. The next summer I landed York during the past 40 years, you CCE hosts career fairs, net- a job with a small trade maga- knew Bill as a press box presence, the working events and conferences in a zine that covered the audio equipment official scorer for the New York Yankees variety of industries to provide stu- industry (the big news was the battle and Mets, a correspondent for various dents with opportunities to explore between cassettes and eight-tracks). I had media outlets, and a fountain of knowl- different fields of interest and make transferred to the College by then and edge and witticisms. I last saw him in connections with alumni and poten- was spending most of my time at Specta- the press box at Robert K. Kraft Field, tial employers. CCE staffers, through tor, and this job turned out to be a great where he was regaling younger writers seminars, workshops and one-on-one introduction to magazine publishing. It in his stentorian voice. Not long ago he instruction, coach students on every- was basically a one-man shop, and the moved to New Jersey to help care for thing from resume-building to effective one man was thrilled to hire an eager col- his aging mother, and on October 26 he networking to what not to wear on a lege student to mind the shop during the died there in a house fire. job interview. They work with students summer so he could pursue his passion, Two others whom I knew well from “before they arrive on campus, through which was concert promoting. I got to do my sports days also died recently — senior year and as alumni,” says Dean everything on that magazine, from writ- Matt Dobek, public relations director of Career Education Kavita Sharma. ing and editing to fact-checking, photo for the Detroit Pistons for 31 years, It’s a more comprehensive approach research and proofreading. I managed and Phil Jasner, a sports writer for the from what I remember as a student. to not mess it up too badly and got hired Philadelphia Daily News since 1972. They Granted, I wasn’t the most aggressive for a second summer, after which I knew were two of the most popular and ca- student in reaching out for career assist- that I could be happy in a career that in- pable people on the media end of pro ance; my idea of long-term planning volved writing, editing and publishing. basketball, part of a small fraternity was figuring out what I was going to do The point is, summer or part-time that saw the NBA grow from a strug- next weekend. Even today’s CCE, which jobs can be very beneficial, whether or gling mom-and-pop league to a thriv- does plenty of campus advertising and not they are positive at the time. They ing, global entity. Each played a role in outreach, can’t help students who don’t are learning experiences, exposing that growth; more importantly, each take the initiative to seek it out. students to possible careers or perhaps had fun doing it and made being part I recall an office, perhaps located in helping them scratch one off the list. of that fraternity more enjoyable for all. Kent Hall, dedicated to helping students A vibrant Center for Career Education They are missed. find jobs, whether for post-graduation and a growing network of supportive or summer employment. Its best re- alumni enhance the chances of these source for me was a bulletin board with formative jobs working out well, both 3x5 index cards listing summer job short-term and long-term.
january/february 2011 3 columbia college today Around the Quads John Jay Awards Dinner To Honor Five Accomplished Alumni
ive alumni who have excelled Moody-Adams and an accomplished stu- in their careers each will be pre- dent participating in the John Jay Scholars sented a 2011 John Jay Award Program, as well as the honorees. Ffor distinguished professional The event is named for founding father achievement on Wednesday, March 2, at and first secretary of the treasury John Jay the annual John Jay Awards Dinner. (Class of 1764), and the awards showcase This year’s honorees are Andrew Barth the accomplishments of the alumni popu- ’83, president, Capital Guardian Trust; Al- lation and the variety of careers that they exander Navab ’87, partner and co-head of pursue. Last year’s honorees, for example, North American Private Equity, Kohlberg were attorney Brian C. Krisberg ’81, finan- Cipriani 42nd Street will host the John Jay Kravis Roberts & Co.; Kenneth Ofori-Atta Awards Dinner again this year. ciers Frank Lopez-Balboa ’82 and Tracy V. ’84, executive chairman and co-founder, PHOTO: EILEEN BARROSO Maitland ’82, the Meyer Schapiro Profes- Databank Financial Services; Michael Oren sor of Art History David Rosand ’59 and ’77, Israeli ambassador to the United States; extracurricular experiences for outstand- stage and film actress Julia Stiles ’05 and Elizabeth D. Rubin ’87, a journalist. ing first-year College students. John Jay (college.columbia.edu/cct/may_jun10). They will be feted at a black-tie dinner Scholars are offered the opportunity to For more information on the dinner, at Cipriani 42nd Street on New York City’s participate in special programs such as contact Meghan Eschmann, associate East Side. The dinner proceeds benefit the panels, discussions and outings. director of alumni affairs: me2363@ John Jay Scholars Program, which aims Speakers at the dinner will include columbia.edu or 212-851-7399. to extend and enhance academic and President Lee C. Bollinger, Dean Michele Lisa Palladino
Successful Columbia Campaign Expanded $1 billion expansion of the highly successful fundraising and alumni-outreach In addition, roughly half of the money do- successful Columbia Campaign was efforts in the history of higher education. nated to the Columbia College Annual Fund A announced in early December. Priori- With the original $4 billion goal in sight, the is used to support financial aid. ties for the expanded Columbia Campaign University announced that it would expand Since the start of the campaign, the for Undergraduate Education, which is part of the goal to $5 billion and extend the cam- University has created 134 endowed pro- the overall Columbia Campaign, include fi- paign through December 2013. fessorships. These prestigious positions nancial aid, Core assistant professorships and Since the campaign began, changes in honor distinguished teachers and scholars other faculty enhancements, new programs financial aid policy — including the replace- and help the University recruit outstanding for international students, advising in Student ment of loans by grants for undergraduates faculty, which directly improves the under- Affairs and the Center for Career Education, from lower-income families — have put a graduate educational experience. and the Columbia College Annual Fund. strain on the budget. The College is one of Facilities have long been a challenge for “All are vitally important to the future the few schools in the nation to maintain a Columbia, which has the fewest square feet of the College,” said Dean Michele Moody- need-blind admissions policy; to make this per student of any Ivy. The opening of the Adams. “Need-blind admissions and full-need work it must be accompanied by full-need interdisciplinary science tower on the north- financial aid are crucial to maintaining the financial aid, so as to ensure the College is west corner of the Morningside campus will College’s remarkable diversity, and outstand- affordable to all those who are admitted. significantly upgrade teaching and laboratory ing faculty teaching in modern facilities help More than $700 million has been raised for space in the sciences. In addition, when new attract highly qualified students to apply in financial aid University-wide as part of the buildings are completed on the Manhattanville ever-rising numbers, both domestically and Columbia Campaign, including a $400 mil- campus for the School of the Arts, the Busi- globally.” lion pledge in 2007 from John W. Kluge ’37, ness School and the Law School, it should free More than 160,000 alumni, parents the largest donation ever for financial aid. up additional space for undergraduate educa- and friends have donated nearly $4 billion Part of the Kluge gift is being used to create tion on the Morningside campus. through the Columbia Campaign since its matching programs that have spurred doz- For more on the Columbia Campaign expan- inception in 2004, making it one of the most ens of others to give for financial aid. sion, go to http://momentum.columbia.edu.
january/february 2011 4 columbia college today around the quads Bollinger’s Term Extended Five Years
B y Al e x Sa c h a r e ’71
ee C. Bollinger has agreed to con- Bollinger introduced in 2003 and steered International and Public Affairs’ invitation tinue as president of the Universi- through the extensive city and state ap- to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and ty at least through 2015, the Board proval processes during the next six years. his tough introduction of the Iranian leader L of Trustees announced. The five- Now, site preparation is underway for in 2007, as part of the World Leaders Fo- year extension comes at a time when the the Jerome L. Greene Science Center, the rum, one of Bollinger’s initiatives to raise University has reached several important future home of the University’s interdisci- Columbia’s status as a center for discussion milestones, completing the core Morning- plinary Mind, Brain and Behavior Initia- of global challenges. As part of this effort, side Heights campus with the opening of tive. In March 2006, Dawn M. Greene and Bollinger also launched the Committee on the interdisciplinary Northwest Corner the Jerome L. Greene [’26, ’28L] Founda- Global Thought, several Columbia Global Building at Broadway and 120th Street tion announced a $250 million gift to help Centers in different locations around the and beginning to lay the foundation of a underwrite the first, major new building in world and new academic partnerships new campus in Manhattanville. Manhattanville. Earlier this fall Henry R. with institutions abroad. On campus, he In a statement on behalf of the Board Kravis ’69 Business pledged $100 million created the Columbia Arts Initiative to en- of Trustees, chair William V. Campbell ’62, for a new home for the Business School on hance the arts as a part of student life and ’64 TC said, “Across this large and diverse the Manhattanville campus. “My view has the University experience and recruited a university, we see a place where talented always been that big gifts follow big ideas, diversity of dynamic new deans at schools students want to study, accomplished fac- or big gifts are attracted to big ideas,” Bol- across campus. Bollinger’s administration ulty want to teach and do research, world linger told Spectator. has steered the University through the eco- leaders want to speak and skilled profes- Bollinger came to Columbia in 2002 after nomic recession with greater stability than sionals want to work. Lee has recruited successfully leading the public defense of many peer institutions and led a record $4 and empowered a remarkable array of the University of Michigan’s affirmative billion fundraising campaign that is being academic deans and executive talent who action programs, which were the subject of expanded after reaching its goal a year are driving both intellectual excellence and twin U.S. Supreme Court cases that upheld ahead of schedule. solid institutional management. and clarified the importance of diversity in In his statement, Campbell concluded “Under his stewardship, we have not higher education. His tenure at Columbia that the trustees “have every reason to only maintained our fiscal stability during has not been without controversy, perhaps maintain the continuity of Lee’s princi- a period of great economic turbulence, we most notably his defense of the School of pled leadership.” have achieved a level of scholarship and creativity across the institution that — de- spite far less space and far fewer dollars than our best-endowed peers — has again made Columbia one of the most exciting places in all of higher education.” In a statement, Bollinger said, “Every day I am privileged to witness the extraor- dinary accomplishments of our faculty, students, alumni and staff. It is a unique community, situated in an extraordinary city, and committed simultaneously to open-minded reflection, spirited debate and constructive action. Columbia has come a long way. But its potential for the future is even greater, and I am extremely happy to be able to contribute to the real- ization of that potential.” In an interview with Spectator, Bollinger reflected on Columbia’s move from mid- town to Morningside Heights and said, “I look back to 1895. Seth Low had a little ceremony to put the cornerstone down for Low Library. That was the beginning of a 17-acre expansion for the University. One hundred fifteen years later, we are about to open the last building that began with the cornerstone.” At the same time, shovels are break- ing ground in Manhattanville, a project around the quads columbia college today Peer-to-Peer Solicitations Get Under Way
Adams was interviewed by Julie Menin ’89 about the state of the College. Attendees then headed to Hamilton Hall classrooms for breakout sessions on specific fundraising topics, such as re- union giving and how to “make the ask.” The program concluded with a presentation on admis- sions by Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Jessica Marinaccio, Michael Behringer ’89 (left) and Stephen who also led a discussion with Jacobs ’75 led a discussion on reunion giving. Mary Martha Douglas ’11 and Photos: Tina Gao ’10 Barnard Colin Sullivan ’11. Class Agents are volunteers port that is used for financial aid, student who drive the growth of the An- services, internships and enhancements of Dean Michele Moody-Adams (left) took questions from nual Fund through peer-to-peer the Core Curriculum. It is a critical compo- Julie Menin ’89 about the state of the College. solicitations and work closely nent of ensuring that Columbia is able to with fund officers in the Alumni maintain its need-blind admissions policy ore than 100 alumni and Office. Despite the economic downturn, the and financial aid reforms that include the parent Class Agents and Annual Fund has enjoyed steady growth, elimination of student loans.” prospective volunteers rising by more than 54 percent during the For more information, go to college. turned out to share best past six years and achieving a record $15.1 columbia.edu/alumni/fund or contact practices in fundraising, hear from College million in unrestricted gifts in FY’10. Susan Birnbaum, executive director: Mleaders and receive their initial solicitation The co-chairs report that the Annual [email protected] or 212-851-7947. assignments for the Fiscal Year 2011 at the Fund is off to a record start toward its eighth annual Columbia College Fund goal of $14.5 million for FY’11. “As of No- Leadership Conference, held in Low Ro- vember 1,” says Malin, “the College has tunda and Hamilton Hall on November 6. received more than $5 million in donations Following opening remarks by Francis and pledges, due largely to efforts to reach Phillip ’90 and Dan Tamkin ’81, co-chairs out to leading donors earlier in the year.” of the Class Agent Program, and a report Behringer emphasized the important role on the Columbia College Annual Fund that Annual Fund donations play, saying, from co-chairs Michael Behringer ’89 “Unrestricted gifts provide the College and Ira Malin ’75, Dean Michele Moody- with immediately available financial sup-
Professor of History and American Studies Casey Blake presented the first James P. Shenton [’49, ’54 GSAS] Award for Com- munity Service to James Kusher ’11 GS (left) at a celebration in Casa Italiana on October 25 to mark the opening of the Center for American Studies. Shenton, a beloved faculty member who taught at Columbia for more than 50 years prior to his 2003 death, “is very much the guiding spirit of our center,” according to Andrew Delbanco, the Julian Clarence Levi Profes- sor in the Humanities and director of the center, located in 319–321 Hamilton Hall. Delbanco described Kusher as “a wonder- ful young man (a Navy veteran) who orga- nized creative writing classes for students Noted actor Brian Dennehy ’60 (second from left) makes a point during a panel discussion, at the Double Discovery Center as well as “Unlocking Creativity,” on October 15 in the Allen Room of Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of public readings of their works.” American Jazz at Lincoln Center in Midtown NYC. The panel was part of the sixth annual Columbia Studies provides a curriculum that empha- Alumni Association Leaders Assembly. Pictured left to right are President Lee C. Bollinger, sizes service to the community, including who moderated the panel; Dennehy; Asali Solomon ’95 Barnard, author; Tom Kitt ’96, com- a seminar on higher education taught by poser and musician; and Kiran Desai ’99 Arts, author. The next night, Kyra Tirana Barry ’87 Delbanco and former Dean of Students and Gedale Horowitz ’53, ’55L were among those honored at the Alumni Medalists Gala in Roger Lehecka ’67, ’74 GSAS in which all Low Rotunda. enrolled students volunteer at DDC. Photo: Diane Bondareff PHOTO: BRUCE GILBERT
january/february 2011 6 columbia college today around the quads
Carnoy Appointed University Trustee Lynch. GCM spans Equity Capital Mar- kets (ECM), Debt Capital Markets, Lever- aged Finance and Origination of Corpo- isa Landau Carnoy ’89 paign for Athletics Leadership rate Derivatives, with a team of 700 in 16 has been appointed a Committee and the Dean’s countries. Carnoy also focuses on clients University trustee, ef- Alumnae Leadership Task in the financial institutions, insurance and Lfective September 7, 2010. Force. She also is a co-founder healthcare sectors as well as key financial Long involved in College of the Women’s Leadership sponsor relationships. During her 15-year alumni affairs and generous Council for Athletics. For tenure in ECM, Carnoy worked on more with her time and resources, several years, Carnoy was a than 400 bookrun equity deals including Carnoy served on the Colum- board member of the Colum- 75 IPOs. She is a member of the Capital bia College Board of Visitors bia College Alumni Associa- Commitment Committees for Bank of for multiple terms, most re- tion. She was presented the America and chairs the Columbia B.A. cently as co-chair, and now is Photo: Eileen Barroso Alumni Federation Medal in and M.B.A. recruiting teams. an emeriti member. She was 2000 and a John Jay Award for Carnoy earned a B.A. cum laude in a member of the Columbia College Dean distinguished professional achievement American studies and an M.B.A. from Search Committee that led to the selection in 2007. Harvard (1994). She lives on the Upper of Dean Michele Moody-Adams in 2009 Carnoy is co-head of Global Capital West Side with her husband, David ’92 and is a member of the Columbia Cam- Markets for Bank of America Merrill Arts, a journalist, and their four children.
Belknap, McKeown, Harriss Honored obert Belknap, the Professor Emeritus of Slavic Languages at the College and director of the University Seminars, and Kathleen McKeown, the Henry and Gertrude Roths- Rchild Professor of Computer Science at the Engineering School, received the 2010 Great Teachers Award at the annual Society of Columbia Graduates Awards Dinner in Low Rotunda on October 21. Pictured (from left) are SEAS Dean Feniosky Peña- Mora, McKeown, Belknap and Dean of the College Michele Moody-Adams. The Society also honored the late C. Lowell Harriss ’40 GSAS, long- time professor of economics, who died in December 2009 at 97. His son, L. Gordon Harriss ’68, ’71L (left), accepted the award. Photos: Colin Sullivan ’11
“A SURGEON’S SURGEON.” Kenneth Forde, M.D., a pioneer “Give back to in the eld of colon cancer, has educated and inspired generations Columbia. of Columbia doctors. Dr. Forde likes to say, “At Columbia, Because it’s I’ve gone from applicant to student to intern to resident to professor and something we now to Trustee.” Now, he is leading by example once can do, and again—by including Columbia in his will. should do . . .” Join Dr. Forde and others in the 1754 Society, a group of alumni and friends who have made bequests and other planned gifts to the — kenneth forde ’59pS University. To learn more about Dr. Forde and planned giving, visit giving.columbia.edu/plannedgifts or call 800-338-3294. around the quads columbia college today
student spotlight Umar Agha ’11 Raises Funds for Flood Victims
B y Na t h a l i e Al o ns o ’08
hen Umar Agha reports, more than 20 million dinated volunteers who spent these serious problems,” says ’11 received per- people were affected. many hours at his house as- Agha. “I wanted to be part of mission from the Before the flooding, Agha sembling packages containing the solution, and this seemed Sarhad Rural Sup- had accompanied SRSP per- food and supplies to sustain like the way to go.” Wport Programme (srsp.org.pk), sonnel to remote areas of the families of six for two weeks. Another course, “Environ- an NGO in his native Pakistan, rural Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa While Agha enlisted the help of mental Literature, Ethics & Ac- to shadow its staff for a sum- province (formerly the North friends and relatives, many of tion,” taught by Barnard Senior mer, the nonprofit essentially West Frontier Province), the the volunteers were strangers Associate in Environmental Sci- did him a favor by affording NGO’s target region, in which it who had come across the Face- ence Diane Dittrick, motivated him exposure to the realm of seeks to combat poverty. The book page. Agha to become involved with sustainable development. After realization that several of the “Initially I thought we weren’t SRSP. an unexpected turn of events, villages he had visited were going to have enough people,” “In that class we learned however, it is now SRSP that submerged prompted Agha says Agha. “Ultimately, I had to about being responsible citi- hails Agha as a “godsend.” to create a Facebook page to tell some people they could not zens,” Agha says. “The leader- Last August, roughly two raise funds for the victims. come because we had too many.” ship aspect was a big part of it. weeks into Agha’s internship, “There was an emotional A friend of Agha’s father We each had to do a research monsoons triggered floods that and personal connection, hav- provided trucks to transport the project; I wrote mine on water left one-fifth of Pakistan under- ing seen those areas just re- supplies to SRSP’s warehouse scarcity issues in Pakistan. All water. According to various cently,” says Agha. “It moved in the city of Peshawar. Agha, of that really got me interested me into action.” who loaded the trucks himself, in working in the field.” Within a couple of says the donations he secured Growing up in Lahore, Paki- weeks, Agha’s Facebook yielded more than 3,000 relief stan’s second largest city, Agha “event” had approximately packages. He made a couple of attended the pre-K–12 Lahore 1,000 virtual attendees. He trips with SRSP to help deliver American School. He began also contacted potential do- supplies but concentrated his learning English as a preschooler nors individually. Monetary efforts on the donation drive at and spoke Urdu at home. Loca- donations started pouring home. tion was the key factor in his in, and his front lawn in the “Umar was a godsend for decision to attend the College. city of Lahore was soon SRSP,” says Humayun Khan, its “I loved the fact that it was overflowing with staple chairperson. “I think it was the in such a great city,” says Agha. items such as rice, cooking timing of his visit that left such an “The access that New York oil and tea. Agha raised ap- intense impact on him, that made offers was pretty much what proximately $200,000 USD him one of the largest contribu- sold me.” in monetary and in-kind do- tors of help to the unfortunate Agha has considered return- nations. Though operating flood-affected people of KPK.” ing to Pakistan after graduation under the auspices of SRSP, It was precisely with an eye to work for SRSP before return- Agha worked independently on eventually helping communi- ing to the States to pursue and was pleasantly sur- ties like those in the Khyber- graduate studies. Regardless of prised by the generosity of Pakhtunkhwa province that what his next move turns out strangers. made Agha decide to major in to be, he carries with him pow- “Everyone was so trust- environmental science and erful lessons he learned in his ing during that time of crisis. complete the special concen- first foray into relief efforts. I was being handed cash by tration in sustainable develop- “I realized the power that people I didn’t know,” says ment offered by the Earth Insti- a grassroots movement can Agha, who was instructed tute. His introduction to those have with no formal experi- by SRSP to purchase relief fields took place as a first-year ence, with no huge charity goods with the funds. through the course “Challenges backing it,” says Agha. “There “I invited everyone who of Sustainable Development” was none of that — just a kid gave to come help pack the with Jeffrey Sachs, the Quetelet in school who created a Face- trucks and to make the trip Professor of Sustainable De- book event.” and oversee the distribu- velopment, professor of health tion,” he adds. “It let people policy and management and Nathalie Alonso ’08, from know it was a transparent director of the Earth Institute. Queens, is a freelance journal- Umar Agha ’11, shown here hanging operation, and made people The course dealt with economic ist and an editorial producer of from the ledge of a wall in order to dis- tribute water filters, raised $200,000 comfortable giving.” and environmental challenges LasMayores.com, Major League USD for flood victims in Pakistan. In addition to his fund- developing countries often face. Baseball’s official Spanish lan- PHOTO: Farjad Malik raising efforts, Agha coor- “It got me thinking about guage website.
january/february 2011 8 columbia college today around the quads
alumni in the NEWS
n Joel Klein ’67 has stepped down tech community,” hosting events her to explore this ancient win 12 league titles and from his position leading the coun- that promote AOL as a friend to and yet still flourishing two California Interschol try’s largest school system as chan- startups and their founders. art form. astic Federation Southern cellor of the New York City Depart- Section Titles. In 2009, he ment of Education. Klein has been n Jonathan Wald ’87 has been n Sam Arora ’03 has been was named Co-Coach appointed e.v.p. of News Corp., join- named executive producer of the elected delegate to the of the Year for the CIF ing its board of directors and report- CNN talk show Piers Morgan To- Maryland General As- Southern Section Division ing directly to Rupert Murdoch. In night, which is replacing Larry King sembly. Arora has been an 2A and won the National the past eight years, Klein’s innova- Live in January. As v.p. of CNBC aide on three campaigns Double Goal Coaching tive reforms have transformed New during the economic freefall, Wald’s for former Senator Hillary Award. Adams studied York’s 1,700 schools and boosted focus on business coverage helped Clinton, served on the economics at Columbia, the performance of its 1.1 million bring all-time high ratings and rev- Democratic National Com- Jamal Adams ’94 where he cofounded a Photo: Loyola H.S. students, reducing crime and raising enue to the network. CNN hopes to mittee and advised several of Los Angeles community service club, graduation rates. In an interview bolster its sagging ratings with his nonprofits. He also is v.p. the Columbia Student- with The New York Times, Klein says appointment. A recipient of three of the Arora Group, which Athlete Committee. he looks forward to working in the Emmy Awards, Wald began work- provides healthcare to the military private sector, where he will not be ing for NBC while a freshman at and their families. As quoted in The n Maggie Gyllenhaal ’99 is back on clashing with unions and balancing Columbia. He is a former producer Washington Post, Arora says his most stage in another melancholy Chek- a $22 billion budget. But he will con- of Today and NBC Nightly News pressing issues include reining in the hov play, the turn-of-the-century tinue to speak out on educational with Tom Brokaw, is the son of TV state budget, cutting subsidies for masterpiece Three Sisters. Gyllenhaal issues and, according to the com- news pioneer Richard Wald ’52 and the coal mining industry, and pro- plays the rebellious and unhappily- pany, his work includes “developing teaches at the Journalism School. moting green jobs and renewable en- married middle child, Masha, who business strategies for the emerging ergy. Each year, Arora guest-teaches falls in love with a lieutenant colonel educational marketplace.” n PBS will broadcast Vanessa Gould a class at Columbia on presidential (played by her real-life husband, ’96’s Between the Folds, a documen- campaigning. Peter Sarsgaard) and starts an affair n Mike Brown Jr. ’06 made the tary about origami and its most with him, only to watch his bat- Business Insider list of top 100 “Cool- celebrated practitioners, in January n Jamal Adams ’94 has received the tery leave in a classic Chekhovian est Tech People in 2010.” Brown co- as part of its Independent Lens series. Calahan Award from Loyola H.S. of dénouement. The Off-Broadway founded and manages AOL Ventures, The film, which earned a Peabody Los Angeles, where he is the head play opens in January at the Classic the branch of the company that seeks Award and numerous jury and varsity basketball coach and teaches Stage Company. The director, Austin out and invests in fledgling Internet audience awards, was Gould’s first economics and African-American Pendleton, also directed Chekhov’s startups. Some of the companies and has played at more than 40 film studies. After 11 years at Merrill Uncle Vanya, in which Gyllenhaal Brown has supported include Beta- festivals around the world. Gould, Lynch, where he rose to the position played another unhappily-married works, Solve Media and Sailthru. who directed and co-produced the of v.p. and senior financial adviser, character, the retired professor’s According to the article, Brown is an film withA riel Friedman ’96, credits Adams decided to return to his alma young wife, Elena. “overnight fixture in the New York the Core Curriculum with inspiring mater. His coaching helped Loyola Atti Viragh ’12 GS Travel with Columbia China, Tibet, and the Yangtze River October 8–26, 2011 Join alumni and friends on a unique adventure exploring the history, art, and cultures of China and Tibet. Limited to just 24 travelers, this intimate journey takes us to Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Lhasa, Chongqing, Dazu, the Three River Gorge, and Shanghai. This air-, land-, and cruise-inclusive travel program is the perfect opportunity to discover China and Tibet, from the hutongs of Beijing to Tibetan temples and the neon skyline of Shanghai.
For more information about any of our trips, visit alumni.columbia.edu/travel or call 866-325-8664.
Learn more. Stay connected. november/december 2010 alumni.columbia.edu 9 around the quads columbia college today
CAMPUS NEWS
than 20 years of experience in en- tionship between W.B. Yeats and man of Sequa Corp., which he had rollment management, which she Rabindranath Tagore. led for almost half a century. He began during her work-study job Outside the classroom, Feuer was a board and committee mem- at Barnard’s Admissions Office. has been an editorial intern at W.W. ber of several Jewish organizations In Barnard’s October 26 an- Norton, n+1 and L.A. Weekly. She and on the board of Columbia/Bar- nouncement of her appointment, also has worked at PEN USA — a nard Hillel. Alexander established Hinkson describes her return to nonprofit that strives to protect the the Alexander Program Center on her alma mater as “a dream come rights of writers around the world, the third floor of the Kraft Center true.” She says she looks forward stimulate interest in the written for Jewish Student Life and was to the chance to “develop women word and foster a vital literary presented a John Jay Award for leaders and change agents who will community — and recently started distinguished professional achieve- enhance our global community.” a chapter of PEN at Columbia. ment in 1985 from the College.
n MARSHALL: Anna Feuer ’11, Avis Hinkson ’84 Barnard, ’87 TC an English major from Los An- geles, has won a Marshall Schol- arship and next fall will attend n BARNARD: Avis Hinkson ’84 Oxford, where she will pursue first Barnard, ’87 TC will become the a master’s in global and imperial new dean of Barnard College, history and then a master’s in Eng- effective February 14. Hinkson lish literature. Her area of special- will replace Dorothy Denburg ’70 ization will be in the interactions Barnard, who will take on a new between Irish and Indian writers role as v.p. for college relations at during the early part of the 20th Barnard. century. Hinkson will oversee the Offices While at Columbia, Feuer has of the Dean of Studies, Admissions taken a variety of classes in the and Financial Aid, Registrar, Resi- humanities as well as pursued lan- dential Life, Student Life, and guage studies in Hindi and Urdu. Health Services. For the past six During her junior year, she spent a years, she has been director of semester studying in Hyderabad, President Lee C. Bollinger is flanked by Special Adviser Susan Feagin and undergraduate advising at UC India. Feuer’s senior essay explores E.V.P. for University Development and Alumni Relations Fred Van Sickle. Berkeley. In addition to her years the political, philosophical and PHOTO: CHRISTIA BLOMQUIST at Berkeley, Hinkson brings more aesthetic dimensions of the rela-
n FULBRIGHTS: Columbia n VAN SICKLE: After more than ranked among the top 10 produc- eight years as the head of Uni- ers of Fulbright Scholars in the versity development and alumni In Memoriam country in 2010–11, according to relations, Susan Feagin will explore Louis Henkin, a foundational nuclear weapons, and wrote the Chronicle of Higher Education. new challenges as a special adviser scholar of human rights, Uni- several books in the following “Given the small size of our office to President Lee C. Bollinger begin- and undergraduate population ning in January, it was announced versity Professor Emeritus years concerning domestic and compared with many of the other on October 19. Succeeding her and chair of the Institute for international law. He taught universities named, we are espe- as e.v.p. for University develop- the Study of Human Rights at at Penn starting in 1958 and cially pleased to be included in ment and alumni relations will Columbia, died on October 14, returned permanently to Co- this list,” said Michael Pippenger, be Fred Van Sickle, who had been 2010. He was 92 and lived in lumbia in 1962. Henkin was the the associate dean who heads the v.p. for University development. New York City. Harlan Fiske Stone Professor fellowship program. Michigan In remarks to alumni affairs and Henkin was born in Belarus of Constitutional Law and was topped the list with 40 awards; development staffers, Van Sickle in 1917, and his family im- named University Professor, Columbia was tied with Cornell discussed the value of continuity migrated to the United States Columbia’s most distinguished for 10th with 18. and pledged to perpetuate an at- mosphere of mutual respect, high when he was 6. He attended faculty position, in 1981. His n LIBRARIES: The Columbia standards and innovation. Yeshiva College, majoring in classes focused on human University Libraries have received mathematics, and studied at rights, American foreign rela- a gift of $4 million to establish the n WKCR AT 70: WKCR will cele- Harvard Law, where he was an tions, and constitutional and Norman E. Alexander [’34, ’36L] brate its 70th anniversary with a editor of the Harvard Law Re- international law. The inter- Library for Jewish Studies, which reunion on Thursday, February 24, view and received his degree disciplinary range of Henkin’s will include three new endow- at Alfred Lerner Hall. Cocktails in 1940. After working as a work led him to teach simulta- ments: a Jewish Studies librarian, are planned for 6 p.m., followed clerk in the United States Court neously at SIPA, GSAS and the the General Jewish Studies Collec- by dinner at 7 p.m. Station tours of Appeals for the Second Cir- Law School. tion and the Special Collections in are planned for the following Fri- Judaica. day and Saturday. cuit, Henkin served in the Army A co-founder of the Center Columbia’s existing research col- The WKCR staff has been gath- in WWII and was awarded a (now Institute) for the Study of lection already is formidable. With ering oral histories from alumni Silver Star. He worked in the Human Rights in 1978, the first more than 100,000 monographs and through its website (wkcrproject. United Nations from 1948–56, interdisciplinary center of its 60,000 Hebrew and Yiddish titles, com) and interviewing former staff helping to negotiate a conven- kind in the United States, Hen- it boasts the second largest manu- for an upcoming book about the tion defining international pro- kin was its chair until his death. script collection of Hebrew texts in station’s history. Founded as the tocols concerning refugees. He is survived by his wife, North America. Funds from this Columbia University Radio Club Henkin joined the Columbia Alice; sons, Joshua, David and endowment initially are being used in 1941, the first studios operated faculty in 1956, researching Daniel; and five grandchildren. to focus on a project to catalog the in the Hamilton Annex starting on manuscripts collection. February 24, 1941. The station was American law pertaining to Atti Viragh ’12 GS At the time of his death in 2006, awarded the Pulitzer Prize for its Alexander was the executive chair- coverage of the Columbia protests
january/february 2011 10 columbia college today around the quads
in spring 1968 and now is known as a top broadcaster of jazz and classical. For more information about the reunion, contact Ken Howitt ’76: [email protected].
n AMGEN: The Amgen Foundation has moved into Phase II of its Amgen Scholars program, a $34 million initiative designed to give the next generation of scientists hands- on laboratory experiences. Undergraduates participating in the program are given the opportunity to work on research projects un- We’ve got you covered. der the supervision of leading scientists. Each summer, scholars from the 13 participating U.S. and European universities come together at a symposium to present their projects and Through Columbia Alumni Association, learn from academic scientists. Phase I funded summer research projects for life insurance is available in amounts up to more than 100 Columbia and Barnard students $1,000,000, underwritten by New York Life from 2007–10. Phase II grants Columbia an- other $1 million to be used in 2011–14. Phase II Insurance Company (NY, NY 10010). also will help Amgen Scholars alumni enrolled in graduate programs with travel awards to attend science conferences. For details about eligibility, coverage amounts, The foundation expects that by 2014, the majority of the 2,500 students accepted into rates, exclusions and renewal provisions, please the program will use their experiences to visit alumni.columbia.edu/insurance or call pursue advanced degrees and careers in a scientific field. the plan administrator at 800-223-1147 The Amgen Scholars program began in 2006 with 10 U.S. universities and by 2008 expanded to include three European universities. The program drew more than 5,200 applicants in 2010 but could accept only 315 students. For more information about the program, visit amgenscholars.com and columbia.edu/cu/ biology/ug/amgen.
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around the quads columbia college today
Terry Plank ’93 GSAS is a I went to graduate school here been really tested because Franzen’s Freedom: A Novel. professor of earth science and never expected to come we don’t have data. I focus at the College and Lamont- If you could be anywhere back, but I was at Boston mostly on volcanoes around in the world, where would Doherty Earth Observatory. University and Columbia the Pacific, the ones that are Her research focuses on the you be? recruited me for a senior most explosive, in Alaska, the I always wanted to go to the study of magma and volcanic position. Aleutians, Marianas, Costa eruptions, particularly in and South Sandwich Islands. Rica, the Tonga Islands and in They’re these tiny remote around the PacificO cean. She What are you teaching this the western U.S. earned a B.A. from Dartmouth islands between South semester? American and Antarctica. College and a Ph.D. from Co- What on your resume are I’m teaching three lectures in There are penguins and lumbia. Plank has received the “Frontiers of Science” on the you most proud of? Houtermans Medal from icebergs and volcanoes that the European Association have really only been of Geochemistry and the Five Minutes with … Terry Plank sampled once. Donath Medal from the Geological Society of Ameri ca, How is damage done in birth of the earth and volcanoes. The papers that I’ve written devastating eruptions? and is a fellow of the American that involve true discovery. Geophysical Union. It’s mostly the effects on the This is your third year That’s what propels us to do atmosphere that could last for teaching in the Core. science, to discover beautiful a year or more, putting sulfur Where did you grow up? Can you talk about your systematics and data that into the atmosphere, which Wilmington, Del. It turns out I experience so far? nobody had recognized can cause global cooling, and know all sorts of people pro- I think it’s by far the best before. if it’s cold enough, plants fessionally from Delaware course I’ve ever been involved might not come back. The because everybody worked in. Every lecture is a winner. Where do you live? local damage could also for the DuPont Corp., so It’s just exciting lectures, and Near Lamont in Nyack, N.Y. destroy all living things everybody’s parents were the discussion sections are within hundreds of miles. chemists and became incredibly well organized. But Do you have any children? scientists. There are actually I have a 9-year-old son, Sam, it is a very different way to Will a volcano cause the end three of us on the earth science take a science course. I think who goes to school in Upper of the world? faculty from Delaware. freshmen in particular aren’t Nyack. He helped me run the Lamont open house recently. Not the end of the world. used to a course about the We made three volcano Volcanoes are a natural part What did you want to be process and not just being models. He gave a lecture on of the world, so it will be just growing up? about answers and facts, but shield volcanoes and effusive fine. If Yellowstone had its I wanted to be a geologist. I’m I think this is very real, this eruptions. He’s already an enormous super eruption one of the few people entering is how we do science and expert. tomorrow, it would challenge college who knew she wanted research. civilization in North America. to be a geologist. I was a rock Do you have any pets? People would die. Agriculture collector as a kid. We lived in a What are you working on? My son has a lizard, Leo, who would collapse. But it’s a rock quarry. It was spectacular, I study volcanoes, and I’m eats crickets. He’s very small once-in-several-hundred- big cliffs, pretty garnets and interested in how much gas and indestructible. thousand-year occurrence. micas. I was a product of they have in them before they What’s something your stu- my environment. I studied erupt, how much water is dents would never guess When was the last time this rocks and was active through dissolved in magma before it about you? happened? elementary school, middle erupts. It’s like trying to find I still get nervous giving Six-hundred-thousand years school and high school. out how much CO is in seltzer 2 talks and sometimes even ago at Yellowstone. It still before you take the cap off lecturing. I actually have to could be a few hundred How does one become and it goes psht, because once write out a lot of what I have thousand involved in geology as a it goes psht, the gas is all gone. to say. years. child? How do you know how much How do you recharge? The I had to have a hobby in third used to be in there? That’s the I go out in the field and travel, last grade, so my mom told me to challenge. You can’t stuff all just to get away. I was in go outside and collect rocks. that back in, so you have to Greece for a meeting a couple She took me to the Delaware develop proxies and tools. You weeks ago. It was amazing. Mineralogical Society. I was look for little crystals inside the the youngest member. I would ash that have traces of magma, What’s your favorite food? go once a month and nerd out and you examine them with Eighty-five percent chocolate. about minerals. various probes. We think that What’s the last book you volcanoes that have more read for pleasure? How did you end up working gas are the ones that erupted I’m reading Jonathan at Columbia? more violently, but this hasn’t
january/february 2011 12 columbia college today around the quads
ROAR, LION, ROAR n ACADEMIC: Four-year football team and Rookie of the Year, Hen- starter Adam Mehrer ’11 was named ning Sauerbier ’14; honorable men- to the 2010 ESPN Academic All- tion, Ronnie Shaban ’12E, Michael America second team by the Col- Mazzullo ’12 and David Najem ’14. lege Sports Information Directors Women: Cross-country: first Become a fan of of America. An economics major, team, Caroline McDonough ’13 and Mehrer played free safety for the Jackie Drouin ’11. Field hockey: first Columbia College ® Lions and made 67 tackles and one team, Gabby Kozlowski ’13; second Today on Facebook interception in 2010. team, Julia Garrison ’11. Lacrosse: second team, Brittany Shannon ’12; Keep in touch with n ALL-IVY: The following student- honorable mention, Taylor Gatti- athletes achieved All-Ivy recogni- nella ’13 and Amanda Goodheart fellow alumni and get tion in fall sports: ’13. Soccer: first team, Ashlin Yahr the latest news from Men: Cross country: first team, ’12; second team, Lauran Cooke Tom Poland ’11; football: first team, ’11E; honorable mention, Lillian the College and CCT. Jeff Adams ’12, Sean Brackett ’13, Klein ’12 Barnard, Chelsea Ryan ’14 Alex Gross ’11, Andrew Kennedy and Liz Wicks ’12. Volleyball: first ’11 and Calvin Otis ’11; second team, Megan Gaughn ’13; second team, Josh Martin ’13E; honorable team, Monique Roberts ’12 Barnard; mention, Nico Gutierrez ’11 and honorable mention, Katherine Adam Mehrer ’11. Soccer: second Keller ’14 and Madeline Rumer ’14. Advertise here!
Now on display in the Colum- Connect with all bia Alumni Center’s library Columbia College alumni. is Lion Tracks: Sources of Columbia Athletics Traditions. Reach an audience of Inspired by collector Mark Momjian ’83, ’86L (above, with prominent, affluent, Lou Gehrig ’23’s glove) and his well-educated readers wife, Mel ’86 SIPA, the exhibit includes many of their items who are leaders in their as well as items on loan from fields — attorneys, the Athletics Department physicians, politicians, and the University Archives. Among the memorabilia are scientists … yes, even football programs, tobacco a President. Gerald Sherwin ’55 (left) and Franklin Thomas ’56, ’63L got to- silks, athletics medals, crew gether prior to the Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner in Low Rotunda caps, a coach’s report listing on October 22. They were among the 19 men, 12 women and one Oscar Hammerstein II ’16 on Significant savings team (1961 football) inducted into the Hall of Fame as the Class the 1913 freshman baseball opportunity. Call today to of 2010. Thomas was a basketball star at Columbia who went on team and a baseball signed find out more. to become president and CEO of the Ford Foundation and was by 1991 World Series hero honored among former male student-athletes from the modern Gene Larkin ’84. The display is (1955–present) era. Sherwin, an omnipresent alumnus who is open to the public Monday– Contact Taren Cowan known for his devotion to athletics and especially the men’s Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m.; at 212-851-7967 or basketball team, was honored in a special category for individual Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; and achievement. Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. [email protected]. Photo: Gene Boyars PHOTO: MICHAEL SHAVELSON
Have You Moved? DATE SMART! To ensure that you receive CCT and other College infor- Join the singles’ mation, let us know if you network exclusively have a new postal or e-mail for graduates, faculty address, a new phone num- and students of the ber or even a new name. Ivy League Click “Contact Us” at MIT, Stanford and few others. college.columbia.edu/cct or call 212-851-7852. www.rightstu dating.com 1-800-988-5288
january/february 2011 13 columbia college today Rothfeld Receives Alexander Hamilton Medal
B y Al e x Sa c h a r e ’71 Photos by Eileen Barroso
ichael B. Rothfeld ’69, ’71J, ’71 SIPA, ’71 Business received the 2010 Alexander Hamilton Medal on November 18 at the Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner, an annual black-tie event in Low Ro- Michael B. Rothfeld ’69, ’71J, ’71 SIPA, ’71 Business (second from right) is joined by (left to M right) Columbia College Alumni Association President Geoffrey J. Colvin ’74, ’77L, ’78 Busi- tunda. The medal, the highest honor paid to a ness; President Lee C. Bollinger; and Dean Michele Moody-Adams. member of the College community, is awarded by the Columbia College Alumni Association to an alumnus/a or faculty member for distin- guished service to the College and accomplish- ment in any field of endeavor. Rothfeld, a 1970–71 International Fellow at SIPA, is a University trustee and a director of the Columbia Alumni Association. He is a former chair of the Columbia College Board of Visitors and also has served on the advisory board of the Journalism School’s Knight-Bagehot Program in business and financial journalism. Rothfeld and his wife, Ella M. Foshay ’79 GSAS, The Clefhangers, one of the school’s popular are flanked by their daughters, Ella ’06 and a capella groups, added a musical element In a toast, Richard E. Witten ’75, vice chair Augusta ’08. to the evening. of the University Board of Trustees, noted that Rothfeld and his family had received 10 degrees spanning four generations, making them “likely the single largest tuition-paying family in the University’s 256-year history.” He praised Rothfeld’s service to the College, saying, “Much of the renaissance the College is enjoying now stems from the work Mike has done as chair of the Board of Visitors and an active member of the Board of Trustees. In a room of great Colum- bians, you are certainly among our very best.” Among those who spoke in Rothfeld’s honor Members of the Class of 1969 (left to right) Among the young alumni enjoying the dinner Dr. John Lombardo ’73 P&S, Michael Ober- were (left to right) Charles Pippen ’08, James were President Lee C. Bollinger, Dean of the Col- man and Dr. Jeff Pines ’71 SIPA, ’73 P&S Williams ’07, David Ali ’07, Donna Desilus ’09 lege Michele Moody-Adams, Trustees Chair Bill turned out to honor Rothfeld. and Kelly Gavin ’06. Campbell ’62, ’64 TC and Trustees Vice Chairs Mark E. Kingdon ’71 and Philip Milstein ’71. In his remarks, Rothfeld emphasized the central role Columbia has played in his life. “I can hon- estly say that I can trace all the good things that have happened to me in one way or another to my years at Columbia,” he said. “Throughout my life there have been two constants, my fam- ily and Columbia, and the two have intersected many times in many wonderful ways.” Trustees (left to right) Richard E. Witten ’75; Bill Witten offered a toast to Rothfeld Campbell ’62, ’64 TC; Mark E. Kingdon ’71; and Philip and all the work he has done on Milstein ’71 honored their fellow trustee, Rothfeld. behalf of the College.
january/february 2011 14 “I can trace all the good things that have happened to me in one way or another to my years at Columbia.” columbia college today
CCE Internship Programs Bridge the Gap
Students gain experience, learn about the job market and the Columbia network through internships
B y Et h an Ro u e n ’04J
he moment is so common, there should be a The internship allowed Pryor to do most (Opposite) Rebecca Pryor ’09 (left), with name for it, maybe “the brutal awakening.” of her work from her dorm room but she Marta Lidia Garcia, It’s that time when students look around their met once a week with CES head Greg Van reads a newspaper dorm rooms and realize that college will not Kirk. Soon she was conducting primary re- published by Com- last forever, that whether they are ready or search on new initiatives and investigating munity Enterprise not, eventually they will be forced out of the potential businesses with which to partner. Solutions near CES’ Antigua, Guatemala, comfortable cocoon of academia and take the Shortly before Pryor’s graduation, CES office. Pryor began plunge into the future. offered her a full-time job, and she spent 13 her work with non- TFor Rebecca Pryor ’09, that brutal awakening came early in months in Guatemala before coming back to profit CES as an her senior year. New York to be a project manager, doing “ev- intern and now is a full-time project “I had no idea what I was going to do,” says Pryor, who majored erything under the sun” for the organization. manager. in music and thought about becoming an audio engineer. “I was looking for opportunities abroad,” She had reaped the benefits of a liberal arts education, address- Pryor says. “With the exception of teaching ing her passions by studying music as well as math, spending a se- English, which I didn’t want to do, in international development mester in Ghana and traveling through Latin America. While these there is no field work you can do without a master’s. I was stuck. experiences added to Pryor’s diverse list of interests and experi- I had no idea how I was going to find something until I learned ences, they also made it difficult to settle on just one career path. about this internship.” Then the Columbia University Center for Career Education (CCE) offered its assistance, he Center for Career Education, which has a staff of helping Pryor gently nudge 33, serves seven schools within the University and as- herself toward her future. sists students at all levels to prepare them for careers. She applied for a spring in- T Through coaching, job boards, internships and a va- ternship during her senior riety of other services, CCE works with hundreds of students year as part of the Columbia every year to ensure that they will come out of school with the Communities in Action pro- skills needed to establish them in the career they want. gram, which pairs students In recent years, CCE has focused on developing new intern- with nonprofits and pro- ship programs that provide College students with unique experi- vides a stipend, and started ences that not only make them more competitive candidates for working about 20 hours a jobs but also help them define their career interests through ex- During her internship in Hong Kong week at Community En- ploring career areas and ultimately, land their dream jobs. last summer, Amy Huang ’11 traveled to Beijing, where she sampled the terprise Solutions (CES), an “We work with students before they arrive on campus, through local cuisine, including fried silkworms. international development senior year and as alumni,” says Kavita Sharma, dean of career and social entrepreneurship education since 2006. “We help them plan for life after Columbia organization that works primarily in Central America. before they’ve even taken a class.” “I was sort of interested in doing this type of work since I spent The career planning involves career counseling; career educa- time in Latin America,” she says. “I was given a lot of responsibil- tion workshops and events; access to job boards, career fairs and ity for an intern and was allowed to do some interesting stuff.” networking events; access to Columbia’s vast networks; and doz-
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CCE Internship Programs columbia college today
Students want to work in two places — New York and the rest of the world.
ens of internships happen- In the summer, CCE gives students a chance to travel. The ing everywhere from dorm Columbia Experience Overseas (CEO) offers opportunities in rooms to the other side of London, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore, and be- the globe. CCE’s internship ginning this summer, Amman. Sharma says CCE is planning to offerings have grown from expand to other major international cities and hopes to benefit three programs in 2007 to 12 from the University’s own expansion around the globe. today, according to Heather In addition, students can spend a summer in Los Angeles or Perceval, director of experi- San Francisco through CU In California, or hone their science ential education and student skills in the Science Technology Engineering Program. enterprises. “Our application numbers show a huge demand for these op- “As great as the Internet portunities,” Perceval says. “They’ve become very competitive, and phone calls are, there’s so we’d like to offer more opportunities.” really much to be said for Last year, CCE received 1,500 applications for 60 positions in doing work overseas,” says CEO. While the programs continue to grow at a rapid clip, fund- Brooks Herman ’98, who ing and resources limit the number of opportunities. CCE relies first proposed funding glob- on donations from parents and alumni and also needs them to al internships in 2000 and, facilitate connections and logistics on the ground. along with his wife, Joanna Donald Margolis ’63, ’65 Business, co-chair of the Columbia E. Herman ’98, has provided College Alumni Association’s Career Planning Committee, says the funds for 12 College stu- part of the reason demand is outstripping supply for internships Amy Huang ’11 takes a break from dents to work at non-gov- is that many alumni who could provide internships or financial work to visit the Tian Tan Buddha in ernmental organizations in- assistance to help cover expenses don’t realize how important in- Hong Kong. ternationally. “That’s where ternships are for students today. the real value is added, not “When I was in college, there wasn’t much of a career cen- just in getting the job done but in the cultural understanding the ter, as we were all subject to the draft and went immediately to students acquire.” graduate school,” he says. “Today, seniors are more likely to look During the spring semester, College students can get a feel for for jobs immediately upon graduation, and having internship ex- working in the arts through the Columbia Arts Experience, help a perience is extremely important.” nonprofit through Columbia Communities in Action or work for The new norm often requires that students have real-world ex- a company across the country, all without leaving Morningside perience even before they enter the real world, so CCE continues Heights through the Virtual Internship Program. to grow to provide an array of services. For international intern- ship programs, students are provided housing. To ensure that financial difficulties don’t interfere with these opportunities, CCE offers flight assis- tance for CEO and CU In California to students who demonstrate high financial need. But it’s not just financial support that alumni and parents provide. CCE bears the burden of dealing with visa issues and travel logistics for the summer internships, but it relies on the Columbia network for assistance with finding housing for students and lining up mentors who can offer advice and help students become acclimated to a new locale. “Students want to work in two places: One is New York and the other is the rest of the world, and they don’t appreciate that they are not equally accessible,” Sharma says. “With these programs in particular, we can make it appear to be very easy. We have taken the stress away to make these op- portunities available, but this is special. This is for you because you’re at Columbia.”
artha Turewicz ’10 benefited from these efforts during summer 2009 when she interned for Film London. A longtime Anglophile, she always Nayia Moisidis ’11 made the jaunt from London to Oxford, visiting the Hogwarts dining M wanted to work in England and began scoping out room used in the Harry Potter movies. CCE during her freshman year, two years before
january/february 2011 18 columbia college today CCE Internship Programs
Students abroad have a strong support system. A large dinner with other Columbia interns is the perfect cure for homesickness. PHOTO: Jodie Liu ’12 she was eligible for the CEO program, which is available only to website from the ground up. upperclassmen. CCE provided interview preparation and helped “I hadn’t done a website before,” she says. “I did a lot of re- Turewicz shape her resume and cover letter before she applied. search, but I also received a lot of direction.” After Turewicz landed an internship, she and five fellow Lions shared a suite provided by Columbia that was within walking onors and employers are key ingredients in CCE’s in- distance to her job archiving film locations and digitizing them. ternship programs, but the temporary jobs these stu- Turewicz enjoyed traveling around London with a camera to dents have eventually will fade into a few sentences scout locations but learning the ins and outs of the city wasn’t Don their resumes. It’s the mentors and the Columbia nearly as important as being exposed to the discipline and rigors network they develop during these times that create the personal of office life. connections that can be most valuable as students turn into the “It was my first time working in an office,” she says. “That was leaders in their chosen fields. really important to me, getting basic office experience and devel- Jaye Fenderson ’00, an independent filmmaker who recently oping those organizational skills.” completed a documentary about first-generation college -stu In addition, she became close with her boss, a connection she dents, found that mentoring two students in the CU In California continues to rely on. Turewicz’s experience helped her land an- program reinvigorated her connection to the College while also other internship through the Virtual Internship Program, where allowing her to reflect on how she ended up where she is. students perform internships from their dorm rooms or any lo- “As an alumna in L.A., it’s easy to get disconnected from my cation where they have Internet access. alma mater and not know what’s happening on campus,” she While studying abroad in Germany last year, Turewicz in- says. “You feel your undergraduate years are far away. But hav- terned for Blue Lotus Films in California, keeping in touch ing a student come to L.A. and talk about her experiences at through Skype and e-mail. She marketed the company’s docu- school … it helped me re-realize how my education played a role mentary, Meditate and Destroy, doing promotion and building a in determining my future.”
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“My internship taught me how to be professional. It was the real deal.”
Columbia sponsors mixers at the start of the summer to ac- One of the biggest benefits for Fenderson, though, was the quaint mentors and students with each other. Fenderson says the feeling of giving back to a community that had helped her. “This bond she shared with the students she was assigned made it easy is a tangible way I can give back to my alma mater that makes a to grab lunch once the introductions were made. difference in students’ lives,” she says. Neither student had a firm idea of what she wanted to do after Fenderson met with her mentees several times to answer ques- graduation; one voiced interest in education while the other was tions about careers and allay the inevitable fears that keep un- leaning toward film. But with 10 years of real-world experience, dergrads tossing at night. And when one of those students, Esha Fenderson says she felt prepared to offer the advice she wished Gupta ’10, took a chance and moved to California after gradua- she had received at their age. tion without a job, she took comfort in knowing she could rely on “Telling them that it’s OK to admit that you have no idea what the network she had developed. you’re going to do, that’s helpful,” she says. “At that age, I felt like “I got so lucky with Jaye,” Gupta says. “She was like an older I needed to know what I was doing and have a job lined up. It’s OK sister to me.” to not have everything figured out. It’s good to explore the career Originally from Oklahoma, Gupta felt a calling to head west and avenues that are out there. Even if you make some mistakes, even- got to taste that temptation during summer 2009 when she interned tually, with the foundation that you have from Columbia and the at Paramount Pictures in worldwide television distribution. networking that you do, you’ll end up landing in the right place.” For months, she had been trying to find a summer internship on her own, and she was beginning to panic. That was when she turned to CCE, and the staff there helped her find work in California, even if the job title didn’t seem as glamorous as “assistant to the rich and famous.” “The internship sounded boring, but my gut told me to do it,” Gupta says. “Whenever you leave all the stuff you know, you realize all these things about yourself and the world that you never think about.” Gupta soon learned that she was working in the depart- ment where movies make most of their money. Instead of getting coffee, she was going with her boss to high-level meetings. She also created an employee handbook for new hires that required that she interview the heads of numer- ous divisions at Paramount, one of the largest production companies in the world. “It taught me how to be professional,” she says. “This was the real deal because I moved across the country for this. This was five days a week, 9 to 6. I needed to be work- ing. I couldn’t surf the Internet half the day.” Away from family and friends, Gupta learned how to survive the discomfort of homesickness, forcing herself to go out and socialize after an exhausting day when all she wanted to do was sit on her couch until she fell asleep. When Gupta moved back to California last summer, she relied on the network she had developed to combat loneli- ness and the dismal job market. Eventually she scored a job at Google in San Francisco, working in the fast-growing Global Online Advertising division. When she reported for work in early fall, there was no nervousness, no first-day dread, because she done it all before. “When you’re in school, you’re pushed on an academic level,” Gupta says. “What this internship at Paramount gave me was a chance to immerse myself in the professional world and push myself in that way. It really helped me walk away from Columbia feeling like I got everything out of school that I wanted and should have gotten.”
For more information on CCE internships, go to careereducation. columbia.edu/findajob/cce-internship. One of the benefits of working for a small nonprofit is that Rebecca Pryor ’09 gets to do “everything under the sun,” including carrying tables on her head Ethan Rouen ’04J is CCT’s associate editor. His last cover story from one office to another in Guatemala. was about the Violin Professor of Classics Gareth Williams.
january/february 2011 20 columbia college today CCE Internship Programs
Internships abroad aren’t all work, as a group of students show as they bond over dinner in London.
Laura Ly ’12 worked at CNN in Hong Kong last summer and saw the control room up close.
january/february 2011 21 Remembering John W. Kluge ’37 Kluge posed at the 2008 Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner with some who have benefited from his generosity. PHOTO: CHAR SMULLYAN columbia college today
Re m e m b e r i n g Jo h n W. Kl u g e ’37
ohn W. Kluge ’37 was a successful businessman, pioneering Jesús Escobar ’89 entre preneur and generous philanthropist — and Colum- bia’s greatest benefactor. His gifts to the University total n my second year of graduate school at a rival more than $500 million and include the largest donation to university in New Jersey, I was asked to give a prospective student a tour of our depart- any school for financial aid, $400 million. ment, museum and library. The potential Kluge’s gifts support several programs that benefit stu- Icolleague was from Texas and, like me, a Mexican-American. Jdents from underrepresented populations. The Kluge Schol- During our conversation about faculty, requirements and the history of art and architecture, this ars Program, started in 1987, pays full tuition and provides mentoring student informed me that he had done and special programming. Another program funds summer research some research and learned that there grants for minority and international students. were only 10 Latinos enrolled in the top 20 Ph.D. programs in art history in Hundreds of students to date have benefited from the Kluge programs, the United States; I was one of them. and his generosity will help hundreds more, creating a lasting legacy Following my meeting with the prospective student, I thought for the for an alumnus who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the first time very seriously about my odd
world’s richest men. Kluge’s motivation for giving back was simple: place in the world of higher education. Jesús Escobar ’89 I also reflected on my good fortune to Photo: Michael Schreffler “Columbia gave me an opportunity,” he once said, “and the only way have come into contact with the gener- you can really repay that opportunity is for you to help someone else.” osity of John Kluge ’37 and his gift to Columbia. In the summer following my junior year, I was one of the inaugural recipients of Following are tributes written by several beneficiaries of Kluge’s gen- a Kluge grant that allowed me to undertake a summer research erosity. Some are adapted from letters written to Kluge on the occasion project under the guidance of another very generous man, the late of his 90th birthday celebration in 2004 and presented to him by the Professor Eugene Santomasso [’73 GSAS]. I had always thought I would teach at some point, but the world of graduate school and College; others were written after his death at 95 on September 7, 2010 years devoted to independent research seemed very daunting. (see November/December “Around the Quads”: college.columbia.edu/ In summer 1988, however, I discovered that my passion for re- search could be fulfilling as a fundamental part of my career and cct/nov_dec10). decided to apply to Ph.D. programs. The Kluge grant allowed me Shira Boss ’93, ’97J, ’98 SIPA the time and resources to implement this important decision. My graduate school years were productive and filled with learning opportunities both in the United States and in Spain, where I lived for nearly three years. When the time came to begin my career in the classroom, I suddenly found myself facing not only groups of eager students but also the loans of my college years. I had been in touch with [then-Dean of Students] Roger Lehecka ’67, ’74 GSAS at Columbia the year before and inquired about the Kluge loan forgiveness program. I learned the drill and, when the time came, submitted my paperwork. Almost like mag- ic, my loan balances started to fall and I was left with a deep sense of appreciation. Having helped once before at a pivotal moment, the Kluge gift now provided me a sense of freedom to begin my career with the burden of debt significantly reduced. Mr. Kluge’s generosity benefits not only Columbia but also the wider community of American academia. Every scholar’s research is driven in part by an individual’s personal experience of his or her society. As a Mexican-American, I examine the history of early modern Spain, and the Spanish contribution to urban design in Europe and the Americas specifically, differently than a European- trained scholar, let alone a Spaniard working on the same topic. Any scholarly field of inquiry is enriched by multiple points of view, and moreover, students learn new ways of interpretation. If we can reach students in innovative ways, and perhaps even motivate stu- President Lee C. Bollinger (left) and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg joined John W. Kluge ’37 at the April 11, 2007, announce- dents who come from so-called minority populations in the United ment of his $400 million pledge for financial aid. States to find a place for themselves in the world of academia, then I Photo: Eileen Barroso believe we are fulfilling the ideal of the Kluge gift to Columbia. Mr.
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Re m e m b e r i n g Jo h n W. Kl u g e ’37
Kluge’s gift was inspired, and it continues to be inspiring. and non-ethnic minorities. Kluge’s vision to promote and support Jesús Escobar ’89 is associate professor of art history and chair of higher education for persons like myself has, and will continue to the Department of Art History at Northwestern. have, tremendous impact on the significant educational disparities in our society. The beauty in believing in others and giving them opportunities is best appreciated in the naturally occurring cycle of passing on what was received, whether it is in the form of dollars, compassion, understanding, support or faith in those in need. Angelica M. Perez-Litwin ’89 Angelica Perez-Litwin ’89 is a clinical psychologist in private practice in New York. hile my younger years were spent planning and preparing for a pro- fessional career and ultimately hav- ing a family of my own, at the age Shelly Eversley ’91 Wof 27 I found myself divorced and caring for my then 11-month- old daughter, India. This came about two months before the be- work for love. There was a time when I ginning of my clinical psychology internship, one of the most de- thought I would grow up and become an manding and time-consuming training experiences of my career. I was fortunate to find an affordable day care center for India that attorney — I’d make lots of money, drive a opened at 7 a.m. so that I could be at North Central Bronx Hospi- nice car and buy myself a big house with a tal’s psychiatric emergency room by 7:30 a.m. That year, 1995, was swimming pool and maybe even a tennis court. Looking back, the perhaps the most challenging year of my life. It was the beginning Imaterial rewards were my motivation to attend law school. I was of a new role for me. Suddenly, I gained a new label, yet another la- young and naïve and my working-class background had taught bel aside from that of “Latina,” “woman,” “mother” and “trainee.” me that money matters, that without it I’d be nowhere. And it’s I became a “single mother.” Along with that label came the finan- true. Money does matter. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am to- cial difficulties that are often experienced by single mothers like day: I wouldn’t have had the freedom to choose love over money. myself. My salary as an intern barely covered my apartment rental. I wouldn’t have become a college professor, challenging students I was forced to supplement my income with additional graduate to think actively, to imagine that after college, after student loans, student loans in order to afford household and personal expenses. after the work-study jobs, after all those dinners of beans and rice, In 1998, I successfully completed my that they could be rich, rich in everything that really matters. doctoral degree in clinical psychology. I’m rich. I remember the day when the choice became most That same year, India turned 4 and be- clear. In the spring of my junior year I had the opportunity to gan pre-kindergarten at Fieldston Lower participate in Chase Manhattan Bank’s School, a well-respected independent Summer Internship program. I had school in New York City. While I felt also won a place in the National En- very fortunate to see my child begin her dowment for the Humanities Younger education in a safe, loving and stimu- Scholars program. The Chase intern- lating environment, the realities of my ship would pay $1,800 a week; the Angelica M. Perez-Litwin ’89 financial situation as a single parent be- NEH stipend was $2,300 for the sum- Photo: courtesy Angelica M. Perez-Litwin ’89 came increasingly evident and difficult. mer. The choice seemed obvious: if I The Kluge loan repayment program, at worked at the bank I wouldn’t have to that time in my life, was a tremendous help and a relief. In 1999, borrow the money to finish my college Shelly Eversley ’91 the program paid for the student loan balance I had accumulated career, I could get my own apartment, Photo: Greg Broom as an undergraduate. That kind of support was vital to my liveli- I could even eat meat again (in college I hood, both as professional and as a mother. The confirmation letter had become a vegetarian — I pretended I did it for ethical reasons, stating that my student loan balance was paid in full is folded and but it was really because I was broke). But what I really wanted saved in the same box that holds the many special cards, letters and was to take a train up to the archives so I could read the manu- photographs I have received over the years. The letter, as well as the script of my favorite novel, Zora Neale Hurston [’28 Barnard]’s support program, symbolizes the act of giving back, the dedication Their Eyes Were Watching God. I was afraid that if I didn’t work and commitment to higher education and, most importantly, faith in at the bank, my books and I would end up nowhere; I’d end up the next generations, especially ethnic minority generations. a literate waitress and beans and rice would become my eternal Today [2004], I am an assistant professor of research at the NYU sustenance. And then I had a conversation with Dean Thurman. School of Medicine and the director of the Multicultural Aging and He told me that a man named John Kluge ’37 had recently do- Memory Evaluation Program, a clinic whose mission is to promote nated $25 million to the College, that he wanted to make it so that access to and use of diagnostic services for ethnic minority and un- students like me could choose love over money, that if I earned derserved populations. My work as a director and researcher gives a Ph.D. and became a college professor, Mr. Kluge would repay me great satisfaction in knowing that I, along with many other half of my student loans. I’m not kidding when I say this: On that ethnic minority clinicians and doctors, am making great contri- day, I heard the angels sing. I accepted the NEH offer, I spent the butions toward the reduction of health disparities between ethnic summer in the archives and I never looked back.
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Re m e m b e r i n g Jo h n W. Kl u g e ’37
My graduation day was a big deal. My mother, my father, my and I hoped I could keep him enter- sisters, my aunts, my uncles, my cousins and even their friends tained until the other students showed had descended on New York City to celebrate an accomplish- up. I wasn’t sure what we would talk ment we all shared. I had graduated from the Ivy League and I about, but what a treat it was! Mr. Kluge was on my way to graduate school and I was going to become a was curious about my college life and college professor. At my cousins’ house in Queens, everyone who generous with details about his own. He couldn’t attend the actual ceremony sat, enraptured, as my father told me he’d had a hard time at Colum- told them that his hero, Dizzy Gillespie, had earned an honorary bia as a German immigrant in the 1930s. degree from the University where, on the same day, his daughter He hadn’t fit in socially and his academ- had earned the real thing. My mother laughed and cried over the Phyllis Fletcher ’94 ic performance had been passable. I was diploma she couldn’t read — the Latin text had impressed her Photo: Josh Knisely surprised to hear such a successful man so much that it didn’t matter that its words were indecipherable. speak about himself so humbly. He told She knew what it meant. On that day, I ate barbeque ribs (yes, me about the circuitous route to his famous media career, which all ribs!) with my family and we danced all night long. started when he bought just one radio station. (I seem to recall Atlan- When I earned my doctorate, I gave it to my mother. It became her tic City winnings being part of the story!) honorary degree. On that day, my dissertation director told me that, Most of my Columbia friends were on the fast track to careers in the entire history of The Johns Hopkins University, I was the first in law, medicine, business or academia. At 22, I had no idea what black person to earn a Ph.D. in English. I was stunned. I knew that I wanted to do. I had a Columbia degree under my belt, which the choice I had made was personally difficult (among other things, opened more doors for me than I could have imagined. I con- beans and rice had remained my staple), but I had no idea that at the ducted research for one of my professors at alma mater; I worked close of the 20th century, there could be a research university that in social services at the Urban League. Then, a computer pro- had never seen the likes of me. And then I thought about it. I had the gramming class I had taken at Columbia led me to a successful best teachers in college, and yet even at Columbia University, I had career as a software engineer in Seattle’s dot-com boom, which had only one black woman professor, and she was a visiting scholar. allowed me to get my mom a house of her own. I realized that Mr. Kluge had given us the most amazing present. I When the boom was over, I decided to make my career in the me- studied at some of the best universities, defended a dissertation and dium I love: radio. I started at the bottom, as a fundraising volunteer best of all, there is one more black woman professor in this world. for a National Public Radio station. That was eight years ago. Now Every day when I enter my classroom, my scholarship, as well as my I’m a reporter for that station: KUOW in Seattle. My news director very presence, makes a difference even for the student who decides was impressed when he learned I had gone to Columbia; I know that she will attend law school and make lots of money and maybe my degree helped me get the job. Which leads me to the message even buy a big house with a pool and a tennis court. That student my mother had for Mr. Kluge. I did thank him when I met him that can look at me and know that she has the opportunity to choose; I night. Mr. Kluge, in his gracious manner, told me to send my mother can teach her the things I learned at Columbia, and she will know his thanks for everything she’d done to get me to Columbia. that, like me, she can work for love. One man’s generosity facilitated Phyllis Fletcher ’94 is a reporter at my choice and I know that without it, we’d be nowhere. public radio station KUOW in Seattle. Shelly Eversley ’91 is an associate professor of English at CUNY Baruch. Benjamin Todd Jealous ’94 Phyllis Fletcher ’94 am writing to offer three sets of much-belated thanks for your efforts to extend the diversity he Kluge scholarship letter was the first of Columbia’s undergraduate student body. notice my mother and I received that I Before I specifically thank you, I want to let had been accepted to Columbia. We were Iyou know how much of a role model you have been to me. You thrilled I had been admitted, and we were have made other people’s struggles your struggle. Your commit- grateful for Mr. Kluge’s help. My mom and I worked hard and ment to social justice and your efforts to provide opportunities for Tlived modestly in Seattle; we lived paycheck to paycheck. Things people who might not have access to them has truly been inspir- were good when I got a little overtime at the grocery store, but not ing. To know that there is someone like you has given me the con- good enough to afford an Ivy League education. With Mr. Kluge’s fidence and motivation to make it my life’s work to seek for social generous help, I was able to go to the school of my dreams and justice, not just for myself, but for those millions of other people get a top-notch education. who need to know that there is someone there to help them get In my junior year, I told my mom I’d been invited to a reception the opportunity in this society. You have not only given tangibly to meet Mr. Kluge. She asked me to pass along a message of thanks to so many of us but you have given us hope and inspiration. to him. Not yet familiar with cocktail hour rules of New York City, I The first thank you is for helping me to demonstrate that there showed up right on time, and was of course the first guest to arrive. was a place for me in the Columbia College community. As a kid When Mr. Kluge came in a few minutes later, we were introduced, from a small town in northern California, I had limited insight
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Re m e m b e r i n g Jo h n W. Kl u g e ’37
into East Coast schools. The letters and view books often looked 1991. But Brockton, Mass., wasn’t really and sounded the same. (And for reasons both of us would later the Big Apple. I would have to cover discover, the financial aid awards often looked remarkably simi- much ground quickly to get from there lar as well.) Thus when the acceptance letters and financial aid to where my life awaited me. I worked awards finally came, I quickly found myself in a quandary. How- as hard as I could in school and then I ever, the honor of being named a John Kluge Scholar let me know asked about “the best school in New that there was a place for me at Columbia. That sense of being York.” Then I applied. truly wanted by an otherwise distant and largely overwhelming Receiving my letter of acceptance institution and city weighed heavily in my deliberations and ulti- was amazing, but it was heart-wrench- mately led me to make one of the best decisions of my life. Janine de Novais ’99 ing as well: I had gotten in but I could Photo: Jalen de Alba de The second statement of appreciation is for a more roundabout, Novais not afford to go. My mother became yet ultimately more significant, impact the scholars program had frustrated with what she saw as my on my life. Thirteen years ago at a Kluge Scholars dinner on cam- youthful intransigence. I would not consider another school. How pus, famed civil rights lawyer Julius Chambers [’64L], who was could I have come so far and be made to turn back? When the invi- the honored guest at the dinner, offered me a work-study job at tation came to visit in April, I jumped on the bus, hoping and pray- the NAACP-Legal Defense Fund. While there I met my future ing for a miracle. The rest of the story, I must say, is straight out of wife. While I would like to believe that Lia and I would have met a dream. I fell in love with the campus and the friends I made and regardless of the circumstances, it all ultimately goes back to my the clear possibilities before me. I told myself I had to try. I took a being a Kluge Scholar and a deal former Dean [Jack] Greenberg deep breath and told Peter Johnson of the Admissions Office, who [’45, ’48L] made at the dinner. Needless to say, none of us would had invited me to campus, the secret of my particular predicament. have been there without your vision and generosity. Time stood still for what seemed like an eternity but was really Finally, I would like to express my barely a couple of minutes. Then Peter said, “Tell your mother you deep gratitude for your efforts to help are coming in September.” save Columbia College’s full-need fin John Kluge ’37’s generosity stood behind Peter Johnson’s words ancial aid and need-blind admissions to me that day. He is the reason Peter and his colleagues have been policies. When, as a member of the stu- able to say the same to countless other young people. dent council in the early 1990s, I heard I am a single parent, and more than ever I really believe that the that the University was contemplating dreams of young people move history forward. In an ideal world, ending these policies because it ultimate- we would all know to invest greatly in those dreams lest we stag- ly felt it could no longer afford to main- nate ourselves and fall behind. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer Benjamin Todd Jealous ’94 tain them, I felt sick and helpless. Assur- deserving young people who are less affluent, who are youth of Photo: Courtesy NAACP ances that current students would not be color, who are children of recent immigrants or non-traditional affected were of little comfort. All of us in other ways, are being given the chance that I was given. John who benefited from — or otherwise appreciated the importance of Kluge ’37 embodied the best ideal in American higher learning: — these policies understood the impact of such a shift would ulti- that democracy depends on a diverse citizenry being given the mately be detrimental to the nation as a whole. Many academically opportunity for self-cultivation and intellectual growth. but not financially qualified future business, academic and political Having grown up on Columbia’s campus, my son, Jalen, now leaders would not have the benefit of a Columbia education. Other finds himself on Harvard’s campus as I pursue a doctorate in edu- institutions, in those last years of the last recession, might be inspired cation. While he loves it here, he remains a Columbia cub through to follow suit. I have rarely felt so joyful as I did when we heard and through. If we consider the great opportunities before him by that with your help, Columbia would keep its doors open to families virtue of my education, then the true depth and breadth of John and communities such as those that had sent me and many of my Kluge ’37’s gifts to students is made clear. classmates. Janine de Novais ’99 is a doctoral student at the Benjamin Todd Jealous ’94 is president of the National Harvard Graduate School of Education. Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Derek Mitchell ’03 Janine de Novais ’99 s we celebrate Mr. Kluge’s life and con- veryone has that big dream — you know tributions, it is an immense privilege for the one. As a kid growing up in Cape us, the students whose lives Mr. Kluge Verde, mine was never too specific com- touched and so generously influenced, pared to those of all my friends. I wanted Ato honor his memory. Each of us, in our own way, has been im- to be a sociologist, or a filmmaker, or a journalist — mostly a writer pacted by the vision to which he was so deeply committed. Eof any kind. The only constant was the site of my dreams: New The Kluge program creates an environment in which minority York City. I was thrilled when my mother moved us to the States in students can learn from each other, provide encouragement and
january/february 2011 27 columbia college today
Re m e m b e r i n g Jo h n W. Kl u g e ’37
explore college life together. It made build a more just society. I remain in India to work in solidarity with me feel I was a member of a small, sup- these struggles. Time and again I have observed how a Columbia portive community within the larger education provided me the tools to function with awareness and context of Columbia University. I felt humility in the world. I remain forever grateful for the opportunities more integrated into the life of the Uni- that Mr. Kluge’s devotion to our university has made possible. versity because of the interactions it fa- Derek Mitchell ’03 recently completed the Phillips Talbot cilitated with fellow students, faculty Fellowship for South Asia of the Institute of Current World Affairs. and staff. The program’s regular cul- tural outings also allowed me to more Derek Mitchell ’03 closely engage with New York City. Photo: Courtesy Derek Mitchell ’03 The Kluge program was always doing everything it could to help me have the Jonathan Walton ’08 richest and most meaningful college experience possible. The program is the success it is because of the amazing faculty his poem I wrote and staff at its helm. As my interests and ambitions evolved, I could for Mr. Kluge’s 95th always turn to the advisers for guidance, support or just a chat. Mr. Kluge’s program could not be in better hands. birthday celebration I came to Columbia from San Diego, about 10 miles from the inter- captures the nature national border. Our family looks a lot like many others in the south- T of what Mr. Kluge lived for: A east corner of the city; Mom’s family is Mexican and Dad’s is Cauca- Jonathan Walton ’08 life of humility-filled service sian. Most of my dad’s family are still unclear what the Posada, our Photo: Columbia annual Christmas party, means for Mexicans, but Mom passes out University that consistently invites all to translations of the Spanish songs we sing to help them along. Both get involved. my parents began their careers as teachers at public schools near the What If border. My mom is assistant superintendant of a school district in the barrio; every day she battles the challenges facing low-income Speechless — he spoke volumes communities with a tenacity I can only hope to have inherited. Nine- letting his actions speak for him teen years ago, my father became principal of the school I had at- giving as though what he earned was never his tended since kindergarten and went on to transform it into one of giving as though giving was the only way to live the most distinguished independent schools on the West Coast. My giving so that those on the outside could be welcomed in parents have raised me to value service, sacrifice and spirituality as giving because all had been given unto him. the principles by which one should live. Life for me is about striving to pursue those values in the work and relationships that I pursue. Suffering from a disease called generosity My experience at Columbia College provided everything I had a condition called compassion hoped for and more to equip me for such a life. I came to college with An influenza that made him altruistic a desire to study the world’s religions, especially those of South Asia. Kindness, joy, peace — clear symptoms Under Professor Jack Hawley’s guidance, I quickly discovered how Something serious, yes but something clearly not contagious the urban environment surrounding our university could be a vast opportunity for exploring the world’s faiths. By my junior year I re- I see him and I ask what if? solved to deepen my knowledge of South Asia’s religious traditions What if this city could be so sick of seeing the gap by studying abroad in India. I’ll always remember those six months between the haves and the have-nots in Delhi as a turning point in my life. The ideas I encountered, the that we lived to close the void crushing poverty that surrounded me and the struggles of activists between the Upper East Side and the South Bronx and thinkers I met all told me that India would be at the center of my Brooklyn Heights and Bed-Sty life’s work. Support from the Kluge program allowed me to spend a Stuy-town and the Lower East Side summer studying Hindi. As I began searching how to avoid doing more harm than good in a country other than my own, Mahatma What if it wasn’t a mystery why Jimmy at 66th and 5th got on the Gandhi’s vision of a nonviolent society powerfully captured my 6 to play basketball with Ray every Saturday @ 135th mind and heart. Under the guidance of Professor Dennis Dalton, I Or Ye-Jee from Westchester caught the Metro-North to play nieta turned my deep interest in Gandhi’s vision into a successful applica- to Abuelos y abuela’s at a Heights’ nursing home tion for the Fulbright fellowship. What if it wasn’t a mirage to see Winston, a senior at St. John’s I spent nine months in Delhi learning from one of India’s most eating lunch with Alberto, an ex-con in Central Park. accomplished and battle-tested Gandhians how we may once again What if it wasn’t newsworthy to dive into the subway to save a inspire faith in the power of nonviolence. My later travels around life but normal to love our neighbors as much as we love our- the country as a fellow of the Institute of Current World Affairs intro- selves so it’s expected to lay down your life duced me to courageous men and women striving through Gandhi’s methods to build the institutions of their democracy. I saw that just as What if we walked in the same principles we supposedly stand on. Americans once had to fight for an eight-hour work day, minimum wages, and gender and racial equality, so Indians are struggling to Intentionally invested in people like we do our portfolios
january/february 2011 28 columbia college today
Re m e m b e r i n g Jo h n W. Kl u g e ’37
Checked up on our children as often as our checkbooks raised in an urban locale. As a teenager, I faced similar challenges Chased after our loved ones like we do those on TV that we don’t while following the path to college, a rarity in my home of Four even know. Corners, Boston. I also long identified with the gratefulness Kluge had for his many supporters, who helped him achieve his goal of We love to honor heroes on CNN but why don’t more of us want getting a good education. Just as he had fondness for Mrs. Gracia to be like them? Gray DaRatt, who took him in when he left home and encouraged We love to speak like Jesus on Sundays but Mondays don’t want his intellectual abilities, and for Judge Allan Campbell and Allen to be like Him. Crow, who mentored him in his youth, I have extreme gratitude Quote the Koran, memorize the hadith, preach karma and medi- for my mentor, Jacqueline Cooke Rivers, who nurtured me in the tation and ideas of the East same way, and for the hard work and sacrifice of my parents, who but leave mercy, hope, peace, and justice on the mats where our left a decent life in another country so that I might have an excel- knees used to be lent one here. But most importantly, I identified with the pressure Kluge faced knowing that the cost of Columbia tuition would be Know the stories of the Torah and Tanach but before the power of far from his reach as well as the deter- these are unleashed mination he needed to persevere even Somewhere they are blocked with that knowledge. Despite the many years that sepa- But what if the barriers were broken and agape became our focus rated our time in Morningside Heights, A compassion that surpasses races and classes — a grace that when Kluge and I arrived at the 116th saves regardless of birthplace or nation state Street gates, we were given access to A love that says that Staten Island is not too far or yes, I’ll take you many of the same opportunities, finan- and pick you up from JFK. cial resources and intellectual giants that A love that says it’s not too late to talk, a love that makes the “just our more privileged peers received. We Donna D. Desilus ’09 Photo: courtesy Donna because” phone call. studied the same great books, struggled D. Desilus ’09 with the same principles of economics What type of world would we live in if we opened our hearts and and arrived at the same University commencement, he at the 183rd let the world in. and I at the 255th. Someone before had made that possible for him and in turn he made that possible for me almost 72 years later. Love for ourselves but also for our families It is this act that I am most moved by. Though generously sup- but not those by blood, all those kin to humanity ported by the University, John made a gift to Columbia in return that is incomparable to what he was given. John’s financial aid Jonathan Walton ’08 is New York City urban project gift to the University is unprecedented. It is an act of true lead- director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. ership. Equipped with a Columbia degree in economics, he left Morningside Heights to become a broadcasting entrepreneur and amass a fortune. But instead of giving it away to build build- ings, bridges and parks, all emblazoned with his name and build- ing his public prominence, John instead chose to etch his name in Donna D. Desilus ’09 the hearts and minds of the thousands of students who will carry his legacy. hough the Kluge Scholars Program has John Kluge joins my parents, my “aunt” Jackie and a few non- supported hundreds of students since profit leaders and historical figures in the group of heroes I hope to someday model. All of these were people given maybe a little or its 1987 inception, I have always felt maybe a lot, and who exercised leadership beyond what was wise that this was an individual gift made for them to give an opportunity to those who needed more than they to me. John Werner Kluge ’37 made it clear on numerous occasions needed. John’s legacy is one of responsibility to those who are less Tthat he wanted to “invest in minds, not buildings.” And so each of fortunate than you are, of giving to ensure that others have access his scholars was chosen to represent him and his history — hard- to the resources you were given and of a personal leadership that working individuals to whom he wanted to give the same oppor- shows commitment to bettering the human condition. This type of tunity and resources that he was so freely given by the Columbia leadership to me represents not just a model for all of those who hold community. And yet despite this unrestrained act of generosity, I comparable positions to Kluge as giants in their fields but also as a always have felt compelled to accept his gift not only as an oppor- challenge to all those who follow him and will carry his torch. Kluge tunity but also a challenge. once said that “in the sands of time individuals make very little dif- At 8, John arrived in Detroit from his native Germany to a world ference.” Despite this fact however, he kept the mantra of “what little unlike his own. After struggling with his stepfather over the im- difference you can make, you should try to make.” portance of education, and losing the battle, he left home at 14. He I and the sea of other Kluge Scholars, students who continue opted to tread the challenging path to college despite how rare it his legacy, accept that challenge. was for a young man of his background at that time. In this re- Donna D. Desilus ’09 is associate director of the spect, I have always felt that Kluge and I were similar. I too am an Columbia College Young Alumni Fund. immigrant to the United States, coming from Haiti at 5, and was
january/february 2011 29 columbia college today
[ Columbia Forum] “I Am Naturally Anti-Slavery” Young Abraham Lincoln and Slavery
istorian Eric Foner ’63, ’69 GSAS is the DeWitt Clinton Pro- fessor of History at Columbia, where he did his Ph.D. under the supervision of Richard Hofstadter ’42 GSAS. Foner has Hbeen president of The Organization of American Historians, the American Historical Association and The Society of American His torians. His 1988 study Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolu- tion, 1863–1877 won the Bancroft, Parkman and Los Angeles Times Book Eric Foner ’63, ’69 GSAS prizes, among others. PHOTO: GREER GATTUSO In his latest book, The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery, Foner takes a measured look at Lincoln and his changing views on slavery. He shows the Great Emancipator as a work in progress — from his earliest childhood in states steeped in racism, to his career as a moderate Whig politician, to the final challenge of the Civil War presidency. “Foner argues that Lincoln’s ‘greatness’ rests in his ‘capacity for growth,’ not in the consistency many have wished to see in him,” writes one reviewer in the San Francisco Chronicle. In the following excerpt, Foner describes Lincoln’s earliest encounters with racism and slavery. Rose Kernochan ’82 Barnard am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, Lincoln’s mature ideas and actions would later evolve. nothing is wrong. I cannot remember when I did The historical record contains very little information about Lin- not so think, and feel.” There is no reason to doubt coln’s early encounters with slavery or black persons. As a young the sincerity of Abraham Lincoln’s emphatic dec- child in Kentucky, he may have seen groups of chained slaves laration, written in April 1864, three years into the pass near his house on their way to the Lower South. He could “AmericanI Civil War. But as with so much of his early life, the ori- not have had much direct contact with blacks in Indiana. In 1830, gins of his thoughts and feelings about slavery remain shrouded on the eve of the family’s departure for Illinois, the census re- in mystery. Lincoln grew up in a world in which slavery was a ported no slaves and only 14 free blacks in Spencer County, where living presence and where both deeply entrenched racism and the Lincolns lived. When he various kinds of antislavery sentiment flourished. Until well into settled in Sangamon Coun- (Opposite) Lincoln envisioned a society his life, he had only sporadic contact with black people, slave or ty, Illinois, the population based on free labor, not slave, even though slave auctions such as this free. In later years, he said almost nothing about his early encoun- of around 12,000 included one in Richmond, Va. (lower right), ters with slavery, slaves, and free African-Americans. Nonethe- only 38 blacks. When Lin- and advertisements for slaves, such less, as he emerged in the 1830s as a prominent Illinois politician, coln moved to Springfield as the one by William F. Talbott of the cumulative experiences of his early life led Lincoln to identify in 1837, the town’s 86 blacks Lexington, Ky. (lower left), were com- monplace while he was growing up. himself as an occasional critic of slavery. His early encounters comprised less than 5 per- PHOTOS: Poster: © PoodlesRock/Corbis; with and responses to slavery were the starting point from which cent of its residents. Auction: © Bettmann/CORBIS
January/February 2011 30
Young Abraham Lincoln and Slavery columbia college today
incoln’s first real encounter with slavery — the heart of times. The free black population included many propertied skilled the institution, rather than its periphery — came on two artisans. The city’s back streets held numerous grog shops where journeys down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in 1828 and slaves, free blacks, and whites mingled freely. L 1831, when he helped transport farm goods for sale in New Situated at the mouth of the Mississippi River, New Orleans was, Orleans. Lincoln and his companions made the southbound voy- after New York City, the country’s second busiest port, the major age by flatboat and returned north by steamboat (although on the export center for the staple crops of the Mississippi Valley. In 1828, second occasion, Lincoln walked home from St. Louis). Their trip vessels from throughout the Atlantic world arrived there, including exemplified how the market revolution of the early nineteenth cen- some 750 steamboats and over 1,000 flatboats. New Orleans was tury was simultaneously consolidating the national economy and also a major center of the domestic slave trade. Slave pens were scat- heightening the division between slave and free societies. In the tered throughout the business district, newspapers carried daily ad- North, the building of canals and the advent of steamboats and, vertisements for slave sales, and slave auctions took place not only later, railroads set in motion economic changes that created an in- at the central slave market — a major tourist attraction — but also at tegrated economy of commercial farms and growing urban and in- numerous other places, including the luxurious St. Charles Hotel. It dustrial centers. In the South, the market revolution, coupled with would have been almost impossible to spend time in New Orleans the military defeat and subsequent removal of the Native Ameri- and not witness the buying and selling of slaves. can population, made possible the westward expansion of the slave system and the rise of the great Cotton Kingdom of the Gulf states. ohn Hanks later claimed that on the second trip to New Or- Southern society reproduced itself as it moved westward, remain- leans, “we saw negroes chained, maltreated, whipped and ing slave-based and almost entirely agricultural, even as the North scourged. Lincoln saw it. His heart bled. … I can say know- witnessed the emergence of a diversified, modernizing economy. Jingly that it was on this trip that he formed his opinions of Eventually, the clash between societies based on slave and free la- slavery.” But, according to Lincoln’s recollection in 1860, bor would come to dominate American life and shape the mature Hanks left the crew in St. Louis and did not accompany the oth- Lincoln’s political career. ers to New Orleans. After Lincoln’s death, Hanks and Lincoln’s This, however, lay far in the future when Lincoln made his two law partner William Herndon recounted that in later life, Lincoln trips. The first began at the end of December 1828 when James did speak about these journeys and about the New Orleans slave Gentry, an Indiana storekeeper, hired the 19-year-old Lincoln to market. The impact of these visits on Lincoln’s views of slavery, join Gentry’s son Allen in shipping a cargo of corn, oats, beans however, must remain a matter of speculation. His account of be- and meat to New Orleans. The second trip, which started in April ing assaulted by thieves is his only surviving reference to these 1831, took place after Denton Offutt, an Illinois merchant, hired a two journeys. But the sight of slaves being bought and sold pow- crew including Lincoln, John Hanks (Lincoln’s mother’s cousin) erfully affected many a visitor to the South. Lincoln’s friend Or- and John D. Johnston (Lincoln’s stepbrother) to accompany him ville H. Browning, an Illinois politician who had also been born to New Orleans. These trips were among thousands that fol- in Kentucky, described his reaction to a slave sale in a diary entry lowed a similar route during this period, when the Old North- in 1854: west shipped its surplus farm produce downriver to be sold in New Orleans and then consumed on slave plantations or trans- Saw a negro sold at public auction in the court-house ported by sea to the Northeast or Europe. yard. ... Although I am not sensible in any change in What did Lincoln see on these journeys, which covered over my views upon the abstract question of slavery, many 2,000 miles round-trip? The Ohio and Mississippi rivers were of its features, that are no longer familiar, make a much alive with vessels of all kinds. Lincoln could not have avoided more vivid impression of wrong than they did before I contact with slaves, who worked on the huge cotton and sugar lived away from the influence of the institution. plantations that lined the Mississippi and on docks and steam- boats. There were also bands of black robbers who preyed on Lincoln had more to say about a subsequent encounter with shipping. One night as their flatboat lay tied up at the riverbank, slavery, which took place on an 1841 boat trip to St. Louis with his one such group attacked Gentry and Lincoln. The incident left a close friend Joshua Speed. The trip followed a visit to Farmington, vivid impression; in his brief autobiographical sketch written in the Speed family plantation near Louisville, where his hosts as- 1860, the only black persons Lincoln mentioned were the “seven signed a house slave to wait on their guest. Recovering from a pe- negroes” who tried to “kill and rob” him. He and Gentry, Lincoln riod of depression after the temporary breakup of his relationship recalled, succeeded “in driving the negroes from the boat.” with Mary Todd, Lincoln remained for a month at Farmington. In These trips must have been eye-opening for the young Lincoln. September, he and Speed took a steamboat down the Ohio River to New Orleans, where he spent an undetermined amount of time in St. Louis, from where Lincoln returned to Springfield, Illinois, by 1829 and a full month in mid-1831, was by far the largest city he stagecoach. On the ship, Lincoln observed a group of slaves being had ever seen, with a population of some 50,000, including nearly transported from Kentucky to a farm farther south. In 1855, Lin- 17,000 slaves and 12,000 free blacks. The diverse residents also in- coln would vividly recall this episode in a letter to Speed: cluded Creoles (descendants of French and Spanish colonial set- tlers), European immigrants, and Americans from every state. The You may remember, as I well do, that … there were, on French observer of American democracy Alexis de Tocqueville, board, ten or a dozen slaves, shackled together with who spent New Year’s Day of 1832 in New Orleans, six months irons. That sight was a continual torment to me; and I after Lincoln’s second visit, took note of the city’s beautiful archi- see something like it every time I touch the Ohio, or any tecture, the “faces with every shade of color,” and what he deemed other slave-border. … You ought ... to appreciate how the “incredible laxity of morals” of the inhabitants. Every Sunday, much the great body of the Northern people do crucify the city’s vibrant black culture was on display at Congo Square, their feelings, in order to maintain their loyalty to the where slaves gathered for dancing, music-making, and other pas- constitution and the Union.
January/February 2011 32 columbia college today Young Abraham Lincoln and Slavery
Lincoln’s oft-quoted letter, addressed to a good friend who by eldest sister Elizabeth married Ninian Edwards, who served in the 1855 differed substantially with him about slavery, has been de- legislature with Lincoln and was the son of the governor with the scribed as a “cry from the heart.” Lincoln’s response in 1841, when same name who had bought and sold slaves in territorial days. The he encountered the chained slaves, was quite different. Then, he Edwards family owned one of the six slaves still living in Spring- sent a vivid description of what he had seen to Mary Speed, Josh- field in 1840, in addition to black indentured servants. Yet Robert ua’s half sister: S. Todd, a follower of Clay, was one of the Kentucky slaveholders who disliked slavery and hoped to see it gradually abolished in A fine example was presented on board the boat for the state. His daughter Mary, who had a strong interest in politics, contemplating the effect of condition upon human hap- seems to have imbibed his point of view. Robert S. Todd died in piness. ... [The slaves] were chained six and six together. 1849 while running for reelection to the state senate. His opponent A small iron clevis was around the left wrist of each, and had castigated him as the “emancipation candidate.” this was fastened to the main chain by a shorter one at a The Todds were a proud, self-important family whose preten- convenient distance from the others; so that the negroes sions Lincoln frequently ridiculed. “One ‘d’ was good enough were strung together precisely like so many fish upon for God,” he quipped, “but not the Todds.” Nonetheless, Lincoln a trot-line. In this condition they were being separated remained extremely close to his wife’s family. When the death of forever from the scenes of their childhood, their friends, Robert S. Todd unleashed a bitter squabble over his estate, Lincoln their fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters, and became involved in the ensuing litigation. (His wife ended up los- many of them, from their wives and children, and going ing money as a result of the eventual court decisions.) During the into perpetual slavery where the lash of the master is pro- Civil War, as the New York World observed, referring to the Todds, verbially more ruthless and unrelenting than any other Lincoln “appointed his whole family to government posts.” where; and yet amid all these distressing circumstances, as we would think of them, they were the most cheerful n several occasions, Lincoln came into contact with slav- and apparently happy creatures on board. ... How true ery on visits to his in-laws’ home in Lexington. With his it is that God … renders the worst of human conditions wife and two young sons, he spent nearly a month there tolerable, while He permits the best, to be nothing better Oin 1847 on his way to taking up a seat in Congress. They than tolerable. enjoyed another extended stay in 1849, and Lincoln visited Lexing- ton again while handling lawsuits in 1850, 1852 and 1853. The city’s Clearly, the chained slaves fascinated Lincoln, and he observed newspapers were filled with advertisements seeking the recovery of closely their method of confinement and their behavior. This let- runaways and offering slaves for sale. It is unknown whether Lin- ter is one of very few at any point in his life in which Lincoln coln witnessed a slave auction during any of these visits. If so, he muses on cruel punishments and the uprooting and separation never mentioned it. of families — the concrete reality to which black men, women, Thus, before his emergence in the 1850s as an antislavery poli- and children were subjected. One cannot read the letter without tician, Lincoln lived in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, all of which a sense of revulsion at what the slaves experienced. Yet whether had histories of slavery and severe laws effectively denying black he did not wish to offend an owner of slaves, or his melancholy persons the rights of citizenship. All three, in fact, at one time or at the time affected his thinking, or his own views on slavery had another prohibited free blacks from entering their territory. Lin- not yet matured, Lincoln’s account was oddly dispassionate. He coln had seen the small-scale slavery of Kentucky and the planta- did not describe the scene, as he would in 1855, as a violation of tions and slave markets of the Mississippi Valley. He had married rights, a way of illustrating a political outlook, or an affront to into a family of slaveholders. his feelings, but as an interesting illustration of how human be- From an early age, Lincoln demonstrated an independent cast ings have the capacity to remain cheerful even in the most dire of mind. He diverged in many ways from the boisterous and circumstances. sometimes violent frontier culture in which he grew up. He did not drink, hunt or chew tobacco, tried to avoid physical alter- ntil they drifted apart in the 1850s over the slavery cations, never joined a church, and early in life embarked on a question, Lincoln’s relationship with the Speeds il- program of self-improvement, bent on escaping the constraining lustrated the close connection his circle of friends in circumstances of his youth. Despite his penchant for thinking for USpringfield had with slavery. His early political men- himself, however, for most of his life Lincoln shared many of the tor and first law partner, John Todd Stuart, represented traders in racial prejudices so deeply rooted in the border region in which indentured servants and slaves. Most important, when he mar- he grew up. ried Stuart’s cousin Mary Todd in 1842, Lincoln became part of Yet Lincoln, had he desired, could have easily moved back a significant slaveholding family. His wife grew up in Lexington, to Kentucky like his friend Joshua Speed and, with the support Kentucky, in the heart of bluegrass country, the focal point of of his prominent father-in-law, established himself as a member slaveholding in the state and a major slave-trading center. One of of Lexington’s slave-owning high society. He chose not to do so. Mary’s uncles bought and sold slaves. A prominent businessman, “Every American,” Tocqueville observed, “is eaten up with long- lawyer, and well-connected political figure, Mary’s father, Robert ing to rise.” Lincoln was even more ambitious than most of his S. Todd, was a longtime member of the Kentucky legislature and contemporaries. But to him, success meant advancement in a so- an associate of Henry Clay. ciety based on free labor, not slave. Robert S. Todd’s first wife died in 1825. He soon remarried and four of his daughters, including Mary, eventually moved to Springfield as young women, in part because of difficulties with Excerpted from THE FIERY TRIAL: Abraham Lincoln and American their stepmother. Mary’s uncle, Dr. John Todd, also took up resi- Slavery by Eric Foner. Copyright (c) 2010 by Eric Foner. With per- dence in Springfield and owned five slaves there in 1830. Mary’s mission of the publisher, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
January/February 2011 33 columbia college today The Subtle Maestro of Scissor Sisters
Scott Hoffman ’99 may be part of out-and-proud glam rock band Scissor Sisters but “Babydaddy” honed a consistent and careful work ethic as an undergrad
B y Be n Jo h ns o n
s pop star Kylie Minogue prances onto the Pyra- mid Stage in thigh-high boots and a lace body- suit, joining Scissor Sisters as a special guest for the 2010 Glastonbury Festival in front of some 180,000 spectators, it’s as if the nexus of the glam dance music universe finally has been found. Minogue, who has sold more than 60 Magazine. But the role of even-keeled, Amillion records around the world, has plen- well-rested director is one Hoffman has ty of competition for audience attention. played since the days of composing into Scissor Sisters’ singer Jake Shears channels headphones in Carman Hall, and one that Prince in a high falsetto and hops around has helped make Scissor Sisters a world- in nothing but suspenders, shredded jeans, famous, multi-platinum-selling band. and combat boots. His ginger-haired band- “The Jew in me wants to stay in the tour mate Ana Matronic shimmies in her purple bus and try to avoid the mud,” jokes Hoff- dress and belts out the words to “Any man before the show, admitting he doesn’t Which Way,” a clubby ode to hooking up exactly embody the rock star stereotype. that draws the crowd’s roar. As spectacles “But Glastonbury is a magical place. They go, Scissor Sisters is a hit. set up bars and tents and art installations But while these three singers provide everywhere. It’s as much about the music eye candy to the audience teeming on the as it is the tribal gathering. It’s like a mix- fields of Somerset, England, a subtle mae- ture of Coachella and Burning Man.” stro is hard at work. Giant outdoor festivals like California’s Scott Hoffman ’99 is the calm driver Coachella and Nevada’s Burning Man — at the periphery of this pulsating, glitzy both of which feature contemporary music, mothership. Despite being part of a big alternative lifestyles and campy entertain- day’s penultimate act, the bearded man in ment — have been a part of Hoffman’s reg- sunglasses exudes relaxed joy, whether he’s ular vocabulary since he graduated from grasping the neck of his white Fender bass Columbia with a degree in creative writ- or laying hands upon a silver synthesizer. ing. And they are perfect for Scissor Sisters’ One could credit Hoffman’s cool to the contagious pop — a dance-inducing mix of fact that the group’s new album, Night Scott Hoffman ’99 is the driving force behind Work, is thus far a critical success, earning the hit band Scissor Sisters. raves from Entertainment Weekly to Mojo photo: kevin tachman
january/february 2011 34 columbia college today Scott Hoffman ’99
january/february 2011 35 Scott Hoffman ’99 columbia college today
“I would play my laptop while Jake basically took his clothes off. Later on, we realized that we wanted to actually perform this music as a band.”
pulsing disco beats, funk-influenced bass played Glastonbury, and the next day we on rock band. Scissor Sisters completed an lines and rock ’n’ roll guitar licks that man- got the call, telling us it had hit No. 1.” extensive European tour in mid-December ages to celebrate and reflect on dance floor Self-titled debut Scissor Sisters spent and opens a U.S. tour (with Lady Gaga) on hedonism at the same time. a month as the top record in the United February 19 in Atlantic City, N.J. But Glastonbury in particular holds spe- Kingdom, and was 2004’s top-selling al- “It’s a funny thing — we kind of grew cial meaning for Scissor Sisters. In 2004, the bum there, moving 2.7 million copies in backward,” says Hoffman, a polite 33-year- festival effectively marked the band’s intro- that year alone. The follow-up, 2006’s Ta- old who says the band’s first official gig was duction to Europe, bringing the New York Dah, hit the same peak, and spent 50 weeks at The Slipper Room, a Lower East Side bur- City group’s genre-bending style of dance on the U.K. charts overall. The group’s lesque spot. “Jake and I started performing music to a new fan base that has proved return to the fields of Somerset is a not- as a duo in 2001. We would sort of get up voracious. so-subtle nod to their success in England on stage, and I would play my laptop while “The record had been slowly inching thus far; a notch in the revolving doorway Jake basically took his clothes off. Later on, up the charts,” says Hoffman, recalling the of fame, logging the growth of the band we realized that we wanted to actually per- group’s first mainstream milestone. “We from Manhattan cabaret curiosity to full form this music as a band.” Hoffman and Scissor Sisters front man Jake Shears (born Jason Sellards) met through a mutual friend in Lexington, Ky., where Hoffman grew up. There, Hoffman had developed an appetite for records from his older brother, Ben, who fed him every- thing from glam rock legend David Bowie to Seattle grunge kings Nirvana. An obses- sion with hair metal followed, as did the high school revelation of Nine Inch Nails’ punishing industrial music and the dysto- pian post-rock of Radiohead. “My musical discovery definitely moved on into electronic and disco music, and the mix of the two,” says Hoffman. “Finding out why and how that all happened be- came really interesting to me.”
hen Hoffman left Kentucky to study at Columbia, his own musical journey had prepared him for Scissor Sisters. And when Shears moved to the Wcity as well, it wasn’t long before the two collaborators fell in together and started spending time at downtown clubs, making friends with others seeking the same en- tertainment. It was in this circle of friends where Hoffman, younger than his cohorts but mature and rocking a substantial beard, got the nickname that would later become his official Scissor Sisters handle: - Baby daddy. But beyond the places and pulses of city music, there were other kinds of knowl- edge the self-described “Kentucky boy” had yet to gather, and he did that gather- ing on campus. “I went to Columbia because I wanted to get a challenging education and pursue some of my loves, such as understanding fiction and more of the arts,” Hoffman Hoffman got his nickname, Babydaddy, during his college years while hanging out with an older crowd in New York’s club scene. says. “Plus I was into the idea of going photo: kevin tachman to a big city like New York after living in
january/february 2011 36 columbia college today Scott Hoffman ’99
“I would play my laptop while Jake basically took his clothes off. Later on, we realized that we wanted to actually perform this music as a band.”
a smaller town all of my life. My parents also were very demanding and wanted me to go for the best.” “What impressed me about Scott wasn’t as much his music as his discipline,” says Ethan Davidson ’99, a friend and former bandmate of Hoffman’s who is a communi- cations director for an urban development company in Atlanta. “He’s a very creative person, but it’s how he goes about it. You’d go by his dorm room and he’d say ‘Don’t disturb me. I’m writing right now.’ Colum- bia was a good fit for him — he was a disci- plined guy with his head on straight.” Davidson, who visits with Hoffman when both are in New York, jokes that the musician’s Chelsea apartment is highly organized, just like his old Columbia dorm room — but filled with nicer stuff, of course. The influence of his time at school isn’t lost on Hoffman, either. “I think it was the most important experience to get me to what I’m doing right now,” he says. “The way Columbia developed my understanding and ability to discuss a piece of art or literature, how we would talk about themes and ideas and have a real discourse — that ran right into the way Scissor Sisters creates music. Scissor Sisters, made up of (left to right) Hoffman, Jake Shears, Ana Matronic and Del Marquis, We spend a lot of time refining and talk- has released three hit albums. ing about what we do musically. We feel photo: Red Light Management like we’re creating something that verges on art; something conceptual that shows a recordings all succeed as broad statements plethorpe photo for the album cover, the bigger picture.” filled with juicy details. band found itself with what may be their One of Hoffman’s favorite professors most ambitious and seamless work yet. at Columbia may have helped shape n a market dominated by digital sin- Thus far, fans have responded; 25,000 his ability to create the big picture in gles and one-track downloads, the copies of Night Work were purchased in the band. Colin Harrison, a novelist and band’s commitment to a long play ar- the United States alone within two weeks former editor at Harper’s Magazine who tistic statement is admirable, whether of the album’s release. Some three years in now is a senior editor at Simon & Schus- or not they are working in a medium facing the making, the album boasts an instantly ter, taught several writing workshops at Iextinction. Since Scissor Sisters first gained catchy single, “Fire with Fire,” as well as Columbia, one of which dealt with voice attention for their 2004 club-ready cover of brooding, drawn out anthems like closer and narrative through the lens of music “Comfortably Numb,” by concept-album “Invisible Light.” A collaboration with appreciation. giants Pink Floyd, it’s been a theme, but not Bryan Ferry for a new recording from “We’d listen to clips of singers — Patsy one necessarily obtained with ease. seminal art rockers Roxy Music is forth- Cline, Louis Armstrong, Tom Waits — to “We take this seriously as a job — a job coming, but for now, Hoffman is concen- discuss the power and emotional inten- that we love,” says Hoffman, who collab- trating on the grueling tour schedule and sity of voice for the purposes of writing,” orates closely with Shears on a majority looking forward to his eventual return to says Harrison, whose 1996 crime novel, of the band’s songwriting. “We did about New York city. Manhattan Nocturne, received a “Notable 1½ years of writing consistently and we “I sometimes feel like a smaller town Book” nod from The New York Times. “We’d hit a wall. In a moment of frustration, I kid, but it feels like home,” says Hoffman. explore how you sense, feel and keep nar- suggested Jake go away for a bit, and he “I imagine I’ll always keep coming back to rative going.” did — to Berlin.” New York.” Anyone delving into the deep cuts of After some time in the German city’s this quartet’s three albums (a fifth musi- thriving nightlife scene, Shears felt reju- Ben Johnson is a music writer for the Staten cian joins them for live performances) venated. With some production assistance Island Advance and numerous other publica- would notice an attention to voice and from the accomplished Stuart Price (Ma- tions. His band, Conversion Party, released its narrative; both lyrically and musically, the donna, The Killers), and a Robert Map- second album last fall.
january/february 2011 37 columbia college today How to Cope During a Recession? Start a Food or Beverage Business
B y Di na Ch e n e y ’99
Hear the word “recession,” and opportunity is likely the last thought that comes to mind. Yet, a tough economy can promote out-of-the-box thinking and present openings in the marketplace. These two stories — of food and beverage businesses started by young alumni, one right before the recession and the other in the thick of it — illustrate that an economic downtown isn’t necessarily cause for pessimism.
mass-customization, defined by BusinessDictionary.com as “the Chocomize production of personalized or custom-tailored goods or services hocomize, an Internet business that makes custom- to meet consumers’ diverse and changing needs at near mass- ized chocolate bars to order (chocomize.com), began production prices.” Some major companies, including Apple, due to a seeming lack of opportunity. The company’s Dell, Nike and Brooks Brothers, already had been practicing founders — Nick LaCava ’09, Eric B. Heinbockel ’08 mass-customization. Yet, few food and beverage companies had and Fabian Kaempfer, an exchange student at Co- yet done the same. Clumbia in spring 2008 and a 2009 graduate of European Business Then, something seemingly inconsequential, but ultimately School (or EBS Universitaet), outside of Frankfurt, Germany — fateful, happened: A motley assemblage of milk chocolate can- had planned to work in finance but couldn’t find compelling jobs dies, pretzels, gummy bears and granola melted together in the in the field. back of LaCava’s car. LaCava remembers, “We ended up putting Heinbockel, who spent a year looking for a job, had nearly 20 the bag in the fridge to harden it up, and when I tried it on a bet, interviews. Although he was offered several positions, he took it tasted delicious. That was when the light bulb went off in our none of them — they were all commission-based, with low or no heads, like, ‘Wow, this could be a good idea.’ ” base salaries. Later, LaCava, who’d spent two summers before “We decided that we’d combine an older, but growing market graduation working for Citigroup and who planned to work in — chocolate — with mass customization, the next wave in retail,” sales or trading, also couldn’t find employment. recalls Heinbockel. Indeed, the friends’ market research showed In truth, as Heinbockel pointed out, a full-time job would have that traditionally, chocolate companies have emerged or flour- proven challenging anyway, since LaCava, then one of the fast- ished during recessions. During economic downturns, people are est lightweight rowers in the country, was considering joining the looking for affordable comforts and luxuries. U.S. rowing team. In 2009 he did, as a member of the lightweight Encouraged, Heinbockel, LaCava and Kaempfer resolved to men’s four division. He currently is training to compete in the build a website where visitors could custom-design their own 2012 Olympics. Belgian chocolate bar by choosing from an extensive list of ingre- By the early summer 2009, Heinbockel, LaCava and Kaempfer dients — everything from the expected (almonds) to the novel were close friends. Heinbockel and LaCava had met during the (bacon and edible gold). One percent of the proceeds from each 2005–06 school year through the Columbia varsity lightweight bar are donated to charity, and each customer chooses where his rowing team. They became acquainted with Kaempfer when he or her donation goes: Doctors Without Borders, Michael J. Fox moved into a Ruggles suite with LaCava and four other rowers Foundation or Action Against Hunger. during his stint as an exchange student. Initially based out of Heinbockel’s parents’ New Jersey home to Soon, the three began talking about “opportunities outside of save money, the three put their plan into action. LaCava’s father, the ones we had our hearts set on,” as Heinbockel puts it. During John, a lawyer, advised the friends on copyrighting their name those discussions, Heinbockel brought up the growing field of and logo and on incorporating, which they did in August (all three
january/february 2011 38 columbia college today How to Cope During a Recession? took the title of managing partner), while The New Jer- sey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC.com) offered general business assistance. Personal loans came from friends and family, enabling the trio to purchase “$35,000 worth of chocolate-tempering machines in one day,” as Heinbockel recalls. “That was nerve-wracking.” Meanwhile, knowledge about what to do with those ma- chines was furnished by a Germany-based chocolatier, to whom Kaempfer was introduced by his uncle, a Nurem- berg restaurateur. In November 2009, Chocomize launched its website, and Heinbockel — who was to handle marketing and public relations — began aggressively reaching out to media outlets. “We realized how important holidays and press coverage would be in building our business,” he says. His efforts were successful: O, The Oprah Magazine; The Costco Connection magazine; and other publications mentioned their company. Soon, Chocomize was profit- able on a cash-flow basis. Today, in addition to the three founders, the company (From left) Fabian Kaempfer, Nick LaCava ’09 and Eric B. Heinbockel ’08 couldn’t land the finance jobs they had hoped for, so they turned to the growing field of has three interns, including Dave Mulhern ’10 and Jim mass-customization and founded Chocomize. Brown ’11; three full-time chocolate production workers; photo: fabian kaempfer and two part-timers who produce chocolate or assist with shipping. The bars are produced and shipped from the ing, better nutritionally and better for the environment. Recalling company’s office and production facility in Cherry Hill, N.J. his trip to Brazil and the growing craze for nutrient-rich “super- The founders plan to move Chocomize to a larger facility (its fruits” (such as pomegranates and the lesser-known acai), he re- current factory is just shy of 2,000 sq. ft.). The company also will solved to create “the world’s first acai spirit.” start selling chocolate to Canadian customers; offer more ship- When Courtney shared the idea with Carter, his younger brother ping options and a fourth base chocolate; purchase more equip- was dubious about leaving his finance job. “Why should we risk ev- ment; and hire more people. erything?” Carter recalls asking. “I was surprised Courtney thought “We fall into the category of accidental entrepreneurs,” Hein I’d actually be crazy enough to leave a great job at Goldman to bockel says. “We are risk-takers to a degree, but the recession gave join him in trying our hand at our own venture.” us the opportunity where we had nothing to lose. Ultimately, I’m Although Courtney did convince his brother to join him, the glad that I didn’t find a job. It allowed me to find work that I’m two didn’t know the alcohol business and realized they needed happier doing.” help. That came from Britt West ’97, then a brand director for Echoes LaCava, “I’m really glad that I didn’t end up getting Grey Goose Vodka at Miami-based Bacardi US (which had ac- a more traditional job. Not only have I learned an incredible quired the vodka brand). At the time, Carter was on the board of amount about running a business, I absolutely love what I’m do- Columbia College Young Alumni, as was a close friend of West’s, ing. It’s great being your own boss, and there’s no greater sat- who introduced them in late 2006. isfaction than seeing your hard work pay off. Making chocolate West remembers his first encounter with the Reums. “Like and working with your best friends every day is a blast.” most people, when they asked me what acai was, I said I’d never heard of it,” he says. “I thought that Courtney and Carter were ahead of their time, as functional fruits and beverages were just becoming more mainstream. Plus, the brothers planned to donate VeeV a portion of the product’s sales to stewardship of the Brazilian he founders of VeeV, the first acai-based spirit, gradu- rainforest. I realized that not only was that something they were ated before the recession and were able to begin their passionate about; it was also something that would appeal to our careers at investment banks. Brothers Courtney Reum target market. Finding more environmentally and socially re- ’01 and Carter Reum ’03 both worked in the invest- sponsible ways of doing businesses would become a long-term ment banking division of Goldman Sachs. Yet Court- trend, even in an industry not known for its environmentally sen- Tney knew that he would ultimately take an entrepreneurial path. sitive behavior.” While at Goldman, he worked on many deals, including a large After first consulting for the Reums, West joined the company alcohol company merger, as well as the IPO for Under Armour. full-time in June 2007, becoming a managing partner (the Reums “The founder of that company had a good idea, and went for it. are co-founders and managing partners). Why can’t I do that?” Courtney recalls thinking. On a surfing trip During just two months in late 2006, the Reums secured fund- to Brazil — a respite from his grueling work schedule — he was ing from friends, family and a handful of angel investors, mostly offered a bowl of granola, banana, honey and a then-mysterious individuals they’d met through their careers at Goldman Sachs. fruit called acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE). Courtney thought the “We would probably not have been able to raise enough money fruit was delicious, and filed away the memory. during the recession,” says Courtney. “All we had then was an About a year later, he began brainstorming intensively about idea, something that was interesting and different. We didn’t have what type of business to start. He decided to invent an alcoholic a fully-vetted business plan or even a fully thought-out product.” beverage that would offer a “better way to drink” — better tast- Armed with capital, they found a distiller with environmen-
january/february 2011 39 How to Cope During a Recession? columbia college today In May 2007 in Los Angeles, VeeV was launched, with the brothers literally selling bottles out of the backs of their cars. tally sensitive practices and began the research and develop- it. During this time, multinational alcohol conglomerates were do- ment process. “We gave the distiller lay terms, and they turned ing just the opposite, shifting their emphasis to the “off-premise” our vision into a product,” says Courtney. “We went through market (liquor and grocery stores) to try to sustain volume sales dozens of iterations of the formula, tasting them with panels of during the recession. “This gave us a window of opportunity to experts to get feedback.” Once the formula was finalized, they exploit,” Courtney says. “We became even more aggressive in the submitted paperwork to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bu- on-premise market, and that action has built lasting business rela- reau, the agency for such product approvals, to get approval of tionships. Now, our sales are about 70 percent on-premise.” the recipe and package design. All of these efforts have paid off. Today, VeeV is available in Courtney came up with the company name: VeeV. “It has no almost every state, and, according to Courtney, the company had meaning,” he says, “but is close $2 million in sales last year, a to the word for ‘life’ in several 250 percent increase. W Ho- Latin-based languages. We also tels, Virgin American Airlines like it because it’s one syllable and Celebrity Cruises serve the and a palindrome, making it spirit. an easy call to a bartender in The company has grown to a crowded bar (for example, a about 20 employees, including ‘VeeV and soda’).” the brothers and an office man- In May 2007 in Los Angeles, ager, who are based in Los An- VeeV was launched, with the geles; West, who still lives in brothers literally selling bottles Miami; and a v.p. of sales, Tim out of the backs of their cars — Maccara, who works out of San they didn’t yet have a distribu- Francisco. Courtney is national tor or major sales infrastructure sales director. Even the Reums’ in place. After introducing the sister, Halle ’06, helps out part- product to the Los Angeles time. “In truth, we’re based market, they moved on to Flor- wherever there is a hotel room ida, Illinois, other California and an Internet connection,” cities and Texas, with Courtney West says. “We all log quite a (and sometimes West or Carter) few frequent flyer miles.” spending two to six months in “Regardless of the economy, each location getting the brand Brothers Courtney Reum ’01 (left) and Carter Reum ’03 left jobs at Gold- we’d still be doing this,” Court- up and running. man Sachs to chart their own course, founding VeeV to fill a niche in the ney notes. “We would certainly Meanwhile, Carter and West adult beverage market. not be working in investment photo: courtesy ve e v made sure that existing markets baking. None of us came into were moving in the right direc- this project looking to dip our tion. “Carter and I are the faces of the brand,” Courtney explains. toes in the water with a fallback plan that we could all return to “Launching markets ourselves gave us firsthand knowledge of our previous jobs. how consumers interacted with our product and showed us how “When I left my seemingly secure job at Goldman Sachs, to best sell it.” given where the economy was, all my friends were saying, ‘Are In many ways, the timing of VeeV — being launched a few you mad?’ or ‘You must be crazy!’ Now, they say, ‘You must months before the recession officially began — was perfect. Po- have seen that one [the economic collapse] coming, huh?’ I just tential new brands that would have posed competition couldn’t have to laugh because if that were the case, I’d probably be re- secure funds, so, West explains, there was a “thinning of the tired already.” herd, a shakeout in the industry.” All the while, their business Carter adds, “I’m thrilled that my brother pushed me to think was growing. outside of the traditional path and onto something more entre- Furthermore, in summer 2009, VeeV noticed an unprecedented preneurial. The experience I’ve gotten at such a young age never media opportunity. As Courtney recalls, “There was an incred- would have been possible if I’d continued at an investment bank. ible amount of open media that could be purchased for 20 cents I always say that VeeV is our ‘business school.’ And the success on the dollar. We seized this opportunity and had a summer-long we’ve had has been even sweeter given that my brother and I are advertising campaign across five markets. We would never have doing this together.” been able to afford it in ‘traditional’ circumstances. Our efforts further stood out because the big companies in our industry were slashing media spending.” Dina Cheney ’99 is the author of Tasting Club (DK, 2006) and The company’s decision to focus on the “on-premise” market Williams Sonoma New Flavors for Salads (Oxmoor House, 2009) (bars, nightclubs and restaurants) allowed the partners to spread as well as a freelance writer and recipe developer. She also blogs about the gospel about their product and see how consumers reacted to food and drink at dinacheney.com.
january/february 2011 40 columbia college today How to Cope During a Recession?
Alumni 42 Bookshelf 44 obituaries 47 Class Notes News 80 alumni Corner
Trees along College Walk were lit on December 2, a sure sign that winter had arrived. Photo: Char Smullyan
november/december 2010 41 columbia college today Bookshelf
What’s the Story?: Try your Hand Mohamed’s Ghosts: An American fight to create a growing city while offers a range of experimental poems at Fiction and Learn the Art of Story of Love and Fear in the dealing with the crises of the ’80s conveying varying aspects of her Writing by Rudolph H. Weingartner Homeland by Stephan Salisbury ’69. (Columbia University Press, $34.95). personality (BlazeVOX [books], $18). ’50. With drawings and descrip- Using the story of Philadelphia’s tions of 20 casts of characters, Muslim community post–9-11 A Critical History of German A Thousand Darknesses: Lies and Weingartner offers the struggling and his personal experiences with Film by Stephen Brockmann ’82. The Truth in Holocaust Fiction by Ruth fiction writer numerous possibil- government surveillance in the author looks at individual German Franklin ’95. Franklin investigates ities to inspire the art of writing (Uni- 1960s, Salisbury criticizes the gov- films, with an introduction to each the role of imagination and fictive versity Press of America, $16.99). ernment’s investigation techniques film’s era that provides its histori- interpretations in remembering the (Nation Books, $26.95). cal context (Camden House, $60). Holocaust by examining literary Wilhelm Dilthey: Selected Works, works, including memoirs (Oxford Volume II: Understanding the The Bodhisattva’s Embrace: Dis- The New York Stories of Elizabeth University Press, $29.95). Human World edited by Rudolf patches from Engaged Buddhism’s Hardwick, with an introduction by A. Makkreel ’60 and Frithjof Rodi. Front Lines by Alan Senauke ’69. Darryl Pinckney ’88. In Hardwick’s How Soccer Explains the World: In this second volume of writings, The author puts together pieces of first collection of short fiction, a An Unlikely Theory of Globaliza- philosopher Dilthey explores the writings from his travels during the young woman who had been liv- tion by Franklin Foer ’96. The au- relationship between self and the last 20 years to look at the sufferings ing in New York City returns to thor shows the influence of soccer world (Princeton University Press, of troubled places in Asia and the her Kentucky hometown and must in different cultures while examin- $65). United States with dharma reflec- adjust to the differences (NYRB ing its overall global effect (Harper tions (Clear View Press, $14.99). Classics, $15.95). Perennial, $14.99). Before Forgiveness: The Origins of a Moral Idea by David Konstan ’61. The Unknown Black Book: The Notes from the Cracked Ceiling: Moment of Clutch by Eric Siskind The author tracks the beginnings of Holocaust in the German-Occu- Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and ’03. Baseball meets Jewish theology the modern sense of interpersonal pied Soviet Territories by Joshua What It Will Take for a Woman to in this novel about a minor league forgiveness to the 18th and 19th Rubenstein ’71 and Ilya Altman. This Win by Anne E. Kornblut ’94. Wash- player who strives to realize his centuries (Cambridge University book collects firsthand accounts ington Post White House correspon- athletic potential and, in the pro- Press, $85). of massacres and other atrocities dent Kornblut analyzes the recent cess, rediscovers his faith (Amazon carried about by the Germans and Clinton and Palin campaigns to see Digital Services, $0.99). Religion and Democracy in the their allies against Jews in occupied what it will take for a woman to United States: Danger or Oppor- Soviet territories during WWII gain the presidency (Crown, $25). Invisible Things by Jenny David- tunity? edited by Alan Wolfe and Ira (Indiana University Press, $24.95) son, associate professor of English Katznelson ’66, the Ruggles Profes- Kiev, Jewish Metropolis: A His- and comparative literature. In this sor of Political Science and History. Salvation City: A Novel by Sigrid tory, 1859–1914 (The Modern Jew- novel, 16-year-old Sophie makes it Scholars examine Americans’ reli- Nunez ’75. Envisioning a future in ish Experience) by Natan M. Meir her mission to learn the truth about gious beliefs and the relationship which millions have been wiped ’94. This book explores the history her parents’ deaths by seeking between church and state (Princ- out by the flu, Nunez writes a story of Kiev Jewry by examining the their former employer, billionaire eton University Press, $35). of survivors who turn to increas- everyday lives of Jews, and their Alfred Nobel (HarperTeen, $16.99). ingly radical religious practices in struggles, shifts and relations with Sunset Park: A Novel by Paul search of comfort and explanations the Christian population from The Cloud Corporation by Timo- Auster ’69. During the 2008 eco- (Riverhead Books, $25.95). 1859 to the start of WWI (Indiana thy Donnelly, assistant professor nomic collapse, a group of young University Press, $27.95). of creative writing. In his second squatters in Sunset Park, Brook- Ed Koch and the Rebuilding of collection of poems, Donnelly ex- lyn, are brought together by the New York City by Jonathan Soffer ’78. City Bird: Selected Poems (1991– plores a variety of emotions while enigmatic Miles Heller (Henry Soffer takes a look at former New 2009) by Millie Niss ’94. This collec- trying to bring meaning to the Holt and Co., $25). York City mayor Ed Koch and his tion, published after Niss’ 2009 death, world (Wave Books, $16).
january/february 2011 42 columbia college today bookshelf
Samuel Moyn: The Recent History of Human Rights
B y Cas e y Pl e t t
uman rights are best understood Last Utopia originated, “so I saw the idea of writing a as survivors: the god that did not book that would hit the reset button.” fail while other political ideologies Moyn, a deep-voiced, affable man who received did,” history professor Samuel the College’s Mark Van Doren Award for teaching “MoynH writes in his new book The Last Utopia: Hu- in 2007, was raised in St. Louis and attended Wash- man Rights in History (Belknap, $27.95). ington University as an undergraduate, majoring in When human rights became high-profile in the French literature and history. Initially more interested late 1970s, majestic utopian ideas such as national- in literature, he was soon intrigued by history after ism and socialism were losing credit amid a global taking courses which, he says, “integrated literature citizenry disillusioned with the failures revolution had into a larger picture of social thought.” promised. Human rights have been able to achieve Moyn earned master’s and doctorate degrees prominence, Moyn says during an interview in his from UC Berkeley as well as a J.D. from Harvard. sixth-floor office in Fayerweather Hall, because the He considered going into human rights as a career movement’s argument is presented minimalistically. when he was at Harvard, but instead opted to teach “It says human rights aren’t a utopia like the past at Columbia upon graduation. “Like me, many people ones, which failed precisely because they were too were very taken by human rights in the ’90s,” he grandiose,” Moyn says. “They still ask you to invest explains of his initial interest in the subject. “They yourself, but it’s about saving the world a step at a seemed on the brink of conquering the world as a time rather than in one grand stroke.” persuasive framework for supplanting old systems of In the book, he cites Amnesty International’s “direct power and statehood with some new moral system.” and public connection with suffering” by identifying These old systems also get a thorough once-over with a single victim as an example. in The Last Utopia. Moyn argues that historical move- The Last Utopia, Moyn’s third book, is a fascinating ments about rights — such as in the Revolutionary history of the origins of human rights as an ideol- Era — were less about individuals and more about ogy and how their current unassailable status was PHOTO: CASEY PLETT entire peoples. “Most campaigns for rights in modern anything but inevitable. The Rights of Man movement history didn’t see any way of severing individual rights during the French Revolution, he writes, was “about the meaning from collective liberation. In our time, these things have gotten of citizenship … not the protection of ‘humanity,’ ” and the tooth- severed,” he says. lessness of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Moyn goes on to say that human rights aren’t as emotional Rights, passed in 1948, was indicative of human rights’ status as and galvanizing as former utopias. “They seem that way today “one symbolic event in the public rollout” when the international because they don’t have many competitors. They’re a utopia organization was trying to get on its feet. “The true goal of the that was reached after others were tried and discarded. What prospective United Nations,” he writes, “was to balance great I wondered is how these older revolutionizing frameworks en- powers, not to moralize (let alone legalize) the world.” tered crisis, and why it is that this minimalist utopia, however Moyn says there were no books on this subject 10 years ago, maximal it seems now, could succeed in those circumstances.” but when he began teaching at Columbia in 2001, he taught a class Is it easier to motivate people to action from a minimalist called “Historical Origins of Human Rights,” and began to engage perspective? with emerging scholarship, much of which argued that human “It’s not clear to me,” Moyn says. “That’s how it seems today, rights began before the 20th century, in the Revolutionary Era. but if we do the history of the idea of communism, it seems as if He acknowledges the existing scholarship is “powerful,” es- precisely the grandiosity draws people into this kind of romantic pecially when it comes to antislavery, the movement he credits movement. It seems like we’re in an age when your statement for “pioneering techniques of agitation” for future human rights seems right, that you have to give something small scale in or- movements, as well as constructing “a particular human rights der to make it appealing. norm against chattel slavery.” “Most utopias have been maximal. And yet ours are minimal. But there was no continual “human rights movement” from How we switched our expectations about the idealism we want then to now, he says, nor does he believe that antislavery’s success is the crucial thing to explain.” was central to how human rights are shaped today. “I thought the field got off on the wrong foot,” Moyn says in explaining howThe Casey Plett is a freelance writer based in the New York area.
How to House the Homeless Perpetual Inventory by Rosalind the Lionel Trilling Professor in the The Mind’s Eye by Oliver Sacks, edited by Ingrid Gould Ellen and Krauss, University Professor. Humanities. Auden’s best-known professor of neurology, psychiatry Brendan O’Flaherty, professor of Krauss offers alternative views prose, “The Dryer’s Hand,” and and the arts. Sacks captures the economics. This book takes a about the current direction of other essays and reviews come to- stories of people who have lost critical look at homelessness in contemporary art in a collection of gether in this fourth volume, high- part of their senses and abilities the United States and what essays (The MIT Press, $29.95). lighting the height of his career. and yet are still capable of com- policies and programs offer This version includes Mendelson’s municating and living their lives the best outlook (Russell Sage The Complete Works of W.H. notes on biographical and histori- (Knopf, $26.95). Foundation Publications, Auden: Prose, Volume IV, 1956– cal context (Princeton University Samantha Jean-Baptiste ’13 $37.50). 1962 edited by Edward Mendelson, Press, $65).
january/february 2011 43 columbia college today Obituaries
1929 with Children’s Home Society of five grandchildren; and four great- Irwin W. Smith, retired insurance California, a large child welfare grandchildren. agent and teacher, Wallingford, agency, first with the Los Angeles Conn., on February 18, 2010. Smith district on its Board of Directors and Sam Pisicchio, retired Coast was born in New York City on Dec- later on C.H.S.’ state board, eventu- Guard member and employment ember 17, 1907. He was a WWII ally being elected president. Link is consultant, Napa, Calif., on Febru- veteran, serving in the Army. survived by his wife, Eileen Patricia ary 24, 2010. Born in Corato, Italy, Smith earned a master’s from New Cole Link; children, Diane B., Susan in 1920, Pisicchio and his parents Jersey State College in Montclair L. Flanagan and her husband, J. immigrated to New York when and a J.D. from NYU. He was an Michael, Kenneth R., and Richard he was 3. After graduating from insurance agent with John Han- A. and his wife, Kathy; and four Freeport (N.Y.) H.S., he majored cock Life Insurance Co. for 30 years grandchildren. Memorial contribu- in journalism at the College. Upon until his retirement and then was tions may be made to USC Norris graduation, Pisicchio enlisted in a permanent substitute teacher at Cancer Center. the Coast Guard, where he served Paramus H.S. in New Jersey for for 23 years, retiring with the rank 1941 25 years. Smith was predeceased of commander. His tours of duty by his wife, Marjorie Fricke Smith, Edward J. Amontree, retired den- took him and his family to Boston, and is survived by a son, I. Stuart, tist, Sarasota, Fla., on February 4, Washington, D.C., Cape May, N.J., Leonard M. Shayne ’41 and his wife, Betty; daughters, 2010. Amontree was born on May Cleveland and Long Beach, Calif. Merilyn L. Sandberg and her hus- 2, 1919, in Harlem and grew up In 1965, Pisicchio settled in Napa band, Paul, and Dorothy S. Mullen; in Brooklyn, where he graduated National Customs Brokers & For- Valley, where he was an employ- six grandchildren; and two great- from Brooklyn Tech. He studied warders Association of America, ment consultant for the Napa grandchildren. Memorial contri- journalism at Columbia before Shayne was at one time its presi- County Welfare Department until butions may be made to Masonic graduating from the Dental School dent and held the 2009 NCBFAA 1980. He is survived by his wife of Charity Foundation, PO Box 70, in 1944. Amontree was a captain Centurion Award. Lifelong friend 64 years, Dawn; daughters, Nancy, Wallingford, CT 06492. in the Army during the Korean Ray Robinson ’41 noted, “He was and Valerie Straw; and a grand- conflict, running the dental clinic at a charming, gracious man with a daughter. Memorial contributions 1938 Fort Belvoir, Va., where he met his thirst for knowledge, and he never may be made to Hospice by the Alvin K. Link, retired executive, wife, Eva Johanna Hagenstein. The stopped learning.” Shayne married Bay, 190 West Napa St., Sonoma, Los Angeles, on February 23, 2010. couple moved in 1955 to Sarasota, Theresa “Teri” Deerson in 1952; she CA 95476. Link was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where Amontree set up his dental predeceased him in 2006. He mar- 1944 on September 17, 1917. He entered practice and they raised their fam- ried Trold Onsberg that year. She with the Class of 1938 but earned a ily. After a long and distinguished survives him, as do his children Harold W. Polton, retired business B.S and an M.S. from the Business career, including extensive research and their spouses, William and his executive, Pompton Plains, N.J., School in 1938 and 1939, respective- on the effects of light on dental wife, Caren, and Claudia Shayne- on April 2, 2010. Polton’s Colum- ly, and obtained a C.P.A. certificate health, Amontree retired at 82. He Ferguson and her husband, Earl; bia education was interrupted by from the State of New York. Link was an avid fisherman and sailor and four grandchildren. military service when he enlisted was v.p., secretary and treasurer and enjoyed restoring classic au- in the Army. He served in Iowa, 1942 of Layne and Bowler Pump Co. in tomobiles. Survivors include his Washington, D.C., and Hawaii City of Industry, Calif., for many sons, Michael and Tom; daughter, George T. Laboda, director of before returning to complete his years. He was active for many years Madelaine Dudney; and four media, Lake Worth, Fla., on Febru- College degree. Polton spent his grandchildren. ary 26, 2010. Laboda was born on business career in paper recycling October 7, 1919, in the Bronx. He and real estate in New Jersey. He Obituary Submission Leonard M. Shayne, retired for- entered with the Class of 1942 but is survived by his wife of 62 years, eign trader, New York City, on earned a degree in 1942 from the Kathleen Thomson Polton; sons, Guidelines October 26, 2010. Shayne was born Business School. Laboda served in Arthur, Thomas and Richard ’70; Columbia College Today in New York City on September 29, the Army Air Force from 1942–46, seven grandchildren; and one welcomes obituaries for 1920, and attended public schools. being stationed at Mitchell Field great-grandson. College alumni. Deaths are He entered the College with the on Long Island, N.Y., and rising noted in the next available Class of 1941 but earned a B.S. in to the rank of tech sergeant. La- 1945 issue in the “Other Deaths 1941 from the Business School. boda was an avid golfer and a Bruce L. Schalk, retired accoun- Reported” box, but due to Shayne was coxswain of the fresh- supporter of the Florida Sheriff’s tant, Whiting, N.J., on March 4, the volume of obituaries men crew. He served in England Youth Ranches, the Make-A-Wish 2010. Born in Flushing, N.Y., Schalk that CCT receives, it may in WWII as a sergeant with the Foundation and the Grandfather served in the Pacific Theatre from take several issues for the 8th Air Force from 1942–45, then Home for Children in Banner 1942–46. He earned a degree in complete obituary to appear. joined the family business, Lead- Elk, N.C. He was a founder of the economics from the College and Word limit is 200; text may ing Forwarders, to do freight for- Kravis Center in Palm Beach, Fla., was a member of Beta Theta Phi. be edited for length, clarity warding and customs brokering. and established the Ruth C. La- Schalk was an accountant for and style at editors’ discre- Shayne was regarded as an expert boda Foundation as a tribute to his Housing and Urban Development tion. Click “Contact Us” at in his field and lectured at CUNY wife of 55 years to continue their for many years before retiring college.columbia.edu/cct, Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business legacy of helping others and fur- in 1988. He enjoyed gardening, or mail materials to and The City College of New York. thering the arts. Laboda also was reading and traveling. Schalk also Obituaries Editor, He wrote an industry memoir, Not predeceased by a son, Ron, and is loved music and sang in a church Columbia College Today, All Importers-Exporters Are Crooks. survived by his companion of 14 choir for 34 years. Surviving are his Columbia Alumni Center, Shayne became the president/ years, Roseanne McElroy; sister, wife of 56 years, Emily (Sklenka) 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530, co-owner of Leading Forwarders Emilia McCusker; sons, Thomas Schalk; daughters, Claudia, and New York, NY 10025. and co-owner of Leading Export and his wife, Rosa, Richard and his Lauraine Pizza; sister, Georgia, and Service Corp. with his brother, wife, Joan, and Lawrence; daugh- her husband, Harold Zeidel; two Kenneth. A founding father of The ter Kathy and her husband, Jim; granddaughters; and four nieces.
january/february 2011 44 columbia college today obituaries
Memorial contributions may be may be made to Advocates for made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Bartow’s Children, Box 446, Cart- Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., ersville, GA 30120. Elizabeth A. Dwyer ’92, New York, NY 10065. 1950 Financial Executive 1946 Desmond J. Nunan Sr., retired Wayne J. Hallenbeck, retired educational system administrator, Elizabeth A. Dwyer, a financial insurance executive, Mansfield, Ocean City, N.J., on May 5, 2010. executive and a member of the Ohio, on February 10, 2010. Born Born in New York City, Nunan had College’s Board of Visitors since on January 7, 1925, Hallenbeck lived in Allentown, Pa., and sum- 2009, passed away on Novem- enlisted in the Army in 1943 and mered for many years in Ocean ber 18, 2010. She was 40 and served in the European theatre City before moving there in 1981. lived in New York City. of operations during WWII, re- At Columbia, he was a member Dwyer was a managing di- ceiving a Purple Heart. He then of the crew and the Glee Club. rector at J.P.Morgan, based in resumed his studies at Columbia Nunan was a teacher for the West and graduated in 1948 with a Chester, Pa., School District for New York. She was the head B.A. in political science. Hallen- 12 years, an administrator for the of the commodity derivative beck had a 35-year career in the Allentown School District for 16 sales group, Exploration and insurance industry, starting with years and most recently was with Production Companies for the Aetna in New York and Security the New York State Education De- Global Commodities Group, Insurance in New Haven, Conn. partment for four years before his which provides corporate risk In 1960, he and his family moved 1992 retirement. He was a member management solutions for to Mansfield, where he worked at of the American Legion Post #624 clients hedging commodities Lumbermens Mutual Insurance in Ocean City; past commodore exposure as well as market Co. Hallenbeck was v.p. of claims of the Honorary First Defenders and retired from Lumbermens in of Allentown, Pa.; past president intelligence and commod- the Columbia College Alumni 1981. He was an active bowler and of the Allentown Principals and ity related financing. Prior Association Board of Direc- golfer and a former member of Administrators Association; and a to joining J.P.Morgan, Dwyer tors and the Dean’s Alumnae Westbrook County Club and the former member of the Ocean City held derivative sales-related Task Force. Her commitment B.P.O.E. Hallenbeck is survived by Zoning Board. Nunan also was on positions at RBS Sempra Com- to the College exemplified a his wife, Shirley; sons, Wayne Jr. the Cape May County Selective modities, Credit Suisse and generation of Columbia College and his wife, Lisa, and Kirby and Service Board for 20 years and AIG. She began her career at women leaders. Beth’s passing his wife, Toni; daughter, Susan an active member of Our Lady of International Paper. is a personal loss to the many Hallenbeck and her husband, Wil- Good Counsel Church in Ocean Dwyer also was a member of of us who admired her strength liam Holland; and two grandchil- City. Surviving are his wife, Dolly; dren. Memorial contributions may children, Desmond Jr., Christopher the Steering Committee of the and character.” be made to MedCentral Hospice, and his wife, Cindy, Peter and his Junior Council for the American Dwyer is survived by her 335 Glessner Ave., Mansfield, OH wife, Lisa, Aiden, and Julie Ann Museum of Natural History. husband, Daniel; children, 44903. Maloney; seven grandchildren; “Beth was among our most Nathaniel and Alexander; and sister, Mora Sullivan; and sister-in- loyal alumnae,” said Dean Mi- parents, William and Barbara 1949 law, Frances. chele Moody-Adams, “a mem- Deruiter. William G. Ivie Sr., retired store ber of the Board of Visitors, Lisa Palladino manager, Cartersville, Ga., on Feb- 1952 ruary 10, 2010. Born on August 14, Vernon C. Wynott Jr., sales execu- 1927, Ivie lived in Brooklyn until tive, referee, Belmont, Mass., on he was 12, then moved to Morn- April 17, 2010. Wynott was a 1953 1932, to German immigrants. He ingside Drive. He graduated from member of the Belmont H.S. Jay A. Levine, professor, Chicago, attended De Vilbiss H.S. in Toledo, the Bronx H.S. of Science. Shortly Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a on February 22, 2010. Levine was Ohio, where he met his wife of 53 after his marriage to Leslie Jean retired Naval officer, having served born in New York City in 1932. years, Marilyn Mae Hahn Pirner, Soper in 1951, he served briefly with the Beach Jumper Unit at He earned a master’s in 1954 from on a New Year’s Eve blind date. in the Naval Reserves. In 1959, Little Creek, Va., from 1952–55. At GSAS in English and comparative In 1949, Pirner was named All- the family settled in Harrington Columbia, Wynott was Honorable literature and a doctorate in Eng- City Quarterback and played in Park, N.J. Ivie was a volunteer Mention All American in football. lish literature at The John Hopkins the Ohio North/South game. He fireman, Little League coach and He refereed high school and col- University. Before going to the earned a B.A. from the College and member of the community plan- lege football for 35 years. Wynott University of Illinois at Chicago, a B.S. in 1955 from the Engineering ning board. He also helped build was employed by Lewis-Boyle and Levine taught English literature at School, and lettered for four years the Harrington Park town pool Pillsbury in sales and was trustee Chicago, UC Berkeley and Cornell. in football. Pirner was commis- and served on election committees of Belmont Savings Bank. His last A scholar of 18th-century British sioned as a second lieutenant in for local politicians. Ivie’s entire time in public was on Thanksgiv- literature, he chaired the English the Marine Corps, where he served professional life was as a store ing Day 2009. It was a special day department at UIC and was dean as an infantry platoon leader and manager for Woolworth. He and for his family, as his grandson, of the College of Liberal Arts and rifle company commander. He his wife settled in Palm Beach Michael, was playing his last high Sciences from 1985–95. Levine is completed service in 1958 as a Gardens, Fla., in 1983, then moved school football game, and Wynott survived by his daughter, Julia captain. Pirner held positions in the closer to their family in 2000. Ivie was named honorary captain for H.; brother, Neal; sister, Harriet food and petro-chemical industries was committed to the Not in Bar- Belmont H.S. and was at midfield “Sandy” Miller; former wife, Karen for more than 40 years and was a tow project, which provided food for the coin toss. The ending was L.; close friend Bob Hiebert; and football official for more than 20 to poor families during the holi- especially exciting, as Belmont many nieces and nephews. Memo- years. He is survived by his wife; days, as well as Advocates for Bar- came from behind late in the fourth rial contributions may be made to daughters, Deborah Lynn Pirner tow’s Children, a group dedicated quarter to win 8–7, when Michael the Parkinson’s Disease Founda- and her husband, Greg Jarrett, Pa- to helping local troubled children. took the snap for the extra point, tion, 833 W. Washington, Chicago, mela Mae Pirner Bergeland and her Ivie also was a devoted New York faked and threw for a successful IL 60607-2327. husband, Mark, Karen Marie Pirner Giants fan. He is survived by his two-point conversion. Wynott was Braaten and her husband, Mark, wife of 59 years; children, William thrilled. He is survived by his wife, 1954 Sandra Kay Pirner Atwood and her G. III, David A., and Susan Barrett; Sheila; sons, Vernon III, Dennis and Max R. Pirner Sr., retired engineer, husband, Pat; son, Max R. “Rick” eight grandchildren; and brother, John; sister, Dot McBride; and eight Humble, Texas, on May 9, 2010. Jr. and his wife, Darla; 18 grandchil- Robert. Memorial contributions grandchildren. Pirner was born on December 8, dren; five great-grandchildren; and
january/february 2011 45 obituaries columbia college today
Other Deaths Reported Columbia College Today also has learned of the following deaths. Complete obituaries will be published in an upcoming issue, pending receipt of information. Due to the volume of obitu- aries that CCT receives, it may take several issues for the complete obituary to appear.
1936 Charles R. “Captain Dick” Murray Sr., retired sales representative, Charlottesville, Va., on November 21, 2010. 1937 Bertram Fuchs, retired gastroenterologist, Marathon, Fla., on October 18, 2010. 1940 Seth G. Neugroschl, computer and technology expert, New York City, on November 4, 2010. 1941 Douglas L. Gruber, retired talent agency owner, Sun City Center, Fla., on October 11, 2010. 1942 Alan E. Baum, retired radiologist, Fort Pierce, Fla., on October 10, 2010. sanford A. Bayer, antiques and fine arts dealer, Greensboro, N.C., on June 27, 2010. T. Irving Chang ’60 robert E. Healy, physician, Amesbury, Mass., on October 16, 2010. george C. Thompson, retired Columbia professor of business law and accounting, Greenwich, of the Hawaii Youth Symphony As- Conn., on October 12, 2010. sociation and the Hawaii Chapter of 1943 Albert W. Cayot, sales manager, Boxford, Mass., on November 22, 2010. United Cerebral Palsy. After retiring in 2004, Chang focused on travel- 1944 Albert P. Ryavec, San Diego, on October 14, 2010. ing, listening to his eclectic music 1947 Henry G. Burger, retired anthropologist, automated word-finding expert, Overland Park, Kan., collection on the Internet and trad- ing stocks. He recently turned to on October 14, 2010. tending to fruit trees, a bee hive and gerald S. Lesser, professor of child development, Lexington, Mass., on September 23, 2010. hibiscus plants. Chang is survived by his wife, Jocelyn (Joce); children, 1949 Perry E. Morrison, business executive, violinist, Pittsburgh, on August 24, 2010. Allison ’94 and her husband, Ivan 1951 Robert J. Archer, Portola Valley, Calif., on September 4, 2010. Huang, Kimberly ’95, Timothy and his wife, Gina, and Jonathan ’98 and Jerome K. “Jerry” Chase, car dealership owner, Wayland, Mass., on October 29, 2010. his wife, Pauline; sister, En Harriet Muir N. Weissinger Jr., St. Augustine, Fla., on July 2, 2009. Chang; mother-in-law, Gladys Yee; and three grandchildren. 1954 Thomas E. Sinton Jr., retired business executive, Mahwah, N.J., on November 11, 2010. 1955 Alan D. Pasternak, consultant and lobbyist, Lafayette, Calif., on September 24, 2010. 1975 Joseph F. Slade III, physician, 1956 Joseph A. Parker, engineer, Toms River, N.J., on November 11, 2010. professor of orthopedics and reha- 1958 Donald Festa, retired colonel, Oakland, N.J., on October 14, 2010. bilitation, Guilford, Conn., on May 21, 2010. Slade was born on Janu- John J. Rothschild, cardiologist, New York City, on November 4, 2010. ary 4, 1953, in Washington, D.C. He asher Rubin, retired deputy attorney general, San Francisco, on September 29, 2010. was a professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation, with a joint appoint- 1960 William V. Borden, playwright, novelist, poet and English professor, Rockwall, Texas, on ment in plastic and reconstructive October 23, 2010. surgery, at Yale University School henry Schoenfeld, attorney, Takoma Park, Md., on September 21, 2010. of Medicine and was the director of the Hand and Upper Extremity 1961 Donald G. Roesch, retired attorney, Woodside, Calif., on September 19, 2010. Service. He joined the Yale full- 1962 Lawrence I. Lubkin, retired high school teacher, Tucson, on September 27, 2010. time faculty in July 1993 following his training at the University of 1965 Garland E. Wood, financial executive, Weston, Conn., on November 15, 2010. Connecticut School of Medicine, 1971 Paul C. Jamieson III, former attorney, amateur chef, Stamford, Conn., on October 8, 2010. Duke and the University Miami/ Jackson Memorial Medical Center. 1976 Mark J. Heller, business executive, Potomac, Md., on October 22, 2010. Slade then served in the Air Force during Desert Storm. He made many contributions to clinical care, including the development of sisters, Carolyn Penland and Susan Swahili and Indonesian, in order to School and graduated from the new approaches to the treatment Wiechman. Memorial contribu- write descriptions of books for the New Mexico Military Institute in of hand and wrist fractures. Slade tions may be made to the Salvation library’s catalogue. Sullivan previ- 1956. At Columbia, Chang played also lectured around the world, Army, MD Anderson Cancer Center ously worked for the public library football. He earned a law degree conducted scholarly research and or Shriners Hospital. systems in New York City and the from the University of Michigan in authored numerous scientific arti- District of Columbia. He was a 1963, then clerked for the Honor- 1955 cles. He is survived by his children, member of Holy Trinity Catholic able Jack Mizuha of the Hawaii Joseph IV and his wife, Kimberly, Bede C. Sullivan, library catalogu- Church in Georgetown. Survivors Supreme Court. His next job was and Andrew; sisters, Carol and er, Washington, D.C., on February include his wife of 48 years, the as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Veronica; fiancée, Kathleen; and a 22, 2010. Sullivan was a native of former Carol Miller; children, Nora Honolulu. After four years, Chang granddaughter. Memorial contri- Chicago. He served in the Marine Mejia, Emily Dennis and Peter; a opened his own practice, focusing butions may be made to the Joseph Corps in the 1950s. Sullivan worked sister; and four grandchildren. on corporate law and bankruptcy Slade III MD Memorial Fund c/o for 30 years at the Library of Con- for more than 30 years. He was 1960 Department of Orthopedics and gress, first in the division for the the longtime chair of Columbia’s Rehabilitation, Yale University, PO blind and later as a cataloguer of T. Irving Chang, retired attorney, Alumni Representative Committee Box 208071, New Haven CT 06520. foreign-language materials. He Honolulu, on April 1, 2010. Chang for Hawaii and served on Colum- Lisa Palladino specialized in Romance languages was born on October 8, 1939, in bia’s national Board of Visitors. He and took classes in others, such as Honolulu. He attended Iolani also was the chairman of the boards
january/february 2011 46 columbia college today Class Notes
Columbia College Today Clamens the finest professor he had on October 6. Her brother, Nick, is a his comments about the article Columbia Alumni Center at Columbia. Clamens fostered in senior at Rensselaer Polytechnic In- “Where Columbia Beats Harvard: 25 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 his students a deep appreciation of stitute in Troy, N.Y., and is delighted On the Battlefield of Curricula,” New York, NY 10025 French literature and culture. When to have a little sister. which appeared in The Wall Street 40 [email protected] the Germans occupied France in Nick and Mollie’s parents are Journal on September 3. The article 1940, Vic went to see Clamens and Gene’s son, Donald ’76 GSAS, and reported that in football competi- Bernard Queneau ’32 writes: “Way found him weeping in his office. The daughter-in-law, Joanna Seaton, tion since 1887, Harvard beat Co- back in 1928, I was fortunate enough United States had not yet entered the an actress and singer. Donald is an lumbia, 54 wins to Columbia’s 14. to be one of four Eagle Scouts select- conflict, but teacher and student had internationally known silent film In curriculum content, however, ed to cross the United States on the similar thoughts about the direction composer and pianist who per- the author of the article, James Lincoln Highway in an REO Speed- of the war and its implications for forms all over the United States and Piereson, president of the William wagon as part of a promotional tour. France and the United States. abroad. He recently was invited to E. Simon Foundation, praised We left Times Square on July 6 and While stationed at Quantico, Va., Shanghai for its first festival of silent Columbia’s Core Curriculum as far put on scouting demonstrations sev- for Marine Corps officer training, films and reports that the Chinese more rigorous and superior to Har- eral times a day at towns along the Vic received a letter from Clamens. loved Buster Keaton and Charlie vard’s laissez-faire undergraduate way. We reached the Golden Gate in Handwritten in beautiful French, Chaplin as much as their own old requirements. The final sentence of San Francisco on August 8 and were the letter still packs an emotional movies. Joanna often accompanies the essay read, “If it were a football welcomed in a formal ceremony punch. Donald with nostalgic songs of game, Columbia would beat Har- in Lincoln Park. As a reward, we the pre-sound era. New Yorkers vard by several touchdowns.” returned via Hollywood, where we can catch them at MoMA, BAM, I last saw Nick at a luncheon met Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Robert Zucker Walter Reed AMC and the newly at the Columbia Club in NYC Pickford, visited the Grand Canyon, 41 29 The Birches refurbished American Museum of on December 16, 2005, where we Pike’s Peak and Niagara Falls, and Roslyn, NY 11576 the Moving Image in Astoria. celebrated my wife Leslie’s 81st completed a total of 7,000 miles. 41 Gene continues his close ties with birthday with several classmates, [email protected] “The year 2010 was the 100th Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty including my oldest and dearest birthday of the Boy Scouts of Family and friends of Len Shayne despite his having retired more than friend and Livingston Hall room- America, and it was celebrated on helped him celebrate his 90th birth- 25 years ago. He has appeared on mate, the late Dr. Herbert Mark. I July 25 with a major parade down day on September 29. The happy af- TV programs produced in Germany did not know it then, but that was Constitution Avenue in Washing- fair took place at an Upper East Side and Spain that deal with the role the last time I would see Herb alive. ton, D.C., with more than 100 cars, restaurant in Manhattan, where Len of Radio Liberty in the Cold War. Soon afterward, he became acutely floats, Boy Scout units and bands was the principal speaker. Just 3½ A recent 600-page book, published ill with a fatal post-operative infec- participating. I was invited to be weeks later, Len passed away. He by the Central European University tion after open-heart surgery and in the parade, riding in a replica of was a regular at our Arden House Press in Budapest, includes Gene’s died on January 5, 2006. the 1928 REO Speedwagon. reunions, class v.p. and the major chapter on the successful efforts of At Columbia, Nick rowed on “Beginning on July 26, the Scouts domo of our NYC class lunches. To the radio in breaking through Soviet the lightweight and varsity crews. held their National Jamboree at me, he was a very knowledgeable censorship with the forbidden fruit He earned a master’s in education Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, and I was and helpful business associate and a of democratic ideas. The book also in 1944 and subsequently had a invited to be part of the festivities very dear friend. includes heretofore secret docu- distinguished career as a school on August 2. I was given a V.I.P. Len’s New York Times obituary ments from the archives of former principal and superintendent of badge and met top Boy Scout included the following quotation: Communist countries that reveal the schools in District 11 in New York. executives, including the national “I loved every minute I had on powerful impact RFE/RL’s broad- It was good to hear from Nick president, Rex Tillerson, CEO of earth. If you remember me kindly, casts had on the frustrated regimes, after a hiatus of five years. See ad- Exxon. One of the interviews done do one of the good things I didn’t which were losing their control over ditional news in this column about that day is on YouTube (youtube. get around to. There were so many the minds of their citizens. (Google Nick in my Homecoming report. com/watch?v=z1j7srFVIs8). of them.” [See Obituaries.] “Cold War Broadcasting” for details.) I was delighted to hear from “My wife, Esther, was always We also learned that Cecil Lon- In October, Ray Robinson was Paul Hauck in an e-mail message included in the invitations, and don died in August. He was from feted at a two-month-early surprise on September 30, sharing with we greatly enjoyed celebrating 100 Atlanta but lived in Greenbrae, party for his 90th birthday by a me the good news of his 90th years of scouting.” Calif. Cecil was a magazine editor. group of significantly younger birthday. Paul had just reviewed David Perlman ’39 was given Gloria and Gene Sosin participat- sports writers and broadcasters. my Class Notes in the September/ the Helen Thomas Award for Life- ed in setting some sort of record, at The large, festive group was hosted October issue, in which I discussed time Achievement from the Society least for our class. Their 61-year-old by Ernestine Miller, head of the Columbia’s great basketball teams of Professional Journalists. Perlman, daughter-in-law recently presented Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in earlier years. Paul, a Phi Beta the science editor at the San Fran- them with a beautiful natural-born in Maryland. It included the head cisco Chronicle, has been at the paper grandchild. Thanks to Charlie Plotz of the Yogi Berra Museum and for more than 50 years. To read for the reporting and congrats to Learning Center, and HBO and Class Notes are submitted by more about Perlman, go to college. the Sosins. Looking at the other ESPN writers and broadcasters. alumni and edited by volunteer columbia.edu/cct/nov_dec09. end of the spectrum, I just keep my How about some news of your Seth Neugroschl ’40 passed fingers crossed that my 18-year-old activities? class correspondents and the away on November 4. A former great-granddaughter, now at NYU, staff of CCT prior to publication. IBM employee who ran the Com- finishes college before she has my puter, Man and Society Univer- first great-great grandchild. Melvin Hershkowitz Opinions expressed are those of sity Seminar at Columbia, he was Gene and Gloria (who met at Co- 42 22 Northern Ave. individual alumni and do not devoted to bettering humanity lumbia after WWII and celebrated Northampton, MA through the use of technology. Seth their 60th anniversary last June) 42 01060-2310 reflect the opinions ofCCT, its was a loyal alumnus who was his wrote that they are grateful to Char- [email protected] class correspondents, the College class’ CCT correspondent from lie and Bob Zucker for their warm 1990 until shortly before his death. congratulations on the birth of their On September 6, Nick Cicchetti or the University. Vic Streit ’40 considered Pierre A. granddaughter, Mollie Moore Sosin, sent me an interesting letter with
january/february 2011 47 class notes columbia college today
Kappa member of our class, with quarterback Sean Brackett ’13 and As I write this, Columbia’s new copy of CCT in the waiting room a subsequent distinguished career placekicker Luke Eddy ’14. Coach men’s head basketball coach, Kyle of a hospital he was visiting and as an economist, recalled that Norries Wilson will graduate 26 Smith, leads the Lions into their noticed my name. We have started he was assistant manager of the seniors from this team, with capable new season. [Editor’s note: CCT a lively correspondence as a result. basketball team in 1941 under the replacements at all positions. Let us profiled Smith in the November/ Sad news: fiery and temperamental coach hope we will live to see Columbia December issue: college.columbia. Bernard Amster, physician, Paul Mooney, and the much calmer win another Ivy League football edu/cct/nov_dec10.] It has been West Hollywood, Calif., died on head manager, the late Arthur championship (it has been a long many years since Columbia was December 4, 2009. Weinstock ’41. Paul’s major duties wait since our last one, in 1961). last able to overcome the domi- Clifton C. Field Jr., retired edi- were to care for the team’s dirty The New York Times of October nance of Princeton, Penn and most tor and speechwriter, Brunswick, laundry and to assure a good 29 reported the death of Dr. Robert recently Cornell in Ivy League N.J., died on November 30, 2009. supply of tape for the team. From E. Healy on October 16 in Dover, basketball. We send good wishes Edward M. Marwell, Mount these humble tasks, Paul, one of N.H., at 88. Robert obtained his to coach Smith and our players Kisco, N.Y., died on September 7, our most brilliant classmates, rose M.D. from Cornell Medical School in their efforts to start a new era 2010. to prominence in his work with the in 1944. He saw active duty in of Columbia success in the Ivy Henry Corey, attorney, Falmouth, Navy Department and Depart- both WWII and the Korean War, League and beyond. Mass., died on February 27, 2010. ment of Defense. Congratulations and then had a long career as an Best wishes to all classmates and Please note my new e-mail ad- to Paul and his entire family on internist with the Mount Kisco their families for 2011. dress, at the top of the column. this milestone. Art Wellington [N.Y.] Medical Group while also and Dr. Gerald Klingon recently serving as an s.v.p. of the Northern joined Paul in the Nonagenarian Westchester Medical Center. He G.J. D’Angio Henry Rolf Hecht Club. Let us now hope for eventual later was a consultant for General 43 Department of Radiation 44 11 Evergreen Pl. membership for Paul, Art, Gerry Foods and the Joint Commission. Oncology Demarest, NJ 07627 and other classmates in the Cente- Robert was a past president of the 43 Hospital of the University of 44 [email protected] narian Club and attendance at our Westchester County Medical Soci- Pennsylvania, Donner 2 70th Reunion in 2012. Long may ety and the Westchester Division 3400 Spruce St. Your correspondent wants to bid Columbia stand! of the American Heart Association Philadelphia, PA 19104 a personal goodbye to John Dono- On October 22, our Alumni Of- and was a trustee of the Stepping [email protected] hue (obituary in November/ fice notified me of the recent death Stones Foundation. The Times December : college.columbia.edu/ of George Thompson. No further added that Robert was a member I came across another prominent cct/nov_dec10), who had long details are available at this time. of the Waccabuc Country Club, CC alumnus, DeWitt Clinton (Class kept us abreast of his retirement George, from Greenwich, Conn., where he served a term as presi- of 1786), in my reading. His note- activities as “Mr. Democrat” in his was an active undergraduate who dent and greatly enjoyed playing worthy career was highlighted in nook of Connecticut. won numerals in freshman track, golf with members and friends. Wedding of the Waters: The Erie Canal On a brighter note, from New was senior circulation manager At Columbia, Robert was a and the Making of a Great Nation by Smyrna Beach, Fla., John T. Wil- for the Columbian, was the Debate member of the Newman Club and Peter L. Bernstein. Clinton was liamson — as far as we know, ’44’s Council photographer and was Beta Theta Pi. Although we were largely responsible for the creation only professional golfer — tells us a member of Le Cercle Lafayette. in several of the same required pre- of the Erie Canal and served mul- the Professional Golfers Associa- George also earned degrees from med classes, I did not know him tiple terms as mayor of New York tion of America elected him to the the Business School, in 1943, and very well. Oddly, and somewhat City and governor of New York PGA Half Century Club. Jack left the Law School, in 1949, a true eerily, his graduation picture is im- as well as being prominent on the Morningside for the WWII Navy Columbian all the way. A more de- mediately adjacent to mine in our national scene. and returned in time to graduate tailed obituary for George will be Class of 1942 Columbian. My wife and I went to Appomat- in ’46. He “spent seven years in published in a future issue of CCT. Robert is survived by his wife, tox Courthouse during the Labor Venezuela as a petroleum geolo- We send condolences to George’s Audrey; sister, Helen McLaughlin; Day weekend. I was struck by the gist until bitten by the golf bug.” family and friends. children, Audrey, Tracy and Jeff; and generosity of Grant at the time of He wrote, “I built a golf course in On October 23, your correspon- five grandchildren. A memorial ser- Lee’s surrender. That he allowed Daytona Beach in 1955 and have dent and grandson Benjamin Hatha- vice was held on November 5 at St. the Confederate soldiers who spent most of my time teaching. I way ’10 drove 170 miles to Wien Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mount owned horses to keep them “for the hosted and helped Columbia’s golf Stadium from Northampton, Mass., Kisco. We send our condolences to spring plowing” is well known. I team during the 1960s during their for our Homecoming game versus Mrs. Healy and to Robert’s children didn’t know that he directed that winter trips to Florida. I keep in Dartmouth. It was good to see and grandchildren. Like so many of ample provisions be brought when touch with some of them.” Bob Kaufman (and his loyal wife, our Columbia classmates, he had a Lee asked for food for his starving The PGA Life Member “never Sue, wearing wonderful Columbia distinguished career and was loved men. The Union soldiers also were joined the tour, nor was tempted to,” earrings), and Dr. Gerald Klingon and respected by his family, friends ordered to present arms in tribute but the teaching life has evidently (with his son, Robert, and daughter, and professional colleagues. to the CSA men as they trooped by kept him in good shape and he Karen). Bob reported he had heard On October 31, I received an to stack their arms. These were men remains “very active.” An enviable from Nick Cichetti, who was unable e-mail greeting from Mrs. Regina who had been killing each other in model. to come to Homecoming because of Albohn and her son, Daniel ’81, horrendous battles just a few days a sore back. Nick says his sore back expressing their regrets at missing before. Grant thus presaged with started long ago, when, as a member this year’s Homecoming. Regina his actions Lincoln’s immortal, Dr. Enoch Callaway of the freshman crew, he was intro- is the widow and Daniel the son of “With malice toward none, with 45 1 Mt. Tiburon Rd. duced to coach Glendon’s special Arthur Albohn. Regina and Daniel charity for all … ” in his second Tiburon, CA 94920 method of long layback stroking. have been regular visitors to our an- inaugural speech. 45 [email protected] Bob was coxswain of that crew and nual Homecomings. They could not Al Cayot wrote saying he was of the subsequent highly successful come this year because of Regina’s sorry to read of the death of Bill Greetings, classmates. I’m your new varsity crews of 1940 and 1941. recent medical problems, but they Webb, another oar in the lightweight class correspondent. I’d love to hear The football game featured sent their greetings to classmates boat of 1939–40. Bill Loweth, who from you, and I’d also like to hear multiple fumbles by both teams, and expressed their ongoing loyalty died on May 5, was stroke oar of the from alumni who were freshman harmful penalties against Columbia to our Lions football team, and their varsity heavyweight crew that same in ’41 but adopted their graduating and an impressive performance anguish at our close losses to Dart- year. Al added, “Both were great class after they returned from the by Dartmouth running back Nick mouth (24–21) and to Yale (31–28). Columbians and great crew men.” military diaspora. I went on to P&S Schwieger, who scored the winning We send Regina our good wishes The 1943 Class Notes produced before 1945 and know some ’41 touchdown in Dartmouth’s 24–21 for recovery from her current dis- a happy byproduct recently. A freshmen who are alive and well victory. Columbia has several excel- abilities and hope to see her and medical school classmate of mine but abandoned the Class of ’45. lent returning players, including Daniel at Homecoming 2011. in Puerto Rico happened to see a I am an 87-year-old emeritus
january/february 2011 48 columbia college today class notes
professor (UC California San Fran- greatest distance to attend our class cisco, Department of Psychiatry). lunch in May. The conversations and I retired at 70 but continued to exchanges among the assembled see patients until I had auricular were particularly stimulating and fibrillation and a series of strokes provocative that afternoon. I asked that didn’t improve my short-term George to put some of his thoughts memory. In the first part of 2010, I about retirement to pen and paper. was fortunate enough to get a per- He obliged, saying, “There is a story cutaneous aortic valve transplant about a man who jumps off the top at Stanford. That was followed by of the Empire State Building. As he strep bovis septicemia, which led passes an open window, he yells to them to look for, find and extirpate an onlooker: ‘So far, so good!’ And so a colon cancer. Since then, I am do- it is with my retirement.” ing well; no fibrillation, no strokes, About retirement, he references hard swimming for 30 minutes. two psychologists. One wrote: The Class of ’49 showed its Light Blue pride during Homecoming on Because of neuropathy in the right “The Golden Years: you got to be October 23. Cheering on the Lions were (left to right) Fred Berman ’49, leg, driving and tennis are things of kidding.” And the other empha- class president; Marvin Lipman ’49; and Bob Rosencrans ’49. the past, so I play the recorder with sizes the importance of security a group, garden and write (see and autonomy. Asylum: A Mid-Century Madhouse George continues: “So far my made the professional observation family and experiences at Columbia and Its Lessons about Our Mentally retirement experience has been that the Japanese social psycholo- to the postal or e-mail address at Ill Today). mainly positive. I’ve adjusted my gists he met were knowledgeable the top of the column. Albert Rothman writes, “Sadly aspirations to fit my abilities and about American relationship my close friends from CC ’44–’45 new opportunities. Although I research. Of course, travel to the are gone: John O’Connor, Les can no longer speed-walk or run Far West for visits with children Columbia College Today Rosenthal, Marty Shulman, Harold down stairs two at a time, I still and grandchildren are musts for 48 Columbia Alumni Center Samelson, maybe others? I remain bicycle and do serious yard work. George and Ann. 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 alive, despite, successively, heart I drive more defensively and sleep “I have decided to write a mem- 48 New York, NY 10025 bypass, cancer, Coumadin-related more assertively. I’m privileged to oir for our children and grandchil- [email protected] four-plus pints of blood loss, result- continue living in the resource-rich dren to read,” George adds. “I have ing in heart attack and congestive environment of Amherst and keep a explored family records, writings Frank Newmark recently published heart failure, hip replacement, and department office at U of M. While I by my mother and her father, and Bernie: The Biography of Bernard J. clinical depression a year ago. Each still have departmental and profes- found letters and diaries of many Englander, a 92-year-old WWII air challenge resolved. But also health- sional involvements, I no longer years ago. I was born in Germany hero, devoted Civil Rights worker ful eating, including some steak, and confuse my career with the rest of before Hitler, went to school in and founder of Union Optical Plan. excellent red wine daily. my life. Victor Frankl, a therapist three more countries, attended Copies can be purchased from “I hike solo every few days for and holocaust survivor, argued that Columbia and then served in the Interfaith Community Services, 550 three to four hours and close to 1,000 the meaning of one’s life always Army in WWII. (And there is all W. Washington Ave., Ste B, Escon- ft. of climbing in semi-wilderness, for changes but remains central to one’s that followed since.) I have much dido, CA 92025. The author will both pleasure and exercise. (Thanks, personal well-being. The meanings to write about.” donate all proceeds to charity. California, for the weather!) in my life now derive largely from George, you may be encouraging Frank’s wife, Elle, is the prize- “I feel it’s a happy time of life. I’m contacts with family and friends, similar endeavors by classmates. winning author of The Book of Unholy fortunate for my loving offspring new explorations through reading The legacy to succeeding genera- Mischief and, coming in April, The and grandchildren. Sure, I have and travel, and pursuing my long- tions of memoirs, written or spoken, Sandalwood Tree. Both are literary old guy’s back pains and so forth, term social concerns.” can be invaluable for preserving the historic novels published by Simon and my spine has shortened my George has involved himself in a relationships of a family. & Schuster. height five or six inches. On the number of community social-issue I welcome responses to George’s The Class of ’48 is looking for a plus side, I won poetry awards, my organizations. He writes, “My writing and would be pleased to class correspondent to write a work is printed in anthologies and I most stimulating and demanding report them in this column. bimonthly column for CCT. If you published my first book; working on involvement has been facilitating This is a reminder to set aside want an open platform and a chance two more. I also am a volunteer trails weekend prison workshops for the Saturday, June 4, to join in our 65th to reconnect with classmates, please patroller. I’m lucky.” Alternative to Violence Project, initi- Alumni Reunion Weekend celebra- contact Associate Editor Ethan Please send me any news, and ated by Quakers 35 years ago. Each tion at lunch on campus. You will Rouen ’04J at ecr2102@columbia. pictures if they show at least two weekend in the prison has been a receive further news and details edu. Until then, please send notes alumni. truly cross-cultural experience; about the event, but meanwhile, about your life, thoughts, travel, Warning: Send me your notes or most of these inmates have had reserve the date. family and experiences at Columbia else I’ll be phoning you at 9 p.m. totally different life experiences and to the postal or e-mail address Pacific time! outlooks from our own.” above. Retired, George relishes the op- Columbia College Today portunity for he and his wife, Ann, Columbia Alumni Center REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 47 to travel extensively. “Two months 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 John Weaver Alumni Office Contacts after my retirement, we spent a week 47 New York, NY 10025 2639 E. 11th St. Alumni Affairs Jennifer Freely in a Buddhist ashram in Bali after 49 Brooklyn, NY 11235 [email protected] [email protected] snorkeling in Micronesia. We’ve 49 212-851-7438 [email protected] revisited my birthplace, Berlin, CCT thanks Bert Sussman for his Development Paul Staller several times, admiring the rebuild- two years of service as a class cor- Let’s start with the extraordinary [email protected] ing of this marvelous city. Especially respondent. feeling of warmth and camaraderie 212-851-7494 rewarding were two three-week The Class of ’47 is looking for a around the table at Homecoming Bernard Sunshine experiences as English language class correspondent to write a on October 23! Bill Lubic; Fred 20 W. 86th St. teachers with the U.S. organiza- bimonthly column for CCT. If you Berman, our illustrious president, 46 New York, NY 10024 tion Global Volunteers. We taught want an open platform and a chance with his wife, Barbara; Marv Lip- 46 English for Chinese students in X’ian to reconnect with classmates, please man, as effervescent as ever; Bob [email protected] and three years later for Vietnamese contact Associate Editor Ethan Rosencrans and his wife, Marge George Levinger, professor emeritus young people in Vung Tau.” Rouen ’04J at ecr2102@columbia. [see photo] … A special mention of psychology at the University of Fifty-three years after Army ser- edu. Until then, please send notes for one of the absentees, Gene Massachusetts in Amherst, came the vice in Japan, George returned and about your life, thoughts, travel, Rossides, whose “excuse” was that
january/february 2011 49 class notes columbia college today it was his birthday and he was off us. I write with hope that the snow Pacific Coast. We need a “spark connections. celebrating. Happy birthday, Gene! brings its brightness and special plug” in each of these zones to The Class of ’51 would like to One of this correspondent’s sounds to the city. Step carefully, recruit alumni to make phone calls honor all of the class members who earliest Columbia memories was at spring will be here soon enough. and generally keep in touch with served in the Armed Forces either Baker Field [now Robert K. Kraft alums. Don’t be bashful. Please con- before or after entering the College. Field]. My brother, Bert Sussman ’47, tact your class correspondent with Please let us know about your ex- was a freshman that fall, before Pearl Mario Palmieri the good news that you want to be periences, especially with helpful Harbor, and he took me to a game to 50 33 Lakeview Ave. W. on the team and be responsible for information that can be included in watch the great Paul Governali ’43. Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 the zone in which you reside. future CCT columns. In addition, The group was somewhat smaller 50 3. Recently, class members were our outstanding athletes, especially [email protected] this year with some of the usual asked to contribute $25 to cover our Columbia University Athletics stalwarts unable to make the trek, A funny thing happened on the expenses associated with organiz- Hall of Fame members, will be but we know they were there in way to this column. Despite the fact ing this big event. To date, about 40 included in reunion festivities. An spirit and their ears burning as we that my address is prominently dis- have sent checks. If you are not on opportunity exists to display Co- spoke of them fondly. You know played at the head of the column in the list, please send your voluntary lumbia ’51 memorabilia, so if you who you are! every issue, and despite the fact that contribution to class treasurer Wil- have some items, please contact Heard from Art Nolan again in I dispatched more than 30 e-mail lard Block at his home, 54 Cornwall your class correspondent. his continuing pursuit of the his- messages to classmates to solicit Ln., Sands Point, NY 11050. Checks Finally, reunions such as our tory of Professor Franz Neumann. items for the column, no one was should be made out to Columbia 60th provide an outstanding op- Art is hoping some qualified histo- willing to talk. But a correspondent College Class of ’51C Reunion. portunity for a class gift of major rian will take up this subject for an is expected to report, so I am report- As we did with our 50th reunion, proportion. The committee has in-depth study. ing that no classmate had anything we are going to publish a Class of recommended a goal of $51,000, Bill Lubic, once again, provides to report. 1951 Reunion Yearbook and Directory. obviously the significant number us with correspondence of extraor- The page size is 8 ½ in. x 11 in. and to tie in with our class year. Mark dinary interest, including some will be divided to provide four Kaplan and Willard Block are REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 news of Charley Peters: photos and biographies per page, heading the subcommittee to Alumni Office Contacts “I cannot remember a better each 3½ in. wide x 5 in. tall. That is contact classmates about their con- Alumni Affairs Jennifer Freely organized, better attended, higher not a lot of space, but see what you tributions. Please be generous! [email protected] quality or more enjoyable Baker can do to send your class correspon- Many thanks to the dedicated 212-851-7438 Field event. Wow! The transforma- dent, George Koplinka, your photo classmates who regularly have Development Paul Staller tion of the facilities there is really and some biographical info. Be cre- been attending Reunion Commit- [email protected] remarkable (of which I am sure few ative: Family pictures and reunion tee meetings. These include Bob 212-851-7494 of our classmates have any idea). wishes are welcome, too. To allow Snyder, Mark Kaplan and Willard “Another news item for you: George Koplinka time for the directory’s preparation, Block, all of whom have been My wife, Ruth, and I attended a 75 Chelsea Rd. the deadline for material is Tuesday, mentioned in this column, as well luncheon event in D.C. for Charley 51 White Plains, NY 10603 March 1. as Dave Berman, Myron Winick, Peters, who was present with his 51 The Reunion Committee, headed Robert Flynn, Elliot Wales and [email protected] wife, Beth. by class president Robert Snyder, Bob Osnos. “Although retired from his These notes contain important has made several suggestions, a Washington Journal, Charley is still information about our 60th Alumni number of which are contingent on in the mix. He spoke about his Reunion Weekend, to be held how many classmates are planning Sidney Prager recently published book, Lyndon Thursday, June 2–Sunday, June 5. to attend all or part of the 60th 52 20 Como Ct. B. Johnson, which was described as The second meeting of the ’51 reunion. For example, class lun- Manchester, NJ 08759 ‘sleek,’ ‘richly detailed’ and the best 60th Reunion Committee took place cheons, cocktail parties and dinners 52 [email protected] one-volume work on the subject. It in the law offices ofMark Kaplan require commitments and reserva- is full of his personal experiences, on November 11. The committee tions that cannot be made until the Happy New Year to all the mem- observations and opinions about was joined by Ted Borri ’51E and committee gets a handle on who bers of the Class of 1952. I hope the President, his contemporaries Alumni Office staffers Paul Staller is attending. So, if classmates can you enjoyed the holidays and the and those times. He considers LBJ from the Columbia College Fund telephone or send an e-mail mes- warmth and laughter of friends to have been one of the best in and Jennifer Freely from Alumni sage to Jennifer Freely (212-851-7438 and family. Perhaps the November terms of major legislative achieve- Affairs. Ted indicated that as with or [email protected]) with this election results were pleasing to ments (notwithstanding the warts). our 50th reunion, the Engineering information, we will have a better you and therefore you will have Charley sends his best to the class.” School would partner with us in de- idea on how to proceed. A substan- even more to smile about. But A personal note: reading in the veloping the program events. The tial amount of our class participa- pleased or not, the people have November/December CCT item immediate goal for the committee is tion in the 60th will revolve around spoken, and the democratic pro- about the dedication of the Austin to arouse an enthusiastic response the College Alumni Reunion Week- cess continues with strength and E. Quigley Theatre [Editor’s note: from the entire class so that the 60th end schedule. Early registration and vigorous health. See “Around the Quads: college. reunion attendance surpasses the some events begin on Thursday, Most of us are octogenarians, columbia.edu/cct/nov_dec10.], 165 attendees of the 50th. June 2, although Friday, June 3, and we can use some of that I was once again moved by this There are numerous opportu- and Saturday, June 4, are the major strength and vigorous health our- man’s dedication and achievement. nities for all class members to parti activity periods. Generally, our class selves. The earth spins on its axis As a student, my forays into the cipate in making what may prove will follow Columbia’s reunion and Father Time is unstoppable. dramatic arts were limited to the to be our most significant reunion. programming with exceptions to al- Let’s take our vitamins, get enough only avenue available, as an extra- Here are some of the things we low for our own cocktail party, class sleep, eat plenty of broccoli, do curricular activity. Austin elevated need to accomplish: luncheons, and dinners and panel some exercise daily, think pleasant the theatre arts to a respected pur- 1. The class e-mail address list discussions. Housing is available and positive thoughts, count our suit on an academic level, so long is not current, and numerous com- at Carman Hall for about $120 a blessings and hope for the best. in coming, for a college situated in munications are being returned as night, a substantial savings over the Claude Thomas writes: “I the theatre capital of the country. “not deliverable.” Please send an $250–$300 a night in New York City surrendered my active California One more immigrant proving the e-mail message with your current hotels. Several classmates in the medical license in September. So strength of our nation is in our e-mail address to Jennifer Freely at metropolitan area have volunteered I guess, except for prescribing for open and welcoming arms! [email protected] so that class to provide “Home Hospitality” and family, I’m finally retired. I formal- At this writing, a fierce Novem- records can be updated. have classmates stay with them. ly left academia (UCLA) in 1993 ber wind is rattling the windows 2. Our class is divided into six Let the committee know if there is with the title of professor emeritus in our Brooklyn home. At the time geographic zones: East, Midwest, some interest with this idea, and (psychiatry and biobehavioral you are reading this, winter is upon South, Texas region, Rockies and we will try to make the necessary sciences, David Geffen School
january/february 2011 50 columbia college today class notes
of Medicine), a euphemism for CU Press (Thailand and the United freshman and three varsity seasons. and space magazine; joined the unemployed. I recently published States). In recent years, I fell into “At Lou Little’s recommenda- government as press officer for Your Personal Power Up, a business work and research on problems of tion, we both joined the Naval the supersonic transport plane book co-authored with Dr. Brenda violent conflict and post-conflict Reserve (136th Street and Hudson that never was built; went to work McGlowan-Fellows, my last reconstruction in developing River) so we wouldn’t get drafted writing speeches for the Secretary graduate student. Union Gradu- countries. One product was Invest- out of Columbia before graduation of Commerce under President ate School gives a very different ing in Peace: How Development Aid in 1952. We spent two summers Johnson; and served for some message from Prizzi’s Honor. (“This Can Prevent or Promote Conflict, attending OCS via the Reserve Of- years as public affairs director at is America. You see a dollar, you go published by ME Sharpe in 2002. ficer’s Corps Program in Califor- the Smithsonian Institution. after it!”) Shelton is the publisher. I’m also active in a small nonprofit, nia-Treasure Island and Terminal “Punctuating this series of “I didn’t know about Charlie Ja- Global Peace Services. If interested Island. When he married the love experiences (and terminating an cobs’ website (retirement-writing. in innovative ideas for peace educa- of his life, Sheila, I was fortunate to endless sentence), I headed to com). tion, see our website, globalpeaces- be in his wedding party. Europe again for a year, studying “I will try to be proactive, ervices.org. “The influence of then-assistant history, literature, art and such at working with my son, Dr. Jeffrey “My wife, Juliette, attended CCNY football coach Capt. Phil Bucklew, the Complutense University of Thomas ’83, ’87 P&S, a stroke and has had a career equally varied. who was activated as command- Madrid in Spain. After that, I came neurosurgeon, on the board of his We have two sons and a daughter, ing officer of Beach Jumper Unit, home to conclude my professional emerging San Francisco-based all born in exotic places. We live in Little Creek, Va., and the amphibi- (read: gainfully employed) career Stroke Shield Foundation, and Timonium, Md., north of Baltimore.” ous base enabled Vern and me with an amazingly swift 20 years continue board work with the Bay David Kettler writes: “I was a to end up running mates again as a man-of-all-work editing a Area Foundation for Human Re- pretty marginal member of our for two more seasons. Filling out magazine, other publications and sources. I also will offer (probably class, a commuter from Jersey City the all-Ivy backfield was ex-Yale writing the bosses’ speeches at unwanted) advise of the kibbitzing for the first two years, left-wing in all-star quarterback Stu Tisdale and Martin Marietta, now Lockheed variety to my daughter, Julie Gog- politics, off to Graduate Faculties Penn halfback Noel Schmidt. Other Martin Corp., in Bethesda, Md. gin ’82 Barnard, ’86 GW Law, now after our third year, but I register Columbia teammates joining the “I conclude on a personal note CEO of Entelos; to my grandson many of the names, salute the ‘GATORS’ were Bill Wallace and because it seems the right thing to Alex ’12; and to my granddaughter accomplishments and regret the John Guerriero ’53 in addition to do. Back when United Press sent Selin ’13 Boston University. passings as I browse these reports Cornell all-star guard Frank Vitale. me to London, I met and married “My wife, Carolyn, and I re- from time to time. And I now “We all had a great all-around a remarkable English girl, Mary, cently returned from Turkey, where have a specific question to ask: experience at Little Creek made who became the glorious center of we had a great tour. We missed Does anyone have recollections of possible by Phil, who was one of my personal universe for the next Henry Herman Kramer and his taking a College class with Franz the most decorated heroes of WWII. 52 years. She passed away a few wife, Carol, who couldn’t make it. L. Neumann? I think he may have He was one of the original 10 Scouts months ago of a merciless pancre- (Henry is still active as president of taught one or two courses during And Raiders, which subsequently atic cancer. The only solace is that the International Nuclear Medicine our years, perhaps jointly with C. became known as Frogmen and it’s been a great ride all these years. Society.) The year before, we had Wright Mills or Charles Frankel, now SEALS. He was Vern’s com- I’d do every bit of it again in a New a great tour to India with Bob Vid- but I’d be very glad to hear about manding officer at Little Creek. York minute and so would Mary.” aver ’53 and his wife, Virginia. Bob any such class. With a young his- “Bill Wallace and brother Bob Thank you all for your contribu- recently retired from his post as torian as collaborator, I am finally Wallace ’53 were the last of our tions and best wishes for the New superintendent of New Hampshire writing a long-overdue book on teammates to visit with Vern and Year. I am in Florida, but my e-mail Hospital but is still professor of Neumann, and his Columbia Sheila over lunch on the west coast address remains the same. psychiatry at Dartmouth and fill- teaching is important to it. of Florida on March 30, 2008. The ing in where and when needed. “To my good fortune, I am able next day he had a stroke. “We’re aiming for Vietnam come to remain an active faculty member “Tackle Tom Federowicz said Lew Robins February. We have great curiosity at Bard College, where I am listed it the best: Pound for pound, Vern 53 1221 Stratfield Rd. about the forgiving nature of the as ‘research professor’ in political was the toughest player on our Fairfield, CT 06825 Vietnamese.” studies, teach one or two courses team. Amen!” [Editor’s note: See 53 [email protected] Bob Muscat writes: “With my a year and receive support for my Obituaries.] Manhattan home only a short reading and writing. If anyone is Fred Philips sent the following: On November 10, Barnard Col- walk from the campus, Columbia interested in the work I do, respect- “I am glad to report that I’ve had a lege celebrated Margaret Mead ’23 was an obvious first choice. Ever able journeyman labor, there is a very interesting time since that day Barnard by dedicating a permanent since, I have felt that I lucked out, lot of material on my website, bard. in June 1952 when we all received installation of archival photographs especially with the Greek classics edu/contestedlegacies, with a link our diplomas from the world’s that were taken by our celebrated courses of Moses Hadas, logical to ‘works’ with a lot of articles and greatest college and some of us also classmate Ken Heyman, who trav- positivism under Ernest Nagel and book chapters, including a recent were commissioned in the world’s eled the world with Mead for 20 later, as a Columbia Ph.D. econom- piece on ‘My Six Teachers,’ a list that greatest Navy. years. Ken was the featured speaker ics student, mentorship under recalls both Frankel and Neumann. “The Navy instantly sent me to at the event. The exhibit can be seen Albert Hirschman. I also attended With my wife, Janet, retired as Athens to join a ship operating in in the Reading Room of Lehman the Journalism School on the way. international student adviser at the Mediterranean, then the North Hall on the Barnard campus. “As a development economist, Bard, I live in Rhinebeck, N.Y. I have Atlantic and subsequently the Pa- In an article published in ART- I worked for the U.S. Agency for three adult daughters: Ruth is v.p. cific for a couple of tours off Korea INFO, Ken explained how he came International Development during for health policy at the New York and points south including the Phil- to work with Mead. “I was a terrible its halcyon days. Within weeks of Academy of Medicine, Katherine is ippines, Taiwan and Vietnam in the student. I only got into Columbia being hired, I married and flew a partner in a women’s law firm in period before direct U.S. involve- because my father was connected off for a career and residence in Berkeley and Hannah is a senior pro- ment. In fact, I ‘found a home’ in to the place, but when I got there Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, Kenya gram officer with the Global Health the Navy. Except for some personal, I wanted to work with the most and Washington, D.C. Subsequent Program at the Gates Foundation. built-in need to keep moving on, I famous professor, and that was Mar- work as an independent consultant There also are four grandchildren.” probably would have opted to stay garet Mead. In the first course I took for the World Bank, UN agencies Howard Hansen sent this mes- in the service for the long haul. with her, she said to us, ‘I can’t grade and USAID took me to many other sage: “We lost a most loyal classmate “Instead, I happily moved on by all your papers, but if any of you countries, some not so pleasant. in Vern C. Wynott Jr. on April 17. returning to Columbia’s J-School have any other abilities, like photog- I’ve written books and articles, Vern and I had an unusual history. and then to United Press (later raphy, then you can include them including a book on Thai develop- First and foremost, he was a great United Press International) in New in your paper.’ At that time, I was ment I authored while a visiting football teammate to all the team York; was sent to London as a cor- doing social work in Harlem with a scholar at Columbia’s Weatherhead members. He and I were running respondent; returned to Washing- group of 7–8-year-olds and included East Asian Institute, published by mates in the same backfield for ton, D.C., to work for an aviation pictures of that with my paper. In
january/february 2011 51 class notes columbia college today the last week of the course, Dr. Mead Despite being confined to a classmates individually, we as a Ann Louise also have been visiting called me into her office. I got my wheelchair, Howard Pettebone is class have made contributions to Major League Baseball parks. They first A, and she asked me to take a playing his instrument and practic- Columbia College in which we have covered just about all of the graduate anthropology course. ing daily. He wants to be good can take pride. One of these is our parks and are now considering “A year after I graduated, she enough to play at our 60th reunion support of the Columbia College whether they will visit cities that asked me, ‘Ken, would you like to in two years. Howard reports that Alumni and Parent Internship have built new parks. go to Bali with me? Just the two of his wife, Barbara, still is physically Fund which, during this past year, I last saw Bill Scales at our last us.’ It was so monumental that it active at 76. She goes to a health provided funds for three College reunion. He looked great then, and didn’t register. The next morning, and fitness center to exercise and students to use as they worked at based on the following must look I woke up and phoned her. ‘Dr. ride a bicycle. With his usual zest unpaid internships during sum- even better now. He wrote that he Mead, did you ask me to go to Bali and sense of humor, Howard told mer break: Brandon Cole ’11, who married last spring, to Mary Alice with you?’ She said, ‘Yes, godam- me he spends his time watching interned with the Los Angeles Liggit of Cottonwood, Ariz. They mit. And you didn’t answer. I TV and lifting weights to delay the County District Attorney’s Of- met when they were sophomores thought you didn’t want to go.’ ” inevitable. fice; Qiujie (Juliana) Guo ’11, who in college and were working dur- When asked what was the most Talking to Rolon Reed’s wife, I interned at the New York Lawyers ing the summer in Yellowstone important thing Ken learned from learned that sometime in July, Rolon for Public Interest; and Stephanie Park. Since Mary Alice went back Mead, he replied, “That you can broke his right hip and right arm. He Carvajal ’12, who interned at Rep. to school in Nebraska, their paths affect the world. She certainly did.” also lives with a terrible case of em- Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s Washington, diverged. They both married but There’s a wonderful anecdote physema, which means he is always D.C., office. Perhaps their response kept in touch. Both of their spouses about Ken and Andy Warhol that out of breath and in a wheelchair. was best summarized by Stephanie, died a few years ago. They got to- you might enjoy. It seems that years Knowing how much Rolon was ad- who wrote Peter Ehrenhaft, “Your gether a year ago and “pow,” they ago, Ken had gone to a party and dicted to cigarettes, I asked whether contribution makes a huge differ- were married in March. Bill and his was sitting at a table with a woman he had given up nicotine and was ence in the lives of students like me bride live in Clarksdale, Ariz., and who would later become his wife. amazed to learn the following: After who would otherwise not be able “life is rosy.” At the time, she was a soap opera Rolon had spent several months in a to take advantage of an unpaid Bill is a wonderful guy, and part star and had the lead in As the World hospital, his doctors decided that it internship.” of my happiness for him relates in Turns. Andy was sitting at the same was time to move him to an assisted Al Grayzel attended his 60th part to the fact that I too found a table and was thrilled to be able living facility. Rolon agreed but only high school reunion (Midwood wonderful lady. The two of us had to ask questions about what was if his wife could find a place that H.S.). He retired from MIT in 1993. wonderful marriages but lost our going to happen on the show the would allow him to smoke 24 hours Al decided that he would rather be spouses about five years ago. On following week. The day after the a day, seven days a week. His wife skiing so he relocated to Park City, December 18, Deborah Davis and party, the woman who had thrown reports that after searching Florida Utah. He is happily married, and I were married and like Bill, I feel the party called Ken and asked him facilities, she found one that allowed he and his wife, Lynda, are settled that life is rosy. whether he had any work for the patients to smoke whenever they in that great state. Al has three I also was happy to hear from strange, starving artist who had wished. As a result, Rolon spends his children and five grandchildren. Jack Bloom. A number of our been sitting at his table. Ken had time on the porch of a huge Victorian Aside from skiing, Al and Lynda classmates became clergymen. Jack an extra bathroom that needed house with a burning cigarette in are involved in sea kayaking, ten- is a great case in point, but he goes painting and Andy offered to do the one hand and a book in the other. nis and fly fishing. beyond what we usually expect. work. When Ken returned home He claims that besides visits from his George Goldstein had a great He has published a number of that evening, he found that Andy wife, these days smoking is the only trip to France and was able to get books and is an adviser and men- had painted a calico cat on the toilet thing he gets to enjoy. out just prior to the worst of the tor to young rabbis. seat. A few years later, the apart- Several months ago, George “industrial actions.” I want to thank my classmates ment burned down and Ken recalls Lowry sent me photographs that Dick Hobart has been enjoying who answered my cry for help. thinking, “I should have kept the were taken at our wonderful 55th life in both upstate New York and Please keep the information coming. toilet seat!” reunion. Many thanks, George! in Florida. He has been active in Ken lives in Greenwich Village. In a recent e-mail, George indi- boating and maintains his involve- He has five children and 10 grand- cated that he had a patch of health ment in his work. Dick has a large Gerald Sherwin children. problems last summer but now is number of good friends who, along 55 181 E. 73rd St., Apt. 6A Congratulations, Ken, for your OK. George developed something with him, were and are active mem- New York, NY 10021 life of outstanding achievements. called pseudogout in every joint. bers of Beta Theta Pi. They have 55 [email protected] In a delightful phone conversa- He surmises that if he had gone to reunions up north and down south. tion, Dan Epstein told me that he Harvard, he would have developed Arnie Tolkin continues to travel One of the key initiatives this year had exercised a professional option real gout. To cure a urinary infection around the world with his good for the University Senate is Man- by going to the Dental School in and a kidney stone, George spent wife, Barbie. They recently returned hattanville, where construction his senior year. In 1956, he went on two months in and out of hospitals. from the Savannah Film Festival, has begun west of Broadway and active duty with the Air Force and Thankfully, he is now back at work which they found most enjoyable. north of 125th Street. The Mind- spent two years in Great Britain. four days a week, which he claims They are now scheduled to leave Brain building will be one of the He and Ellen have been married 54 keeps him out of trouble. He’s for Rome and then cruise back to first structures to go up, with new years and have four children and quite active at the Garrison [N.Y.] Miami. homes for SIPA, the Business School eight grandchildren. After complet- Art Center and continues to be the Ed Cowan and his wife, Ann and the School of the Arts filling ing two years in the Air Force, Dan “institutional memory” at Swann Louise, have been traveling all the first phase of the new campus. practiced dentistry in Brooklyn for Galleries. over the country. Ed was and is a The newest building to “hit” the 50 years. Since retiring, he has taken Keep getting better and better, great journalist. He is developing Morningside campus is the science up woodworking at their second George, and bear in mind our 60th a new facet to his career: review- structure on the corner of West home in Lakeville, Pa. When I asked reunion is coming in 2013. A class ing plays. Ed and Ann Louise 120th Street and Broadway. This him what he has built lately, Dan reunion would never be the same summer in Whitefield, N.H., where edifice will be in full operation this told me that he had recently finished without you. the Weathervane Theatre puts on spring. President Lee C. Bollinger a beautiful wine rack, which he and seven shows in repertory each will be around to see the “fruits of Ellen needed because every after- season. Ed reviews several of the his labors,” as he has “re-upped” noon at three or four o’clock, they Howard Falberg performances for the weekly Coos for another five years as president have a glass of wine. Amazingly, 54 13710 Paseo Bonita County Democrat. As Ed puts it, of the University. On the academic Ellen learned to play the violin eight Poway, CA 92064 “For this reporter who was taught, front, our outstanding faculty con- years ago. She and Dan play tennis 54 starting at Spectator, to stick to the tinue to make appearances at Café [email protected] and enjoy waterskiing and snow ski- facts, it is a little difficult to come Science (PicNic Café) where noted ing. Dan promises that he and Ellen While there are many events and right out and express an opinion, physicist Tanya Zelevinsky talked will attend our 60th reunion! accomplishments regarding our but I’m learning how.” Ed and about “Physics Near the Absolute
january/february 2011 52 columbia college today class notes
Zero” and synthetic organic chemist next reunion in 2015. Not only ’56E and Ralph Kaslick. Missing 45.6 percent for our Class of ’56 and Scott Snyder discussed “Red Wine: is Barry Pariser working at his were Ron Kapon, who was doing interestingly, 47.8 percent for the Turning a Beverage into a Pill.” old practice, he is now at the VA a wine-related magazine interview, Class of 2011. I estimate that about There is more to come in 2011! part-time filling his days fruitfully. and Bob Laterbourn, who thought a third of those come from the New The Columbia University Club He will be appearing in a book, he might have been able to make York City public schools. I will fill in midtown Manhattan, with its Ripley’s Believe it or Not!: Special Edi- it, since he was scheduled to pass you in if I get more information. increasing membership, draws tion 2010, with the toothpick Ferris through New York on his return Reunion news and events: many Columbians to its lectures wheel and railroad arch bridge he from visiting India with his wife. It The format of our 55th reunion and events with key speakers, not built a couple of years ago. He will was a pleasant luncheon, exploring has been outlined, although not only from the administration and send the structure to a museum many topics, including that “age- finalized. It will start Thursday, faculty but also from the “outside in Orlando for display purposes. old question,” who is the youngest June 2, and end on Sunday, June world.” A most popular attraction Another classmate who is thriving member of our class? We all think 5. Thursday will be for meeting is “speed dating,” which should be is Ed Goldberg, a professor at Tufts it is Buz Paaswell. We also found and greeting and for classmates discussed at another time. The an- Medical School in the Department out from Len how committing the who want to make an extended nual Alexander Hamilton Award of Molecular Biology. Ed and his prologue to The Canterbury Tales to weekend of it. There will be avail- Dinner was held in Low Library on family reside in Newton Centre, memory in high school helped his able for purchase theater tickets November 18, in which the turn- Mass. Further south on the New career at Time-Life (he will recite it to shows that otherwise may not out, honoring Michael Rothfeld ’69, England Thruway in Simsbury, at our reunion if we would like). be available, so those interested included Don Laufer (coordinator Conn., is Lew Banci, retired, for- Class news: should start planning now. Sat- of the monthly class dinners held merly senior communications man- Donald Horowitz, a Brooklyn urday is Dean’s Day and is for all in restaurants around the greater ager at Chase Bank in Manhattan. boy now living in Seattle, has alumni, not just those in reunion New York City area). Other noted A sad note to report: Alan received the 2010 Award of Merit classes, with choices of lectures interesting events for our class- Pasternak, in Lafayette, Calif., has from the Washington State Bar by Columbia faculty. As a reunion mates and other alums will be the passed away. Our condolences go Association. This award is given class, we do not pay for lectures. men’s basketball team appearance to his family and friends. He will to an individual in recognition of For all of us who have come to like in late February at Penn, Global be missed. long and outstanding service to the and look forward to Dean’s Day, Community Outreach around the Dear fellow Columbia classmates, legal community. Don, who gradu- this gives us a double dose, so let’s world in March and a special Sym- take good care of yourselves. A little ated from Yale Law, was a Superior take advantage of it. posium with President Bollinger in exercise would be nice. A balanced Court judge in Seattle. He is active For Friday evening, Saturday Washington, D.C., in early April. diet would fit into your regimen. Re- as a trustee and director of many lunch and Saturday dinner, we Details to follow. member, the 60th is looming. Love to Seattle-based legal organizations. will have class-specific events, The monthly class dinners have all, everywhere! He also mentors and works with on which the Reunion Commit- almost taken on a life of their own, community youths, law students tee is working. Sunday will be an with more and more classmates, and young practicing lawyers. all-class brunch. I am working with REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 especially from the greater New He is an example of the value of a the Alumni Office as to the cost, Alumni Office Contacts York, New Jersey and Connecticut Columbia education. which I pledge to make reason- Alumni Affairs Kimberly Peterson area, attending. Familiar “oldies but Congratulations, Don. able. There is a 10 percent discount [email protected] goodies” who have recently made Hal Powell contacted me to be if you sign up by Sunday, May 1 212-851-7872 their appearance to toast other included in our class e-mailing. As (reunion.college.columbia.edu). Development Paul Staller ’55ers are Bob Brown, Larry Balfus, he says, the subjects and rhetoric of College fundraising activity: [email protected] Bill Epstein, Alfred Gollomp, our correspondence always are in- The Columbia College Fund 212-851-7494 Bob Sparrow, Herb Cohen, Marty teresting. Hal is retired and lives in Leadership Conference, which is Dubner, Tony Di Santo, Mort Stephen K. Easton King of Prussia, Pa., with his wife, an annual meeting of Class Agents, Rennert, Don Laufer, Al Martz, 6 Hidden Ledge Rd. Anne. While keeping active with was held on November 6 and at- Chuck Solomon, Elliot Gross and 56 Englewood, NJ 07631 hunting, skiing, fishing and four- tended by Dan Link. As he reports, Ron Spitz. There are more who 56 wheeling, he manages to do some Dean Michele Moody-Adams was [email protected] drop in from time to time: Anthony consulting for former customers interviewed by Julie Menin ’89, a Viscusi, Stan Zinberg, Dick Kuhn, At the first of reunion year class in the commercial pump business. television news commentator, as to Stu Kaback, Bob Schiff et al. Norm events, five members of our class Sounds like a good, well-rounded her views on a number of subjects. Goldstein, who made a cameo ap- attended Homecoming on October retirement life. The dean’s views emphasized pearance at the 55th reunion, has let 23: Alan Broadwin, Ed Botwinick, Taylor Thompson, in an e-mail “need-blind admissions” (hence us know that he serves patients not Stan Klein, Mark Novick and Len regarding our 1952 Columbia our scholarship program effective- only in the Queen’s Medical Center Wolfe. Even though Columbia lost, football game against Army, which ness) and the importance of the in Honolulu but also in Midtown it was an exciting game to watch, we tied, relates how he was wait- Core Curriculum. Manhattan as well. He sends as Len reports, and he agrees that ing tables and was asked by Mrs. Danny later spoke to the dean, “Aloha” to all! Columbia has an exciting quarter- Eisenhower if he wanted his pro- who remembered our class and We’ve received some kind words back this year. gram signed by her husband, then expressed her condolences for our from our old captain of the heavy A number of our classmates, president of Columbia (later to be loss of Alan Miller. weight crew, Terry Doremus. Terry, including myself, attended the U.S. President). Taylor now has a With respect to fundraising, there who is retired, lives in New Jersey. Columbia-Cornell football game on memento of a “moment in history were several sessions, including one Rochester, N.Y.’s own Beryl Nus- November 13. I was looking forward to remember,” as he puts it. Jerry on “Reunion Giving” and another baum called recently to get his quar- to seeing my first Columbia football Breslow, who was in the march- on “Making the Ask.” Ways of con- terly update on Columbia athletics game of the season, since I was in ing band, also shared some of his necting giving with feeling for the — it is tough to cover 31 sports in a Hawaii during Homecoming, and memories of that day. These are College and our reunion year were phone conversation, but we did it. I was not disappointed. The game some of the memories we should discussed. When you get a call to While meandering through a was not only one of the most excit- bring to our 55th reunion. contribute, please respond as gener- couple of Columbia University ing Columbia games I have seen but Bob Siroty, also retired, has ously as you can. Club events, your roving reporter also we won (in the last 37 seconds) taken to traveling, and has visited As I have said before, this hope- ran into Roland Plottel and Allen and then sealed the victory with a all seven continents. He also takes fully is the year where the stock Hyman, who looked chipper and recovered onside kick. continuing education courses in market recovers, our 401ks start full of energy, enjoying themselves Also, on November 11, we had history, literature and photography. to feel and look like 401ks and our to the fullest. Bob Thonus and our first fall class luncheon, which Answer to last pop quiz: The feelings about giving to Columbia George Raitt have been in touch, Len Wolfe hosted at the Yale Club. Alumni Office only had the statis- increase with our age. It also will as they do from time to time. It In addition to Len and myself, in tics for percentage of class members be a continued blessing to the stu- is hoped that their schedule will attendance were Mark Novick, from the tri-state (New York, New dents whom we are supporting. loosen up so they can attend our Alan Press, Dan Link, Al Franco Jersey, Connecticut) area. They are I am again asking all class mem-
january/february 2011 53 class notes columbia college today bers who want to keep in touch to or eighth full year of having these love of learning into life. Columbia skyscraper. Indeed, it brought to update their e-mail addresses by luncheons. gave me the Core with a passion mind the campaign to save Old contacting Lou Hemmerdinger “Dr. George Lutz, internal medi- to learn and the academic tools to Ironsides from destruction. at [email protected]. This seems cine; Martin Brothers, law; Ed Wein- teach. I am forever grateful. to be the best way to stay in touch stein, accounting; Mike Lipper, “A family wedding fell on the with the majority of our class finance;C arlos Muñoz, banking; Dr. day of our 50th Columbia reunion, Barry Dickman members. Please keep in contact Ted Dwyer, cardiology and basket- and I have been suffering ever since. 58 25 Main St. with Columbia in whatever ways ball; Dr. Paul Zola, clinical psychol- Gary Angleberger and Ed Heiser Court Plaza North, Ste 104 you feel appropriate, as I believe ogy; Dr. Alan Brown, neurology; kindly met me in Green Lake, Wis. 58 Hackensack, NJ 07601 that it has been a force and power Mark Stanton, law; Sal Franchino, (Ed and Jane’s summer home), to [email protected] in our lives. law; Neil McLellan, education; Dr. salve my wounded spirit.” Until my next column, wishing Art Meyerson, psychiatry; Bob Steve Ronai and yours truly “A fellow of infinite jest, of most for a winter season of Columbia Klipstein, law; Dr. Dave Kinne, attended their 50th Yale Law School excellent fancy.” teams winning and health and good surgery and wrestling; Marty Fisher, (Class of 1960) reunion the weekend —Hamlet fortune for all our class members. computer technology; Steve Fybish, of October 8–10 in New Haven, Share your news with me at education; Pete Anker, finance; and Conn. The events included, among Asher Rubin died on September [email protected], and I Al Fierro, law.” others, an all-alumni dinner and an 30 of brain cancer. He is survived will make sure it gets in a future Mac Gimse, professor emeritus all-alumni luncheon, class dinners, by his wife, Diane; son, Jacob ’06; column. of art, St. Olaf College, Dundas, and farewell brunches and panel and daughter, Shaina ’09. Minn., had an exhibit of his sculp- discussions on science and the Asher’s father was a Hebrew ture “on November 13, at 3 p.m. three branches of government, the teacher in Liberty, N.Y., in the Herman Levy in the KGB Design Studio at 555 CSI effect (criminal proof), the next Catskills. He grew up with four 57 7322 Rockford Dr. W. 25th St. (West Chelsea district). technological revolution, “My Not brothers, Emanuel, Mordecai, Falls Church, VA 22043 The K and G are David Khouri So Private Life,” and generations Joseph “Yussel” ’60 and Abba ’63, 57 and Roberto Guzman ’84, ’87 Arch. of environmental law. Steve and and a mother who threatened to [email protected] Most of the work was done to his wife, Natalie, gave the farewell trade him for one of Eddie Can- Sandra and Dick Cohen met Edie honor Nobel Peace Prize laureates brunch for the Class of 1960 in their tor’s daughters. and Art Bernstein “for a four-day who were invited to St. Olaf and lovely home in North Haven. Asher was part of the ’58 contin- vacation visit during the first week received the bronzes. Gene Wagner: “September 25 gent at Harvard Law School. Yus- of October, wherein they explored “The theme of my show was was our fourth luncheon at beauti- sel’s time at Harvard overlapped the delights of Chicago. The Cohens, Expressions of Peace in Sculpture and ful Gladstone’s Long Beach in Cali- with Asher’s. At a public gathering, from San Francisco, and the Bern- Poetry. Most of the work was cre- fornia. Present were Gene Wagner, Asher told the formidable estate steins, from Setauket, Long Island, ated to honor eight Nobel Prize John Ahouse, Ken Bodenstein, planning professor James Casner met halfway in between their homes laureates, presented to them during Mike Gold, John Taussig, Lew that his younger brother was “bit- to enjoy the art museums, architec- five different Nobel Peace Prize Schainuck, Jonathan Lubin and terly disappointed that he was not ture, fine dining and blues of that forays at St. Olaf College in Min- Ken Silvers. being called on enough in class.” terrific city, where neither couple had nesota, where I have been teaching “Our topic of conversation was: From law school, Asher went on previously spent non-professional since 1970. Since we are 53 years out from to an internship in the law offices of meeting time. It was a fabulous “This exhibit was sponsored by graduation and most of us did not Melvin Belli, the flamboyant “King reunion with perfect weather and the St. Olaf College Alumni Club of know each other during our college of Torts,” and then clerked for Jus- happy reminisces,” Dick said. New York, and they gathered that days, what is prompting us to want tice Thomas P. White of the Califor- “Later in the month, Sandra and day for my presentation. Anyone to get together four times a year and nia Supreme Court. Next he joined I had the pleasure of hearing bibli- was welcome. make connections at this point of the California Attorney General’s cal scholar Robert Alter read from “The St. Olaf alumni were kind our lives? office, where he spent virtually all his new book, The Wisdom Book: Job, to invite me for this event. I stayed “Our conclusion was that we of his career as a deputy attorney Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes: A Transla- on in NYC until November 21, and are all connected to our pasts, and general, except for brief interludes tion with Commentary, a most schol- it was my pleasure to invite Colum- we each hold ourselves to a special in the Office of the General Counsel arly and exciting publication.” bia classmates to the exhibit and frame of time that we refer to as of the Peace Corps and on the pub- Dick also tells us that he was “se- to have lunch in the West Chelsea the Good Old Days. They certainly lic relations staff of The Weizmann lected to be Ball Dude on the field area. were good old days. Our group has Institute of Science in Israel. for Game 1 of the World Series.” “I was one of the Columbia become tightly knit and certainly has At the AG’s office, Asher argued [Editor’s note: CCT profiled Cohen National Scholars as a freshman become more comfortable with each two cases before the U.S. Supreme in May 2004: college.columbia.edu/ in 1953, a lonely lad from Minot, meeting.” Court and many more before the cct_archive/may04.] N.D. Many of you befriended me, While in New York the weekend California Supreme Court. He rep- Martin Brothers: “Well, I tried. took me under your wing, brought of October 22–25 for a family wed- resented President S.I. Hayakawa But only eight of our classmates me to your homes for a real meal ding reception, yours truly met (later a U. S. senator) during the responded expressing interest in and introduced me to the magic of Martin Brothers, Marty Fisher, bitter student strike in 1968–69 at an occasional, alternate [to the Uni- NYC. I loved Columbia and was Carlos Muñoz and Ed Weinstein San Francisco State University. versity Club] venue and format for thrilled to be in Blue Key. I returned for lunch on Friday. Discussion was Asher couldn’t restrain himself, our luncheon get-togethers, such to Columbia during a sabbatical in most lively and centered on the even in court. When an opposing as the Columbia Alumni Center; 1991–92 as a National Endowment upcoming elections. Monday, yours lawyer applied to the Court of and they are not enough to justify for the Humanities Visiting Scholar truly met Kathleen and David Appeals for permission to submit a setting a date and arranging for the in the Asian Institute. Through the Kinne for lunch. Among other brief that would exceed the allowed room and lunches and a topic to years, I have been teaching Asian things, we discussed David’s activi- page limit, Asher filed a short generate lively conversation.” art, sculpture and architecture. In ties as a docent at the Metropolitan reply: “The appellants think it not Marty Fisher: “The following 18 2010, I taught 90 St. Olaf students Museum of Art and at Carnegie nifty to have their brief reduced members of our class showed up in Japan and 30 St. Olaf alumni in Hall. After lunch, we walked to to fifty.” Asked by a federal court at our bimonthly luncheon, hosted Spain. What could be more fun? Carnegie Hall, where David gave judge whether he should recuse, as usual at the University Club by “All seven of my grandchildren us a guided tour of the museum, he replied, “Right here in front of Ed Weinstein, on September 20, have been sung to sleep with which has photographs of artists everybody?” And when George the last full day of summer. It is ‘What if tomorrow brings, sorrow who have performed there and in Deukmejian was attorney general worthy of note how many of our or anything.’ Growing up, I knew some cases lived in apartments over and Asher asked another federal ‘Boys of Summer’ are drawn from the goal of education was to take the hall. Particularly moving were judge for extra time to file his brief, the professions. Perhaps that is the learning into life. At Columbia I exhibits on Isaac Stern’s successful the judge hesitated, commenting: root cause of the camaraderie we discovered that the purpose of a efforts to halt plans to demolish “What do you people in the At- continue to have in the seventh liberal arts education is to take a Carnegie Hall in favor of a modern torney General’s office do all day?”
january/february 2011 54 columbia college today class notes
Asher replied: “Well, we spend the Fallon Clinic in Worcester, Mass., ences made me more thoughtful, followed by a fine and large din- most of our time trying to spell as the ninth physician, intending to and that made the reunion more ner. There also is no better way to Deukmejian.” The judge granted stay there for one year until I knew meaningful. see the beauty of the country than him a 45-day extension. whether my Army Reserve unit was “Two of my children and one of at moderate speed on a bicycle. Asher was extremely proud of his going to be activated during the their partners rode with me part of Imagine riding through farmland family’s accomplishments. When height of the Vietnam War. I stayed the way from Albany to New York, where the corn grows so close to Diane became president of the local there for more than 30 years, seeing down the Hudson Valley, and the road that you could pick an CPA society, he decided that he it grow to more than 300 physicians that experience too affected my ear from your bike, or seeing a would like to be addressed as “First with more than 30 sites in central reunion. I am particularly proud Mennonite couple traveling by Dude.” And both of his children Massachusetts, and in addition to of my daughter, Anne, a novice horse and buggy along with you graduated from the College. serving as the chief of hematology/ cyclist, who rode 60 miles on the or coming over a rise and finding a Your reporter knew him before oncology for a six-person depart- final day, which included 1,800 ft. bear crossing the road. Fortunately we arrived at Columbia, having ment, running the medical lab and of climbing and more than 20 miles the bear seemed as frightened of met him at a high school journal- various other duties, I served as of heavy city traffic, and did just me as I was of him and hurried ism conference. Since we lived on e.v.p. of the Fallon Clinic for 25 years fine. She isn’t a novice anymore! across the road. the same floor of Livingston Hall and also served as president of the “Susan Slotnick, my wife, drove “A website chronicling our for a couple of years, I had a good Fallon Community Health Plan from from Ohio to Columbia to rendez- adventure includes hundreds of view of the escapades for which 1992–98, during which time the plan vous at the reunion. Her compan- photographs and an informative Asher and his roommate and was deemed to be the best HMO ionship made the event even more and amusing commentary by Rick friend for life, Al Shine, were fa- in the country by both Newsweek rewarding. Johnsen, one of our riders. If you mous. Asher’s exuberance makes it look on page 53, there is a picture almost impossible to comprehend of me at the top of a seven-mile that he’s gone. climb. Depending on who you Some of this biographical infor- Riordan Roett ’59 was named by the government ask, I look either tired or deter- mation was drawn from a tribute of Chile to the Order of Bernardo O’Higgins with mined, most likely both. It was a put together by his family for his great trip (crazyguyonabike.com/ funeral. the rank of “Gran Oficial.” doc/page/pic/?o=RrzKj&pic_ The Class Lunch is held on the id=619044&v=4&size=large).” second Wednesday of every month, Mike Bromberg reports, “My in the Grill Room of the Princeton/ and U.S. News & World Report. We “Who wants to bicycle with me wife, Marlys, and I have moved Columbia Club, 15 W. 43rd St. ($31 were the first Medicare-approved to our 55th reunion?” from Washington, D.C., where we per person). E-mail Art Radin if HMO in the country. Along the Robin Motz reports, “I am lived for more than 45 years, to you plan to attend, up to the day way, I became certified in internal changing the nature of my practice, NYC, not far from Columbia. We before: [email protected]. medicine, hematology and oncology, away from the body and toward are enjoying our Riverside Drive and wrote a health book for laymen, the mind. This new practice com- co-op apartment and all the cultural Look to Your Health, published by Van menced on October 4. In order to advantages of this great city. I am Norman Gelfand Nostrand-Rheinholt Co. facilitate communication, you may still in D.C. from Tuesday to Thurs- 59 c/o CCT “I left Fallon in 2001 and work also reach me through my Colum- day, where I am chairman of Capi- Columbia Alumni Center part-time as an oncology consul- bia e-mail: [email protected].” tol Health Group, a boutique health 59 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 tant for Unum, a consultant for Phil Matthews wrote, “I don’t care consulting/lobbying firm. New York, NY 10025 MassPro and as the medical direc- have anything to contribute at Marlys and I started a foundation [email protected] tor of a start-up company, Verax this time, but I look back regularly a few years ago, the Health Cover- Biomedical, which has a rapid in appreciation of the Columbia age Foundation, which provides I will take a few words to thank screening test for detecting bacte- experience. Those college years ex- grants to organizations helping those of you who respond to my rial contaminated platelets. panded my horizons and provided low-income, uninsured families get requests for contributions to the “I was married for 32 years to a continuing desire for knowledge, private or public health coverage. Class Notes. Your efforts are very my lovely wife Joan, who died of understanding of fellow man and That has been a very gratifying much appreciated by your class- brain cancer in 1997, and I have enjoyment of the arts. How lucky endeavor. We have been welcomed mates and by me. For those of you been re-married to Brenda, who we were back then and now to to New York City by a network of who do not get my e-mails, I request although living in New York City have friends like you in addition to college friends who still live in the that you send your e-mail address to was originally from Worcester, receiving a superb education!” area, and that has made our new [email protected]. I will not give it for almost five years. We live in From Allan Franklin, who still life even more enjoyable. There is to anyone without your permission. Worcester as well as maintain her has his old energy: “As has been nothing like college friendships.” I thought that this was going to apartment in New York and my the case for the past 20 years, one Art(hur) Mollin writes, “My be a short column and I pleaded condo in Falmouth. I have two of the highlights of last summer Great Neck H.S. (now called Miller, for more contributions. I was over- adult children and four grandchil- was a long bicycle trip. This one GN North) had its 55th reunion whelmed by the response and will dren who live in Cincinnati.” was from Brainerd, Minn., to Bar in Great Neck, and it was still fun be compelled by CCT to use some As an update, Herb has been Harbor, Maine, a distance of some seeing my cronies from way back. of them for the next issue. awarded the 2010 Physician 2,000 miles. I joined a group that I finished a graduate certificate in Occasionally I miss a contribu- Community Service Award by the was literally riding from sea to intelligence studies from American tion in the huge pit that is my inbox. Worcester District Medical Society shining sea, starting in Neah Bay, Military University at the end of If you have submitted something for his volunteer work. Wash. In Bar Harbor, I met Joe December. It was entirely distance and it has not appeared, let me Matt wrote following the 2009 re- Krieger and his wife, Rose, for an learning over the Internet. That, know, and perhaps I can retrieve union: “The reunion was even more excellent dinner in a restaurant along with a D.D.S. and an M.S., it. Herb Dean and Matt Sobel satisfying than I had anticipated, overlooking Frenchman Bay, a still keeps me unemployed and did so, and I found their contribu- and much credit goes to classmates beautiful view. It was a wonderful retired. In January I think I will tions, which are included below. I who were there and to the organiz- end to a marvelous trip. Although enroll in another graduate program apologize to them and to you for ing committee. The satisfaction it may seem odd to regard riding that might be stimulating and my error. stemmed too from the way I reached 70 miles a day on a bicycle as a challenging. Retirement is too dull Herb wrote (April 2009), “After the reunion — 800 miles by bicycle. vacation, that is what it was. It for words. Columbia and Tufts Medical School, I cycled most of the way from my was physically challenging, but Alan M. Gelb writes, “My wife, I trained at Bellevue for two years, a home near Cleveland to Albany with psychologically rewarding. Finish- Meriden, and I have a son at Colum- year in Cleveland and completed a two alumni from the Harvard and ing each day’s ride was exhilarat- bia. Sam ’13 reports some of those hematology residency at Boston City MIT classes of 1959 who were on ing, made even better by sharing moments of electric excitement, Hospital, finishing my training there their way to Boston. Our educational the experience with friends over which class at the College affords, as a chief medical resident. I joined and life path similarities and differ- the prescribed end-of-ride beer and has become a member of the
january/february 2011 55 class notes columbia college today tennis team. All his mother’s driving Long Island, and Joe Dorinson ’58 Peter Phillipes reminded me of our in attending the 50th, although he him to out of the way venues, four and Art Radin ’58 from Brooklyn. adventurous weekend in Mexico was only able to be at the cocktail years on his high school team (the “What began as a Spec event during our introduction to flight party at Lincoln Center. “It was a last two as captain) and lots of tour- seems to have largely morphed training in Corpus Christi in 1958. great event, and I was very pleased nament play have paid dividends into a Harvard Law School ’61 There were late-night conversations, to see many of my Alpha Chi Rho for him, though now the hard work reunion. But still Columbians all!” and future plans. Paul Chevalier classmates. Among them were really begins. At the end of last sea- David Rosand recently retired and I skied together in December. Andy Kubishen, Frank Zmorzen- son, Sam brought us to Columbia’s from the Columbia faculty but And there even were cautions ski, Ralph Galdo, Jon Strimaitis Ivy Championship match against as the Meyer Schapiro Professor from several classmate onlookers and David Farmer. I think these Princeton at the Robert K. Kraft Field Emeritus of Art History continues who warned that I had better stop were all the living members of bubble, an event that looked and to teach one course and to super- dancing so wildly with those coeds the AXP Class of 1960. It was also sounded like a small war and was vise dissertations. His primary Co- 40 years my junior or I would have good to see some of the NROTC won by Columbia 6–1. For those lumbia project is the development a heart attack. I’m betting on that guys such as Rolf Weingardt and who enjoy high-level competition of Casa Muraro as the University’s not happening any time soon, and Josh Pruzansky, whom I got to among great athletes, a visit to team study center in Venice. He contin- still play tennis with people of that know through Andy and Frank. Of matches is a real treat. ues to serve as project director of much younger generation.” course, my former AXP roommates “I’ve begun interviewing appli- Save Venice, an organization de- Several reunions later: a visit to Bob Yoos and Lou Minotti were cants for admission to the College voted to the preservation of the art Paris to see a girlfriend from the ’50s, missed. As I registered early, we as part of the Alumni Representa- and monuments of that city on the a 55th Goldsmith family reunion had tickets to the ballet, which was tive Committee (ARC) program. water. In October, David lectured and six weeks in Chautauqua, terrific. But we regret not being Many of the students would like on “On Hand ... Drawing” at the N.Y., with a community of friends part of the dinner that had been to be interviewed but cannot be ac- Japan Society, in conjunction with and a place he has come to love, arranged to follow the cocktail commodated given their large num- the exhibition of the 18th-century Syd returned home to Taiwan, and party. Frank, however, shared his bers (more than 26,000 this year). Zen master Hakuin. This spring, having finished writing his second pictures with us. I am sure it would This is a most worthwhile means he will be the James Ackerman Fel- novel, Two Musicians and the Wife have been fun to be with them.” to help Columbia and to get a first- low in Residence at the American Who Isn’t, awaits word whether Joe teaches economics at St. John’s hand sense of just how exciting the Academy in Rome. it will be published by one of the and travels regularly to Las Vegas to new generation of Lions is going to Riordan Roett reports, “The major houses. Syd would be happy see two of his four children and three be. Contact ARC online if you are Brookings Institution Press has to share a manuscript with any of his nine grandchildren. interested (studentaffairs.columbia. recently published my latest book, classmate interested in reading it. Bob Berlind, whose work was edu/admissions/alumni/volunteers. The New Brazil, and the Govern- Meanwhile, he works on a new proj- exhibited in the Low Rotunda dur- php).” ment of Chile has named me to the ect: “getting the flute-playing back to ing our 50th, had his recent paint- Allan Gardner tells us about a Order of Bernardo O’Higgins with the performance level I had when I ings on display during November wonderful Homecoming weekend, the rank of ‘Gran Oficial.’ ” was touring in the ’70s and ’80s with at David Findlay Jr. Fine Art on East despite the depressing last-two- I have contributions for the next a classical guitarist” in preparation 57th Street. Presently, Bob’s work minutes loss to Dartmouth. issue of CCT from Gene Appel, to cut a CD. focuses on rural landscapes, mostly “For nearly 30 years, the date Clive Chajet, Josh Fierer, Eric Bill Tanenbaum writes that in the woods and fields of upstate of the Homecoming football game Jakobsson, David R. McNutt, following the reunion, he and doc- New York. Painting often on gesso has been the inviolable occasion for Bernie Pucker, Bob Ratner, Allen tors Robert Levine and Richard board panels, his work achieves a gala dinner gathering of lifelong Rosenshine, Lew Roth, Steve Tra- Dorazio gathered at Bill’s brother’s the effect of a flash, or glimpse of Columbia friends, some of whom chtenberg and Lou Lucaccini. home in Beverly Hills on June 25 objects and light. In his words, continue to endure the afternoon to share dinner. Bob had been at “They’re not so much about a place at Robert K. Kraft Field as well. our 50th, but Richard, with whom as a phenomenon of light or struc- It all began sometime around the Robert A. Machleder Bill had roomed at the College, ture, or something that gets clarified early 1980s (no one can remember 69-37 Fleet St. had been unable to attend because as I work.” Bob has received the exact year) as an annual dinner 60 Forest Hills, NY 11375 of conflicting family obligations. numerous awards including the for a small group of ex-Spectator 60 Two days later, the group spent the Benjamin Altman Award in Paint- [email protected] editors and their spouses (from ’59 afternoon at the J. Paul Getty Mu- ing, National Academy of Design, and ’58). The original seven were Syd Goldsmith sends these re- seum. From there, Bill proceeded in 2007 and election to the National Allan and Mike Berlin and five flections on our 50th reunion and to Beaver Creek, Colo., for a month Academy of Design in 2001. ’58ers: Bernard Nussbaum ’58, beyond: “The reunion was an in the Rockies pursuing his quest High-speed rail lines are com- Howard Orlin ’58, Barry Dick- extraordinary event and a great to ascend all of Colorado’s 54 monplace in Asia and Europe. man ’58, Shelly Raab ’58 and Ernie success, all the more meaningful mountain peaks higher than 14,000 Japan’s Shinkansen lines run Brod ’58. Early on, Ira Jolles joined for me because [this correspondent] ft. ... or, maybe not all of them. at speeds in excess of 160 mph. the group, creating a combined and Jay Jackman are the only class- Bill hiked up Vail Mountain to its China’s high speed rail lines oper- quorum of the ’58–’59 managing mates whom I have seen during the summit at 10,000 ft.; Beaver Creek ate at speeds of 220 mph, and the boards. last 50 years, and only quite recently Mountain to its summit at 10,150 Maglev line in Shanghai reaches “As time passed, ‘membership’ at that. As one of the NROTC con- ft.; and Shrine Mountain to its 268 mph. So what do we have? grew substantially and also became tingent, I was delighted to see so summit at 12,000 ft., in preparation Not much. Rail transportation less exclusionary, reaching beyond many comrades in arms and more for his “14er.” Then, the challenge in the United States has suffered the initial requirement of a Spec than pleased to know that the Navy of Quandary Peak, a climb he had and fallen far behind due to our editorship. (Even two younger had room for artists such as Paul completed successfully five years emphasis on vehicular traffic and brothers, Richard Gochman ’63 and Nagano and writers and musi- earlier, summit piercing the sky at highways. Perhaps “the times they Martin Nussbaum ’67, learned the cians, too. As a group, there was a 14,271 ft., well above the tree line, are a-changin’.” David Kirk, risk secret handshake.) This year nearly palpable sense that we treasured oxygen dropping to 88 percent manager with STV Construction, a 40 people gathered at the Nuss- that experience half a century ago, of that at sea level and pressing major engineering and architectural baum apartment for drinks, dinner even though most of us moved on himself to his physical and psycho- firm that provides technical services and the retelling, in extended form, to other things. logical limits, breath laboring, heart to the rail and mass transit fields, of many stories that were not so “Most heartwarming was the pounding, body aching, attained was in California in regard to the interesting in their original versions feeling that I knew everybody I the crest and an extraordinary design of the California High Speed and bear a diminishing relation- encountered there, though that view of endless sky above and a Rail Project that will connect San ship to the truth as our memories was hardly the case. It was a case canyon, a river and a gorge, way, Francisco to San Diego at speeds in become less reliable. Allan traveled of a group identity expressing itself way below — and he achieved an excess of 220 mph. Then he went from San Francisco, Mike Berlin in the most gratifying of ways. overwhelming sense of satisfaction to Denver on a project involving 38 from Cape Cod, Mark Weiss ’58 Then there was the renewal of old and exhilaration. miles of commuter rail line. from D.C., Arnie Abrams ’61 from acquaintances almost forgotten. Joe Giacalone notes his delight A persistent onslaught of rain,
january/february 2011 56 columbia college today class notes
wind-driven and cold, cast a pall wonderful imagination and strik- our reunion, which they will be over the greater metropolitan area ing insights, and the exquisite care able to attend only on Thursday as November 4 dawned. But noth- and grace with which he treated because of their granddaughter’s ing could dampen the spirits or the English language. bat mitzvah that weekend. the good fellowship, or deter Bob We send our profound sympa- Dr. Kenneth C. Edelin, emeritus Oberhand, Tom Palmieri, Bob thies to the families of John and Bill. professor of ob/gyn at Boston Morgan, Art Delmhorst, David University, received an honorary Kirk, Richard Friedlander, Bob degree (D.Sc.) from Meharry Medi- REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 Berne and your correspondent cal College on October 4. Kenneth, Alumni Office Contacts from convening to break bread at who graduated from Meharry in Alumni Affairs Jennifer Freely the First Thursday of the Month 1967, was the first African-Amer- [email protected] Class Lunch. We had a very good ican to hold the position of chief 212-851-7438 turnout, inclement weather not- resident in ob/gyn at Boston City Development Paul Staller withstanding. And good conversa- Hospital (BCH). Five years after [email protected] tion — political, nautical, medical he completed his residency, he be- 212-851-7494 and philosophical — engaged the came chairman of the Department table. You had to be there to enjoy Michael Hausig of Ob/Gyn at Boston University it; and you are all invited, at noon 19418 Encino Summit School of Medicine and BCH. After Kal Rubinson ’62 came back to every first Thursday of the month 61 San Antonio, TX 78259 11 years in that position, Kenneth campus in May to celebrate the at the Columbia University Club, 61 became associate dean for students [email protected] graduation of his granddaughter, with rare exceptions occasioned and minority affairs at BUSM. In Helenka Casler ’10. by holidays and a one-day change We are now less than one year away that position, which he held until PHOTO: APRIL CASLER in venue to visit with classmates from our 50th Alumni Reunion his retirement in 2006, he was in Maine. A pleasant interruption Weekend, which will take place the director of the Early Medical in my lunch was a call from my Thursday, June 2–Sunday, June 5. School Selection Program, which columnist on multichannel audio at son Danny ’98 to advise that Sara The Reunion Committee is plan- is an innovative and cooperative Stereophile, the Magazine. had that morning delivered their ning the event with the help of the program between BUSM and 13 Kal writes: “I have been happily second child, and I had become a Alumni Office. Anyone interested historically black colleges and married to Nanette LaVerdiere for grandfather for the fifth time. in helping should contact Bill universities and Hispanic-serving almost 20 years; the happy father of Two sad notes: Binderman (wbinderman@msn. institutions, which accepts under- April, Casler and Heather Schech- John Radbill of Albuquerque, com), Tony Adler (awadler@sparta- graduate students at the end of ter; and the proud grandfather of N.M., died on August 7. I didn’t commercial.com) or Burtt Ehrlich their sophomore year into medical Helenka ’10, Lilith, Gabriel and know John, and no other informa- ([email protected]) with ideas. school at Boston University. Irene. Helenka is doing graduate tion was available at the time of Bob Juceam was named by Kenneth has published widely work in physics at Drexel. Her submission of this note. If you American Lawyer as a Lifetime in the areas of teen pregnancy Class Day was a glorious time for knew John, please provide your Achiever Award recipient. The prevention, substance abuse dur- the whole family, but especially for recollections so that we may give award honors outstanding private ing pregnancy and medical student Helenka and me [see photo].” proper recognition to his memory. sector success and a devotion to education. In 2007, his critically Kal and Nanette live in Manhat- On October 23, Bill Borden died public service. The comments in acclaimed memoir, Broken Justice: A tan and enjoy scurrying off to at his home in Rockwell, Texas. Bill American Lawyer September 2010 True Story of Race, Sex and Revenge their retreat in Connecticut on was a man of letters in the most issue included: in a Boston Courtroom, was pub- weekends. They look forward to complete sense: novelist, play- “From the time he started practic- lished, recounting his trial in 1975 occasional visits from Bernard Ox- wright, poet, essayist, editor, and ing law at Fried, Frank in 1966, he’s for manslaughter for the death of a man, a professor at the University distinguished and beloved educa- made an extraordinary commitment fetus during a legal abortion. of Miami School of Law and an au- tor. He taught literature and cre- to help meet the legal needs of the Sam Rofman retired at the end thority on the law of the sea. Bernie ative writing at the University of less fortunate in dire circumstances. of October from his position as ser- and Kal came to Columbia as North Dakota for 27 years and was Early on, he took interest in immi- vice line director for Mental Health, friends since junior high. They re- the Chester Fritz Distinguished gration, and — even though it had VA New England Healthcare Sys- cently shared the fun of a 50th high Professor of English Emeritus. He nothing to do with his commercial tem and was offered a position as school reunion. Kal hopes “our was the fiction editor ofNorth Da- litigation practice — became an part-time medical director for Men- 50th at Columbia will top even kota Quarterly from 1986–2002. And expert in this highly technical tal Health Outpatient at the Tufts that. Retirement? Who knows? It he wrote prolifically. Bill won more area. ‘Bob is probably the highest Affiliated Health Plan. He hopes to is all still great fun.” Kal’s e-mail is than 100 national playwriting com- regarded immigration lawyer in have more leisure time now. [email protected]. petitions, and his plays had more America without being an immigra- Ted Salomon, who passed 70 in than 300 productions worldwide. tion lawyer,’ says Miami immigra- March, has been married to Marcia His short stories appeared in more tion advocate Ira Kurzban.” John Freidin since 1972. They have two children: than 80 literary magazines, and he Bob Salman will be special coun- 1020 Town Line Rd. Rachael (35), married with child was awarded the PEN Syndicated sel to the Wall Street/New Jersey 62 Charlotte, VT 05445 due in April, and Andrew (31), Fiction Award and won the Writers law firm of LaRocca, Hornik Rosen 62 single and working in real estate fi- [email protected] Voice Fiction Contest. His first Greenberg and Blaha. He will nance/condo construction in New novel, Superstoe, was published by concentrate in the firm’s complex Thanks to each of you who replied York City. Ted works in the politi- Harper & Row; his last, Dancing litigation and appellate practice and to my November plea for news. cally incorrect exotic skins busi- with Bears, was published by Liv- also will focus on establishing in- You have filled this report and part ness: alligators, snakes and such. ingston Press in 2008. ternal controls for corporate clients of the next. He was “getting revved about Bill is survived by his wife of 50 to combat waste, fraud and abuse. Since completing his Ph.D. in meeting Peter Krulewitch at his years, Nancy Lee-Borden; children, This expertise was honed during anatomy at SUNY-Downstate and a Lagrangeville, N.Y., hideout for the Andrew, Sara and Rachel; and Bob’s tenure as inspector general post-doc with NIH, Kal Rubinson opening day of deer season, which seven grandchildren. of the New Jersey Department of has been on the faculty of NYU we’ve been doing since 1960.” Ted In remembrance of Bill I will Transportation, a tenure that ended School of Medicine as director of may be reached at tedsalomon@ reread his wonderful comic novel, on June 4, because the Republican basic neuroscience for medical hotmail.com. Dancing with Bears, knowing that governor did not want a member of students and co-director of the Neu- This year, Carl Jakobsson (cjakob every passage will bring an inward the Democratic State Committee in roanatomy Tutorial for the graduate [email protected]) is chairman of smile that will endure long after such a high position. program. Outside school, Kal pur- the Political Action Committee the final page has closed. A work of Bob and his wife, Reva, celebrat- sues classical music and audio, both of the Bremerton, Wash., branch of superb craftsmanship, it displays ed their 47th wedding anniversary nascent in his two years at WKCR. the NAACP. The branch sponsored Bill’s wit, irreverence, intelligence, on June 16. They look forward to He also is a contributing editor and two candidate forums, one before
january/february 2011 57 class notes columbia college today the primary and one after. Carl College. I expect CTC may not be young people at work seeking or Little, Tom Haggerty, Lee Black, says the pre-election forum was a household name to classmates, refining their responsible vocation Jim Stark, Dick Hassan, Buzz especially interesting because “we but, like Maryland, it is one of the — ‘my passion’ is the Brown term Congram and Joe Nozzolio.” almost had to physically separate a largest programs providing col- for it. They value their teachers, Joe “attended the black tie induc- Republican congressional challeng- lege degree opportunities to U.S. and certainly me, as people who tion dinner at Low Library with er from the incumbent Democratic servicemembers around the world. care to help them and who have my lovely daughter Beth, who lives congressman.” Our classrooms can be found on intellectual and social tools to do on Long Island. I got to speak and Carl offers an interesting sugges- nearly every American military so. I have taught sociology of edu- reminisce with so many teammates. tion for our 50th: “There have been installation in the world. When I cation and as usual emerge with a The dinner featured film highlights a lot of changes in the world since left Morningside Heights I would sense of privilege at the jewels that of every game from that memorable we graduated, and one of the signif- never have guessed that life’s paths were placed, lightly to be sure, in season. The audience gave us a icant ones is the replacement of the would have led me in this direction. my care. standing ovation. Inducted post- apartheid regime of South Africa by It has been marvelous. “Here at Brown, Columbia, with humously was our old coach, Aldo a legitimate, elected government. At “One of the challenges of an its massive Core, is seen as the ‘Buff’ Donelli.” least a few of us were involved in expatriate life is keeping up with opposite end of the Ivy spectrum. From Westchester, Ed Press- some way in the movement to bring children and grandchildren on I often wonder whether I would man reports that he, too, went to about that change. For that reason, two continents. Our daughter, have fared well at Brown, as I Homecoming. His football-viewing it might be appropriate to mark our Ellen, is married to a professor believe I did at Columbia College, partner, Stan Waldbaum, and 50th reunion by observing that 2012 of mathematics at the University though not at the graduate school Stan’s wife, Jewell, joined Ed, who is also the 100th birthday of the Af- of Pittsburgh, and they have two in which I carelessly remained. My says “the game could have turned rican National Congress. We could delightful boys. Here in Germany, conclusion is that if Brown is the out a little better, but the day was share some history with current our son, Peter, teaches in the public current paragon of self-directed beautiful, and the athletics complex Columbia students, many of whom schools of Essen, and he and his higher education that I see around is magnificent. AsSpectator ’s sports were born after Nelson Mandela wife have a wonderful daughter me — as in 1962 it was not, of editor during that year, Stan was was released from prison.” and son. Perhaps the inevitable course — I would not have thrived deservedly proud of the many What do you think? solution is complete retirement as I did at Columbia. I was too stories he’d written of the team’s tri- Martin S. Kaufman (mskaufman with the freedom to share equal exclusively intellectual (with an umphs. Stan is one of the most loyal @yahoo.com)’s oldest child, David portions of time with those who incongruous athletic side-compo- and knowledgeable supporters of ’91, ’97 P&S, is chief of pulmonary, mean so much to us.” John’s e-mail nent), too naive, too discomfited by Columbia football. He’s an encyclo- critical care and sleep medicine at address is [email protected]. networking, too fond of wandering pedia of information about the team Bridgeport (Conn.) Hospital and as- Bob Sobel has retired after the libraries (I can think warmly of and its opponents. If there is ever sistant clinical professor of medicine spending his career in the medical at least four favorite library haunts, a history of Columbia football, he at Yale. His second child, Andrew laboratory industry and living all including, for some reason, Union should be the one to write it.” ’97 GS, completed his residency in over the United States. He and his Theological Seminary) reading this Through Facebook, Ed has been cardiothoracic surgery at NewYork- wife, LaDean, live in middle Ten- and that. This worked at Columbia in touch with Alan Harris, Dick Presbyterian and a fellowship in nessee on 95 hilly acres of woods so far as I can tell, but I don’t think Schwartz, Buzz Congram, George thoracic surgery at Memorial Sloan- and streams. Bob says, “It seems I it would work at Brown. I wore, Graff, Marty Erdheim, Mike Stone, Kettering and now is assistant am as busy in retirement as I was I think, bland, invariant clothing, Bob Dobrish and Bob Kaminsky. professor of thoracic surgery at with a job: maintaining our rural as I still do. That was OK: I wasn’t Enough reminiscing. Richard Mount Sinai in New York. Martin’s property, getting in enough split shunned (or courted). I took my Kobrin reminds us of what most of youngest, Kristina ’99, ’04 TC, is wood to feed our stove during the classes and my swimming team us have at least silently acknowl- assistant director of exhibitions and winter and walking the woods to very seriously, learned some les- edged: We’re about to enter our public programming at Parsons The enjoy the life around us. We travel sons about life and encountered eighth decade! He wrote: “In New School for Design and a mas- around the country, mostly by car, and thought lots of ideas, some anticipation of the ‘big birthday’ ter’s candidate in organizational about three months a year to visit worthy, some lasting. Columbia many of us are celebrating this change management at Milano The friends and family. I am writing College was a very good place for year, Gloria, my wife of nearly New School for Management and from Idaho. Looking forward to me. Three cheers for it, and for 39 years, and I visited: Prague: Urban Policy. our 50th and to seeing friends I variety!” Vienna and Budapest. Each is Martin practices public interest haven’t seen for many years.” Con- Bill Campbell sent an e-mail beautifully designed and full of law and specializes in represent- tact Bob at [email protected]. saying that at Homecoming, the old sites that recalled comments ing scientists in cases concerning Stuart Case writes, “As an entire Ivy League championship from my art history professors. the application of science in court unfortunate result of Connecticut’s football team was inducted into the Despite the magnificence of these proceedings, most recently Nobel ill-advised probate court consolida- Columbia University Athletics Hall cities, an indelible sadness lingers Laureates Sheldon Glashow and tion, I will be retiring as judge of of Fame. Bravo! over them due to the events of the Frank Wilczek in a case involving probate for the District of Hamp- Dick Schwartz recently traveled 20th century. The impact of WWII U.S. funding for and participation ton, a position to which I was first to northern California, where he and Communism still are evident. in research at the Large Hadron elected in 2001.” Connecticut es- lived for 18 years in San Francisco, It’s always great to be back in the Collider at the European Organiza- tablished its probate court in 1837 Fair Oaks and Paradise — where United States, especially with tion for Nuclear Research. and abolished it effective January else would a town make that claim? our two young grandchildren John Golembe promises, “My 2011. Stuart’s son, David, based in Dick attended law school there and living nearby.” Richard’s e-mail is wife, Evelyn, and I will do every- the frontier town of Bethel, Alaska, began his 10-year association with [email protected]. thing we can to get to the 50th carries on the family legal tradition TV Fanfare Publications there as reunion. It was a major disappoint- as a public defender. well. ment to miss the 45th, especially From Rhode Island, John Dick and his lady, DJ, also at- Paul Neshamkin after telling so many friends that Modell ([email protected]) tended Homecoming. Dick says: 63 1015 Washington St., Apt. 50 we would be there.” reflects on his rich academic life: “We thoroughly enjoyed watching Hoboken, NJ 07030 John retired from the University “For the last part of my profes- our ascendant team come from be- 63 [email protected] of Maryland’s European Division in sional career (I shifted, gradually, hind to lead Big Green 21–17 in the 2007 as director of the program. He from history to sociology) and fourth quarter, only to be upended I had the double pleasure in Octo- and Evelyn live in Schwetzingen, the early part of my retired life by a late Dartmouth touchdown. ber of attending Homecoming and Germany, a culturally rich town of as a free spirit, I’ve taught Brown The highlight of halftime was the witnessing the dedication of the about 22,000 near Heidelberg. John undergraduates. Brown is a joyous appearance of our classmates — new baseball stadium named in admits, “The prospect of stopping place to be a teacher, which I’ve be- members of the 1961 Ivy League honor of Phil Satow. Phil’s gener- work completely was too daunting, come, setting aside other academic championship team — including ous gift has made Satow Stadium and so for the past three years I’ve pursuits. My students are, on the Bill Campbell, Tommy Vasell, a reality, and it is a beautiful addi- worked part-time at Central Texas whole, smart, vivacious, self-aware Russ Warren, Herb Gerstein, Ed tion. Larry Neuman; Henry Black
january/february 2011 58 columbia college today class notes
and his wife, Benita; Jerry Dwyer; ate from Columbia, he matriculated at the American Conservatory 101 Westcott St., Unit 201, Houston, Steve Barcan and his wife, Bettye; while we were there. If you have Theater in San Francisco, now on TX 77007 or 713-661-7165.” and I attended and toasted Phil, any memories about Bill, please our website (cc63ers.com), shows Jim Cleven and his wife, Ellen, his wife, Donna, and their family. share them here. these three and Mike’s daughter, “are retired in Austin, Texas, and At the Homecoming tent, we were Mark Koppel married Barry Rosy, and son, Mac. almost never get to New York. We joined by Frank Partel and Don Brandes in Connecticut on Sep- Mike Bowler writes, “Since I have been happily married for 47 Margolis. I sighted Tom O’Connor tember 1, the 38th anniversary of last wrote, the Maryland governor years and have four children and six off with the football contingent and the day they met at the beach in appointed me to the Baltimore grandchildren. Four of the grand- am told that I missed Lee Lowen- Queens. Mark writes, “We waited County Board of Education in one children are in Texas, as well as my fish (and I’m sure several others). this long because even when Mas- of the nation’s largest districts. two daughters. We enjoy traveling, The day was beautiful and could sachusetts allowed out-of-state Our grandson (10) is in one of ‘my’ boating, golf, bridge and eating. I have been even better if we had couples to marry, New York did schools, so I’m duty-bound to do had a great and enjoyable career, won. I’ve posted pictures of the not recognize them. A Court of well. The board is grappling with and relocated several times from festivities at cc63ers.com. Appeals decision, supported by Race to the Top issues, including Connecticut to Texas, Las Vegas and David Alpern writes, “That the governor and attorney general, the rating of teachers. I recently San Diego. I started out in adminis- I even still have a radio show in ordered New York to accept out-of- spent four hours on a political mat- tration and information technology semi-retirement is quite a saga in state marriages. Since Connecticut ter that has little to do with educa- then went back to my true passion, which I have been buried too deep is the closest state that performs tion, the pay is zero (we do get construction, where I had a success- to attend monthly lunches since the same-sex marriage, the ceremony expenses and a free flu shot) and ful and rewarding career.” start of the year. But maybe now our was there. It was a truly exciting the budget picture for next year John Karlberg and his wife, classmates might be interested and day, shared by Alan Greengrass looks disastrous. One has to be Anne, “are back in Palm Coast, even helpful. (my best friend since third grade), crazy or wealthy to take on this job, Fla., after spending last summer “When our liberal Air America Rory Butler and Geoffrey Akst and I’m not in the latter category. at our home in the Poconos. One network collapsed in January, I be- (both of whom I met at Columbia). Maybe I learned something in the of the highlights of the summer gan paying engineers and co-hosts I am working with many LGBT two classes I took with Daniel Bell was the 20th annual John Karlberg from my Newsweek contract fee, groups to get equal marriage in the that will see me through.” family reunion in Nags Head, N.C. and we kept providing Newsweek entire country. I hope I live long Mel Gurtov: “In June, I retired Beginning in 1990, we have rented On Air free via Internet to a dozen enough to see it happen.” from Portland State University a house on the beach every year. stations. Best wishes to Mark and Barry! after 40 years of teaching, 23 of The first year, there were my wife “When Newsweek in its infinite and I, three daughters, two sons-in- wisdom and woes decided not to law and one grandson. This year renew my contract, I changed the we were 18, including nine grand- show’s name to For Your Ears Only, Mike Bowler ’63 was appointed by Maryland’s children. We have had perfect got six months of trial funding governor to the Baltimore County Board of Education attendance every year! ‘Nothing from the nonprofit National Arts ages like happiness.’ ” Club in New York and was able in one of the nation’s largest districts. Elliott Greher is “busily involved, to buy satellite time again on the for the third year in a row, in mod- mostly conservative Radio Amer- ernizing and expanding my house ica Network (G. Gordon Liddy et Barry Jay Reiss writes, “The them at PSU. However, I con- and its possessions. This is the most al). Check out radioamerica.org/ family, including the kids and tinue as editor-in-chief of Asian active year yet in these endeavors PRG_yourears.htm. grandkids, went off for our annual Perspective (now in my 16th year) with my wife’s guidance and con- “We’re now back up to about 30 (for the past 20 years) four-day and as a researcher and writer on sent. My children are doing well, as U.S. stations (including New York, mini vacation at the East Hills farm Asian affairs. My wife, Jodi, and are my many grandchildren.” Washington, D.C., San Francisco, in Keene, N.H. It’s a real work- I are planting an orchard of apple Frank Sypher has edited a new Portland, Seattle, Dallas and New ing farm with a full complement and Asian pear trees on our farm, publication: William J. Hoffman, An Haven) plus Hong Kong, 177 of farm animals, many of whom so I’m trying my best to deserve Armory of American Families of Dutch other countries via the Pentagon’s were rescued. The original inn was the title of ‘farmer’ [see photo on Descent. This 400-page book brings American Forces Radio Network built in 1834, and it also boasts cc63ers.com], though in truth I’m together and reprints 37 articles by and the podcast that we keep post- New Hampshire’s first indoor pool merely a lowly assistant to Jodi.” Hoffman, originally published from ing to the old Newsweek links. See (as well as several outdoor pools Cal Cohn: “I’m retired from 1933–52, on heraldry among Dutch our website for links. in the summer and a beautiful psychiatric practice and have joined colonial families, such as Roosevelt, “I am now back to hunting funds lake). Among the cool things are Houston’s Retired Physician’s Van Cortlandt, Van Rensselaer et. for what I tout as a ‘truly fair and the henhouse where the kids can Organization as well as a doctors’ al., with numerous illustrations balanced, public-radio type plat- collect their own eggs every morn- writing group. My wonderful wife, of coats of arms, maps and so on, form for important issues in the ing, then have them for breakfast, Helen, a non-practicing attorney, with a new introduction and index. increasingly strident, slanted arena hayrides in the fall and multiple works for her brother’s apartment Nearly 100 families are discussed. of commercial radio.’ Budget is types of accommodations, most building business. Our son, Ely Another of our authors, Victor about $90,000 annually for satellite, with working fireplaces. Since they (25), works for a health food startup Margolin, has “signed a contract studio, engineer, producer, anchors make their own bread and use drink company, where he is the with Berg Publishers in Oxford, and interns (college journalists local cheese, they make absolutely No. 2 person. He graduated with England, for a three volume World from Columbia, CUNY, NYU and the best grilled cheese sandwich highest honors from the University History of Design. I have been work- Fordham). Funding from nonprofit ever made! They also have a staff of Texas and now wants to go for ing on the book for many years and or for-profit underwriters passes to guest ratio of 1:2, great walking an M.B.A. He lives in New York hope to finish the second volume through another 501(c)(3) operation, and hiking trails and constant on the Lower East Side. Thus my early in 2011. I have also co-edited Gatewave.org, a 24/7 radio reading activities for kids and adults in- family history has come full circle. a new anthology, The Designed service for those who can’t see that cluding a night at the bonfire with Our daughter, Jackie, lives in Los World: Images, Objects, Environ- has carried our program for years, hot chocolate and s’mores.” Angeles where she works for Shine, ments, also published by Berg, and and is fully tax-deductible. Michael Nolan writes, “I was Elizabeth Murdock’s TV distribu- I continue to lecture and participate “Fingers crossed, and happy for a co-founder of the Pickle Family tion company. in conferences about design and any help or advice from the Class Circus in 1975 and worked with “Reading, writing (finishing an design history. In recent months, I of ’63.” [Bill] Irwin, [Randy] Craig and historical novel that takes place in have been to Turkey and Brussels Lee Lowenfish reports that Bill [Geoff] Hoyle. Irwin won the Tony 1940s Israel and which I hope might and have future trips to Mexico City Shannon died in October in a house Award for Best Actor several years eventually make a good movie), and Santiago, Chile. After Chile, my fire. Bill was a revered sports writer back for his lead role performance staying healthy and traveling are wife and I will visit the Galapagos and statistician (for the Yankees and in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” my near-term goals. Anyone in- Islands.” Victor is the Professor Mets). Although Bill didn’t gradu- A photo taken recently by Michael clined to do so, please contact me at Emeritus of Art and Design His-
january/february 2011 59 class notes columbia college today tory at the University of Illinois at discussion of Bill Simmons’ The the wisdom he’d accumulated to alumni club). He is a past president Chicago. Book of Basketball: The NBA According the editors he worked with and and is co-chair of its Connecticut/ Peter Broido became a grandfa- to The Sports Guy. Bob is particularly mentored over his many years in Westchester Committee. Dean is ther in June. Jack Johnson was born proud that his son David, who publishing. His vitality was con- delighted to report that the com- to his daughter, Claire. “Mom and played four years of college basket- tagious; his opinions were strong; mittee recently was awarded a Jack are doing fine. We also have ball in California, was part of the his brilliance was dazzling. He was $2,500 stipend from the Business been traveling as much as possible roundtable discussion. well loved by so many and will be School for an event the commit- with a recent return from Turkey Bob moonlights as an assistant deeply missed.” tee is planning for early next year and Greece. I see Gary Rachelef- coach at San Francisco Univer- Requiesat in pacem. in Greenwich. Dean still is doing sky when he visits Chicago and sity H.S., where the head coach is advertising, mostly in Connecticut saw Tom Homburger for the first Randy Besselo ’87. The school’s now, with his boutique agency time since graduating. We were star player, Noah Springwater, has Leonard B. Pack (ReteleCo.com), and for more fun both at a Chicago Columbia Club committed to enter Columbia in 65 924 West End Ave. than profit conducting local winery function. He, too, is doing well.” fall 2011, reason enough, Bob says, New York, NY 10025 tours for the past seven years David Pittinsky writes, “My tal- to move back to New York. 65 with a wine-touring company he [email protected] ented wife, Alecia, put a wonderful Nick Rudd and Dave Levin founded (GrapeGetaways.com). If video together for our trip to Paris have been active alumni. In August I had an inspired idea for my column you have wine news to share with in early October [see cc63ers.com]. they attended Convocation to wel- for this issue. What group could Dean (or any news for that mat- This was our fifth consecutive Octo- come the Class of 2014, and Fred be better to solicit for information ter), you can reach him at deang@ ber trip to Paris with another couple Kantor joined them in Septem- than the committed classmates who grapegetaways.com. and their Maltese dog. We always ber to meet and chat with 25–30 attended our 45th reunion? This Mike Griffin shared some stay in the Bristol Hotel on the right freshman at the Columbia Alumni yielded a bumper crop of responses, thoughts on the reunion as well as bank in the eighth arrondissement, Center. Nick reports: “These are which I am sharing with you here. some personal information: “I have eat wonderful meals and walk all good kids, and it’s unlikely any of Don Bachman wrote with the not attended other reunions but around Paris. In addition, this year us would get admitted these days.” happy news that “We celebrated will. Returning to campus for our we were able to go to the Grand Steve Singer returned to New my mother’s 100th birthday on 45th was special because I was ac- Palais for the Monet exhibition and York City after five weeks in Europe January 1, and she is doing very companied by my daughter, Emilie its 200 Monet paintings secured celebrating his retirement after well, considering. I will miss not ’09. I went to Levien Gymnasium from museums and private collec- decades as the head college adviser having a place to crash in NYC and spent a few minutes with tors all over the world.” at the Horace Mann School in New when she is no longer able to be Kyle Smith, the new men’s head Charles Miller “will become ad- York (where he earned a reputation in my old digs, but we’ll deal with basketball coach. Then Emilie and junct professor of patent law at St. as one the nation’s top college advis- that when the time comes. We I went over to New Hall … oops, John’s University School of Law in ers). Steve was then off to Los Ange- bought a condo in Sanibel Island Carman Hall … and went up to our Jamaica, N.Y., starting in January. les to help Harley Frankel ’63 at Col- and headed there in late October. It room only a couple of floors above I also will continue to practice law lege Match, a program founded by is right on the beach. If you know the ninth floor, where both Emilie in my capacity as senior counsel at Harley to provide college counseling anyone who might be interested in and I spent our freshman years. The Dickstein Shapiro in Manhattan.” to high school students from some renting it, I can provide details.” evening reception at Bloomberg Your response to my request for of Los Angeles’ toughest neighbor- Don can be reached at dbachman HQ was quite well organized. I news has been overwhelming. If you hoods. Steve has been working with @yahoo.com. am fortunate to still coach college haven’t seen your note here, look to College Match for five years. He also I certainly got more than I basketball, and this is my 34th the next issue. I promise to eventu- sits on the Board of Directors of the bargained for from Andy Fisher: year as a head coach, the last 26 at ally publish what you send me. Urban Assembly, a group of small, “Sorry you couldn’t make it to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Our regular second Thursday theme-based public high schools in reunion; it was a lot of fun. At the Troy, N.Y. I have spoken via e-mail lunches continue to be a wonder- New York City whose goal is to help dinner Saturday night in the main with Neil Farber (arguably the best ful place to reconnect. If you’re in New York’s “underserved children” reference room of Butler Library, combination baseball/basketball NYC, try to make the next Class of graduate from high school and get in fact, I had never felt safer. Sit- player in the history of the College), ’63 lunch, scheduled for January into college. Urban Assembly has ting on my left was Jim Fleisher, and we are planning to get together 13, and then again on February 10. achieved a graduation rate that a cardiologist; on my right, Don this winter. I spent a few hours last It’s always the second Thursday. is 15 points higher than the New Bachman, a radiologist; and across month with my roommate Robert Check cc63ers.com for details. York City average and seven points from me, Mike Bush, an endocri- Price on the campus at Springfield In the meantime, let us know higher than the national average. nologist. It’s just that my timing College, where he has taught since what you are up to, how you’re Our informal class lunches at was a little off (nothing new there), 1978 and has recently completed doing and what’s next. the Columbia University Club in because about two weeks later, I yet another term as president of the Manhattan continue on the second had a heart attack. My cardiolo- Faculty Senate. Thursday of each month. In the gist says no damage was done to “Leonard, I have enjoyed the Norman Olch months ahead, we will meet on the heart muscle, and I am now in chance to get back in touch. Please 64 233 Broadway January 13, February 10, March 10, cardiac rehab. My suspicion is that polish this so our classmates do not New York, NY 10279 April 14, May 12 and June 9. Mark the heart attack was punishment remember me as a guy who could 64 your calendars and join us. for my horrendous lapse in taste. If rebound much better than he could [email protected] I am saddened to report the you look at the class picture taken write.” I was unable to be at Homecoming death of Les Pockell, a publishing in the library shortly before dinner, Note to all, no polishing was on October 23 but Ivan Weissman executive and literary anthologist. you will quickly notice that my necessary. was there, and he reports running Les edited titles on the theme of pink sport coat and cream-colored Larry Guido commented on the into Howard Jacobson, deputy 100, such as The 100 Best Poems of slacks single me out as the only reunion: “Because of my wife Jane’s general counsel of the University, All Time. His publisher, Hachette member of the class who didn’t get health (thankfully she is improving and Bob Liss, who was in New Book Group, has on its website: the memo about dark suits and/or but mobility is still a challenge), I York for three weeks from San “ ‘I’ve been in publishing for more blazers. Just how that affected my attended an abbreviated schedule Francisco. Bob has been in “exile” than three decades, but I try to right coronary artery, I’ll have to of our reunion. After all the work for 25 years in San Francisco as a keep current.’ So wrote Les about leave to Jim to explain.” [Editor’s Derek Wittner ’65, former dean of practicing psychologist/psychoana- himself for an in-house publica- note: Go to college.columbia.edu/ Alumni Affairs and Development; lyst. He also writes, primarily about tion. Les didn’t just ‘keep current,’ cct/jul_aug10/special_insert, and Heather Hunte, assistant director, basketball, and he has two pieces he had an encyclopedic knowledge scroll down to “Class Photos.”] Columbia College Fund; and Stella in the recently published literary of everything past, present and Dean Gamanos, who enjoyed Miele-Zanedis, former assistant political anthology First of the Year, future in every field imaginable. catching up with College buddies director, alumni affairs, had done, I one about President Barack Obama He had an insatiable appetite for at the reunion, also is active with still am somewhat chagrined at not ’83 and one as part of a roundtable learning, and for passing along all CBSAC/NY (the Business School’s being able to attend all the events.
january/february 2011 60 columbia college today class notes
(Heather has already signed me up anniversary in Paris a few years for another stint as Class Agent for ago. No kids. I’m in touch with the Annual Fund.) Mike Koss, who is practicing pa- “I did attend a Blue Key Lun- thology in southern California. He cheon for a number of actives of had his first child in 2007. I would the Class of 1965. I had arranged it be interested in what’s new with at the Columbia Club, and what a Ed Sickles, my roommate in 1966, pleasure. It is a wonderful, warm and Richard Steingesser ’66, with and welcoming facility. Attend- whom I went to Erasmus Hall.” ing were Jay Woodworth (New You can follow up with Noah at Jersey), Mike Bush (Los Angeles), [email protected]. Bob Johnson (Long Island), Bob Michael Schlanger reported on Henn (San Francisco), Don Bach- a fascinating case he’s involved man (Boston area) and myself with. He “represents 37 major (Nantucket, Mass.). It was as if medical institutions in the Supreme time had stood still. Same grins. Court in support of their position (Left to right) CCT class correspondent Leonard Pack ’65, Robert Kron- Same jokes! I can tell you it was that ‘medical residents’ are ‘stu- ley ’65 and Michael Cook ’65 caught up in May at the Waldorf=Astoria so very dear to our hearts. Later dents’ within the meaning of the Hotel at a UJA-Federation lunch honoring Cook, who received the Pro- that evening, I hosted a dinner for ‘student exception’ to FICA taxes. fessor Lawrence P. King Award. Sue and Jay Woodworth, Judy and The IRS takes the position that, Mike Bush, and Rhoda and Mike because they work more than 40 Newell at the Metropolitan Club. hours per week, they are not ‘stu- wherever different populations had he was doing to send me this dis- I’m afraid they were all over- dents.’ At issue, just for the years a common border: east and west, patch: “I got your plaintive request served, but not I! Again, Jane was 2005–present, are $4,000,000,000 in Muslim and Christian, Roman when my wife, Susan, and I were in Nantucket, as the trip would tax refunds.” Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, the in San Francisco, having finished have been too much and too brief. Steven Steinig writes, “My Austro-Hungarian Empire versus up a weeklong tour of the Napa “So God willing, we’ll be around wife, Renee, and I are recently the Ottomans. The Homeland War Valley (purely scientific, of course; and active for the 50th. I did miss back from a two-week trip to of the 1990s was nothing new; just a just checking up on the quality seeing so many of our other class- Croatia and Bosnia. There were discouraging repeat. We saw what- and rankings of the wines in the mates. And thought of those we’ve 26 of us on the trip, nearly all ages ever remains of Jewish life in each valley). Bob Szarnicki had not lost already. Cheers to all.” 60–85, which was sponsored by city we visited, but it’s limited, with been able to join us in New York Larry’s e-mail address is ljgmd1 New York’s The Jewish Museum. 80 percent of the Jews having been for our 45th, so we got together in @aol.com. Although Croatia attracts a lot of murdered in WWII, and probably late October with him and his wife, Here’s what Bruce Peck had tourists these days, most of them a majority of the survivors having Mary, at a restaurant in San Fran- to say: “I got an M.B.A. from are cruise passengers making port emigrated to Israel or the United cisco. Bob is looking good, having Columbia and spent the next 45 in Dubrovnik; for the most part, States after the war. trimmed 30 pounds.” years in commercial banking in these countries are still somewhat “P.S.: Our Alumni Reunion Week- Garland Wood died on Novem- NYC, upstate New York and Hong off the beaten track. end last June was wonderful. If you ber 15. A leader and innovator in Kong. Now retired from full-time “Zagreb, befitting its status as weren’t there, here’s a reminder: our public finance, he was the first black work, I teach at a small private the capital city, has many splendid 50th will be in June 2015. Mark your professional to be named a general school in Albany, N.Y., and do museums, perhaps not world-class, calendars appropriately. I’m sure partner of Goldman Sachs. [Editor’s some bank and other consulting but definitely worth a visit. Split is everyone who attended the 45th has note: An obituary will appear in a work. I primarily teach a course perched on the Adriatic and boasts already done so.” future issue, pending receipt of infor- called ‘Business Organization and Diocletian’s Palace, the retirement Now that Derek Wittner has mation and space considerations.] Management,’ which is a survey home of a Roman emperor. Saraje- moved on to Cooper Union, I in- course that runs the gamut from vo, the only Bosnian city we stayed vited him to pitch in as a classmate, REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 macroeconomics through human in, has the bridge at which Arch- rather than as a Columbia dean. Alumni Office Contacts resources management and on to duke Ferdinand was assassinated; Derek reports, “Now that I have left Alumni Affairs Mia Gonsalves Wright an overview of accounting. more importantly to our group, the Columbia as a professional, I will [email protected] “My expectations for Alumni National Museum of Bosnia’s prize not be in touch with classmates as 212-851-7977 Reunion Weekend were high, possession is the Sarajevo Hagga- often as I had been, but will pass Development Heather Hunte and they were surpassed. Other dah, one of only 25 rare medieval on what I hear. Greg Williams (Salt [email protected] than the pleasure of just being on illuminated Haggadahs (used Lake) practices law, and with his 212-851-7957 campus, I attended two great lec- in the Passover ritual meal). The wife, Daphne, came to New York tures (one on the role of decorative Sarajevo Haggadah, the subject of in September to celebrate their Stuart Berkman elements in architecture as seen on Geraldine Brooks’ novel The People younger son’s 40th. Matt ’92, ’96 Rua Mello Franco, 580 Morningside Heights and the other of the Book, is too valuable and too P&S is a surgeon and colleague of 66 Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro on the ways in which emergence fragile to be on permanent display. Dr. Mehmet Oz. I am v.p. of devel- 66 25960-531 Brasil of states from principalities and the In fact, we were told, it is taken out opment at Cooper Union, which [email protected] father-daughter relationship is han- of the vault only four days a year; offers its students full-tuition schol- dled by Wagner and Verdi). The a facsimile normally is exhibited in arships and is a really wonderful Tom Brunner brought us up to date social highlight was the reunion its place. But due to the prestige of New York institution. I am enjoying on his activities from the past sever- with members of the band, which The Jewish Museum, the real thing the team-building I have been hired al decades. He wrote, “I have been was made even more memorable was put on display the day we vis- to do and thoroughly enjoying the practicing law in Washington, D.C., by the attendance of some of the ited (not that any of us could have East Village, an area I really didn’t for nearly 40 years, for the last 22 members of today’s band. I found told the difference). Dubrovnik know. years at the law firm of Wiley Rein. myself wishing that many of my was a jewel, an ancient walled city “I have two stepsons (my wife, My practice in recent years has contemporaries who bemoan the arising directly from the sea, whose Kathryn, is senior associate dean of focused on representing insurers state of the current generation total square footage is probably not students at the College and SEAS): a in large disputes with their policy- could have been with me.” much more than campus. CC ’07 who is at the Film School at holders. In the last year or so, I have Noah Robbins wrote, “I’m a “Despite all that there is to see the School of the Arts and a CC ’10 been shifting much of my time and professor of clinical medicine at and do, an air of tragedy hangs grad in architecture. My daughter, energy to a new, albeit somewhat Einstein doing internal medicine over these two countries (and most Lisa, her husband and two children related, activity, while remaining ac- and infectious diseases. No plans likely the other countries of the live in Hoboken, N.J., where she tive in my law firm. I have become to retire anytime soon. My wife, former Yugoslavia), where people teaches.” a partner in and general counsel Marilyn, and I celebrated our 25th have been at war with one another Jay Woodworth dropped what of LeapFrog Investments, which
january/february 2011 61 class notes columbia college today manages the LeapFrog Financial of Washington and an apartment Arthur Spector town, was one of the many NYC Inclusion Fund, a social private on the west side of Manhattan. 68 271 Central Park West immigrants who become more de- equity fund that will invest in firms “I have lost touch with a lot of New York, NY 10024 voted to the city than most native providing microinsurance (insur- old friends through the years and 68 New Yorkers. He loved the quirky [email protected] ance for low-income individuals) in would be delighted to catch up Upper West Side architecture, and Asia and Africa. LeapFrog pursues with folks I haven’t seen in a long Greetings. The holiday season was had a fantastic eye for detail and a double bottom line, that is, it seeks time.” in the air in the city. I hope it was decoration, which he used well both important social benefit (aim- Tom’s e-mail address is tbrunner an upbeat time for all of you and when he subsequently curated a ing to provide support to 25 million @wileyrein.com. your families. I enjoyed seeing Al small photography gallery. Melvin poor people) and a sustainable re- In the autumn, we heard from Pacino in The Merchant of Venice had chronic hip arthritis from turn on its investment. As such, its Michael Garrett, who reported in previews. I wonder if Buzz Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome, but investors include both international that “our 45th Reunion Committee Zucker has seen it. For a while, he never complained and always development agencies, such as the (’66, it’s your age now, too!) has and it may be continuing, he was focused on the positive and what- International Finance Corp. (part of decided upon a stellar lineup of seeing nearly every play on- and ever was interesting around him. the World Bank) and the European lunches, cocktail parties, dinners, off-Broadway. Really, a couple of I, and his other close friends at the Investment Bank, U.S.-based phi- events and speakers for our class. shows a week. Roger Berkley said College, including James Pharris, lanthropies, such as the Soros Eco- Among others, Mark Amsterdam, he would write soon. So at some Russell Needham, Thomas Wand nomic Development Fund and the Dan Gardner, Rich Zucker, Tom point, the news will be coming to ’70 and Raman Kapur ’70, will Omidyar Network, and more tradi- Chorba, Rick Reder, Bob Gurland, us via Woodcliffe, N.Y. Last I recall, remember this gentle, congenial tional financial institutions such as Herb Hochman, Randy Boursch Roger was at baseball camp having and witty classmate.” J.P.Morgan Chase and TIAA-CREF. eidt, David Tilman and Ed Kabak great fun. Lorey Pollack sent news earlier LeapFrog has raised $135 million are working on the event and on I was at Homecoming and of the passing of Buzz Baumgold, and is very early in its investment our Class Gift. For the 45th, we received a note from Paul Brosnan, his great friend for whom I too have process, having invested to date have set an ambitious goal of 45 who also was there. I missed him. memories of his being charming only in a company in South Africa $10,000 current use scholarships He reports he was there with and fun and engaging. Ross Ain that provides life insurance to HIV- or $450,000. We have a number John Burns, John White ’68E, Bill and I spoke recently, and Ross positive people in that country. of leadership gifts, and you can McDavid and his “old roomie” Ed spoke expansively about Buzz’s Additional investments elsewhere expect to receive a fine letter asking Brennan. I was there with Paul de helping him out with a special ring in Africa and in India and East Asia for your grateful and generous Bary and also saw Ira Goldberg. for his daughter’s recent wedding. targeting projects that will extend participation. We look forward I wish I had seen the others. Paul, My condolences and ours to the financial protection to those ‘at to hoisting a few with the record hailing from Arlington, Mass., my families and friends and classmates. the bottom of the pyramid’ are in number of classmates who will hometown, is in a special category, Ross, again, congratulations to the pipeline. In addition to acting make it to Morningside in June.” of course. He at least knows how you. as LeapFrog’s lawyer, I have been Michael’s pronouncement was to pronounce my name. He reports John Roy had dinner with working on a lot of straight invest- fully, strongly endorsed by Daniel that his daughter Phoebe is a junior Wayne Crowder in Atlanta, and ment activities, notably in India, Gardner, who said, “And we at Barnard and “loves it.” Sounds he is doing well. John said that where I recently went for my fifth enthusiastically second Michael’s wonderful. Paul sometimes comes Wayne, who had been an attorney trip in a little more than a year. It news and thank him for priming up for a basketball game. at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid is an opportunity for personal and the class.” Bob Papper ’69, ’70J wants us to Transit Authority, is now doing a professional growth that I suspect is In early October, your correspon know that on November 16, Robert good deal of community service. unusual at our point in life. It also is dent and his wife, Gilda, had the Siegel received the John Chancellor Wayne, send details when you a lot of fun! pleasure of a visit from Paul Kastin Award for Excellence in Journalism. can. “My wife, Shelly, and I are ap- and his wife, Rosthema, who came The $25,000 award is administered So I was promised from Roger proaching our 45th wedding anni- down to Rio de Janeiro via Salvador, by the Journalism School, and the Berkley a write-up, and here it is versary. We have three children, in Bahia, in the northeast of Brazil. We ceremony was held in Low Library. (my memory of Roger was a star Maplewood, N.J., Iowa City, Iowa had a delightful, albeit short time The citation notes that the senior in the constellation of stars on (a Columbia alumna), and Hono- together, which included a visit to host of NPR’s All Things Consid- campus). He is reporting in after lulu, and three grandsons, ages 4, the magnificent decorators’ show ered has “engaged and informed many years: 3 and 6 weeks. We live a doubly house here at that time. It was won- millions of listeners with extraor- “I taught American history/ urban lifestyle, with a townhouse derful to see Paul and Rosthema dinary journalistic skill and calm social studies for three years, then in the Woodley Park neighborhood again. Paul and I shared a high civility for more than 30 years.” spent the next umpteen years in school in Cleveland, a college in Classmates will remember him as the weaving business. I’ve been New York (obviously you know Bob, although he swears that only active in the two principal trade which one) as well as the fact that happened at Columbia. Congratu- associations, the American Textile Manage Your we both resided in Atlanta for many lations, Bob. [Editor’s note: To read Manufacturers’ Institute (now years. One other thing we have in more about Siegel, go to college. defunct) and the older National Subscription common — our children are both columbia.edu/cct/may_jun08.] Textile Association, of which I am Columbia grads. Michael Newmark sent a note. chairman. I married Elaine, and f you prefer reading CCT As I was in New York in October, (I have resisted in the main writing we have two thrilling children, I online, you can help us I made my way up to the Colum- about those of our class who have Dan (29) and Sarah (26). I attended go green and save money bia campus one beautiful autumn passed on to the Elysian Fields.) baseball fantasy camps for nine by opting out of the print afternoon. It was glorious! Of course, Michael wrote: “I sadly read in years, and that is the most fun you edition. Click “Manage Your after leaving the campus I had to the September/October issue of can have with your clothes on. Last make the time-honored obligatory the death of Melvin L. Dennis. year, I retired under circumstances Subscription” at college. stop at Mondel’s for some chocolate- Melvin was a close friend during that will be the subject of a book I’m columbia.edu/cct and follow covered ginger to bring back to Rio. our tumultuous college years and writing (OK, almost writing so far). the domestic instructions. the post-graduate period when I Let’s just say that I’m not a fan of We will continue to notify attended P&S and Melvin attended banks, PNC Bank in particular. I’ve you by e-mail when each Albert Zonana the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU been active in politics and found it issue is posted online. You 67 425 Arundel Rd. and then the architecture program interesting. We spend the winter in may be reinstated to receive Goleta, CA 93117 at Cooper Union. After I left New Naples, Fla., and the rest of the year 67 York, we lost touch, though he was in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. That’s the the print edition at any time [email protected] by sending a note to cct@ a groomsman in my wedding in short version. I have kept in touch, I’m sorry to report that the mailbox 1976 to Carolyn Wilson, Melvin’s sporadically, with Jay Mitchell, columbia.edu. has been empty for the past two classmate at the IFA. Melvin, a who lives in California and is in the months. Please write. native of a small western Oregon broadcasting business. He remains
january/february 2011 62 columbia college today class notes
one of the funniest people I have securities and assets related to Daniel Defoe. She now is an emer- to marry Capt. Chad Jones. Our ever known.” bankrupt companies, Bill’s report gency management technician middle daughter, Hélène, gradu- OK, Roger. I believe Gregg Winn on a company can be news in itself. and is planning to go to nursing ated from the Fashion Institute of and Neil Anderson are in Naples, Joel Solkoff kindly responded to school. Amelia (20) is spending her Technology and is an assistant Fla., so there you are, a Columbia one of my published pleas for news: junior year in Pamplona, Spain, designer at the Regatta Division reunion in the planning stage. “I am writing this note from Addi- where she will not be running with of Li & Fung, USA. Our youngest All the best, and let’s hear from son Court, an eight-story apartment the bulls. My father, Isadore ’24, daughter, Sara, is in her senior year Jay again. It has been a while. building for elderly and disabled received his diploma late because at the Hartt School, University of I hope all of you enjoyed the fall individuals in downtown State he had not passed the swimming Hartford, where she studies dance and the holiday season and are College, Pa., where the weather is test. After six months of staring and dance pedagogy and minors in looking forward to 2011. I recom- either too hot or too cold. Surpris- at the pool, my father, who could English literature. Sara is considering mend the men’s basketball team this ingly, tonight the weather is just not swim, was approached by the auditioning for the Rockettes after year with its two 7-foot centers and a right. I am disabled, which means coach who said, ‘Mr. Solkoff, if you she graduates.” new coach. It has been a while since that I cannot walk or stand without jump in, I will pass you.’ My father Paul Auster’s 16th novel, Sunset Columbia had an Ivy Championship assistance. This situation is a by- jumped in, promptly sank to the Park, was published to positive team. I seem to recall 1968! product of radiation treatment that bottom, was fished out with a net reviews in November. In a Wall destroyed a portion of my spine and thus was able to receive his Street Journal interview published but cured me of Hodgkin’s disease. diploma.” on November 9, Paul commented Michael Oberman I wrote a book on the experience, John Herbert writes: “I retired that publishing is “a time of ner- 69 Kramer Levin Naftalis & Learning to Live Again: My Triumph Frankel Over Cancer (as well as publishing 69 1177 Avenue of the two other books, one on agricultur- John Herbert ’69 is chairman and professor of anes- Americas al policy). I have 17 years of Wash- New York, NY 10036 ington experience, writing speeches thesiology at Howard. moberman@kramerlevin. for people with impressive titles in com both the public and private sector. Subsequently, I changed professions from Columbia University Medical vousness and quasi-depression. The For more than a decade, my column and became a technical writer at Center (Harlem affiliation) last year pleasure in writing books is writing filed in November of even years Research Triangle Park, N.C., and but immediately took a position at the books.” would happily report on the re-elec- Silicon Valley. I became an expert Howard as chairman and professor Rob Fleder reports, mostly on tion of our class’ Congressional del- in describing the link between tele- of anesthesiology. Of course we family developments: “Daughter egation, comprising Senator Judd phone switches and computer files. miss New York, and our daughter, Anna (28) graduated from the Law Gregg (R-N.H.) and Representative I am now a columnist for Voices of who is a third-year dental student School last May and in October Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). But the news Central Pennsylvania, where I write at the College of Dental Medicine married Jeremiah Peter Cronin Con- this time is different. While Jerry, about disability and elderly issues. I (third-generation alum, soon to be nolly; husband and wife both work as is his norm, was resoundingly get around with brio in a battery- a third-generation dentist) as well in NYC, Anna at the Cleary Gottlieb reelected to his 10th full term in the powered wheelchair and the most as our son, the ’puter tech. How- Steen & Hamilton law firm and J.P. House, Judd opted not to seek re- frequent comment is, ‘If you’re not ever, I have met some interesting as a consultant with McKinsey. Son election and is retiring after serving careful, you’ll be stopped for speed- alumni here in Washington, and I Michael (25) started graduate studies three terms in the Senate. Whether ing.’ If you see me, suppress the even found my good friend Earl (he’s interested in mathematics and you agree or disagree with Judd’s desire to say that. Kidwell, from the campus days of computer science) after working politics, there seems to be a consen- “I also am a community activist, track and field, who is a successful for NASA helping to re-educate sus among pundits and politicians which means something I cannot ophthalmologist at Johns Hopkins the robots on Mars. Son Daniel (31) that Judd served with distinction. define, but I know it when I see and Howard.” finished a Ph.D. at Wharton this year Esquire in October ranked him as it. I am in the process of creating a Fredric Fastow, also reacting to and works in Chicago at GETCO, one of the 10 best members of Con- revolution for people with physical my pleas for news, writes: “Fol- an investment firm. Wife Laura (39, gress, commenting that “on matters disabilities whose minds work suf- lowing the September 11, 2001, age of our marriage, that is) teaches of the federal budget he is fiercely ficiently well to vote the bums out attack on the World Trade Center at Manhattan Comprehensive Night intelligent, principled and compel- of office and take over the political and the destruction of its offices and Day High School in NYC, a ter- ling.” I tried to learn of Judd’s plans structure. I am a one-issue advocate (luckily, I got out in time), the Port rific school with a challenging mis- for retirement, but they were not an- for cripples and old geezers, and Authority of New York and New sion for kids ages 17–21. I practice nounced before my CCT deadline. my current passion is to destroy Jersey set up its Law Department, law full-tilt at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, The Alexander Hamilton Award President Barack Obama ’83’s where I work, near Union Square. Wharton & Garrison and head up Dinner honoring Michael Rothfeld plan for competitive bidding for Most of my assignments involve the firm’s practice in executive com- was a great success and an enjoy- durable medical equipment. This review of construction contracts pensation, employee benefits and able evening (see feature). Among plan would so alter the process of and related documents. This puts ERISA. My work ranges from de- those on hand to celebrate Michael providing medical supplies such as my credentials as a lawyer-archi- signing executive equity incentives for his enduring and deep com- oxygen, wheelchairs, power chairs, tect to good use. It’s my under- to handling anemic pension plans mitment to Columbia were Larry scooters and other mobility devices standing that we will return to the in deals to supporting our ERISA Berger, John Lombardo, Dick that local suppliers, such as the World Trade Center site when it litigation and bankruptcy practices Menaker, me, Jeffrey Pines and three here in State College, would has been redeveloped. (trouble is my business); recent Richard Rapaport. only be able to serve the rich, and “I play guitar, and Transconti- publications include a substantial Bill Rochelle made a guest ap- the rest of us would be at the mercy nental Music has published some piece on Roth IRAs. Is anyone else pearance at my law firm in mid- of often out-of-state suppliers of of my transcriptions and original using their Kindle to electronically October, participating in a pre- dubious reputation who would take compositions in several books and reassemble a trove of eccentric books sentation to my colleagues in the their sweet time about providing CDs. For exercise, I run and bicycle. acquired at Columbia and still sitting Creditors’ Rights Department on me with batteries and maintenance, My wife, Judith, went back to school on the shelf?” Bloomberg Law (a search engine resulting in me and people like me for an M.S.W. and commutes to the Space permits an item of person- for legal and business matters). As falling and going into assisted living Edenwald campus of the Jewish al news: I was recently inducted as reported in the May/June issue, facilities. Thus savings in Part B of Child Care Association, where she a fellow of the College of Commer- Bill is a reporter for Bloomberg Medicare would result in large costs works on adoption and foster care cial Arbitrators, which was formed News who writes each day on in Part A. cases. Our oldest daughter, Ramona, to promote professionalism and developments in bankruptcy law “I have two children. Joanna graduated from West Point in 2005. high ethical standards in commer- and proceedings. Not only does he (26) received her B.A. from UNC She has been to Afghanistan twice cial arbitration. As reported in the cover the news but, in an environ- Chapel Hill, writing an honors and is now stationed in Germany. November/December 2009 issue, I ment where people trade claims, English paper on the novels of Ramona is a captain and is engaged have been with Kramer Levin since
january/february 2011 63 class notes columbia college today
1973, where I am a litigation part- REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 Jeff notes, “Venable stands apart seeing many classmates in June.” ner and head up the Alternative Alumni Office Contacts by not only defending companies Regarding reunion itself, sev- Dispute Resolution Practice Group. Alumni Affairs Ken Catandella in consumer class actions and eral years ago the Alumni Office For much of my time, I serve as [email protected] federal, state and local government incorporated Dean’s Day into counsel for clients in commercial or 212-851-7430 investigations and enforcement ac- reunion, offering even more activi- copyright litigations, and at other Development Heather Hunte tions but also by protecting clients’ ties and the opportunity to attend times I serve as the arbitrator (or [email protected] interests through industry coalition lectures by Columbia professors on one of a panel of three arbitrators) 212-851-7957 building, regulatory agency advo- Saturday. in commercial cases … all subject Jim Shaw cacy, lobbying on Capitol Hill and, At our last reunion in 2006, I led to the demands and deadlines of 71 139 North 22nd St. when necessary, litigation.” a freewheeling and lively discus- my CCT column. Philadelphia, PA 19103 Ah, reunion! sion of Spring ’68 and how it af- As you can see, some classmates The ’71 Reunion Committee met fected us. (And we were overflow- 71 [email protected] sent news. To help me avoid the on November 9. Reunion is setting ing a Havemeyer classroom that need for public pleas, follow their Mark Allen: “I’ve been associated up with outstanding events in Man- seemed preserved from the ’60s, lead and send your news. Or, with Caltech ever since I graduated hattan and on the Columbia campus. helping to trigger our neurons.) perhaps, help me by alerting me from Columbia, except for two As of that night, members of Spouses and partners found it to other classmates whom you years when I was back on Morning- the Reunion Committee were Paul particularly insightful to hear us think have news or views to share. side Heights and had a postdoctoral Arnest, Vinny Bonagura, Joseph discuss among ourselves and with I would be especially interested in fellowship at the NASA Goddard Boorstein, Bernard Falk, Richard them our experience, relive it and hearing of any classmate who is Institute for Space Studies, situated Fuhrman, Robert Gailus, Peter express differing points of view. planning to run for the U.S. Senate, over Tom’s Restaurant. For the past Hiebert, Richard Hsia, Peter Jaco- The Reunion Committee is con- to restore our class’ representation 30 years, I’ve been a scientist at the by, Jeff Knowles, Craig Lawrence, sidering having another class dis- to its full complement. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is Dennis Langer, Les Lepow, Ken- cussion, after the class luncheon on a division of Caltech under contract neth Lehn, David Margulies, Phil Saturday, during the upcoming to NASA. Milstein, Chris Moriarty, Dean reunion. Send me ideas for topics Leo G. Kailas “Recently I became the project sci- Porter, Alex Sachare, Jim Shaw, you’d most like to discuss and that Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt entist (aka chief scientist) for the U.S. Edward Wallace, Irwin Warren, you believe would interest the class. 70 885 Third Ave, 20th Fl. contribution to the joint European Jeffrey Weinberg and Greg Wyatt. I always have a great time at 70 New York, NY 10022 Space Agency/National Aeronautics Although by its nature most mem- reunion, with both old friends and [email protected] and Space Administration ExoMars bers of the committee are New York new. Our class always has a strong Trace Gas Orbiter, to be launched in area-based, a number of us geo- turnout. See ya there, Thursday, Danny Feldman reported on his 2016 (sci.esa.int/science-e/www/ graphically further from alma mater June 2–Sunday, June 5. Mark your new book, Tales from the Sausage object/index.cfm?fobjectid=46124). participate in meetings by telephone calendars now. Factory: Making Laws in New York “My job is to maximize the sci- conference. (You can, too.) State, written with Gerald Benjamin. ence return from this mission. There If you’d like to join the commit- Danny says that if you have not are published observations that tee, e-mail Heather Hunte, assistant Paul S. Appelbaum heard about the book, please go to hint at evidence in the atmosphere director, Columbia College Fund, 72 39 Claremont Ave., #24 sunypress.edu/p-5094-tales-from- of possible extant life, albeit below at [email protected], or me at New York, NY 10027 the-sausage-factory.aspx, where the surface of Mars, or subsurface [email protected]. 72 [email protected] you will see the kind comments zones that could be habitable. Expanding the expanding- about the book from The New York Many people feel that Mars is the geography theme, Phil Milstein Jeffrey Laurence had what sounds Times; Wayne Barrett of the Village most convenient place to look for hosted a pre-reunion luncheon like a remarkable trip this past fall: Voice; Rex Smith of the Albany extant extraterrestrial life. The 2016 gathering at the Jefferson Hotel in “I’ve recently returned from Bali, an Times-Union; Professor Christopher mission has the capability to clearly Washington, D.C., on October 26, 11-day trip lecturing to more than Stone of the John F. Kennedy School resolve whether the chemical com- following up a dinner I hosted in 100 AIDS-treating physicians and of Government at Harvard; Todd position of the Martian atmosphere San Francisco in June. health care workers from Vietnam, Clear, dean of the School of Crimi- does indeed bear witness to active Paul Arnest, Eddie Eitches, Cambodia, Malaysia and so on, nal Justice at Rutgers; and others. processes in the Martian subsurface, Bob Fuhrman, David Margulies, courtesy of amfAR, the NIH and I attended the Homecoming either geological or biological. Jeff Knowles, Les Lepow, Richard the Dutch government. It was an game on October 23 at beautiful “NASA became interested in Levine, Vincent Rigdon, George incredibly interesting experience, Robert K. Kraft Field. I had a blast such a mission when a team that I Starke and Jeffrey Weinberg at- and humbling, learning what can and saw many of our classmates, led presented to NASA a proposal tended Phil’s luncheon. be done with so little in terms of including former class correspon- nearly 10 years ago. In the interven- The Reunion Committee and HIV treatment and prevention. One dent Peter Stevens, who looked ing years, my team re-proposed the Alumni Office are considering missionary couple runs an AIDS great; Frank Furillo, a member of such a mission and alternatively, I planning similar events in several orphanage in Phnom Penh, rescu- our football team; Terry Sweeney, served on committees that planned other cities. ing potential sex slave sibs in the also a team member; Bernie Josefs- and re-planned this mission concept Regarding the D.C. event, Rich- process. They supplement dona- berg, with whom I tailgated prior leading to the current joint mission ard Levine sent this e-mail: “The tions with the 9,000 chickens they to the game; Dennis Graham, an with Europe. Having been a chem- luncheon was an excellent oppor raise and the eggs they sell, despite all-star shortstop, or so he claims; istry major at Columbia and fol- tunity to meet classmates with a having electricity only two to three Dr. Mark Pruzansky, our class lowing with a Ph. D. from Caltech commitment to Columbia and to hours a day. The resort hotel in cocktail party host; Al Bergeret, in chemistry, I am pleased that this catch up on their recent (or not so which we stayed had a 15th-century a well-known director of Gilbert 2016 mission is a visible demonstra- recent, in some cases) events. I also Hindu temple built into rock forma- & Sullivan in New York City; and tion of chemistry as a tool for space had the pleasure of sitting next tions jutting into it. I can now see Victor Hertz, who runs a leading exploration and discovery.” to George Starke and learning of how a search for everything might translation agency in New York. Jeff Knowles is head of the his post-Redskin career running a begin in Bali, à la Eat, Pray, Love.” Phil Russotti arrived for the game almost-60-lawyer Advertising and young adult vocational education Rick Kurnit is planning some in the third quarter and immedi- Marketing Practice Group at Ven- institute focused on students from travel, albeit for a different purpose. ately upon his arrival, the Lions’ able, a major law firm. In Septem- poorer parts of D.C. and serving “As I approach 60, we are planning fortunes changed and we lost the ber, the group garnered a first-tier as a motivating influence for male to visit Africa, Antarctica and the game. ranking in the inaugural edition of students who grew up without Brazilian rainforest, and I will One final note: It is with regret U.S. News & World Report’s “Best fathers. [Editor’s note: To read spend that birthday in the Gala- that I report on the passing of Law Firms” rankings, having more about Starke, go to college. pagos.” Rick deserves a reward, Robert W. Butterfield, a sexton, already recently received accolades columbia.edu/cct/jan_feb10.] I having been named “Best Lawyers’ Bethlehem, Pa., on January 5, 2010. from Chambers USA and from look forward to following the plan- 2011 New York Media Lawyer of Legal 500. ning for the reunion and hopefully the Year.” The designation comes
january/february 2011 64 columbia college today class notes
from a survey of lawyers in the field show of his art collection in the and reflects their judgment of their spring. Gregory has collected Real- colleagues’ abilities, professionalism ism for more than 20 years; it can and integrity. be seen at petersoncollection.org. Rick said, “Frankfurt Kurnit Got a lot of information from Klein & Selz, my law firm, also Steve Woods about the memorial continues to be rated at the highest service for Jesse Parks (who of- level at both Chambers and Legal ficially received his degree in 1977) 500, two other principal ratings of that was held on campus on October lawyers and law firms, in media, 22 [see photo] as well as the service entertainment, and advertising held in Atlanta in August. It would and marketing law. So the career is be hard to find anyone whom so going well, and my family is great. many thought of so well; a star with My daughter, Katrina, is starting humility, a friend, a family man and her third year at Google in Moun- a community volunteer. Jesse will tain View, Calif. My wife, Diane, be missed. is on the board of the New York Lyle Rexer recapped the last Botanical Garden. Life is good.” 30-some-odd years in an e-mail: Baseball and football teammates of Jesse Parks III ’73, who passed Life seems pretty good for A Rhodes Scholar after the Col- away in August, gathered at Faculty House in October for a memorial Richard Macksoud, too. “My lege, he left after a year to work service. Many Columbia athletics luminaries were in attendance, includ- oldest daughter, Jennifer Dukes, in publishing. After a brief time, ing (left to right), Steve Woods ’73, Mike Evans ’74, Ted Gregory ’74, Don has moved with her husband to he was back in grad school at CU, Jackson ’73, Gary Parks (Jesse’s brother), Kevin Ward ’74, George Van Madison, Miss., as he has his first then back to publishing and then Amson ’74, Mike Jones ’73, Paul Kaliades ’73, Charles Johnson ’72 and legal job in Jackson, Miss. My into the real world as a consultant Ray Ramsey ’71, and (center) Terry Smith ’73. youngest, Jeanne, will graduate for nonprofits on communications PHOTO: VICTORIA MOTLEY from law school at Ole Miss next strategies, which is the hat he May with a certificate in space law wears even today. Along the way, and will be looking for work in Lyle married novelist Rachel Klein remainder of the ’70s were no pic- soft millionaires” (where profit this tough environment. In 1972, I and had three kids. One is a grad nic: Remember the “misery index” sharing plans propelled even lower never thought for one second that student at Yale, one works for an of Jimmy Carter that chronicled level employees into the financial my life would be so involved with NGO “in Nepal, the West Bank the sum of the high inflation rate stratosphere). And we were told it Mississippi.” Richard has become and other hot spots” and the last is and the high unemployment rate? was the doctors and lawyers who active in his local Columbia Club an undergrad at Stanford. Lyle got OPEC was pushing up oil prices were going to clean up! (I guess (in Nashville), something he sug- involved in writing about art and and there was an oil embargo. many of us made a mistake taking gests everyone should do. photography in the ’90s and has Interest rates kept rising (home “rocks for jocks” for our science And finally, Jocko Marcellino written six books and hundreds mortgage rates hit around 15 per- requirement.) writes with the word that six of the of articles as well as lectured and cent toward the end of the decade). You might also tell your kids original members of everyone’s curated exhibitions. He won a New York City was defaulting on to be flexible in their career path. favorite singing group, Sha Na grant in 2007 from the Andy War- its debt. And the top tax rate on Shortly after submitting my last Na, got together for a one-time- hol Foundation, which helped him unearned income was 90 percent! column, I received more infor- only performance last September complete a book and exhibition in This walk down memory lane mation on the career of architect to mark the 75th anniversary of summer 2009. Lyle says all of this is not meant to depress you, but Dave Black. He told me that he Hofstra. Robert Leonard ’70, who was inspired by the one course he to inspire your kids. In the face originally got a master’s in historic helped found the group and taught took with Gene Santomasso ’73 of conditions that were arguably preservation from Columbia and for many years at Hofstra, planned GSAS (who could inspire anyone!). as bad as today, we did get first had a historic preservation consult- the reunion, which included sever- “I’ll remember him because as jobs and continue to build pretty ing firm for a number of years. In al members who hadn’t sung with many of us know, these kinds of good careers. Those double-digit the early ’90s, Dave returned for the group for decades. Reports experiences, even fleeting ones, mortgage rates didn’t stop us from a master’s in architecture and for Jocko, “It was a lot of fun.” can change your life. It might not buying houses, either. Along the the past 10 years has been work- happen overnight; it might take 20 way we were told in the ’70s that ing with HagerSmith Design in years.” the Saudis were going to control Raleigh, mainly doing “adaptive Barry Etra A few years ago, Lyle filled in for the world and then in the ’80s it reuse and renovation projects.” Oc- 73 1256 Edmund Park Dr. NE someone at The School of Visual was the Japanese that were about casionally he is able to combine his Atlanta, GA 30306 Arts and now teaches five classes a to usurp the economic leadership two degrees, as when he designed 73 semester, both grad and undergrad, from the United States. Will the new carousel houses for Raleigh’s [email protected] and really enjoys it. He’s lived in “China Threat” derail their careers? two historic carousels. It’s been a busy year for Michael Brooklyn in the same house for 30 Probably not. My advice is to keep How many classmates have Shapiro. Foremost, his Roller Coaster years, and so is “easy to find.” your kids optimistic and, as we their own entry in Wikipedia? I’m for orchestra had its Western premiere So am I. E-mail those notes, please. used to say, “keep the faith” that not sure (yet), but one of them is in August in Santa Cruz, Calif., where Until we greet again! their hard work will pay off. Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. he was composer-in-residence. Mi- A little luck doesn’t hurt, either, The site says he is “known for his chael’s Peace Variations for solo violin, as I was reminded during a recent strikingly intimate portraits of as well as his Second Violin and Piano Fred Bremer conversation with Rob Knapp world leaders and major cultural Sonata, had their coming-out in May 74 532 W. 111th St. (partner in the midtown law firm figures.” His photographs are in in Soho. His Eliahu Hanavi Varia- New York, NY 10025 Mulholland & Knapp). While the permanent collections of many tions Sato Knudsen for solo violoncello 74 noting that his legal practice “has major museums (among them [email protected] (cello) were issued in October as never been as busy in his entire the Metropolitan Museum of Art, part of the Milken Archive, and he I hear from many classmates who career,” he quipped that his middle the Museum of Modern Art and is writing the score for an NBC TV are concerned about the kids’ em child, Henry (27), already is better the National Portrait Gallery). dramatic series that will air in the ployment prospects. “This is the prepared for retirement than he Timothy’s early portraits were of spring. Michael is in his eighth year worst market ever” is a constant is. Here’s the luck part: Henry has Abstract Expressionist painters as music director of the Chappaqua refrain. I then remind them that we been working for Facebook for such as Willem de Kooning and Orchestra. started our college career in the bad the past few years doing business Robert Motherwell. Timothy’s 1981 Also involved in the arts is recession of 1970 and graduated development in the “mobile app” one-man exhibition of 40 portraits Gregory Peterson. The New York in the midst of the worst recession area. Looks like we could see a was favorably reviewed and led Academy of Art is presenting a since the Great Depression. The new generation of those “Micro- to an amazing array of cultural
january/february 2011 65 class notes columbia college today and political icons sitting for him, them confirmed that this “almost Bar Association’s Construction Site there. Eve (13), Maggie (13) and including Bill and Hillary Clinton encounter” had actually occurred. Accidents 2010 Update. Mary (11) keep my wife, Bonnie, … and Monica Lewinsky (my There may be only 500 of us, but Residential real estate executive busy, as they are homeschooled.” guess he couldn’t get the three of apparently we can still stand out in David Wine has partnered with John’s not sure where his next them in one cozy photo). His 1999 a world of more than six billion! two others from giant firms to career move will take him, but for Art World exhibit included more There you have it. Memories of create TRIO Partners, a new resi- now he’s enjoying the extra time than 700 portraits he had produced bad economic times that ended up dential development company that with his family and doing extra during the first 20 years of his good. Careers that have morphed aims to ride the rising real estate volunteer work at their church. career. Timothy’s 2004 book, XXX: as we continue to strive for greater tide. This is David’s second new Apologies if you mailed me 30 Porn-Star Portraits, gained a lot satisfaction. And watching the venture in recent months. Earlier, an update and it got lost in my of attention, as did his 2006 portrait children of our classmates navigate he announced that he left Related recent move (as I transitioned from series on injured soldiers returning the same challenges as we did Cos. to launch Oliver’s Realty one university e-mail system to from Iraq. — and hopefully as successfully. Group, an investment and broker- another). At the moment, I have Alongside his portrait career is Please take a moment to send in age company. David was formerly nothing more from any of you in Timothy’s film portfolio (after the some news about yourself or your vice chair at Related. Most recently, my “Class Notes” file, so please College, he earned an M.F.A. from family — our small band of 500 he was responsible for the develop- send (or resend) your news to my the American Film Institute). His wants to know! ment, naming, branding, design new e-mail address, at the top of 1999 Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart and sales of Superio Ink, a 17-story the column. received a Grammy Award. In luxury condo on the Hudson River 2007, Timothy started The Black Randy Nichols in the West Village. List Project, which has included 75 734 S. Linwood Ave. David Gorman portraits of dozens of leading Baltimore, MD 21224 111 Regal Dr. REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 77 African-Americans (including Co- 75 DeKalb, IL 60115 [email protected] Alumni Office Contacts lin Powell, Al Sharpton and Sean 77 Alumni Affairs Taruna Sadhoo [email protected] “Diddy” Combs) as well as direct- Gene Davis, Ira Malin, Regina and [email protected] ing film interviews that explore the Bob Schneider, and others joined There have been various sightings 212-851-7849 topic of being black in America. Columbians at Robert K. Kraft Field of classmates in The New York Times Development Paul Staller Timothy is completing a compan- for Homecoming. Bob and Ira also recently. In October, Michael Oren [email protected] ion series on Latinos as well as an attended the Society of Columbia contributed an op-ed piece (“An 212-851-7494 HBO film on “beauty through the Graduates Dinner, held in Low End to Israel’s Invisibility”), which eyes of supermodels.” Library in October. Clyde Moneyhun was far from being his first. In Sep- These are only the highlights of Yasmin and Jim Dolan can’t 76 Boise State University tember, Gregg Bloche was promi- Timothy’s artistic works of the past believe that daughter Zoe is in her Department of English nently mentioned in an article in 30 years, but it is still a stunning last year at Franklin & Marshall in 76 200 Liberal Arts Building the business section (“Cornered: list. We’ll have to wait to see what Lancaster, Pa. 1910 University Dr. Therapists on Planes”), concerning the next 30 years bring! After 29 years of marriage, Fern Boise, ID 83725 the liability of doctors asked for An e-mail came in from Asher and Charlie Lindsay were looking clydemoneyhun@ advice while traveling. Perhaps Miller saying he saw the “Alumni forward to being empty-nesters boisestate.edu bigger news is that Gregg has a Sons and Daughters” listing of stu- after oldest daughter, Susan, leaves book forthcoming, The Hippocratic dents who were entering Columbia for college next year. They put their Steve Goldstein received the Dis- Myth: Why Doctors Have to Ration with the College and SEAS Classes home on the market this summer, tinguished Columbia Faculty Care, Practice Politics and Compro- of 2014 in the September/October expecting to have a leisurely six to Award, one of only seven profes- mise Their Promise to Heal. More on issue (college.columbia.edu/cct/ nine months of looking. Instead, sors this year to be so honored. Last that anon, no doubt. I somehow sep_oct10) and wanted us to know their Greenwich, Conn., home sold year, he was elected a fellow of the missed the wedding announce- he is getting ever closer to being on in four days. American Geophysical Union, the ment of David Friend’s daughter this list. His older daughter, Lau- Alexia in the Times in August, but ren, is an alumna of Yeshiva Uni- happily, he sent it along, together versity, “but came geographically with some career details. close because her M.A. is from the Steve Goldstein ’76 received a 2010 Distinguished David earned a master’s from Bank Street College of Education Columbia Faculty Award, one of only seven profes- the Journalism School and got a on West 112th Street.” His younger job as the assistant news director daughter, Rebecca, is a senior at sors to be so honored last year. at WABC-TV New York before NYU — still three miles away. moving on to news writer at WPIX. Asher moved yet closer to the list Subsequently, he was at Warner when Lauren was married last Au- Commenting on an exit poll premier scientific society in the Brothers, where he was co-creator gust to a SEAS alum. Attending the showing that 95 percent of voters geophysical sciences. Steve earned and executive producer of Extra. wedding, by the way, were David surveyed used all six of their votes a Ph.D. from Columbia in 1986 This in turn led to a stint at CNBC, Present (who hangs his hat in the under the new cumulative voting and joined the faculty in 1996. He where he was executive producer corner office of Present Invest- system, attorney Randolph Mc is chair of the Department of Earth of its morning program, Squawk ments in Midtown Manhattan) and Laughlin said the survey shows and Environmental Sciences. His Box, then s.v.p. in charge of business Bill Roth (a lawyer with Kelly & that cumulative voting gave power daughter, Emily, is a member of the news at CNBC’s global headquar- Roth, also in Midtown). Asher is a to groups that have lacked political Class of 2011. ters in New Jersey. In June 2006, trusts and estates attorney at Coop- representation. John Lauer reports that after 33 David became v.p. and news direc- erman Lester Miller (with offices Roberts & Holland partner El- years with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, tor at WCBS-TV in New York, and in Manhasset, N.Y., and Midtown liot Pisem was one of the advisers starting right after we graduated, most recently has become s.v.p. for Manhattan). He also is president of to Lazard Real Estate Partners on his company was acquired by news for the CBS group. Some- his synagogue (the Young Israel of tax issues related to the acquisition Pfizer, which then offered him the where in there David has taught as Jamaica Estates). of its Atria Senior Living Group “opportunity” to retire early. “I an adjunct professor of journalism A last item that is notable only by Ventas. Ventas will become the spent the summer managing the at Yeshiva University and the Col- in its improbability. Geoff Colvin largest owner of senior living com- lifeguards and snack bar at our lege of Mount Saint Vincent. His was vacationing in Deaville, France munities in the nation. (Joe Lipari local pool, where we are members. wife, Wendy, is a sculptor who (in the Normandy region), last also is at Roberts & Holland.) Our children occupy most of our teaches graphic arts at two schools, August. While driving through Anthony F. Tagliagambe, of time. Mark (21) and Colin (19) are the Hebrew Academy of the Five this small town, he thought he saw London Fischer, New York City, at Houghton College in western Towns and Rockaway, in Cedar- Frank Bruno strolling down the was a panelist for the New York New York State. Luke (17), a senior hurst, and the Hebrew Academy sidewalk. A later e-mail between City session of the New York State in high school, recently applied of Nassau County, in Uniondale.
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(Hope I got all that right.) Rangers, launching HDTV channels chapter in my life! I am involved in recognition, I will use this column We also have received greetings on cable and satellite in Kenya, Tan- the new Broadway production of to appeal to you to share the magi- from Eric Bjork, who lives in Con- zania and the rest of East Africa is a The Scottsboro Boys. This is the final cal experience that Dean Patricia necticut with his wife. His son is a different and wonderful experience. Kander and Ebbs musical (Chicago, Geisler bestowed upon your life second-year law student at Temple, “Our children, Dylan (17), Kyle Cabaret) and is helmed by Susan during your time at Columbia. If and his daughter lives in the D.C. (15) and Cara (11), were all born Stroman (The Producers). It has been you’ve seen her or know what she area with her husband and two in London, carry both passports extremely exciting watching it grow has been up to, please let me know. small children. Grandpa Eric notes and are often asked whether they and change from its out-of-town It would mean a lot to me after all that he got into “the residential real are British or American. Many of tryout in Minneapolis through its these years to say thank you. estate business in 1980 and has been their friends at school have similar New York previews. The Scottsboro at it ever since. I have worked for mixed backgrounds, and I think Boys opened on Halloween to favor- various companies, both large and that these kids are part of a much able reviews, and we are hoping Michael C. Brown small, in Fairfield County through more global fraternity than many to be recognized during the Tony 80 London Terrace Towers the years. Since 1998, I have been of us ever were, despite our educa- Awards later in the season. 410 W. 24th St., Apt. 18F managing the sales offices for tion or travels. Dylan is consider- “This is sort of a natural con- 80 New York, NY 10011 Prudential Connecticut Realty in ing applying to both British and tinuation of my extended family’s [email protected] Greenwich and Old Greenwich.” American universities, and I hope theatrical bent. My great-uncle and Life, Eric reports, is good, a Columbia is on the list … his wife (the late Mann Holiner I hope you all had a wonderful sentiment that I hope most of us, at holiday season and the New Year is least, can echo. off to a good start. We are entering the Year of the Rabbit, which is the Bruce Steinberg ’78 is in Nairobi working with a team emblem of longevity, so at least we Matthew Nemerson to set up a multiplatform media business covering have that going for us. The third 78 35 Huntington St. year of a presidential cycle is usu- New Haven, CT 06511 East Africa. ally the strongest for the financial 78 markets, so another good sign. Now [email protected] all we need is an Ivy title in football, Another lost fall at the former “Ashley is in a similar position and Alberta Nichols) wrote such and we will have hit the trifecta! Baker Field has depressed the lads to the kids, as she was born in and enduring classics as Your Mother’s Some good news about a class- of ’78 I fear, so no new news, thus grew up in Tehran with parents Son-in-Law, most recently heard mate delivered in a press release: causing me to reach into the letter from both the United States and in a Billie Holliday rendition in “Michael C. Riordan, president bag for something that missed the England. After many years in the Angela’s Ashes and (It Will Have and chief executive of Greenville presses last edition. On a cheery media business, she has put pen to Do) Until the Real Thing Comes Hospital System’s University Medi- note, my better half, Marian Cher- to paper and written a beautiful Along. On the distaff side of my cal Center, has been named chair- tow ’77 Barnard, and I recently autobiography of her life growing parentage, I am also related to Lew elect of the Greenville Chamber by celebrated our 25th wedding an- up in Iran during the time of the Fields of Weber and Fields, the the group’s board of directors. niversary by going to Japan and Shah. Hachette will publish it in famous vaudeville team. I guess it “He will serve in that position in Korea (if you must know, she was the United Kingdom around June, was only a matter of time!” 2011 and as chairman of the organi- meeting and speaking while I was and maybe it will even make it to West Coast-based Ali Gheissari zation in 2012. eating and taking trains here and the United States soon. has been practicing cardiothoracic “Riordan has served on the board there, but that’s the life of a Colum- “I cannot resist adding a plug for surgery and heart transplantation in since 2009 and has been an investor bia man, no?), and then we had a Juvenile Diabetes Research Founda- Los Angeles for 20 years. His wife, through the hospital system in the nice party at a friend’s winery. All tion (JDRF). Ashley and I are both Maryam, is a professor of electrical Chamber’s five-Year ACCELERATE in all, we continue to have a great involved on the boards in the U.K. engineering. “I am proud to say that initiative. time growing toward respectability and fundraising, as Cara was diag- my son, Reza ’14, loves Columbia “ ‘I’ve witnessed first-hand the together. nosed as Type 1. After six years, she and cannot stop mentioning how value of the Greenville Chamber Here is this month’s interesting has had more than 17,000 finger interesting his classes are and how and what it means to the commu- news, from Bruce Steinberg: “Your pricks to test her blood and has had great of an education he is already nity as a whole when organizations well-crafted plea tempted me to to manage her blood sugars with getting. This has made me feel even come together with the common write you from Nairobi, where I insulin six or seven times a day in closer to Columbia. I visited him goal of improving business condi- am working with a team to set up order to avoid going into a diabetic during October’s Family Weekend, tions in the area,’ said Riordan. ‘I a multiplatform media business coma. I know everyone gets impas- and I was amazed by the changes look forward to working with the covering East Africa. It seems far sioned pleas for donations, but if and improvements that have oc- Chamber’s leadership, member- from CC and Humanities, but as anyone ever has the opportunity to curred since I graduated. I hope ship and staff to continue growing we are only a few miles from the support a JDRF event, please give it that my beautiful daughter, who Rift Valley, maybe there is a con- due consideration. These kids can is a freshman in high school, will nection there! use your help. Here is the FAQ on consider joining him there. “I have spent the last 20 years life with diabetes and what you can “Greetings to everyone.” Submit Your Photo or so ensconced in one of the most do to help: jdrf.org/index.cfm?page Robert C. Klapper: In a past col- Submitting a photo for beautiful and exciting cities in _id=103442.” umn, I mentioned a great Columbia Class Notes is easier the world, London, where I have Now that’s how we expect a icon from our time in Morningside than ever! had the opportunity to be part of Columbia man and his kin to tread Heights, the illustrious Doc Dem- the international media business upon the earth. Bravo. ing, and because of this fantastic Online by clicking and the luck to be able to raise a Happy New Year, and please platform I have (and abuse), I learn- “Contact Us” at wonderful family with my partner, write with news of your marriage ed that he was last sighted driving college.columbia.edu/cct. Ashley Dartnell, whom I met at or other tidbits. a taxicab in Manhattan. Our lucky graduate school. passenger wrote to me telling me of Mail by sending the “After helping to build MTV his encounter and catching up with photo and accompanying in Europe, several U.K.-centric Robert Klapper his fascinating view of life and his caption information to TV channels for the BBC and 79 8737 Beverly Blvd., Ste 303 journey. Class Notes Editor, other shareholders, managing TV Los Angeles, CA 90048 There is another person from Columbia College Today, channels at BSkyB, and running 79 our era who, like Doc Deming, [email protected] Columbia Alumni Center, companies producing children’s touched the lives of some of us in 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530, programming such as Thomas and Harlan T. Greenman, a partner such a positive way. In an effort Friends, Bob the Builder (yes, we at Wormser, Kiely, Galef & Jacobs, to bypass any frustration I might New York, NY 10025. can), Angelina Ballerina and Power has “embarked on an exciting new have in dealing with an official
january/february 2011 67 class notes columbia college today
gram is simply a backdrop for the wheel is not a pretty sight. real event: getting together with And lastly, a note about me. those same guys you swam naked After six years of manning this across the pool with in September space, I’m going to pass on the 1977. Do not let that pass by. class quill after the reunion. Richard Gentile gets it. He has Anyone interested in the job, let me been roused from his 30-year know. In the meantime, brush up hibernation by a wave of nostalgia on your ever-so-slight exaggera- that will carry him off his comfy tions, practice standing comfort- couch in Connecticut to Morn- ably while wearing an intricate ingside Heights for our reunion. series of trusses and think seriously Rick, who hosted a pack of alumni about hair plugs in anticipation at the Columbia/Yale football of the June reunion-palooza. Send game, writes: “Nothing major to updates to [email protected]. report other than the fact that I was sad to read about the death of my freshman-year roommate and Andrew Weisman friend, Mike Stevenson. While I 82 710 Lawrence Ave. Four past Glee Club presidents paused from belting out the tunes at had lost touch with him through Westfield, NJ 07090 the years (like so many others, 82 Alumni Reunion Weekend last June to pose for a photo. Preparing [email protected] for a fantastic concert were (left to right) Charles Emery ’80, Cathy unfortunately), it came as a shock. (Schwartz) Cotton ’83 Barnard, Dave Huemer ’81 and Ed Krishok ’81. He was a very important part of After a banner performance last pe- PHOTO: EDITH PATTOU EMERY my years at Columbia. It makes riod, I was shut out like something me reflect on the passing of time that gets shut out a lot ... (trying not and realize that we cannot take old to alienate any of our classmates Greenville’s business community Physician-Scientist Workforce.’ ” friends and classmates for granted. located in from the smaller, less and bettering the quality of life for The Columbia College Fund is We should all reach out, in this storied sports markets). everyone in the Upstate.’ off to good start and your Class 30th reunion year, and reestablish So now you’re stuck with hearing “Ben Haskew, Chamber presi- Agents, Jim Gerkis, Bruce Pauls- old friendships.” about my life; should this happen dent and chief executive, said Rior- en, Kevin Matthews and Ariel Don Joe writes: “Since our last again, I’m going to invite you all to dan’s ‘track record as a strong and Teitel, will be calling you. Please reunion, I’ve become an admin- my house for dinner and force you effective leader will most certainly give them a minute of your time, istrative law judge at Medicare’s to listen to my son Henry (9) play accelerate the Chamber’s vision to for the Columbia College Fund office in Miami. Standard issue in- the violin. build one of the premier business helps students in so many ways. cludes four medical encyclopedias. On October 21, I attended the communities in the world.” I always look forward to hearing Good thing I’ve watched every 101st Annual Dinner Meeting of “ ‘Riordan began his duties at from you at [email protected]. House, M.D. episode. I’m doing my the Society of Columbia Graduates GHS in August 2006. From 2001 to best to root out scamsters and to (SOCG), where the society presented mid-2006, he led the University of keep Medicare solvent until we are the 62nd Great Teacher Awards. REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 Chicago Hospitals and Health Sys- eligible.” This year’s honorees were Robert Alumni Office Contacts tem. From 1995 to 2000, Riordan was Richard W. Hayes received his Belknap ’57 SIPA, ’59 GSAS, profes- Alumni Affairs Kimberly Peterson chief operating officer and, later, se- third fellowship to the MacDowell sor emeritus of Slavic languages, [email protected] nior associate hospital administrator, Colony and was selected as a and Kathleen McKeown, the Henry 212-851-7872 of Emory University Hospital and specialist in the field of architecture and Gertrude Rothschild Professor Development Paul Staller Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta. by the J. William Fulbright Foreign of Computer Science at SEAS. Post- [email protected] Before that time, he served for three Scholarship Board. He plans to humously recognized was Professor 212-851-7494 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a return to Wolfson College, Cam- Emeritus of Economics C. Lowell lieutenant. He also is active in profes- Jeff Pundyk bridge, this year. Harriss ’40 GSAS. SOCG, founded in sional and civic activities.’ ” 81 20 E. 35th St., Apt. 8D Kurt Swanbeck has joined He- 1909, established the Great Teacher And another one: New York, NY 10016 bron Academy as associate director Award in 1949 to honor distinguish- “Mark W. Babyatsky, MD, 81 of admissions. He also will coach ed faculty of Columbia College and [email protected] was named chairman-designate boys’ varsity soccer and lacrosse. SEAS for excellence in teaching of the Department of Medicine at Given my lofty position as class John Stroll relays the following, based on the recommendations of The Mount Sinai Medical Center. scribe and keeper of the mythology which I share without comment … students, faculty and deans. SOCG His research revealed some of of the men of Columbia College really: “I received two M.B.A.s and is a gem. The cost to join is a modest the critical roles played by a 1981, indulge me on a word or then went on to finding jobs for one-time fee but the reward of par- novel family of trefoil proteins two about our upcoming Alumni executives. Now I am starting up ticipating in the honoring of faculty in gastrointestinal inflammation. Reunion Weekend, Thursday, June an investment bank and a business who have made a real difference in He is internationally recognized 2–Sunday, June 5. The Reunion school. I also have been teaching, the lives of students is enormous. as a leader in the emerging field Committee is doing the hard and been involved in some political The October event provided the op- of medical genomics, and he is thankless work of trying to come campaigns and invented some portunity to hear directly from these co-authoring a key textbook on the up with a weekend that will be fun products.” distinguished faculty and, in the subject for primary care physi- and engaging to draw you back Daniel Bertrand Monk has been case of Professor Harriss, his son, L. cians, students and other trainees. to campus. Yet despite its good spotted by campus security prowl- Gordon ’68, ’71L. [Editor’s note: See He serves on the National Human work and even better intentions, ing the periphery of Columbia. He “Around the Quads.”] Genome Research Institute initia- I am 100 percent sure that some claims to be on sabbatical from Col- For those who are unfamiliar tive, ‘Developing a Blueprint for (maybe significant) number of you gate, where he is the George R. and with, or never had the great for- Primary Care Physician Education will look at the program and think, Myra T. Cooley Professor of Peace tune of being taught by, Professor in Genomic Medicine,’ and helped “That doesn’t look so fun and and Conflict Studies and professor Belknap, he has taught Lit Hum in plan the first American College of engaging. Darn that planning com- of geography and Middle East stud- major texts of the Western tradition Physician’s Symposium on Clinical mittee and its evil plans.” Should ies, but I think he’s there simply to for 50 years and recently a sequel Genomics. He also serves on the you be among that number, I say stalk his daughter, who is a student. to it that involves major Asian research initiative of the Associa- forget the plan. The reunion is not When he’s not peering into Butler classics. tion of Professors in Medicine and about the plan; it’s about you. If Library windows, Dan can be If you are interested in attending served on their planning com- you want the reunion to be fun and found on his trusty road bike. I can next year’s dinner, or any of the mittee for a national consensus engaging, attend it and make sure tell you from experience that the more frequent campus meetings, conference on ‘Reinvigorating the your old friends do, too. The pro- view of Dan from just off his back drop me an e-mail.
january/february 2011 68 columbia college today class notes
Tony Pagan ’85 Builds Programs and Hope in Africa
B y La u r a Bu t c h y ’04 Ar t s
n 2004, Tony Pagan ’85, Cristiane Costa ’01 TC, ICAP to four weeks at a time, and “Along the way, I discovered ’87 SW was exhausted program director for the South- returning to New York is a that I could help people in other after years working with ern Africa Region, recalls an homecoming in more ways than careers as well,” he says. After New York City programs unexpected trip Pagan made one. Raised in New York since earning a master’s at the School Ihelping those with AIDS. While to Mozambique last year. “He age 2, Pagan wanted a chal- of Social Work, Pagan spent 13 considering whether he want- returned from vacation with lenge for college since he felt years directing various social ed to stay in the field, he sent just one day in the office before his high school preparation was service programs in New York an application to The Interna- he traveled to Mozambique to inadequate. At Columbia, he City. After four years as a senior tional Center for AIDS Care and work with a team and program changed majors from biology to management consultant and Treatment Programs (ICAP) at he wasn’t familiar with to de- psychology with less than a year then senior associate director Columbia’s Mailman School of velop two grant applications. I left, devoting himself to finishing for HIV Services with the New Public Health. When he was don’t know many people who the required psychology course- York City Health and Hospitals offered the job, he gave the would have been able to do this work and graduating on time. As Corp., he moved to ICAP. field one more try and hasn’t under such short notice and a student, he joined Alianza La- “The regular use of his social regretted the decision. achieve the objectives of the tino Americana, worked with the work training in this work has “By the end of my first week trip with such success.” Freshman Orientation Program been quite impressive,” says on the job, I was on a plane to Costa. The training has been South Africa to observe, work integral to Pagan’s team building and do some hands-on learn- efforts, helping country directors ing. Within that week, I was and managers build the capacity revitalized and once again had of hard working staffs by align- purpose,” Pagan says. “Step- ing their skills to the program ping on South African soil and goals. “There have been several realizing where the country instances where Tony has trans- was in terms of AIDS treat- formed otherwise tense and ment was like stepping back difficult situations into positive into 1981 New York … There and productive experiences for was much work to do. I enjoy all involved with successful out- the daily challenges this inter- comes,” Costa adds. national and vital work brings Happily partnered to Dr. Jose me.” Nanin for 13 years, Pagan lives As a senior project officer in New York City. When he is at ICAP, Pagan supports the not abroad, he finds time for his implementation of HIV care hobby: designing, making and and treatment programs and selling jewelry to private clients. clinics throughout Africa. He is His devotion to his work at ICAP, While at the ICAP offices in Maputo, Mozambique, in April, Tony a liaison with country directors Pagan ’85, ’87 SW points to a plan for clinical mentoring and HIV however, is evident. developing programs and plan- training of province and district-based health care staff that the “I always wanted to help ning strategy while collaborat- ICAP-Mozambique program proposed to the Provincial Health De- people. The work I do at ICAP ing with New York-based staff partments with which it partners. allows that to happen,” Pagan to advocate for program goals PHOTO: Cristiane Costa ’01 TC says. “When the work that you abroad. Visiting program sites do directly contributes to help- in Africa, Pagan works seven Pagan’s work developing and pledged Chi Omega Rho, for ing people live longer, produc- days a week, meeting with plans for two funding oppor- which he was treasurer for two tive lives, there’s a certain satis- government officials, working tunities resulted in a strong years. He also formed lasting faction you feel. I can’t think of within program offices and proposal while creating a sup- friendships with his East Campus a better way to earn a living.” ending the day remotely work- portive working relationship roommates, with whom he still ing the start of a New York day, that has since expanded. meets regularly for dinner. Laura Butchy ’04 Arts is a putting the time difference to The trips take Pagan abroad Pagan originally planned to teacher, writer and dramaturg good use. four or more times a year for up become a doctor to help people. in New York City.
Roy Pomerantz riculum. She also stated that she brother, Doug Wolf ’88, is a partner CC graduates from different classes 83 Babyking/Petking hoped to be remembered as the at Wolf Greenfield, intellectual and share our unique Columbia 182-20 Liberty Ave. “philosopher dean.” Tuition does property law specialists. Eric Witkin experiences and stories. 83 Jamaica, NY 11412 not come close to covering the cost ’69 is an employment and labor law My family attended Homecom- [email protected] of a Columbia education, so alumni specialist. Michael Oberman ’69 is ing on October 23. We were thrilled financial support is critical to the a partner at Kramer Levin and a to spend time with Sharon and I attended the 2010 Columbia Col- success of the College. Class Notes correspondent. William Kevin Chapman. Sharon was pre- lege Fund Leadership Conference At the conference, I had the plea- Frosch ’53 still wears his Nacom paring to run in the NYC Marathon on November 6. Dean Michele sure of spending time with College ring. Dennis Klainberg ’84, also a and looked to be in tremendous Moody-Adams made it clear that graduates from different decades. class correspondent, visited Profes- shape. We also spent time with additional contributions would Rick Wolf ’86 is a principal of DW sor Karl-Ludwig Selig after the Eric Wertzer, who recently finished be used to improve the Core Cur- Capital, real estate developers. His event. It is fascinating to bond with working at the Mailman School of
january/february 2011 69 class notes columbia college today
Public Health, writing and editing race after being the running mate to baby category, where we own the Columbia is faring. Truly a motiva- new website content. Eric also 2008 nominee Bob Barr. Root points branding rights to Fisher-Price, tional and awe-inspiring meeting! If continues to read the great texts. We to England, where a third-party Disney (Pooh, Mickey and Cars), any of you would like to attend in were delighted to see Brandi Ripp candidate was able to make an Sesame Street, Baby Looney Tunes the future, please advise. The more ’12, daughter of Marc Ripp ’80. impact in the most recent election and LUVS (P&G). Class Agents, the better! Brandi had a Columbia lion painted based on a great debate perfor- My Class Notes column is only And you don’t have to wait until on her face and has great school mance. ‘They do things differently as good as the contributions I get next reunion, or June, to make a spirit. She and her sister, Alana ’14E, there, but he’s now, for all intents from you. If you enjoy reading contribution to the College. The represent the third generation of and purposes, the vice president about your classmates, you are ob- value of your diploma is 1,000 times Ripps at Columbia. of England,’ Root said enthusiasti- ligated to share some information more than you could have ever Dennis arranged for Dean cally. Root believes the Libertarians about your own life. Please send an imagined. The need to assist future Moody-Adams to meet with Pro- could have the same effect stateside e-mail or give me a call. generations of graduates (including fessor Selig at Faculty House. In if the party is included in any of the possibly your own kids?) is vital. So addition to Dennis and myself, 2012 debates, which will most likely please, be as generous as you can my three children were present. include Barack Obama, his former Dennis Klainberg each and every year! Give at college. Dean Moody-Adams spoke with college classmate at Columbia Uni- 84 Berklay Cargo Worldwide columbia.edu/giveonline. Professor Selig about his teaching a versity. ‘I never knew him,’ he said. JFK Intl. Airport weekly seminar at Columbia. Since ‘Which is kind of strange consider- 84 Box 300665 both were formerly on the faculty ing we were both poli sci and pre- Jamaica, NY 11430 Jon White at Cornell, they have a shared aca- law. There were maybe 700 students [email protected] 85 16 South Ct. demic background. Any classmates with that major and emphasis. Port Washington, NY 11050 who want a videotape of the meet- I’ve asked around and not a single Evan Nisonson, where have you 85 [email protected] ing should contact me. student remembers him. However, been? “I pursued a doctorate from Fred Balzac: “I entered with Columbia University claims he UCLA in comparative literature. Happy 2011! After several months the Class of ’80 and took all of my attended with me, and I’ll take their I’ve worked in educational technol- of wall-to-wall updates, we have College courses during four con- word for it.’ ” ogies since, moving from the com- less “new news” to report, so please secutive years. However, because I Several newspaper articles have pany formerly known as WebCT to send your updates so we can again ended up in May ’80 with several highlighted the fact that Obama’s SunGard Higher Education. fill up the update pipeline. incompletes (remember those?), it college apartment recently was avail- “Recently I accepted the position I have one housekeeping matter took me another 2 ½ years to com- able for $1,900 a month. Obama was of CEO of Epsilen LLC, a software from reunion: When you are talking plete those courses and obtain my a junior when he rented the 142 W. company in the teaching and too fast, having too much of a good B.A. (in January 1983). I always look 109th St. apartment. learning space. Epsilen is based in time and trying to work the room, forward to checking out the Class I recently read the impressive Indianapolis, which has necessi- one Barry can inadvertently become Notes when I receive CCT, and I do autobiography by Karl Rove, tated a relocation from Los Angeles. another Barry. As I was making peruse the goings on of 1983, as you Courage and Consequence: My Life My wife, Allison, is an elementary my mental notes on the Saturday guys were on campus during my as a Conservative in the Fight. He school teacher, which is helpful to night of reunion, I mixed up the last year, and I recall meeting some had some high praise for Miguel our children, Hannah (13), Emma updates from two of our classmate remarkable folks in your class dur- Estrada, referring to him as “one of (10) and Jake (5). In keeping with Barrys (our class had three Barrys, ing that year.” America’s great legal minds.” Rove the finest of Midwestern traditions, all of whom were at the reunion). David Hershey-Webb performed adds, “Born in Honduras, Estrada if you’re in Indy, give us a call to My apologies for the mix-up, and I at The Bitter End (147 Bleecker St.) had emigrated to the United States stop by.” appreciate the Barrys’ graciousness on December 19. His special guests when he was 17, with limited Regarding Professor Karl-Ludwig in how they handled it. So here are included Felicia Michael, Jeff Nathan command of the English language. Selig, as many of you know, there is their corrected updates: and Lilly Hershey-Webb. He graduated magna cum laude a gaggle of former students (includ- Barry Kanner is the director of Ted Storey: “I have hesitated from Harvard Law School, where ing yours truly) and friends visiting interventional radiology for a large to provide an update because I he was an editor of the Harvard and communicating often with the radiology group covering six hos- haven’t been willing to take on Law Review. He clerked for Justice Great Professor. pitals in Westchester (and tries to the challenge of summarizing the Anthony Kennedy of the Supreme Despite some physical difficul- stay away from lawyers). He lives last 27 years of my life in a few Court and served with distinc- ties, his mind is still sharp, and he in Riverdale, almost overlooking paragraphs. I will do my best to tion at the Justice Department. is deeply interested in staying in Robert K. Kraft Field, along with take on this challenge and send Judiciary Committee Democrats, touch with all Columbians. MJ, his wife of 19 years, and three you something for print, given this fearful that Estrada might become Please call him anytime from 9 kids. He keeps in touch with many noble cause you have taken on.” the first Hispanic nominated to a.m.–7 p.m. (212-799-2232) and/or Columbians, including David Lei- David Woo: “Living in Hender- the Supreme Court, tried to paint visit him at Atria, 333 W. 86th St., bowitz, Steven Farber (both living son (Las Vegas) but splitting time him as a legal extremist even as Apt. 406, New York, NY 10024. in Israel), David Avigan, Jay Barth, in La Jolla to be with my daugh- the American Bar Association As a special tribute, his friend David Reich, Judah Cohen, Barry ters, Amanda and Madelaine. rated him ‘well-qualified’ for and colleague, Professor Sebastian Schwartz and Marty Moskovitz. Started The Automatic Answer nomination to the U.S. Court of Jehle, a scholar in Berlin, is compil- Four of them made it to the 25th (aka The Amanda Company) in Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the ing information for and editing a reunion and had a wonderful time. 1988, sold it in 2000. Now spending nation’s second-highest court. The “memorial book.” To this end, he Barry Schwartz is a partner in time on more interesting pursuits League of United Latin American asks that all friends and colleagues the corporate department of Cole, closer to my heart, in particular, Citizens also lauded Estrada for his of KLS send their essays, poems and Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, theater, museums and tournament ‘experience and strong bi-partisan memories to [email protected]. a 130-attorney firm and one of the poker. Recently re-married, to support from those who have Representing our class at the largest in New Jersey. “I work on Peggy, and enjoying life and the worked with him.’ When years yearly Columbia College Fund mergers and acquisitions, secured pursuit of happiness!” later [Charles] Schumer cautioned Leadership Conference on Novem- lending, trademark licensing and AOLNews.com reported: “Now Republicans about offending ber 6 were John P. Perfetti, Louis general corporate matters primar- that the Democrats have suffered Hispanics during the confirmation Vlahos and yours truly, Dennis ily for closely-held corporations a historic defeat on election day, of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Klainberg. Among the highlights: and physician groups. Lately, I’ve a sports handicapper is doubling Court, I laughed at his hypocrisy.” an interview and Q&A with Dean been busy with Article 9 non- down on his goal of becoming I recently acquired the licensing Michele Moody-Adams, meetings judicial foreclosures. I have been President in 2012. Wayne Allyn rights for Snoopy for my pet com- with fellow alumni on ways to raise married to Roberta (Krebs) for 19 Root is a well-known Vegas sports pany. We continue to have success funds for Old Blue, a presentation years, have two children, and live handicapper and the current front with our ASPCA branding in pet, by Dean of Undergraduate Admis- in West Orange, N.J. runner to be the Libertarian Party’s as well. The licensing niche also sions Jessica Marinaccio and a re- “Aside from Barry Kanner, at nominee for the 2012 presidential has been successful for us in the port from seniors on just how well our 25th reunion, I saw my Colum-
january/february 2011 70 columbia college today class notes
bia roommate of four years, Dr. chairs the Information Security and 16 climate summit in Cancun, cian at Albany Medical College, Marty Moskovitz. Marty is a plastic Privacy Advisory Board, which Mexico, with a (small) Brighter where I perform experimentation surgeon with a practice called works with OMB and Congress on Green delegation. in molecular immunology. Other ‘Image Plastic Surgery’ in Paramus, addressing security and privacy in Mia lives in Brooklyn with her projects include polishing a full- N.J., and has been married to Boni their activities. partner, Martin Rowe, a publisher length screenplay and advocating (Loebenberg) ’86 Barnard for 23 Bill Seligman reminded me and writer. About a year ago, they for a homeless man I met while years. Marty has three children. The that his 14 Jay freshman hallmate, completed a “green” home renova- at Columbia who was convicted oldest is a freshman at Cornell. He David Rakoff, is publicizing his tion in a row house built in the (wrongfully, I feel) of a homicide also is my neighbor, having moved new book, Half Empty. In addition 1880s. She said, “I learned a lot and that happened on West 114th a few blocks from me several years to an NPR interview in September, really like the results. Now we’re Street in 1989. I would also like ago upon returning to his native David made an appearance on looking into greening the infrastruc- to set up a not-for-profit agency West Orange from Houston. (At The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in ture, too.” to implement the use of informa- that time, houses next to me were October. [Editor’s note: See the Joe Meisel is the new deputy tion technology to help streamline not available.)” “Bookshelf” feature in September/ provost at Brown, after spending the process of getting benefits to I had the pleasure of attend- October: college.columbia.edu/ 11 years as program officer for homeless people. And finally, I ing Homecoming on October 23. cct/sep_oct10.] research universities and human- formed an LLC (VectorGen) last Although I didn’t see a tremendous istic scholarship at the Mellon year for the purpose of developing alumni presence from our genera- Foundation. Joe has his bachelor’s, a genetic vector to combat HIV, in tion, it was a beautiful fall day and Sarah A. Kass master’s and Ph.D. in history, all furtherance of which I am revising very enjoyable (albeit we had 87 PO Box 300808 from Columbia, and has taught his- a Small Business Innovation Re- another heartbreaking football loss). Brooklyn, NY 11230 tory at Columbia, Teachers College search grant application to develop I highly recommend it for next year. 87 and Baruch. a proof of concept and recruiting [email protected] a collaborator on the faculty of We start off this column with the Albany Medical College.” REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 doubly sad news of the deaths of Eric Fusfield As for your new class correspon Alumni Office Contacts two classmates. Edward S. Fettman 1945 South George dent, after collecting graduate Alumni Affairs Jennifer Freely 88 passed away on June 21 in Bridge- Mason Dr. degrees in law, international affairs [email protected] port, Conn. He had been teaching 88 Arlington, VA 22204 and modern Jewish studies, I have 212-851-7438 English as a Second Language at put them to use working in public Development Paul Staller [email protected] Rockland Community College in advocacy the past 12 years. Back in [email protected] Suffern, N.Y., for 20 years. He is [Editor’s note: CCT thanks Abha my native Washington, D.C., area, 212-851-7494 memorialized with a College schol- Jain Sinha for her year of service I am director of legislative affairs at Everett Weinberger arship in his name. And many of as class correspondent and wel- B’nai B’rith International and deputy 50 W. 70th St., Apt. 3B you probably know from reading comes Eric Fusfield as the new director of its Center for Human 86 New York, NY 10023 the papers of the passing of Greg class correspondent.] Rights and Public Policy. With offices 86 Giraldo on September 29. We will in the United States, Europe, Latin [email protected] have more remembrances of Greg, Hello, Class of ’88! It’s been about, America and Israel, we are engaging Happy New Year! We are less than and how he got to be the great co- oh, 22½ years since I’ve spoken public officials on international and five months away from our 25th median he was, in the next issue. with many of you, but now that domestic policy issues ranging from Alumni Reunion Weekend, to be In happier news, Jonathan Wald I’m taking my turn as class corre- the Iranian nuclear threat to religious held Thursday, June 2–Sunday, has been named the executive spondent, I look forward to renew- freedom in the workplace. June 5. Please plan to attend, and producer of CNN’s new show Piers ing acquaintances. My wife, Hedieh, and I have join our Facebook group: Colum- Morgan Tonight. Jonathan is a for- James E. Porter writes: “The time been married for three years. The bia College Class of 1986. mer executive producer of NBC’s sure does fly, particularly when Arlington, Va., address you see at Anthony Lugo ’87 sent an update. Today and Nightly News as well as your oldest of eight children turns the top of this column is new; as “After a decade as an underwriting the former s.v.p. of CNBC. 18. I would like very much to catch of this writing, we are selling our director for a major insurance com- Mia MacDonald is the execu- up with my peers from the Classes condo and closing on a townhouse. pany, I started my own successful tive director of Brighter Green, a of ’87 and ’88. I am still fighting my That’s my story in short. I’d love agency. Last year, my wife, Hadia, New York-based public policy ac- court case in Philadelphia, with to hear yours. I’ll reach out to you gave birth to twin boys. I now run tion tank that she founded and that respect to not receiving payment in the coming months, but feel free my agency part-time to focus more received nonprofit status in 2008. for our commercial business. I to reach me first and share your lat- on my boys and philanthropic Brighter Green’s work focuses on received a default judgment in the est happenings. Talk to you soon. endeavors. Realizing the importance issues at the intersection of the millions but need an expert in real of an education, being the father of environment, animals and global estate transactions who is willing three boys (a 16-year-old and the development, and encompasses to go against Commerce Bank/T.D. Emily Miles Terry twins) has made it clear that our policy analysis, publications, docu- North.” 89 45 Clarence St. young people today need adult mentary, education and outreach, N. Paul San Filippo has been Brookline, MA 02446 role models to follow. As such, I blogging and project development. living in Naples Fla., since 1996. He 89 [email protected] also am a tutor for a nonprofit, For Part of Mia’s work has included is a partner in the law firm Seiden- Each1 Reach1 Mentoring Program a collaboration with Nobel Peace sticker & San Filippo, practicing in I had the opportunity this past (foreach1reach1.com), where I Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai the areas of commercial litigation, fall to meet Dean Michele Moody- mentor young adults on develop- and the Green Belt Movement, personal injury and wrongful death. Adams at a luncheon in Boston ing positive life skills that will make including work on Maathai’s two He has been married to Julie for 13 organized by Sherri Pancer Wolf them productive members of our recent books, The Challenge for Africa years and has a son, Ryan (9). Paul ’90. Sherri is the CFO of a con- community.” (2009) and Replenishing the Earth: enjoys boating and fishing. sumer products startup. She and Dan Chenok wrote from Beth Spiritual Values for Healing Ourselves Laura Prendergast writes: “I her husband, Doug Wolf ’88, and esda, Md., where he lives with his and the World. Mia attended the acquired a master’s from NYU in their three kids live in the Boston wife, Jill Levison Chenok ’87, and COP 15 climate change meetings recombinant DNA technology. I’ve area and loyally attend many Co- three daughters. He recently started in Copenhagen in December 2009, since worked as an adjunct lecturer lumbia sporting events in the fall as v.p. for technology strategy with where Brighter Green co-sponsored (biology courses, mainly) at local and winter. Of the event with Dean IBM Global Business Services, a panel with the Green Belt Move- community colleges in New Jersey Moody-Adams, Sherri writes, “The working with clients at all levels of ment and the Nobel Women’s and as a business manager for a Dean’s Alumnae Leadership Task government, health care and higher Initiative. (Mia said, “ I got to speak researcher at Columbia Univer- Force lunch was a gift. It was a education on how best to leverage along with Wangari Maathai, which sity Medical Center. In December chance to engage an accomplished IT strategy and innovation to meet was great but nerve-wracking, 2009, I moved to Albany to accept group of alumnae in the Boston their goals and objectives. He also too!”) Mia plans to attend the COP a job as a senior research techni- area and gave us an opportunity
january/february 2011 71 class notes columbia college today
A Taste of Home in Antarctica, Courtesy of Gemma Tarlach ’90
B y Kim Ma r t i n e a u ’97J
emma Tarlach ’90’s impossible set of criteria landed pastries have made her at the Culinary Institute of mouths water at America in Hyde Park, N.Y., in fine restaurants in 2006. She had spent — and Gexotic places, but her most enjoyed — the previous year at loyal customers can be found an organic bakery in Milwau- on a frozen continent where kee, and she felt sure this new penguins outnumber people. pro-fession would offer job se- Since August, Tarlach has been curity. “People will always want a baker at McMurdo Station, a chocolate cake and be too lazy scientific research center that to make it,” she reasons. is the last stop for angel food Tarlach’s ability to focus and cake before the South Pole. to obsess over minute detail — “I love hearing from the skills she honed on Columbia’s guys who’ve been out all day in varsity archery team — have below-zero cold that the apple served her well in the kitchen. fritter I made was the high- And her degree in compara- light of their week,” she says. tive politics has given her an “That’s a lot more satisfying intellectual appreciation for than having some guy give you the age-old recipes she often Mount Erebus, the world’s southernmost volcano, is not far from a $50 tip because he thought makes. “I love knowing that McMurdo Station. your strawberry-riesling soup when I make royal icing it’s with quenelle of black pepper the same way that a patissier baking job at McMurdo. The job has given Tarlach ice cream was ‘sublime.’ ” serving the Sun King would In the kitchen, Tarlach works a chance to express her cre- After stints as a government have made it,” she says. “I love in a team of five, baking bread ative side. For Halloween, she worker and pop music critic, knowing that marzipan came and pastries and fixing breakfast dressed as a gargoyle, fashion- Tarlach found herself itching to Europe via the Crusades.” for about 1,200 people. The head ing bat wings from garbage once again for a career change. Before working in Antarc baker sets the daily menu, often bags, a discarded tent and a She knew what she didn’t want: tica, Tarlach was working at based on what’s left in the fridge. broken exercise coil. Recently, long meetings, PowerPoint a posh resort in New Zealand An ice-breaking ship delivers she transformed leftover angel presentations and a BlackBerry where she kept hearing adven- their main provisions in January, food cake for the McMurdo glued to her side. She wanted turous tales from people “com- when the sea ice is relatively crowd. “I cubed it,” she wrote a global, nomadic lifestyle that ing off the ice.” It had been her thin. From mid-August through in an e-mail. “I toasted it, would offer plenty of autonomy. lifelong dream to visit all seven February, when her contract spread it on a serving platter, What might seem like an continents, so she applied for a ends, planes deliver “freshies,” or topped it with (thawed) frozen fruits, vegetables and dairy, berries and whipped up a rum once a week, weather and orange sabayon. permitting. “I wish everyone hadn’t eaten Tarlach works 10-hour it so fast,” she adds. “I wanted days, six days a week, in some.” a communal culture that Tarlach always has had a is reminiscent of college. creative streak. She decorated She lives with three room- her bathroom in Milwaukee to mates and looks forward the theme “Toilet of the Gods,” to days when the occas- a play on Led Zeppelin’s Twilight ional care package loaded of the Gods, featuring hot pink with skin-soothing shea paint and pictures of Hindu butter arrives (the dry gods, says her friend Christina climate and repeated Fitzgerald ’91, an English teach- hand washing has done er at the University of Toledo. a number on her hands). “I like to describe Gemma as She also is learning con- Martha Stewart on acid,” stantly, at weekly Science Fitzgerald says. Sunday lectures or by Tarlach talks less about her observing the wonders life before Columbia, saying beyond her window — only she was “at odds” with the The Hut Point Ridge Loop Trail offers views of the Ross Ice Shelf and Royal polar stratospheric clouds, New Jersey town where she Society Mountains. Southern Lights and other grew up. She picked Columbia PHOTOs: COURTESY Gemma Tarlach ’90 phenomena. for its reputation, location and
january/february 2011 72 columbia college today class notes
to get to know Michele. She shared ment and Accountable Care Prac- and I have an academic position at her vision for broader alumnae tice. His healthcare career spans NYU so it is a good mix. I am hap- leadership, which has renewed my nearly 20 years, during which he pily married to a wonderful guy, A Taste of Home in Antarctica, Courtesy of Gemma Tarlach ’90 excitement about Columbia and I has served as a management con- Randy, who has a candy and snack hope will reinvigorate other alum- sultant and as a senior healthcare business. We have two beautiful B y Kim Ma r t i n e a u ’97J nae as well.” executive. Terry’s experience spans girls, Payton (10) and Kate (4). I Alumnae guests at the luncheon a number of healthcare settings, am close friends with Michelle were Jennifer Winn Aronson ’96, including acute care hospitals, Foxman and Debbie Gruber. I run early admission policy that Ellen M. Bossert ’86, Whitney Con- integrated delivery networks, into people all the time in the city, naughton ’88, Betsy Gomperz ’93, academic medical centers, physi- and it is always fun to reconnect.” allowed her to skip her senior Caitlin Elizabeth Prendergast ’06, cian practices, home healthcare, Jacqueline Harounian is a part- year of high school to start Elizabeth Reza Skelly ’92, Ruby Kam skilled nursing, hospice, dialysis ner in a boutique matrimonial law college early. Woo ’95, Nina Zipser ’94, and Sherri and managed care. His most recent firm, Wisselman, Harounian & As- At Columbia, it was dino and myself. I found it fun to remi- work includes strategic planning, sociates. She was recently named a saurs, not questions of state- nisce about our college experience physician alignment and develop- 2010 Super Lawyer in family law, hood, that most grabbed and discuss our current relationship ing strategic affiliations. Prior to an honor that is awarded to fewer Tarlach. Her favorite class was with Columbia. It also was nice to joining The Chartis Group, Terry than 5 percent of attorneys in New Paul Olsen’s “Dinosaurs and see Dean Moody-Adams’ face light was the founder and president York. Jackie keeps in touch with the History of Life,” where she up as she described the students and of the consulting firm Salvectus Michelle Walczyk ’89, also an attor- how inspiring they are. Healthcare. He also served as s.v.p. ney. Jackie and her husband have picked up enough Jurassic-era Some of you have been writing of business development for Har- been married for more than 20 trivia to dazzle her nieces and in via the CCT website (college. borside Healthcare, a long-term years (since she was a sophomore nephews decades later. “He columbia.edu/cct/submit_class_ healthcare company, and as the at Columbia), and they have four seemed so passionate about note), which is exciting. I heard director of product management children, ranging in age from 6–19. his field that you thought he from Jeffrey Berg this way. Jeffrey for Partners Community Health- Liz Levy wrote: “After we grad- might explode if he had to lives in Connecticut. He wrote, care, Inc., the for-profit physician uated, I came back to Texas to keep it all inside without stu- “My wife, Susanna Dunne Berg, network arm of Partners Health- complete a Ph.D. in psychology at dents with whom to share it,” and I have opened a store, H.A. Care System in Boston.” UT Austin. I have been in private she says. Dunne & Co., in New Milford, And if this hasn’t already practice in Austin as a clinical Conn. After losing my job in Febru- been mentioned years ago in this psychologist for more than 10 For all the time she spends ary 2009, following 15 years in column, David earned an M.B.A. years, providing psychological with food, Tarlach would not information technology, I decided from Harvard. evaluations for families involved describe herself as a “foodie.” to do something different. My For the first time since I started with Child Protective Services and “I am certainly not one of wife had inherited from her father writing this column in 2001, I Juvenile Probation. In 1999, I mar- those insufferable bores who a collection of more than 5,000 almost missed my deadline. Shock, ried Aqueel Darbar, an electrical goes on and on about being photographic negatives of New horror! The reason is that I am on engineer, and in 2002, we had boy/ able to taste wet summer York City, mostly photographed maternity leave and not so focused girl fraternal twins who now are slate in a glass of sauvignon between 1880 and 1950, along with on non-baby duties. I’m happy to in third grade. Interestingly, my blanc,” she says. antique maps, advertising art and announce the birth of our daugh- roomies Liz Schumann and April other ephemera. We decided to ter, Aviva Brooke Jacobs, on Sep- Manlapaz ’91E went on to have What Tarlach likes most turn the collections into a business, tember 25, in Silver Spring, Md. I boy/girl fraternal twins as well … about her current job is that opening a store and building a can’t stress enough how much bet- must have been something in the comforting Nilla Wafer pud- website (hadunne.com). The H.A. ter it is driving to a hospital that is water on West 114th Street. Outside ding is as welcome as a glass Dunne Archive offers a nostalgic five minutes away versus an hour of work, I spend most of my time of chocolate mousse with look into the history of New York away. Born at 7:30 a.m., Aviva has schlepping my kids to tennis, raspberry inserts. City. Among our many photos proven herself to be most consider- piano and Hebrew school and get Her advice to amateur bak- are quite a few of the Columbia ate, allowing me a full night’s sleep out on the courts myself when time ers: Don’t skimp on butter, campus in the early 20th century. the night before and not interfering permits. Alex Cerniglia joined eggs or cream. People some- Researching the history of all the with other planned activities that our family for a beach vacation in artifacts in our collections has been weekend. Life has been great for all December, and then he moved to times complain to Tarlach that more fun than I’ve had at work in a of us since her arrival. Vienna to continue his work for the a recipe they tried didn’t turn long time.” United Nations.” out right. She will learn later Last fall, Kellee Tsai ’96 SIPA, ’99 I hope everyone is making plans REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 that they substituted apple- GSAS, a professor in the Depart- to attend our 20th Alumni Reunion Alumni Office Contacts sauce for eggs or skipped the ment of Political Science and former Weekend, Thursday, June 2–Sun- Alumni Affairs Taruna Sadhoo butter. director of the East Asian Studies day, June 5. If you are interested in [email protected] Program at Johns Hopkins, was serving on the Reunion Commit- “If you’re going to make 212-851-7849 named vice dean for humani- tee, please contact Taruna Sadhoo, dessert, do it for real and just Development Rachel Towers ties, social sciences and graduate have a smaller piece of the [email protected] programs. result,” she recommends. “If 212-851-7833 What’s Your Story? you can’t handle that, just Margie Kim Letting classmates know have a piece of fruit. A beau- Rachel Cowan Jacobs c/o CCT 91 about what’s going on in tiful piece of perfectly ripe 90 313 Lexington Dr. Columbia Alumni Center fruit, to me, is the best des- Silver Spring, MD 20901 91 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 your life is easier than ever. sert you can have.” 90 New York, NY 10025 Send in your Class Notes! [email protected] margiekimkim@ Online by clicking Kim Martineau ’97J is com- Thank goodness for news about hotmail.com “Contact Us” at munications manager at David Terry. Otherwise this short college.columbia.edu/cct. column would have been all about Greetings, everyone! Jennifer Transportation Alternatives, a me, and that would have been Levine sent this update: “I am a E-mail to the address at walking, bicycling and public weird. From the pages of Biotech cosmetic plastic surgeon in NYC, the top of your column. transit advocacy group in Week, “David has been appointed specializing in the face and neck. I Mail to the address at the New York City. principal at the Chartis Group, a also do Botox, Juvéderm, Restylane top of your column. healthcare advisory services firm. and so on. I love it! I am in private Terry is a leader in the firm’s Align- practice on the Upper East Side,
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Betsy Gomperz and finished writing Run Your have questions about the region. 93 41 Day St. Butt Off!, which will be released in Michael Robbins lives in Tokyo Newton, MA 02466 April. Erin Bertocci is an adjunct and is a partner at Bain Consulting. 93 professor of organizational effec- Dan Ganitsky joined the Latin [email protected] tiveness at NYU. Rich Altman is a America Group of Proskauer Rose. The Class of ’93 is doing pretty well v.p. in the accounting department Following his graduation from in the NFL. Ali Towle started an at Wyndham Hotels. Jenny Kim the Law School, Dan worked at exciting job this fall as the director has her own jewelry line in San Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & of marketing for the San Francisco Francisco. (Kendra bought several Flom. He has played significant 49ers, where she has already met Christmas gifts from her last year roles in numerous public company the likes of Jerry Rice and Steve and loved her work.) transactions, acquisitions of private Young, as well as John Elway when Alex Goor now is CIO in New businesses, restructurings, proxy the 49ers played the Broncos in York for Interactive Data Corp., a contests and financial adviser London this fall. Thad Sheely, who provider of financial market data, representations, including serving is the e.v.p., finance and stadium, analytics and related solutions, as adviser to many high-profile for the New York Jets, also saw the according to a press release. investment banks and financial fruits of his labor with the opening Thanks for the updates, and services companies throughout Gothamist.com business partners of the Jets’ new stadium this fall. please keep the news coming. Latin America. and school friends Jake Dobkin Congratulations to both of you! Wendy Lefko Messeloff, who Please continue sending news to is a principal of and grants and ’98 and Jen Chung ’98 enjoyed REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 share with your classmates. communications consultant for the Central Park Zoo last summer Alumni Office Contacts Perfect World Consulting Group, with their children, Max (left) and Alumni Affairs Taruna Sadhoo continues to focus on grant writ- Katharine. [email protected] Leyla Kokmen ing, communications and research 212-851-7849 440 Thomas Ave. S. projects for a mix of Cleveland-area 94 Development Rachel Towers assistant director, Alumni Affairs: Minneapolis, MN 55405 nonprofit clients. Her husband, [email protected] [email protected] or 212-851- 94 Dan, is a litigator with the labor [email protected] 212-851-7833 7849. Committee members and and employment firm Ogletree volunteers do not need to live in the Marina (Gurin) Groothuis’ hus- Ana S. Salper Deakins. NYC area in order to participate in band, Erik Groothuis, is a partner 96 24 Monroe Pl., Apt. MA Hilda Ramirez and her husband the planning efforts — meetings can at Schlam, Stone & Dolan as of Brooklyn, NY 11201 welcomed a second daughter, Leyla be attended in person or via confer- January 1. And Marina has been 96 Celeste Abreu, last April. Hilda has [email protected] ence call. Looking forward to seeing increasingly busy with her new returned to her previous position everyone! calling as a yoga instructor. Since Greetings, classmates. Dulcie Lin as systems analyst, as it allows her Until next time … cheers! she became certified, Marina has lives in Tribeca and has three chil- to telecommute and spend more been teaching while her daughters, dren (6, 4 and 2). Her time is spent time with her girls. She studies the Maddie (8) and Maya (6), are in juggling her children’s schedules oboe and plays in a local woodwind Jeremy Feinberg school. “I teach a couple of group and her career as a v.p., associate quintet. 92 315 E. 65th St. #3F classes at Om Sweet Om Yoga in broker with the Corcoran Group. Amy Kramer (née Weiss) and New York, NY 10021 Port Washington, N.Y. I also teach She hopes to see some people at her husband, Max, have three kids, 92 in-home private sessions and go reunion. Which gives me a smooth twins Jack and Gabrielle (5), and jeremy.feinberg@ verizon.net into the city to teach yoga for a lead-in to remind you all: Alumni Daniel (2). Last April, Amy joined corporate client, in the conference Reunion Weekend will be Thurs- the Labor and Employment Law Hi again. The mailbag was some- room. I teach at their retreats as day, June 2–Sunday, June 5. Mark Group of Morgan, Lewis & Bock- what light this time around. I don’t well,” Marina writes. “It has really your calendars now! ius in Philadelphia as an associate, want us to slip back into the zero picked up, and I am as busy as I Jeremy Craig is nearing his 10th and in the same month started category, so please, write in and tell can be during the time the kids are year in Singapore and writes that teaching Turbo Kick, a cardio kick- me what’s going on. gone. When the kids come home, I he doesn’t know where the time boxing class, at a gym once a week I was pleased to receive another am on hand for homework and to has gone: “My little tax shelter of an (on her day off from the law firm). submission through the electronic drive them to all their activities. So SAT preparation company continues Ann Zipkin, a graphic designer means that CCT set up last sum- life is good! I am so blessed to be to keep a roof over my head and in Connecticut, has been working mer (college.columbia.edu/cct/ doing something that I love.” has expanded to Bali (seriously!), for herself for almost 10 years. submit_class_note). Ish (Ishmael) Thanks to Marina for the update! Jakarta, Vietnam, Brunei (look it up), Her husband runs an executive Klein wrote in with the happy As for the rest of you CC ’94 folks, Malaysia and China (sort of). When air charter company, Tradewind news about a new book of poems. what’s happening in your world? not prattling on about isosceles Aviation, out of Oxford, Conn., In 2009, Union! was published by Please share! triangles and subject-verb agree- but serves the New York Metro Canarium Press. Ish reports that in ment in those exotic locations, I play area with scheduled service to 2011, Moving Day, a second book golf at least twice a week (down to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard of poems, will hit the shelves. Con- Janet Lorin a 6 handicap), go to wine dinners, as well as a route from San Juan gratulations! 95 127 W. 96th St., #2GH attend pub quizzes and try not to get to St. Barts. They have two sons (3 Congratulations also are in order New York, NY 10025 too worked up about anything.” and 5). for Scott Black, who had been an 95 If any of you are going through Jill Van Beke (née Fromson) [email protected] assistant regional director for the Singapore, let Jeremy know (jercraig and her husband, Chris, recently Securities and Exchange Commis- Kendra Crook writes from Mah- @yahoo.com). had a daughter. Chris is prepping sion and left to become general wah, N.J., that she and her husband Natasha Kohne moved to Abu her for Penn, but she has Columbia counsel and chief compliance officer had their second baby on March 5. Dhabi from NYC more than two College Class of 2032 in mind. at Hudson Bay Capital Manage- Margaret Ruth Sariti weighed in at years ago and opened the Abu Wise choice, Jill. ment in NYC, which runs a hedge 12 lbs., 3½ oz., and was 21½ in. long. Dhabi office for the law firm of Keith Simon is an architect for fund. Scott’s news didn’t just make “Our son, Charlie, who recently Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Beck Architecture. He and his wife, this column … He became our first turned 4, has really taken to the big where she has worked for more Carolyn, have two sons, EJ (3) and classmate, that I am aware of, to be brother role, thank God!” she writes. than seven years and is managing Harlan (1). They live in Austin. cited by name in abovethelaw.com, a Thanks to Kendra for the follow- partner, leading a group of 14 law- That’s all I have for now. Keep popular legal blog. ing updates: yers. Natasha is married and has sending in news! I leave you More in the next column, I hope. Sarah Lorge Butler is writing a daughter who is almost 1. She with this from one of my favorite I really do look forward to hearing for CBSMoneyWatch.com, a blog encourages everyone to visit Abu comedians: from you. about personal finances/expenses, Dhabi and to contact her if you “The New York Post quoted Hil-
january/february 2011 74 columbia college today class notes
lary Clinton saying that she would ’00 and Jacob Press ’01 — were never run for President, declaring perhaps getting to know the maid ‘That is not something I’m going of honor ... none other than Sharon to be doing,’ which in Clinton talk Hoffman, whom we all had the means, ‘I will be President in three pleasure of meeting. When I told years.’ ” Sharon that I would be writing the —Tina Fey notes this month, she asked me to mention that she met her younger husband while at MIT (emphasis Sarah Katz on younger). Indeed they are a 97 1935 Parrish St. lovely couple. Philadelphia, PA 19130 “To jog my memory to write the 97 rest of these notes, Lauren offered to [email protected] send me an Excel file with all your What? No news? That’s impossible. names. But I thought it would be Put fingers to keyboard and send more entertaining to flip through me your updates. Don’t be shy. our freshman facebook (from 1995, Julie Grinfeld ’01 and Dr. David Orbach were married in May at the Cen- original copy) to get some inspira- tral Park Boathouse. Among the family and friends joining the couple tion. I flipped through George were Sumathi Raja ’01, Trina Chaudhuri ’01E, Tania D’Alberti ’01, Chris- Sandie Angulo Chen Rupp’s ‘warm’ welcome to us in- tina Okereke ’01 and Lisa Grinfeld ’05 GSAS. 10209 Day Ave. coming freshman, and skipped past 98 PHOTO: RUSSLEVI PHOTOGRAPHY Silver Spring, MD 20910 the photos of some of our favorite 98 administrators, to arrive at a lovely [email protected] photo of Lauren Becker, who only earlier this year for Athletics Direc- REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 Happy New Year, classmates! It now did I realize was pictured next tor M. Dianne Murphy’s class in the Alumni Office Contacts looks like our families keep getting to my John Jay 9 floormateMatt School of Continuing Education. Alumni Affairs Mia Gonsalves Wright bigger. Beckerleg. Several years ago, Matt But more importantly, I have two [email protected] First, Dahlia (Jacobs) Prager and and I ended up at business school brilliant Pomeranians that look and 212-851-7977 her husband, Ben, told us they live together at MIT, which is the last act like little lions, and would at- Development Eleanor L. Coufos ’03 on the Upper West Side with their time I saw him. Matt now lives in tend Columbia if given the chance.” [email protected] boys, Jacob (3) and Jonah (1). After Montréal and is married with a son. 212-851-7483 six years as an associate at Davis Our other favorite Canadian (there Jonathan Gordin Polk & Wardwell, Dahlia recently were supposedly only three in our Prisca Bae 3030 N. Beachwood Dr. started a job as in-house counsel for entire class), Greg Nihon, lives in 00 344 W. 17th St., Apt. 3B 01 Los Angeles, CA 90068 the Bloomberg Family Foundation. Nassau, Bahamas. New York, NY 10011 01 [email protected] Then Jen Chung e-mailed with “Speaking of John Jay 9, Charlie 00 [email protected] double baby news. Not only did Leykum recently became a father. Hi everyone. Hope things are going she and her husband, Jay Wilkins, He sent this note: ‘Elizabeth and Juliet Ross and Dan Burstein were well. I have lots of exciting news to have a girl, Katharine Patricia I are thrilled to announce that thrilled to welcome baby Jack Bax- report … Chung Wilkins, in January 2010, Diane Elizabeth was born on July ter Burstein in July. Juliet and Dan Dina Epstein and her husband, but her business partner Jake Dob- 23 at 6:48 a.m. in New York City. report that “Jack has been hanging Eitan Levisohn, welcomed their kin, and his wife, Karen (Leskly) She arrived nine days late (just in out with lots of mom and dad’s son, Ezra Shai, into the world on Dobkin, had a boy, Max Ilan, in time to be a Leo, like both of her Columbia friends, including Annie October 6. Ezra weighed in at 8 December 2009. Jen and Jake con- parents). I look forward to taking Ulevich, Eric Laufgraben, Susie lbs., 2 oz., and measured 20½ in. tinue to grow their Gothamist.com Diane to Morningside Heights to Freeman, Randy Aussenberg ’01 I’m so happy for Dina and Eitan! empire [college.columbia.edu/ see the College and introduce her and Ted Wallach ’99. Jack had lots of Christian Sparling and Jacque- cct_archive/nov05], with local sites to Nussbaum & Wu bagels!’ fun meeting Don Saelinger, Kath- line O’Neill Sparling ’03 Barnard in Los Angeles (laist.com), Wash- “Charlie really wanted to take Di- erine Dube ’00 Barnard and their welcomed daughter Violet Eliza- ington, D.C. (dcist.com), Chicago ane to Columbia Bagels, but quickly son, Nate, recently in San Francisco. beth on October 12. Christian re- (chicagoist.com) and San Francisco realized it was out of business. While there, he also caught up with cently moved to South Orange, N.J., (sfist.com). Congratulations to both “Moving on to page 39 of our Kat Rakowsky and Claire Hun- and is the director of operations at couples on their new babies [see facebook, I see John Greer, who got saker. Here’s hoping he gets to meet North Star Academy Charter School photo], and to Jen and Jake on the his Ph.D. in math, the last I heard. Pete Cohan and Nathan Yellin (and of Newark. success of their media company. Scott Napolitano and I have hit their parents) soon!” Courtney Vowels and John some Columbia cocktail events this Pei-Sze Cheng also wrote in with Garnevicus proudly announce the year, where we inevitably see Stacy great news: “Our son, Jack Emanuel birth of their daughter, Eden Gary Lauren Becker Rotner, who has recently been Basner, was born on September 8, Garnevicus-Vowels, born October 99 5546 Goodman Rd. promoted to an exciting corporate four days before his due date. He 26 at 8:25 p.m., weighing 8 lbs., 10 Merriam, KS 66202 responsibility role at her law firm. was just 6 lbs., 5 oz., at birth but is oz., and measuring 21 in. Congratu- 99 Pages and pages pass until I see turning out to be quite the bruiser. lations to Courtney and John! [email protected] someone else I recognize, Vanessa Phillip and I are in awe of him.” Katie Campion recently relocated Hi, classmates. I’m utterly demor- Paulsen, whom I ran into at an Jaime Sanders Tarasov and her with her fiancé, Matthew Land ’05 alized that no one ever writes in, espresso bar in Midtown last year, husband, Glen, celebrated their (former captain of the basketball so I asked the lovely and talented as well as Giacomo Picco, whom I first anniversary on November 21. team), to Houston. They will eventu- Nina Tannenbaum to take over this generally pass near Park Avenue. Nikunj Shanti ’00E, Nida Qadir, ally settle in Matt’s hometown of month’s column. The result of this I also ran into my doppelganger, Kim Fisher, Pearl Wang, Ozlem Tulsa. After nearly a decade at the experiment, as I’m sure you’ll agree, Nina F. Travinsky ’99 Barnard, on Bankolgu Chung, Sheannon Council of Fashion Designers of is dazzling. Take it away, Nina ... Madison Avenue a couple months Chung ’01 and Maia Ridberg Gez America in New York, Katie has “Lauren and I brokered the deal ago. She has a young child and is were in attendance at the Phila- started her own consulting company, for me to guest-write this month’s married to a former Blackstone col- delphia wedding. Jaime and Glen Katie Campion Consulting. Among Class Notes while we were at An- league of mine. reside in Cinnaminson, N.J., and other projects, she is working on drew Dennington ’01’s wedding in “I have recently returned to Jaime is a third-year resident in Divine Design, a six-day shopping October. While Lauren and I were the hedge fund world after a stint anesthesiology at Thomas Jefferson event in Los Angeles that benefits scheming, alumni in attendance — working in the entertainment University Hospital in Philadel- Project Angel Food. Although she John Bennett, Matt Poindexter ’01, business, and I also had the honor phia, where she attended medical misses her friends and family back Manny Fishman ’01, Ruth Altchek of guest-lecturing at Columbia school. Glen is a software engineer. east, Katie is enjoying her life in
january/february 2011 75 class notes columbia college today
the prestigious Alexander Ham- with multi-disciplinary artists such ilton Award! Michael was very as Japanese Butoh master Takuya supportive of our class and student Muramatsu, the MIT Computer life when we were at the College, Science and Artificial Intelligence so join me in congratulating him. Laboratory, Orpheus Chamber [Editor’s note: See feature.] Orchestra and the band OK Go! Now, on to some updates from some future award winners: Sam Arora has been elected Angela Georgopoulos a delegate from Montgomery 200 Water St., Apt. 1711 County to the Maryland General 04 New York, NY 10038 Assembly, which is Maryland’s 04 [email protected] equivalent of the State House. Scott Hartman ’05 and Gwyneth McClendon ’05 returned to campus to He’d love to stay in touch with Happy New Year CC ’04! celebrate their wedding, tying the knot at St. Paul’s Chapel. Celebrat- Columbia alumni. All of his contact I hope you all had a wonderful ing with the couple were (back row, left to right) Steve Poellot ’05, Nick information is at samarora.com. holiday season and a fantastic end Carr ’04, Sarah Katz ’04 Barnard, Sam Rosenfeld ’04, Erica De Bruin ’04, Jennifer Last writes, “Bryan Bask- to 2010. Don’t be shy. Please send Jessee Alexander-Hoeppner ’04 and Mike DiLorenzo ’05; and (front row, in and I were married in Healds- me your news and updates! left to right), Dina Hoffer ’04, Alexandra Seggerman ’05, Garrett Mc- burg, Calif., last June. Leena Gupta In June, David Jelenko left the Donough ’05, the groom, the bride and Jonathan Shukat ’05. (née Krishnaswamy), Jill Freedman world of corporate and entertain- PHOTO: HEATHER WARAKSA PHOTOGRAPHY (née Janeczko), Nathania Nisonson ment law to become senior talent and Lauren Cahill ’03 Barnard were manager and general counsel at Houston with Matt and their ador- stationed in Anchorage with the Air in our wedding party and celebrated Next Round Entertainment. Da- able French bulldog puppy, Gibbs. Force, went hiking, camping and the weekend in wine country with vid’s clients include Kyle Grooms Katie and Matt will be back in New whitewater rafting in Alaska. us. We live in Tribeca, and I work in (Chappelle’s Show, Comedy Central York quite a bit in 2011, leading up to Evan writes, “I am in the middle emerging markets for Credit Suisse.” Presents), Judson Laipply (The Evo- their wedding in October. of filming a TV pilot pitch, playing Gabriel Gambardella writes, lution of Dance, America’s Got Talent) Kate Goldstein-Breyer married the lead; I am working with the “Last May, I graduated from medi- and Collin Moulton (Bob & Tom, Judson Laver Coplan on October 10 ARTZ Foundation, writing and cal school at Temple, where I was upcoming special on Showtime). in San Francisco. Kate is a publicist developing plays specifically for indi- president of my class for four years. Jessica Braun released her first for Postcard Communications and viduals with Alzheimer’s; and I am While there, I was inducted into solo album, Waveside, in September. Consulting, a public relations firm in pre-production for a feature-length the Sterling Harford Anatomical Adam Gidwitz recently published in San Francisco. Judson is a prod- film I am producing that begins Honor Society as well as the Pi Delta a novel for middle-schoolers, A Tale uct line manager in the marketing filming in January. I also continue National Honor Society and was Dark and Grimm, which received department of Apple in Cupertino, to run the Manhattan-based private named in Who’s Who Among Students positive reviews from The New York Calif. He graduated from Amherst tutoring company Ivy League Stu- in American Universities and Colleges. Times Book Review. and earned an M.B.A. from NYU. dent Aid & Testing Services, which I I’m a resident physician at Yale New In graduate school news, Selena Julie Orbach (née Grinfeld; see founded a number of years ago.” Haven Hospital and will specialize Soo ’05 started graduate business photo) recently started a company, While doing all of this, he also in reconstructive foot and ankle sur- school at NYU Stern in the fall. Brain-Go. “We make fun and educa- attended the wedding of Michael gery and limb salvage. It’s definitely Nuria Net writes, “After six years in tional games for kids, and we have Greenfield and Shabu Ahamed ’02 nice to be back home in New Haven Brooklyn, I’m back in Manhattan liv- our first app out on the app store on Barnard, as well as the wedding around family and friends. I’m living ing on the Lower East Side and back our site, brain-go.com.” Congrats to of Cie-Jai Brown ’00 and Jennifer right outside of New Haven with on campus attending the Journalism Julie on her new venture. Carr in October, where a number my girlfriend, who’s a nurse in the School for a one-year M.A. program, Best wishes to all, and please do of CU alums were in attendance neurosurgery ICU. Looking forward concentrating in arts and culture. It’s keep in touch. from a spectrum of classes. to visiting NYC soon! Tell the Class fun to be back, but also weird not Karen Austrian got married in of ’03 I said, ‘What’s up?’ ” seeing familiar faces from ’04.” Israel at the beginning of October. Adam Kushner recently left News- Finally, congratulations to Mik- Sonia Dandona Alison Hirsh was in attendance. week to join the National Journal as los Vasarhelyi and Daniel Gold- 02 Hirdaramani Miriam Sheinbein is in her last its deputy editor. Lisa Pettersson man, who completed the NYC 2 Rolling Dr. year of residency in family medi- debuted in a new play, Home Sweet Marathon in November. They were 02 Old Westbury, NY 11568 cine at UCSF. Her husband, Yaron Home, which is based on true events cheered on by James Lee ’05, Chris [email protected] Milgrom-Elcott (brother of Noam and interviews with Danish soldiers. Mellia and Angela Georgopoulos. Elcott ’00), opened a restaurant in Elizabeth Gould (née Gilroy) Lots of updates this time around; San Francisco in March called Local and her husband, Julian Gould ’03 please keep them coming to soniah Mission Eatery. They had their sec- Princeton, had their third daughter, Peter Kang [email protected]. ond child at the end of November. Abby Julia, on July 25. Sisters are 05 205 15th St., Apt. 5 Jillian White has been appointed And, lastly, I have very sad news. Kate (3) and Ella (2). John Church Brooklyn, NY 11215 to the New York State Real Estate Irina Shekhets, a Brooklyn Law writes, “On September 27, my wife, 05 [email protected] Appraisal Board. graduate, passed away in a plane Sara ’08 Nursing, and I welcomed Tiffany Rounsville moved back crash in Nepal on her 30th birthday. our first child, Daniel Gerald, into Hope you had a great 2010! Let’s to her hometown of St. Louis this the world. We live in our home- start with some wedding announce- past summer. She is interviewing town of Norwalk, Conn. Sara is ments: for jobs and reconnecting with her Michael Novielli a midwife at Norwalk Hospital. I In June, Gwyneth McClendon family. “It has been an amazing World City Apartments have spent the last four-plus years and Scott Hartman were married journey,” she writes. 03 Attention Michael J. at the Sports & Arts in Schools at St. Paul’s Chapel on Columbia’s David Epstein is a staff writer at 03 Novielli, A608 Foundation, one of New York campus. Garrett McDonough and Sports Illustrated. He recently signed Block 10, No 6. Jinhui Rd., City’s largest nonprofit providers of Jessee Alexander-Hoeppner ’04 a book deal to write about genetics Chaoyang District school-based after-school programs, were in the wedding party. Also and sports stemming from an article Beijing, 100020, People’s where I manage the company’s data attending were Nick Carr ’04, Erica he wrote earlier this year. He lives Republic of China department.” De Bruin ’04, Mike DiLorenzo, in Brooklyn with his girlfriend, [email protected] Lily Binns is co-executive direc- Dina Hoffer ’04, Sarah Katz ’04 Bar- Elizabeth Green. tor of Pilobolus Dance Theatre, a nard, Steve Poellot, Sam Rosenfeld In August, David, Evan Zeisel, Congratulations to University modern dance company celebrat- ’04, Alex Seggerman and Jonathan Lee Kowitz ’04, Ryan Heath ’05 Trustee Michael Rothfeld, ’69, ’71J, ing its 40th anniversary this year, Shukat. [See photo.] and Dan Knappmiller ’05, who was ’71 SIPA, ’71 Business on receiving and is producing collaborations Molly Friedensohn was mar-
january/february 2011 76 columbia college today class notes
ried on July 31 to Andrew Breiner dig) ’05 Barnard, and their daugh- graduation. Stephen is excited to be Jean-Georges restaurant in SoHo. in Cape Cod, Mass. Classmates ter, Sophie Elle (1), were privileged coming home to New York and is Olivia resides in Brooklyn with her in attendance included Jennifer to attend the circumcision ceremo- looking forward to seeing all his old two dogs and is enjoying the nov- Legum Weber, Grace Sterritt, nies for the twin boys, Shai and friends and eating NYC pizza. This elty that working in a fast-paced Moira O’Toole and Jana Whiting Ari, born in August to Binyamin fall, Nick Cain and Julian Federle kitchen environment brings. Oosterhuis. Berkovits (Chaim’s college room- survived a brief, yet successful, foray In what has become an annual Diana Benton Schechter was mate for all four years) and his wife, in the world of competitive kickball affair, Jakob Reich got two tickets married to Jason Schechter on Octo- Rachel Pollack-Berkovits ’05 Bar- in Chicago. They planned to spend to a Jets game and offered a ticket ber 2 at the New York Botanical Gar- nard. Many family members and New Year’s in a yurt in Colorado to Eric Bondarsky. This time they den. Many Columbians were there, friends joined Binyamin and Rachel with Ben Smith and Ben Schrier tailgated, braved a delay due to a including Randy Berkowitz ’04, Erin in welcoming the boys into their ’12L. Peter Petraro graduated from thunderstorm and got soaked in the Cicalese ’04E, Kirstin Ericson, Chris heritage, including Dr. Geoffrey Pol- St. John’s University School of Law rain as the Jets pulled out a victory Kim ’04, Mike Lazar ’05E, Scott lack ’75, ’79 P&S; Aliza Rosenblum summa cum laude in June and over Brett Favre and the Minnesota Linthorst ’04E, Julia Bartolf Milne Berkovits ’94 Barnard; Ariel Zell ’04 started his career at Cleary Gottlieb Vikings in the new Meadowlands ’04, Keren Mizrahi, Sarah Murphy and his wife, Beth Schuss Zell ’04 Steen & Hamilton, where he works Stadium. Like last year, Jeffrey ’05E, Angie Shin ’05 Barnard and the Barnard; Yehuda Cohen ’04 and his on derivatives, secured transactions Feder ’07E, ’08E also was at the bride’s father, Dr. Arnold Benton ’53. wife, Arielle (née Fenigstein) Cohen and financial regulatory reform. game, only this time as a season Irina Decter and Vishal Govil ’04; Noah Schmutter ’05E; Rebecca Henry Sackler writes, “I recently ticket holder, and he was a bit more ’05E were married in a two-day Kabat ’04 Barnard; and Elana Stiefel passed the New York and New fortunate with his seat location. Jewish-Indian wedding that took Lefkovits ’07 Barnard. Jersey bar exams. Hooray! I work Aditi Sriram writes, “I spent a place in Florham Park, N.J., and Mel- And lastly, a couple of entrepre- for the general counsel of the North month in Tanzania and Rwanda ville, N.Y., September 4–5. Alumni in neurs from our class made the news: Jersey Media Group, a media com- visiting friends from the Mailman attendance included Natasha Sha- Bartek Ringwelski’s company, pany that, among other things, has School of Public Health who are piro, Yelena Sorokina ’05 Barnard, SkillSlate, received $1 million of the 65th-highest circulated newspa- volunteering all over Africa. Hamsa Giovanni Ruffini ’05 GSAS, Michael venture capital financing from two per in the United States. I will begin Subramaniam ’11 PH and I climbed Liu ’04, Sarah Kachan-Liu ’05E, venture firms in NYC in late 2010. a judicial clerkship in New Jersey in Mount Kilimanjaro, which was an Stephen Podowitz ’05E, Gaurav SkillSlate allows consumers to the fall and hope to travel to South unprecedented week immersed Singal ’05E, Jason Liang ’05E, David easily find trusted individuals who America this summer for a brief re- in nature; it was breathtaking! Raj ’05E, Payam Ahdout ’04E and provide services (movers, handy- spite. Any takers? In my spare time Together with Mailman ’11 students Stephen Lee ’05 GSAS. men, tutors, dog walkers, etc.) for a I am also working on a screenplay, Hannah Godlove, Jordan Hacker, Congrats to all the newlyweds! lower cost. The Disappointment’s. These are busy Christopher Barry and Christopher After five years at Newsweek, Doug Imbruce’s new venture, and exciting times.” Beattie, Hamsa and I visited two of Nick Summers moved to the New Qwiki, which presents topics in a Matt Wagner is rounding out Rwanda’s pristine national parks, York Observer, where he writes the media-rich video format (think his fourth year at Target 10, a New most notably the Volcanoes National media column. Any alumni work- Wikipedia entries turned into enjoy- York marketing agency that focuses Park in the northwest, where we ing in media are encouraged to get able video clips), won TechCrunch on the gay and lesbian consumer, spent an hour amidst Silverback in touch with him at nsummers@ Disrupt in September and was where he is an account supervisor. mountain gorillas! We observed and observer.com. awarded $50,000. [Editor’s note: Jonathan Mclaughlin is struc- followed them for an hour and had Maggie Gram continues her CCT profiled Imbruce in January/ turing compelling trade ideas in to resist the urge to cuddle the baby Ph.D. program at Harvard, where February 2007: college.columbia. equity derivatives at Macro Risk gorillas rolling past us, while hop- she teaches discussion sections for edu/cct_archive/jan_feb07.] Advisors. He was looking forward ing the friendly punches the larger literature classes and is writing a Congrats to both Bartek and to Thanksgiving on Cape Cod and a gorillas dealt us stayed friendly. East dissertation about how the Civil Doug! trip to Costa Rica with his girlfriend Africa is a terrific adventure into the Rights Movement changed Ameri- Sara Vasquez ’05E married Joe for New Year’s. wildest and most welcoming nature; can literature. Wendler on October 23 in Central Jeremy Kotin is directing and I urge everyone to visit.” Becker Chase is at Booz & Co. Park. In attendance were Amparo writing a series of films in conjunction Alexandra Epstein shares, “I’ve doing energy and private equity Garcia, Mauricio Quezada, Peter with the Alzheimer’s Association been working the past two years in related work. By night, he is starting Wei, Qian Situ ’05E, Andre Clark NYC Chapter combining interviews, my hometown, fabulous Las Vegas! an angel investing circle focused on ’05E, Karen Weber ’04 and Poyuan photographs, film and animation to Since coming on board to help run helping to grow sustainable busi- Chen ’04. educate the world on Alzheimer’s the family business (El Cortez Hotel nesses in Maine. He welcomes any Happy New Year to everyone, Disease and more specifically the tre- & Casino), I’ve overseen the remodel Mainers who are interested in getting and please keep the updates coming! mendous outreach being conducted and opening of the Cabana Suites, a involved. Becker also is still hanging day in and day out by the chapter. boutique hotel downtown, as well as out with Garrett McDonough, Pepin The project will be ongoing for the Emergency Arts, a creative collective REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5 Gelardi ’05E and Phil Sandick. next five months, culminating with of 30-plus studio and retail spaces. Alumni Office Contacts Jason Frazer recently relocated the NYC gala in early June. Work aside, I am active on the board Alumni Affairs Mia Gonsalves Wright to Columbus, Ohio, where he is a Victoria Baranetsky sent in a of The Neon Museum and have re- [email protected] reporter for WBNS-TV/Ohio News quick note from Cambridge: cently been appointed to the City of 212-851-7977 Network. WBNS is the top-rated “Twenty-sixth birthday. Dreams Las Vegas Arts Commission. If any Development Amanda Kessler station in Columbus and one of of a book or something I thought of you come to town, I would love to [email protected] the strongest CBS affiliates in the I would write.” show you around!” 212-851-7883 country. Thank you all, as always, for Chaim Kagedan recently com- Michelle Oh submissions. Have a great winter. pleted a clerkship with The Honor- 06 17 John St., Apt. 2D David D. Chait able Leonard I. Garth ’42 of the New York, NY 10038 07 1255 New Hampshire Ave. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third 06 N.W., Apt. 815 Neda Navab [email protected] Circuit, an experience he describes 07 Washington, DC 20036 08 53 Saratoga Dr. as “immensely fulfilling and enjoy- Stephen Kunen is finishing his last [email protected] Jericho, NY 11753 able.” Chaim has since rejoined year of law school at Emory and will 08 [email protected] the litigation department at Davis work at Coca-Cola as an extern in Here are some exciting updates Polk & Wardwell’s New York office, its Global Marketing Department from our classmates: Hello CC ’08! I hope everyone had where he was fortunate enough to in his last semester. He recently Olivia Roszkowski completed a wonderful holiday season filled be assigned to an office neighboring secured an offer of employment at the Chef’s Training Program at with friends, family and high-calo- that of Marc Tobak, with whom Wilson Soncini Goodrich, & Rosati, The Natural Gourmet Institute rie consumption. I wish you all the he also attended law school. Chaim an intellectual property law firm in for Health and Culinary Arts. She best for 2011 and look forward to and his wife, Heather (née Verstaen- Manhattan, and will work there after works at The Mercer Kitchen, a reading and writing about all that
january/february 2011 77 class notes columbia college today you get up to. Argentina to Colombia to Germany. ing was a blast from the past, but In August, Andrew Ness “decid- The show displayed art across sitting in the stands is a lot different Alumni Corner ed it was time for a change, and so I all media and took place in the from running around on the field. (Continued from page 80) submitted my resignation to the law 14,000-sq.-ft. exhibition space of the As important as being an athlete firm where I had been a paralegal internationally renowned Zhou B was to me in college, now I am con- other’s hands and coached each oth- for two years.” Andrew moved to Art Center. The free wine reminded tent to be just a fan. I like the post- er to get it just right. They were natu- Washington, D.C., and now works her of Postcrypt while the whole grad challenge of dominating work. rals —– it was in them. I filmed the at The Avascent Group, a medium- event reminded her of Collision, I love being in an environment performance, the first of many talent sized consulting firm that primarily except without the hot pink caution where constant learning, adaptation showcases to come. serves the defense industry. This is tape guerilla-marketing and without and innovation are necessary to stay “pretty much 13-year-old Andrew’s inebriated classmates stumbling into afloat. And now that I am free from Slumdog dream job. I have a great boss and a Brooklyn warehouse. Jenny also re- athletics, I can actually turn my iven the success of the Acad- everyone at the firm is highly intel- cently traveled to Hong Kong to visit neck to look around and see what emy Award-winning movie, ligent and motivated. So suffice to Anabell Martinez, who is teaching else is out there. I am an equity sales GDharavi was naturally my say, I am very happy at my new English to kindergarteners. analyst at Morgan Stanley Smith first foray into the vast slum life gig,” says Andrew. Donna D. Desilus is excited Barney. The challenges of beating of this grand city. Even though I Katherine Cronin returned about being back at the College, benchmarks and winning in zero already had been working with from an incredible 26 months of where she has taken on the role sum games have always appealed slum kids at the Akanksha centers, I Peace Corps service in Benin, West of associate director of the Young to me. Weekends spent downtown thought it was important to explore Africa, at the end of August. “My Alumni Fund in the Alumni Office. are a little more fun than the ones I their lives in the slum itself, to see primary project was being a Teach- She is excited to be back in New had in Morningside Heights, but I firsthand where they came from ing English as a Foreign Language York, the city that won her heart. miss Heights burritos, Senior Night and to understand their worlds. The volunteer. I taught the equivalent and long nights at Butler. Five-thirty Dharavi slum is the largest slum in of sixth-eighth grade English at a.m. is different from the 8:50 a.m. Asia, and with more than a million a rural middle school. Also built Julia Feldberg run to Lit Hum, and I like it.” people clustered in one square mile, a new school building, ran two 10 4 E. 8th St., Apt. 4F Zach Gomes has been teaching it is the only slum that you can see girls’ empowerment camps, ran an New York, NY 10003 in a Teaching English as a Foreign from the moon. adult English language program, 10 Language program as a volunteer Many of the young girls and [email protected] ran educational movie nights, led to primary school students in Thai- boys seemed dressed as if prepared women’s sexual health seminars Hi everyone. It’s great to hear all of land’s Isan region, which is in the for their roles on the red carpet, and ran a bunch of other gender the exciting things that you have northeast near the border with Laos. with the girls in glittery costume and development equality projects. been up to since graduation. He will teach there for the next year. jewelry and the boys in plastic It was a busy time, loved every Since her premature graduation, Sandra Cariglio is enjoying her sunglasses and makeshift muscle minute! Now all I need to do is save Boin Cheong ’09 has been studying new Greenwich Village apartment T-shirts. These children grew up on some cash, go to grad school and law at the University of Cambridge with Julia Feldberg and Charlotte Bollywood, and while originally I move back to West Africa.” Kather- in England. Despite the constant Furet ’10 Barnard. Since August, had explored the positive impacts ine now is a management analyst rain and the tasteless food, she is Sandra has been doing strategy con- that the music and cinema had at the National Science Foundation slowly beginning to feel at home sulting for international companies on their lives, a social worker of- and lives in Washington, D.C. there. With a few months left before at ReD Associates, a Danish innova- fered me a different point of view. Laura Brunts is studying for an she receives her law degree, Boin tion firm. So far, she has traveled to While movies the world over often M.Sc. in African studies at Oxford. has signed a contract with Mayer Denmark, France and Morocco on glorify the villain and depict the As of September 6, Kara Wors- Brown in London and is looking assignments and anticipates more relentless romantic chase, their im- ley and Darius Dehnad ’08E are forward to qualifying as a corporate travel adventures in the near future. pact on slum children here seems engaged! lawyer in England. Elizabeth Simins launched a more potent, as Bollywood is one Natalie Gossett is having a blast web design business, Heart Mon- of the few things the children are at Villanova Law. She hopes to ster Designs, specializing in unique exposed to outside of the slum. Alidad Damooei make the King’s Crown Shake- and artsy layouts. Find her at heart In a way, it constitutes their only 09 c/o CCT speare Troupe proud by going into monsterdesigns.com. She promises world outside of the community. I Columbia Alumni Center entertainment law. Natalie repped to give CC alums a discount! was told that once when the movie 09 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 her Jersey Shore roots by dressing as Adam Valen Levinson writes halls were shut down in a particu- New York, NY 10025 Snooki on Halloween. that he is “a traitor to the uptown lar slum, the crime rate went up [email protected] Chris Yim writes, “Greetings cause, working for NYU’s new Abu drastically as the people lost one of from Seoul, South Korea. I am an Dhabi campus in its inaugural year their only forms of entertainment. Gary Mesko recently proposed to English instructor at an after-school as a jack-of-all-trades ‘program Within Mumbai, there exists Feryal Hirji ’09 Barnard while they English academy. This city is quite coordinator.’ He survives on a com- an alliance of people who work were vacationing in London with different from New York, but I am bination of exquisitely cheap Indian together to get by. They hold their Feryal’s family. Gary braved the adjusting well to the people, the food food, blogging (visit ingulfed.com) families close and their loyalties storm, grabbed the microphone and the culture. There are quite a few and travel to places off the beaten closer, for what they don’t have in and dropped to one knee in front individuals from the Class of 2010 path. Outside of work, he plays wealth, they make up in spirit, and of 100 of Feryal’s family members with whom I’ve connected while trumpet for the UAE Philharmonic it’s not possessions but pride that at her mother’s 50th birthday party. abroad. I was stateside in December Orchestra and also plays for NYU’s makes them heroes. The happy couple will be wed in and will transition into another beach soccer and volleyball teams.” To view videos of Wadhwa’s time in an amazing destination wedding job and life back in the States soon Mark Hussa is saving a vast India, go to college.columbia.edu/cct. in Zanzibar next summer. Ralph enough. I hope that everyone is well. amount of polar bears by working DeBernardo, Gene Kaskiw and the And I really do miss college.” at a start-up that mitigates climate To read more in-depth entries and Class of 2009 wish the happy couple Michael Mark writes, “Following change by developing solutions for view videos, photos and recordings, a happy and healthy future together! graduation, I took a career change firms and individuals to live carbon- visit http://fulbright.mtvu.com/2009- Jenny Lam is the head curator of (from the pre-med route) and neutral. He encourages the Columbia grantees. 4Art Inc Gallery in Chicago, where entered the OFA Dance Program at community to support global clean she not-so-secretly prefers thin crust Harvard. I’m enrolled in intermedi- energy projects through a new line Tina Wadhwa ’07 graduated with a pizza over deep dish. In September ate/advanced contemporary dance, of innovative carbon-offsetting prod- degree in political science and economics. and October, she was a curator for beginning modern and theatre ucts featured at belgravetrust.com. She worked in investment banking at a national group exhibition, Som- dance. Work days are long and stren- And, last but not least, Gabriella Citigroup in New York for two years be- nambulist, that showcased the work uous, but so far so good. I’m work- Ripoll is at NYU Law, trying to fore going to India on a Fulbright-MTV of emerging and established artists ing toward my first dance solo.” make her way through her first Fellowship. She is pursuing a master’s at whose roots ranged from Pakistan to Louis Miller writes, “Homecom- year. the London School of Economics.
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january/february 2011 79 columbia college today
A l u m n i Co r n e r A Ticket to a Better World
B y Ti na Wad h wa ’07
he Bollywood music and film industry is among the theque, and I can barely cross the largest in the world, producing approximately 1,000 street without seeing an impromptu films per year for an audience of more than three gala displaying every color of the billion, with influence extending across continents rainbow. and cultures. Bollywood movies depict sensational I have come to learn that there are Tscenes of opulence and grandeur, often set in exotic locales fea- no rules, regulations or accountabili- turing gorgeous mansions and even more gorgeous girls. In stark ty in Mumbai. Traffic lanes and lights contrast to this affluence is the 60 percent of Mumbai’s 17 million don’t exist and driving is a game of people who live in the slums and the 50 percent literacy rate that chicken. But in the midst of chaos, plagues the poorest of the nation. A great paradox exists between there is a composed structure that the life of extreme poverty among the majority of Indian people the people have grown to live by and and their simultaneous mass consumption of an imagined opu- love, and I honestly don’t think they lence as illiterate children rush to theaters regularly, sometimes would have it any other way. Bom- daily, to experience Bollywood songs. For roughly 20 cents, chil- bay is a city with swanky shopping dren with nothing have something to cheer for, as they can dream malls and posh hotels, where the Tina Wadhwa ’07 poses next to a statue in front of of a better life for just a moment or the duration of a movie. men are wealthy real estate tycoons a temple in Rajastan. I traveled to India for a Fulbright-MTV Fellowship and was and the women Miss World. It is also Photo: Noelle Fritz there from August 2009 to July 2010. The fellowship is awarded a place with gut-wrenching poverty annually to four students in the United States to promote “the that disorients you every day. While there is certainly a bubble of power of music” as a force for social change. We were to conduct bungalows and BMWs, the brilliance of Bombay lies in its dynamic research abroad for one year on projects of our own design, around nature, and it’s the everyday people and their stories that give the an aspect of international musical culture. While I was in Mum- city its life. Mumbai is a place that gets under your skin and into bai, the other fellows worked in Malawi, Morocco and Brazil. I re- your blood, and while it is frustrating and heartbreaking and every- searched and filmed a documentary on music as a reflection of the thing is a negotiation, there is a beauty in its breakdown, and I can’t vast socioeconomic class divide in India and the implications of help but be moved every day by the poverty, magnificence, resil- the emerging music scene on Indian class structure. I also explored ience and music of this city. the impact and influence of Bollywood music on underprivileged youth in Mumbai. I worked with kids from the Dharavi and Worli I Like the Way You Move slums and from The Akanksha Foundation and arranged dance lthough Mumbai represents entropy at its best, I was and music workshops with them with renowned Bollywood chore- surprised by the level of organization and structure at ographers and performers. My project culminated in a Bollywood AThe Akanksha Foundation, the main youth foundation I performance and talent showcase by the youth that I organized for worked with during my time in India. Akanksha members pull their families and the Indian community. MTV hosted a website these children directly out of the slums and into their centers, and about my project (fulbright.mtvu.com/author/tinawadhwa) that I they teach these children how to dream. They help the kids es- updated throughout the year, chronicling both my experiences as a cape their harsh lives in the slums, even for just a few hours a day Fulbright scholar and the journey of the children working together or a week, to let them be children again. to fulfill their Bollywood dreams. Akanksha periodically has assessment days where the children Following are some excerpts from the website about this are tested on their progress through oral and written exams. I sat incredible journey. in on multiple assessments where the children were asked about current events and about what they had read or seen recently in India Is a Melody the news. What was going on in their Mumbai? Interestingly, the ou just can’t escape it. It’s in first thing the children spoke of was music. They knew the latest the streets, in the stores, in the Bollywood release, they spoke of the newest heroes, they quoted Ytaxis, in the soul of the people lyrics from their favorite songs. who call India their home. Music per- While in Mumbai, I met many renowned Bollywood choreog- vades every inch of this nation, from raphers and performers. One choreographer was an assistant to the the pavement to the palaces, and for famous performer Sarooj Khan and had worked on the dance rou- many, it’s the lifeblood that propels tines of many blockbuster movies including Love Aaj Kal and Wanted. them toward another day. I arrived in Together, we taught the children a dance to a hit Bollywood song, Mumbai just in time for the Ganpati “I Like the Way You Move,” and he urged them to dance “dil se” Celebrations, where the rich, poor, — from their hearts. The kids arrived at the Akanksha center early Wadhwa wearing a tradition- old and young gather in pursuit of those days, and they couldn’t stop themselves from dancing even al Indian wedding dress. religion, art, music and dance. The during breaks. They helped each other learn the steps, held each Photo: Veen Wadhwa city is a noisy and anarchic disco- (Continued on page 78)
january/february 2011 80 icc_columbia_assist 4/9/10 12:54 PM Page 1
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ICC Mortgage Services is a DIRECT LENDER - LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKER, NEW YORK STATE BANKING DEPARTMENT. New York Offices are located at 1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590. Within New York State call 516-766-3400. Outside New York State 800-500-6323. For information about mortgages in other states by ICC call 516-766-3400. ICC Mortgage Services offers Government Insured Programs, however is not a Government Agency. ICC Mortgage Services is an approved lender with the Federal Housing Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. INTEREST RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Columbia College Today Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Columbia University PAID Permit No. 724 622 W. 113th St., MC 4530 Burl. VT 05401 New York, NY 10025
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Low Rotunda provides a majestic setting for the Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner honoring Michael Rothfeld ’69, ’71J, ’71 SIPA, ’71 Business on November 18. For more, see page 14.