Ruth and Harold Newman Dean of the Hunter Also Been Actively Involved with the Hunter Said Harold Newman

SPRING At 2008

In this Issue: Happenings 2 at Hunter Ruth Hollywood Hails 3 Ruby Dee and Harold Carey, Sleigh 3 Honored Newman Movie Executive 4 Cynthia López Give $2M Alum’s Hit Play 4 Performed Here to College unter alumna Ruth Newman (’54) Ruth Newman (l) and Harold Newman with School of Arts and Sciences Dean Shirley Clay Scott. Grads Serve 6 and her husband, Harold, have given arts education and its potential to build respon- Fund by funding student scholarships in Around the World H an extraordinary $2M gift to the sible and responsive citizens motivated their gift. honor of Ruth. School of Arts and Sciences. Ruth Newman graduated from Hunter “My wife’s relationship with the school Long Lost Hunter 8 The record-breaking donation — the cum laude with a BA in Spanish. A member was resurrected after 50 years when we met Diary Found highest in Hunter history — will establish of the Hunter College Visioning Cabinet Jennifer [Raab] through a mutual friend who Jeffrey Sachs Speaks 9 and permanently endow the deanship as the and the Hunter College Foundation, she has mentioned that Ruth was a Hunter graduate,” at Commencement Ruth and Harold Newman Dean of the Hunter also been actively involved with the Hunter said Harold Newman. “Jennifer is a very College School of Arts and Sciences and will College Mentoring Program. wonderful and persuasive person. We were Class Notes 10 support some new school programs, such as In addition, the Newmans have been impressed with her goals and forward-looking a Seminar for Civic Understanding Initiative. generous and supportive donors to the vision, and we wanted to support them.” In Memoriam: 10 The Newmans’ appreciation of a liberal Hunter College Mother’s Day Scholarship Frances Lewine continued on page 8 In Memoriam: 11 Florence Belsky Carole Olshan On 12 Foundation Board Breyer, O’Connor Hold Court at Hunter upreme Court Justice Stephen 10 Questions For... 12 Breyer and retired Supreme Nicholas Freudenberg S Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor came to Hunter on April 7 for an extraordinary “Aspen at Roosevelt House” discussion about the delicate At Hunter is published by Hunter College. balance of constitutional power Please send comments between U.S. presidents and the and suggestions to: nation’s highest court. Hunter College Justices Breyer and O’Connor talked 695 Park Avenue, Room E1301 about the tension that has existed New York, NY 10065 between the Supreme Court and the or telephone White House since the days of Thomas 212.772.4070 Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, through or e-mail the Lincoln, FDR, Truman, and Nixon [email protected] eras and right up until today — with For mailing address changes, controversial rulings on the Bush-Gore please call 2000 election and the rights of accused 212.772.4087 or e-mail terrorists held at Guantánamo Bay. [email protected] Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Sandra Day O’Connor at Roosevelt House discussion. continued on page 5

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Happenings at Hunter The President’s Perspective n this issue of At Hunter, you will read about the upcoming reopening of Roosevelt House and the exciting events leading up to it. Roosevelt House — the double townhouse on East 65th Street that was Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s New York home, Spring 2008 I and that Hunter acquired in 1942 — has long been a Hunter College “hidden” treasure. But with the official launching of the S S Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute this fall, the secret will be out. The House, which has lain dormant for 16 years, will become an active center of policy education, research, and dialogue. Already, events sponsored by the Institute have brought to campus such luminaries as Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, television journalists Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams, renowned authors Anna Quindlen and Doris Kearns Goodwin, and many more. As anticipation builds, we are constantly guided by Franklin and Eleanor’s deep commitment to education and opportunity for all, regardless of class, race, ethnicity, or gender. I believe that the Roosevelts saw their dream reflected in Hunter, and I also believe that they would be proud of their home’s new role in advancing these values. I encourage you all to join us in continuing their dream by becoming regular visitors to the Institute and participating in its many classes, lectures, and other events. Together, we can make the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute an integral part, not only of Hunter, but of all New York.

Oscar-winning actress Jane Fonda came to Hunter in March for the second Author Frank McCourt — who won both the Pulitzer Prize and the

“Aspen at Roosevelt House” discussion, featuring Pulitzer-Prize winning National Book Critics Circle Award for his best-selling memoir Angela’s WireImage TNT and “Who says there are no

y MFA’s Peter Carey, author Taylor Branch and Stanford Law professor Kathleen Sullivan. Ashes — spoke at Hunter in March as part of the College’s Distinguished decent film roles for

Writers Series. Photo b women over 40? Ruby Dee Tom Sleigh Honored found one at 83….Dee added her own fire to the character, giving Mama Lucas a strength and poignancy that shines through (the) film.”

— Los Angeles Times January 30, 2008

Ruby Dee accepts her Screen Actors Guild Award for “Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role.” Hunter Alumna Ruby Dee Tom Sleigh (l) and Peter Carey. Emily Rafferty, president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with Stefano Two stars from the hit CW Network show Gossip Girl, Jessica Szohr and eter Carey, executive director of Hunter’s MFA Carboni, curator and administrator of the Met's Department of Islamic Art, Chace Crawford, visited Hunter in March. Szohr, Crawford, and other Program in Creative Writing, and Tom Sleigh, at Hunter’s Leubsdorf Gallery. Hunter partnered with the Met on the exhibit, popular actors from the show shot scenes for a Gossip Girl episode about Hailed by Hollywood P MFA director, recently won honors for their work. “Re-Orientations: Islamic Art and the West in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth taking SATs right here at Hunter while adoring fans looked on. Carey was named a CUNY Distinguished Professor by the Centuries”, which gave Hunter art history graduate students the opportunity amed Hunter alumna Ruby Dee (HCHS ’39, HC ’44) received an Academy Award CUNY Board of Trustees in recognition of his outstanding to curate their own show with art from the Met. nomination as best supporting actress and won a prestigious Screen Actors Guild Award scholarly and professional achievements. One of the most F for her standout performance in the hit movie American Gangster. talented and prolific writers of our time, Carey has won the It was the first Oscar nomination ever in the long and storied career of the legendary actress, Booker Prize twice as well as numerous other major awards who graduated first from Hunter High School and then from the College with a BA in French and distinctions. This past winter he published his tenth and Spanish. novel, His Illegal Self, which The New York Times Sunday Dee was also named winner in the best supporting actress category at the Screen Actors Guild Book Review praised as “enthralling.” Awards ceremony, held in Los Angeles on January 27, for her American Gangster role as Mama Since coming to Hunter in 2003, Carey has dramatically Lucas, the mother of a Harlem drug kingpin played by Denzel Washington. transformed Hunter’s MFA program, where he is both an “What an exciting time to be an actor,” said Dee — who grew up in Harlem — as she accepted administrator and an inspiring teacher and mentor for some her Screen Actors Guild trophy. “In a film that took place where I was born, with some of the very of the country’s finest young writers. streets…part of me forever came from that place, and that place comes from me.” Sleigh is the winner of this year’s prestigious Kingsley Tufts For Dee, it was the culmination of a remarkable career of more than half a century in which she Poetry Award. The $100,000 prize is the largest in the nation has played memorable roles on stage, on television and in more than 50 movies such as The Jackie for a mid-career poet. Sleigh was honored at a ceremony on Robinson Story and A Raisin in the Sun. She has also been hailed for her work as a writer and a April 15 at Claremont Graduate University where he read social activist. from his winning collection, Space Walk. “Ruby Dee is not just a great name in the entertainment world, she is a great alumna of Hunter,” He is the author of seven books of poetry, a book of essays, said Hunter College President Jennifer J. Raab. and a translation of Euripides’ H erakles. He has won numerous Dee recently returned to Hunter to present an exclusive preview screening of Naming Number grants and awards, including the Poetry Society of America’s Two, an award-winning movie filmed in New Zealand for which she received numerous honors, Shelley Award and an Academy Award from the American including Best Actress at the 2006 New Zealand Screen Awards. Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2001, Dee and her late husband, Ossie Davis, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Peter Carey’s Oscar and Lucinda (1988) was nominated Writer/humorist Calvin Trillin spoke at Hunter in April during the Secular New York Congressman Charles Rangel met with the Hunter College Model the Screen Actors Guild. They were married for more than 50 years, and Dee frequently teamed in May for The Best of the Booker. This competition — Jews in Culture and Society Lecture Series. Trillin, whose essays in The New U.N. Team, which came away with nine awards — more prizes than any with Davis for her performances. They also worked together tirelessly on civil rights causes and based on voting open to the public — will select the most Yorker and elsewhere often poignantly reflect Jewish life in America, has other school — during a three-day, 11-college CUNY Model U.N. competition. efforts to promote black artists. Ossie Davis died in 2005. outstanding novel to have won the Booker Prize since it was also written the best-selling memoir About Alice. The students are part of a new initiative launched this year and taught In accepting her Screen Actors Guild trophy for American Gangster, Dee told the audience: “I first awarded in 1969. To cast your vote for Peter Carey, go by Political Science Professor Pamela S. Falk. accept it also for my husband, Ossie, because I think, you know, he’s working on things up there.” to: http://www.themanbookerprize.com/news/vote

At 3 From Medicine to Movies A Preview of the Big Fall Opening

he “Aspen at Roosevelt House” dis- floor is being converted into two apartments Cynthia López Found Her True Passion at Hunter cussion series — which has brought for special guests and visiting scholars at T an extraordinary cast of leading Hunter. s a little girl, Cynthia López (BA ’89) 1989, López began her incredibly successful government figures, media leaders, and The massive renovation is being led dreamed of growing up to become a media career which has culminated in her historians to Hunter this spring — is just the by James Stewart Polshek of Polshek A doctor because she wanted to help stunning success at P.O.V. Under her leader- prelude to the much-anticipated opening of Partnership Architects. Among his firm’s change the world. Now she is accomplishing that ship, national media coverage of P.O.V. a renovated Roosevelt House later in the year. acclaimed projects are the Rose Center as one of the most prominent figures in the documentaries has increased dramatically. The official ribbon-cutting for Roosevelt for Earth and Space at the American world of independent documentary filmmaking. One of her biggest successes was Two House — which will become Hunter’s new Museum of Natural History; the Clinton López is vice president of P.O.V. — the PBS Towns of Jasper — a controversial documen- public policy center to honor the legacy Presidential Library; and the renovation series that has won top broadcast awards and tary about the lynching of a black man in of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt — is of Carnegie Hall. extraordinary critical praise under her leader- Jasper, Tex. López’s unique presentation led scheduled for this fall. The new Roosevelt House will provide ship for airing groundbreaking documentaries to what she proudly calls “one week dedicated The historic Upper East Side building a place for students to analyze critical public about racism, poverty, the environment, and to a national dialogue about race relations at 47- 49 East 65th Street, once home to policy issues and experience meaningful other crucial issues of our time. in America.” During that week the film was FDR and the Roosevelt family, has been civic engagement; a place for faculty to One entertainment publication recently shown on P.O.V., Oprah Winfrey devoted undergoing dramatic renovations since research, teach, and write about the most hailed her as the “Ginger Rogers of public an hour-long show to the topic and ABC’s 2005 in an ambitious effort to turn it into important issues of the day; and a place television” for the way she perfectly coordi- Ted Koppel hosted a live town hall meeting a state-of-the-art facility for teaching, for scholarly and public audiences to nates all the steps needed to help these socially from Jasper for Nightline. research, and public programming. Once a Digital rendering of the Roosevelt House auditorium. participate in high-profile lectures, seminars, conscious projects reach a wide audience in López is one of the founding members of vibrant center for student government and and conferences. the mainstream media world. the National Association of Latino Indepen- academic and social events at Hunter, Roosevelt House was will also be available for presentations and receptions. “Roosevelt House will be a unique environment where At the Emmys last year, López and Simon dent Producers; has been an adviser to the closed in 1992 because of the need for extensive repairs. The president’s library is being restored to serve as a faculty, students, and the community can come together Kilmurry, executive director of P.O.V., White House Conference on Libraries, the Cynthia López shows Emmy with Simon Kilmurry, executive director of P.O.V. The new Roosevelt House will feature a dramatic museum and seminar space. And the library of Sara to consider and craft solutions to important public policy accepted a Special Award for Excellence in United Nations’ Women’s Conference, and auditorium, carved out of the low levels of the building, Roosevelt — Franklin’s mother — will be available challenges,” said Hunter President Jennifer J. Raab, “and, Television Documentary that was given to P.O.V. as a standing nervously in line for 45 minutes at Hunter until other prominent organizations; and is a highly sought-after designed to host lectures, conferences, and other programs. for classes and seminars. in doing so, renew the commitments of a president and premier showcase for outstanding independent documentary an admissions woman reassured her by saying: “We’re speaker at media conferences and educational institutions. Former drawing rooms on the first and second floors The upper floors will serve as offices, and the sixth first lady especially worthy of tribute and celebration.” films. “It was such an honor to accept the Emmy award going to figure out a way to do this.” López is also working on her first novel, tentatively on behalf of a series that consistently shines a light on “I started crying,” López says. “It was like a fairy tale.” titled The Glass Horse. She describes it as a love story contemporary issues and for filmmakers who challenge But after entering Hunter, López took some media about a woman from Puerto Rico and a man from how we see the world,” she says. Many of the film courses and discovered her passion for movies. She Pakistan and the racial issues they encounter. She says projects she has worked on at P.O.V. have also won particularly cites two Hunter professors who had a the novel was inspired by events in her own life. Emmys, Oscars and other coveted awards. tremendous impact on her — Richard Perez, who taught But López’s goal was a career in medicine — not “Puerto Rico in the Mass Media,” and Steve Gorelick, Supreme Court Justices Visit Hunter movies — when she came to Hunter College in 1981. who taught mass communications. “One of the reasons I wanted to go to Hunter “When I was 4, I’d say I wanted to be a pediatrician,” “I took the media classes as electives, but decided I loved was that Bella Abzug and so many other López recalls. “Where does a little girl come up with an idea them more than my pre-med courses,” she says. “Eventu- strong political women I admired went there.” For Roosevelt House Panel like that? I wanted to help kids who were really sick. I came ally, I had to make a decision. In medicine, I could help — Cynthia López to Hunter because it had a wonderful pre-med program.” only one child at a time. But in media I realized I could Breyer and O’Connor said that the struggle over López was born in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, but went to get the message out to so many more people.” the balance of power in government between presidents high school in Puerto Rico after her mother died when Gorelick, a professor of Media Studies, says of López And it all started at Hunter, which López credits for putting and the Court goes back to the days of Thomas Jefferson she was 12. She worked in the pediatrics ward of a hospi- today: “She really is an extraordinary story, a Hunter stu- her on the road to success. “One of the reasons I wanted to go and Chief Justice John Marshall (“they hated each tal there for a year, which strengthened her childhood dent who found a life, opportunity and a career at Hunter.” to Hunter,” she recalls, “was that Bella Abzug and so many other”) — and later involved an epic confrontation dream to become a doctor. She came back to New York She attended Hunter from 1981 to 1989, working other strong political women I admired went there. Hunter with Andrew Jackson. and applied to Hunter’s pre-med program. Concerned much of the time while she went to school. After graduat- played a really strong role in birthing these women who When gold was discovered on land belonging to the about the cost of a college education, López remembers ing with a BA in communications and political science in truly changed the lives of people in New York City.” Cherokee Indians, the Cherokees hired a lawyer to pre- vent their land from being seized, and the Supreme Court ruled in their favor. But President Jackson ignored the Court decision. “Jackson sent troops — not to enforce the ruling, but to evict the Cherokees,” Breyer said. Another showdown came when President Franklin Alum’s Hit Play Performed at Kaye Theater Roosevelt threatened to expand the size of the Court with his own appointees — after justices repeatedly ruled lumnus David Lamb a student at Hunter — and how he had used some of Asked how much those years at Hunter were an inspi- against his ideas to end the Depression. (BA ’87) has written a those experiences for inspiration while writing this play. ration for Platanos and Collard Greens, Lamb laughed: “Between 1790 and 1930, the Court had overturned Alumna and prominent class-action attorney Sheila A highly acclaimed play “I had a great experience as a student at Hunter,” he “You cannibalize your own life.” Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer with Israel Burns a total of only 60 acts of Congress,” O’Connor pointed Birnbaum (’60) and President Jennifer J. Raab with — inspired in part by his years recalled. “I began to be challenged intellectually in a After graduating from Hunter, he went on to get a master’s — a graduating political science major at Hunter who out. “But in just Roosevelt’s first term, the Court over- will attend Rutgers Law School. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. at Hunter College — that has way I had not been before. I lived in the Astoria Housing in public affairs from Princeton and a law degree from turned 12 laws Roosevelt tried to enact. He wanted to become a hit in the theater Projects and commuted on the R train. I worked nights New York University School of Law. He had worked as add a justice for every one on the Court who was over 70. “And if you convince others to vote your way, fine. And world and on college campuses at the Hunter library. I lived in that library. an intern for a New York political leader while in college, continued from page 1 There were six, which would have given him 15 judges.” if you don’t…well, then there you are.” throughout the country. and his goal at the time was a career as a behind-the-scenes Breyer said that Roosevelt had overwhelming support Hunter College President Jennifer J. Raab praised Platanos and Collard Greens — advisor in either the state legislature or Congress. “It got me Both emphasized the unique constitutional responsibility of in both the legislature and the press for his plans. “But the Breyer and O’Connor by saying: “They will go down in which was performed here at the interested in law school,” he says of his internship. the top court to provide a balance of power with a president public wouldn’t let him do it,” Breyer said of FDR’s effort history as two of our finest Supreme Court judges.” Kaye Theater on April 17 — After law school he began working as a public finance — as well as some of the practical problems the Court faces. to “pack” the court with his people. “The public saw it as is a story set at Hunter about a attorney at a Wall Street firm. While there, Lamb formed “When we make a decision, it is not just a decision for tinkering with the basic institution of the Supreme Court.” romance between two students, his own publishing company and put out his first novel, the date and time when it comes down,” Breyer said, Breyer speculated about what might have happened if a Latina and an African- Do Platanos Go With Collard Greens? It won him critical pointing out that no justice can predict future develop- President Nixon had refused the Court’s order to hand American man. The play has and commercial success for exploring the subject of relations ments which could be affected by that ruling. “But when over the White House tapes during the Watergate scandal. been hailed as a moving love between African-Americans and Latinos — and launched the Court decides something, who does it then? What That never happened, Breyer said, because once again the Acclaimed playwright story, a laugh-out-loud comedy, him into a new career. David Lamb happens when you get a case where the president doesn’t public would not have stood for it. and a thought-provoking “I wanted to make my contribution to hip hop culture,” he want to do it?” Breyer and O’Connor also talked about the Court’s commentary about racial cultures and stereotypes. explains now, “but I knew I didn’t want to rap. So I thought I “The Court has serious problems with enforcement difficulties when trying to limit a president’s power during It has played to sold out audiences at off-Broadway could take the elements of that and put it in a written form.” power,” agreed O’Connor, the first woman ever appointed to a wartime situation, such as the internment of Japanese- theaters since debuting in 2003. In addition to these His company, Between the Lines Productions — which the Supreme Court — who retired in 2006. “We hope that American citizens during World War II or the imprisonment New York City performances, it has also become an he founded and runs with his wife, Jamillah — has also when the Court rules, the other branches go along to take the of terrorism suspects at Guantánamo Bay today. extraordinary hit on college campuses. Lamb has put put out another critically acclaimed play of his, Auction Scene from Platanos and Collard Greens when it was hit. For the most part they do, but on occasion they don’t.” O’Connor — who once said in a Court decision about on Platanos and Collard Greens — and been invited to performed at Hunter in April. Block to Hip Hop, which has achieved success in both the The discussion — one of a series of high-profile political Guantánamo Bay that “a state of war is not a blank check” speak about it — at more than 100 colleges and New York theater and national college markets. He also events leading up to the opening of a renovated Roosevelt for a president — also recalled the controversial 2000 universities around the country. “I wasn’t much of a student in high school. But I became continues to be a sought-after speaker at many colleges House as Hunter’s new public policy center this fall — election ruling on Florida that put George W. Bush in the But it was a special thrill for him to bring the play to very self-motivated at Hunter. Working in the library put around the country. was moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times White House. “It was not the Supreme Court that determined Hunter, where Lamb graduated magna cum laude with me in the environment of study and books. When I say “I think Platanos and Collard Greens captures the correspondent Linda Greenhouse, who has covered the the votes ultimately,” O’Connor said. “What we had was a degree in economics in 1987. “This is fantastic,” he I spent my life in that library, I really spent my life in that situation at many schools,” he said. “I hope it makes Supreme Court for the Times since 1978. The event was a confirmation of what the popular vote was in that state.” said of his triumphant return to his alma mater. “This library! I also worked as a teller at a bank while going to you laugh, I hope it makes you think and I hope it endowed by Hunter alumna Phyllis L. Kossoff and presented Breyer said that it was the American people who held Alumna Maureen Corr (’49), who served as Eleanor is like a dream come true.” school. I began to appreciate the true meaning of hard inspires you. If I can accomplish that with an audience, as part of a partnership with the Aspen Institute, one of the ultimate balance of power needed to keep a president’s Roosevelt’s personal secretary for 12 years, was a Lamb talked about his fond memories of his days as work at Hunter. I’m indebted to the College for that.” then I think I’m really accomplishing something.” the country’s premier research and policy institutions. authority in check. “Vote,” Breyer told the audience. special guest at the Roosevelt House discussion.

4 At 5

Hunter Alumni Serve Around the World

Christopher Stone — the ’07 Grad Goes Far in the Peace Corps Hunter professor who inspired Marissa Polnerow to join the ess than a year ago Marissa Polnerow politicians and the American ambassador. student organization called AIESEC. It’s the largest Peace Corps — is head of the Arabic Division at Hunter, a (BA ’07) sat at her Hunter College I think back a few months ago, when student-based organization in the world and facilitates “I think anyone with an open mind, a taste unique program of study that L commencement and marveled at I was just finishing up at Hunter, and for adventure and the desire to give back traineeship exchanges for students and graduates to over is the largest of its kind in the the success stories of Hunter graduates didn’t even speak a word of Macedonian. to society can benefit from the Peace Corps. 90 countries. Ironically, without even knowing about my CUNY system and one of only from all around the world. Today she is I have to say that my experience at involvement with AIESEC at Hunter, the Peace Corps a limited number around the living out her own exciting international Hunter has been very valuable in In my opinion, these qualities sum up the asked me to develop a branch of AIESEC in Macedonia country. dream as a member of the Peace Corps in helping me make the decisions that typical Hunter student.” as my primary job. As part of the Department of Macedonia. brought me here.” — Marissa Polnerow “Not only do I work Monday to Friday at AIESEC, but Classical and Oriental Studies, “I am closing in on my fifth of 27 months Polnerow is one of more than 300 I also have regular English, French and Spanish language it teaches students not just Dr. Christopher Stone in the Peace Corps, living every day fully Hunter graduates who have served in classes; I help run a girls’ leadership group at a high school; the Arabic language — but and happily,” Polnerow says from the the Peace Corps over the years since opportunity after college,” she says. “I can’t recommend I offer care and companionship at a nursing home; and I also elements of Arab culture. Eastern European republic. “Living in a President John F. Kennedy created the it enough.” mentor whoever I can. I seek out every opportunity in the Dr. Stone has spent extensive time living, traveling, place like Macedonia has given me the organization in 1961. Today the Peace She was inspired to join the Peace Corps by two community to offer a helping hand, and I’m getting to working, studying and conducting research in the Arab opportunity to observe, and often partici- Corps consists of nearly 8,000 volun- people — a childhood friend and Dr. Christopher Stone, know the ethnic minorities, which include Albanians, world, including an assignment with the Peace Corps pate in, history in the making. I recall all teers serving in some 70 countries. a Hunter professor of Arabic who served in the Peace Turks, Serbs, Bosnians and the Romanians.” in Yemen. In addition to Hunter, he has taught at Middle- bury College, Williams College, and Emory University. He of my international relations and ethnic For Polnerow — who graduated cum Corps himself. Polnerow admits that some of her friends and family received his master’s and PhD in Near Eastern Studies politics classes at Hunter, and watch how laude from Hunter in political science “My best friend from high school immigrated to the were nervous about her decision to serve in the Peace Corps, from Princeton. During this past academic year, Stone it plays out with my own eyes. and French — being in the Peace U.S. from Mongolia when she was 13,” Polnerow recalls. wondering if the lack of amenities in an underdeveloped has been on leave in Cairo as a Fulbright Scholar studying “I was recently chosen to give a nation- Corps has turned out to be so reward- “She grew up learning English from Peace Corps volun- country would cramp her liberated New York lifestyle. the late Egyptian actor Ahmad Zaki. ally televised speech for the Peace Corps ing that she encourages other graduates teers. My friend always told me she wanted to ‘join the “But today no one doubts how positive the Peace swearing-in ceremony here, which I to consider it. “I hope more students Peace Corps and pay it forward.’ Corps has been for me,” she says. “The irony is that I feel delivered entirely in Macedonian before Marissa Polnerow with the Peace Corps in Macedonia. take advantage of the Peace Corps “Dr. Stone was the only returned Peace Corps volun- I live better here than I did in New York City. I have a the Great’s legacy have left significant footprints.” teer I’d met. His stories of service in Yemen touched me. comfortable apartment, and my balcony opens up to the After her tour with the Peace Corps ends, Polnerow He was a great support and resource during the long and view of orange rooftops swallowed up by snowcapped plans to return to New York City or Paris to pursue a arduous Peace Corps application process. My mind was mountains in the distance. Most Peace Corp volunteers master’s in international relations. She is considering a made up, and I haven’t had an inkling of doubt about my don’t have the luck to have such modern amenities!” career in the Foreign Service or with a global organization decision since.” But even more exciting than the beauty of Macedonia such as the United Nations or Amnesty International. Hunter Alum Has Seen the World – As a volunteer in Macedonia — where she’ll serve until is the sense of history she experiences each day. “I think anyone with an open mind, a taste for adven- December, 2009 — Polnerow has already worked in a “I am living in the heart of a civilization’s crossroads,” ture and the desire to give back to society can benefit wide variety of jobs. she says. “If you look hard enough in any part of from the Peace Corps,” she says. “In my opinion, these And Writes a Book About It “At Hunter College I was a member of an international Macedonia, the Ottoman Empire and even Alexander qualities sum up the typical Hunter student.”

unter graduate Eve Brown-Waite (MPH ’93) could just picture her trying to figure out what to do if has had lots of exciting adventures traveling her $90 Birkenstock fell into an African latrine.” H the globe to help people in Third World or It all began for her when Brown-Waite first applied for developing countries — and now she’s written a book a job in the Peace Corps in 1987. She wasn’t sure about that tells her life story. wanting to be in the Peace Corps, but she was certain A Taste for Travel that the Peace Corps recruiter interviewing her was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. So she dressed up in a “safari chic” outfit (“I wanted to impress And a Love for Helping Others him. What was the best way to impress a Peace Corps recruiter? Join the Peace Corps.”) and soon found herself unter College doesn't award a prize well on the exam but people in the depart- assigned to the jungles of Ecuador. for Most Traveled Graduate. If it ment were still talking about how old I was.” But after a year or so there she missed John, her Peace H ever does, the trophy will surely go Lindover served in Egypt, West Africa, Corps guy, and returned to New York — where she to Sally Lindover (’47), whose astonishing- India, and Germany until reaching the enrolled in Hunter’s School of Health Sciences for a ly varied career includes stints as a clinical mandatory retirement age of 65. master’s in public health. While she was still at Hunter, psychologist in London, a Peace Corps Leaving the Foreign Service has hardly they got married. A few months later, her new husband volunteer in Africa, a Foreign Service officer dimmed her love of travel. “I’ve had a place was offered a job with CARE in Uganda and she on three continents, and an English teacher to in Cambridge for 15 years, and for the past remembers thinking, “Okay, here we go.” Vietnamese refugees off the coast of Malaysia. eight years I’ve only been there about eight The couple spent the next three years living in a “I’ve always had a low threshold for bore- months a year; I’ve had State Department remote section of Uganda, which is the subject of most dom,” Lindover, 80 and now a resident of assignments in Haiti, Yemen, Azerbaijan, of her book. “It was beautiful,” she recalls, “but it was Brown-Waite with husband John at Hunter graduation. Cambridge, Mass., says with a laugh. “I’ve India, and on and on.” a little bit out there. Like the Wild West. No electricity. turned my life over many times.” Asked about her most memorable experi- Not much running water. And there was an ongoing thesis; Michael Carrera, who was an amazing professor Her taste for travel was formed while she ences, Lindover said; “I was a consular officer Eve Brown-Waite holds her daughter in Uganda. civil war in that area of the country. For one brief but and mentor; and Ida Susser, whose own international was a schoolgirl in the Bronx, and her in the Foreign Service, working to help memorable evening, we were held hostage in our house.” work encouraged me to go back overseas. arrival at Hunter during World War II Americans abroad who were in trouble, “It’s a fish-out-of-water memoir,” says Brown-Waite, In the midst of all this, Brown-Waite managed to “I really did have a wonderful graduate experience and clinched it. “There I was, at the center of which was very satisfying, and granting visas who has lived and worked with her husband, John, in write stories about what she was seeing on a battery- found myself well-equipped when I got out there — this incredibly exciting city with all these On a State Department assignment to Pakistan, Sally Lindover sits with tribal musicians to people who had qualified to enter the Uganda, Ecuador, and Uzbekistan. “The story of what powered computer that she recharged during the three albeit more training in how to butcher a goat and/or servicemen and women from around the at the Heritage Museum in Islamabad. U.S. These were people who had worked happens when a nice Jewish American princess from hours each night when she had electricity. Before her diagnose your own pregnancy would have come in world — Brits and Aussies and the rest — hard to reach this moment, and going to Brooklyn falls in love with a Peace Corps poster boy daughter was born, nearly 13 years ago, she returned handy, but who knew?” she says with a laugh. whom I met at military service clubs. I knew that I wanted in Arizona, and four years running an arts program in America was such an opportunity. Some burst into tears. and follows him around the world. temporarily to New York to give birth and asked one of She and her husband now live in Deerfield, Massachu- to live in foreign places.” Provincetown, Mass. Those were moments that made life worthwhile.” “I’m trying to be a good sport,” she laughs, “but I her former Hunter professors, Betty Rothbart — then an setts, where until recently she was health and nutrition Her first two decades after graduation — with a major Her next step, in 1979, was the beginning of more Would she encourage today’s Hunter students to follow keep looking for a decaf cappuccino. I’m a New Yorker.” adjunct professor in Health Sciences — for advice about manager for a Head Start community center. She left in psychology and a minor in radio and drama — while than 25 years of living abroad. At the age of 52, she in her well-traveled footsteps? “There are so many more Called First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria: her stories. “She was the first person who said: ‘These are her job to finish writing the book. “I am thrilled, just eventful, were for the most part spent close to home: a joined the Peace Corps, training in Zaire and then teach- opportunities to visit foreign countries now,” she reflects. How a Peace Corps Poster Boy Won My Heart and a not short stories, you should turn this material into a book.’” thrilled,” said Brown-Waite, who credits her agent, marriage and divorce, a second marriage, the birth of two ing at the National University of Rwanda for two years. “Study abroad, volunteer programs — if they want to, Third World Adventure Changed My Life, the book Brown-Waite raves about the time she spent at Hunter. Laney Katz Becker of the Folio Literary Management daughters, and a variety of jobs including mental health After taking the Foreign Service exam while in Rwanda young people can get overseas. They should, and they will be published by Broadway Books in 2009 after “The education I got was so much better than I could Agency in New York, with helping her to make the book work, a turn with a Madison Avenue advertising agency, and awaiting the results, she was accepted as a United should see some of the awful poverty that's out there. a spirited bidding auction for the rights that earned have gotten at another school. My best friend went to deal a reality. and a venture into early television. Nations volunteer to teach English to refugees in a UN Not avoid it, but see it, experience it in a direct way.” Brown-Waite what she called an “unbelievable” Columbia, and she was awed at the stuff I was doing and Brown-Waite’s biggest dream now is that the book will After separating from her second husband, she spent a camp in Malaysia. “We were crowded on a tiny island “I’ve had a privileged life,” she adds. “And I’ve always six-figure check. experiencing. Getting my degree at Hunter was great.” bring economic aid and development to the remote section year in the south of Spain with her daughters (both grown with some of the most desperate people in the world.” been grateful to Hunter for giving me such a wonderful There’s already been interest from Hollywood in the She talked about other Hunter professors she says were of Uganda that she writes about. “More than anything, I now, one a filmmaker, the other a public-interest lawyer), A year later, the envelope from the Foreign Service education. In those days, $8 a semester, which covered book too. If there is a movie, she wants Sarah Jessica very important to her: “Karen Denard-Goldman, who wanted to bring attention to this little corner of the followed by a job with a network of halfway houses in arrived, and at 56 Sally Lindover became the oldest everything, even books, was all we paid. Imagine, a college Parker to play her because “I admire her work and I encouraged and supported me through my master’s Third World where we lived,” she says. “I think it will.” London, a brief stint with an experimental car-free city rookie in U.S. State Department history. “I did really education at one of the country’s best colleges for $64.”

6 At 7 Alumna’s Long Lost Diary Jeffrey Sachs Tells Grads: Comes to Life in New Book You Can Fix Our World “I should feel a little embarrassed because it exposes a riding habit, op international economist and health expert He also said that much of the malaria throughout the lot, but I guess I’m too old to be embarrassed by anything,” breeches, and Jeffrey Sachs delivered the keynote address at entire continent of Africa could be eradicated simply by she told At Hunter. “It’s like a dream, it’s fantastic. knee-high T Hunter’s winter 2008 commencement ceremony spending $1.5 billion to buy sleeping nets, adding that Some of the things I wrote were really poetic and leather boots — on January 24, urging the 1,200 graduates to help the Pentagon currently spends $1.7 billion per day on its Photo by Colby Katz Colby Photo by interesting. Hunter was a very different school then wore the ensem- their generation change the world by winning the battle operations. “I want the Pentagon to take next Thursday from what it is today. But it was a very fine school. ble to classes. She against poverty and disease. off!” he quipped. It was a very comfortable place for any woman who had to justify it to “It is possible to end extreme poverty on the planet Sachs told the graduates that Hunter, with students wanted to express herself, make herself felt, because the Hunter dean by 2025,” said Dr. Sachs, a professor of health policy and from 150 different countries, “epitomizes the very best there weren’t any boys to take away that opportunity.” — who kept a close management at Columbia University who serves as special of the world. This is what the world can be. A world of In the now faded diary, with its red leather cover eye on Hunterites’ so much diversity and so many talented people pulling and gold-edged pages, Florence records what book diction, dress, and together to accomplish so many remarkable things.” author Koppel describes as a “Manhattan fairy tale… conduct — as “undeni- He was awarded a President’s Medal from Hunter a vivid picture of 1930s New York.” ably the costume of a President Jennifer J. Raab after delivering his keynote The diary’s nearly 2,000 entries talk serious horsewoman.” address. about how she became immersed in The diary was given to Florence as a Also honored during the commencement ceremony art and literature at Hunter; became gift by her family for her 14th birthday were Hunter alumnus Arlie Petters (’86), now a professor editor in chief of the literary journal in 1929. Her father was a doctor and her of mathematics and physics at Duke University whose The Echo; and they detail many of mother owned a couture dress shop on theory of gravitational lensing has made him the founder the young woman’s most innermost Madison Avenue. Identified as an of the field of mathematical astronomy; and Jonathan Arlie Petters was the recipient of a Doctorate of Science. thoughts about her social life. intellectually gifted young woman, she Bing, a member of the New York State Assembly who “Nat finally kissed me!” one entry began attending Hunter at the age of 15. has worked tirelessly for his constituents on the East Albany – and lead the fight for needed aid. “You can’t cut scrawled in black ink reads. “It was Her last entry in the diary was made Side of Manhattan and has been a strong friend and funding for students in a neighborhood where it costs pretty bad, but he was so utterly in 1934, and she forgot about it after supporter of Hunter. $10 just to buy a sandwich,” he said. delightful about it that I didn’t care. that. The diary’s resurrection began Dr. Petters was the recipient of a Doctorate of Science, Bing concluded by telling the graduates: “Be good to He’s sweet.” two years ago, after Koppel moved while Assemblyman Bing received a President’s Medal. yourself…be good to your community…be good to your That boy was Nat Howitt, whom into the same Manhattan apartment “This is a fabulous homecoming for me,” Petters told world. We cannot be the first generation which does not Author Lily Koppel with Florence Wolfson Howitt. she married six years after graduating building where Florence once lived. the commencement audience. “At Hunter I learned so leave the world a better place.” from Hunter. Florence and Nat were Decades-old contents in the apart- many lessons. It is indeed the Hunter experience that rom 1929 to 1934, Florence Wolfson Howitt together for 67 years until he died in ment’s basement were being thrown made me outrageously ambitious. It made me not afraid (BA ’34) faithfully wrote in her diary each day all about April 2007. out, including the diary. to think big. Be outrageously ambitious!” “Hunter epitomizes the very best of the He said Hunter’s diversity allowed him to embrace F her life and experiences as a student at Hunter College. Another entry tells about the trials Florence in the 1934 Wistarion. Intrigued by the contents and world...a world of so much diversity and Now that long ago forgotten diary – miraculously and tribulations of being editor of an inscription reading “This book Jeffrey Sachs delivered the commencement address. many different cultures while he was here. “I used to discovered in a Manhattan trash heap by a New York The Echo. “A busy, hectic day at school — with Echo due belongs to Florence Wolfson,” Koppel tracked Florence imagine visiting the hometowns of all the people I knew so many talented people pulling together Times reporter more than 70 years later – has been turned at the printers and no manuscripts in and some having to down — which led to the book about her diary. An advisor to the UN, and who is widely considered to be at Hunter from all around the world,” he laughed. to accomplish so many remarkable things.” into a best-selling new book which provides a fascinating be rewritten all having to be read — it was silly.” earlier story published in At Hunter helped Koppel the leading international economic adviser of our time. Assemblyman Bing, describing Hunter as “the crown — Jeffrey Sachs glimpse of what it was like for young women at Hunter And she writes about fascinating conversations with track down other Hunter students from that era. “Our problems are man-made, and therefore they can jewel in the CUNY system,” talked about why it was so during the Depression era. people at Hunter — many of them held over tea — After graduating, Florence went on to study English be solved by man.” important for him to be a supporter of the College in The book, The Red Leather Diary, written by Lily including one meeting with a well-respected Hunter math at Columbia University, but says she was sidetracked from Koppel, was published by Harper Collins in April. professor. “Visited a former teacher of mine, Dr. Darkow... her literary endeavors as she grew older. She gave birth to It has received a huge amount of attention, including she is brilliant,” Florence writes in the diary. two daughters, Valerie and Karen, and dedicated much an April 17 appearance by Florence and Koppel on the There are also descriptions of dancing at the Café of her time instead to playing tennis, bridge, and the NBC “Today Show” — as well as magazine feature stories Rouge ballroom where the Count Basie, Duke Ellington, stock market. in Vogue, Elle, and Glamour and an article in The and Glenn Miller orchestras played; scooting off to a Reading her passages in the diary again after all this New York Times. The book even has its own website: speakeasy in a checkered taxi; reading Baudelaire, Balzac, time, she said: “I couldn’t believe it, I just couldn’t believe Students Honored for Extraordinary Success www.redleatherdiary.com. and Flaubert; and taking horseback rides in Central Park. that that was me. I liked that girl. I think I should have For Florence, now 92 and living in Florida, all of this has The diary even tells of a fashion controversy at Hunter gone on to a literary career…it’s been more fun than I’ve shley Hope traveled many miles from her home brought back wonderful memories of her days at Hunter. when Florence — who cut a striking figure in her horse had in years.” in Wisconsin to reach Hunter — and an even A greater distance personally. She ran away from home at 17 and arrived in New York with just $80. She drifted aimlessly for several years until she enrolled at Hunter — where she turned her life around. After entering the Hunter fine arts program, she Newmans’ $2M Gift to Hunter emerged as an exceptional painter with a unique style that continued from page 1 earned her a one-woman show at a major gallery — a rare feat for a newcomer. She earned a BFA from Hunter Harold Newman received an MBA from the Harvard their commitment to public service and public education summa cum laude in 2004 and an MFA in Studio Art at Business School, an MA from the University of Pennsyl- render them not simply benefactors of the School of Arts the winter graduation. She found something else at vania and a BS from the University of Oklahoma. He and Sciences, but also exemplars of its aims.” Hunter, too — her husband, Josh Weisberg. began his business career at Goldman Sachs and is a The proposed Seminar in Civic Understanding Initiative José Vasquez was born with a severe hearing disability Managing Director of Neuberger Berman, now a part of will consist primarily of between-semester special topics in the Dominican Republic where there were no services Lehman Brothers. He is on the Board of Trustees of the seminars on current or recurrent civic issues, taught by for the hearing impaired. Everyone except his mother faculty, visiting scholars, or public figures. The endowment dismissed his dreams of getting an education. Besides a will fund full or partial scholarships for students in these lack of money, he had two hurdles to overcome: learning “The Newmans’... commitment to public service seminars during the winter intersession. English, then learning American Sign Language. and public education render them not The first two seminars were conducted on an experi- Vasquez persevered and became a leader in the deaf simply benefactors of the School of Arts mental basis during this past January’s winter session. community. He pursued his undergraduate degree at New and Sciences, but also exemplars of its aims.” “The Press and the Presidential Campaign” considered York Technical College, and then — at the age of 39 — the role of the press in campaigns both historical and Ruth Newman with Hunter graduate Dilini Kasturiarachchi graduated this year with a Masters of Social Work from at an event honoring the Newmans for their gift. Ruth — Dean Shirley Clay Scott contemporary. “Civic Environmentalism” prepared Hunter with a perfect 4.0 GPA. His educational journey Newman served as a mentor to Kasturiarachchi — an students for informed engagement in deliberations will continue as he pursues a PhD and a career helping accounting major who graduated this past January — (left to right) Brandon Lewis, Ashley Hope, José Vasquez, Loan Tran about the environment and climate change. as part of the Mentoring Program at Hunter. Spanish speakers with hearing disabilities. EastWest Institute, the Manhattan Theater Club and the “The students who are in the courses really want to be Brandon Lewis was emerging as a promising artist until Board of Visitors of the International Program Center at there,” said Harold Newman. “I sat in one evening, and Dean Scott called them “terrific courses,” saying: “The financial difficulties and personal despondency led him to sponsored Lewis with a Mother’s Day scholarship. and enrolled at Borough of Manhattan Community the University of Oklahoma. Harold and Ruth Newman I was very impressed with their diligence. They cared. goal of these experimental courses and of the special Civic drop out of college. After a terrible car accident left him Born and raised in Vietnam, Loan Tran arrived College. There she won contests for poetry and essays have also served on the Board of Trustees of the Asia Society. They participated. They weren’t just listening. They Understanding Seminars as the curriculum committees unable to walk, he turned to alcohol. But with his mother’s in New York just 10 days before 9/11. The horror of written in her new language. Dean Shirley Clay Scott, who will be the first Ruth seemed open to the whole purpose: to expand on their define them — is not to tell students what or how they help he became sober again and enrolled in college. that day shook her profoundly, adding to the difficulties Transferring to Hunter, Tran found a new passion, and Harold Newman Dean of the School of Arts and own observations and realize the difficulty of reaching ought to think, but to help them apply their liberal arts Once at Hunter, he rediscovered his creative voice, this she was experiencing because she didn’t speak English biochemistry. She graduated as a chemistry major with Sciences, said of the fit between the school and the donors: conclusions. A balance of points of view is what is education to specific issues or events that affect their lives time as a filmmaker. His graduation with a 3.7 GPA and and couldn’t find work. But Tran was determined to a math minor and a 3.9 GPA. She will continue to “The Newmans’ wide-ranging personal interests — poetry, important, not 30-second sound bites. I felt very good or the lives of their fellow citizens.” a degree in media studies was helped immeasurably by make a life in her new homeland with her husband. pursue her passion for science by earning a master’s theater, reading, travel, art, international affairs — and about the contribution we had made.” Vivian Milefsky (’59) and her husband Norman, who Even with the birth of two children, she mastered English and continuing her scientific research.

8 At 9

Class Notes

Tell Us Please keep us — and your fellow alumni — informed about your accomplishments by e-mailing your Renee Piechocki (BA ’94) and supports arts programming. Mount news to [email protected]. Or you can update your contact information and submit a Class and Tiffany Ludwig are has contributed freelance installations to the Alumni About Note at www.hunter.cuny.edu/alumni. Share your stories with us and the Hunter College community. the co-authors of Trappings: Guggenheim Museum, Cooper-Hewitt National Stories of Women, Power Design Museum, and Barbara Gladstone Gallery. Association and Clothing. The two You can even post a picture of yourself! Liwia Rosamond (MA ’99) is a French teacher Your Favorite spent six years interview- at a high school in Queens. She described her Events ing more than 500 women appointment to a second term on the New York Many Hats Through Life.” Fand, who has owned Hunter education in French literature and Hunter and girls in preparation For information on all alumni 1940s State Court of Appeals. Ciparick, who has been a a tile distributing company in Florida for the past culture in a recent Gotham Gazette article for the book. Piechocki is events, please check our website Amateur pianist and devoted concertgoer judge for the past three decades, received her law 25 years, previously worked as a high school “Investing in Higher Education.” “CUNY Professor an artist and public consultant. Anne Gray (BA ’46) is the author of The degree from St. John’s University School of Law. earth science teacher and an employee in Cuba’s gave me a new career,” said Rosamond, who at www.hunter.cuny.edu/alumni State Department. Connecticut school teacher Mildred Velazquez formerly taught English. “I believe that this is Is there World of Women in Classical Music, which Bloomfield College in New Jersey has appointed Class of ’87 alums Lamb, McBean, Robinson (l-r) (BA ’94, MSEd ’00) has been named Trumbull’s one of the very few places where you can get a covers women’s musical achievements from Ernesto L. Butcher (BA ’67) to its board of Col. Rose Mary Sheldon (MA ’76), head of David Lamb reunited with fellow alums from 2008 Teacher of the Year. She previously taught at high-quality education at an affordable price.” a favorite professor the distant past to the present. Gray describes trustees. Butcher is the deputy executive director the history department at the Virginia Military classical music as a “lining against all the the Class of 1987 Austin McBean and Deborah the innovative learning center at Roosevelt Hospi- of operations for the Port Authority of New York Institute, will be publishing her fourth book, LONG ISLAND CHAPTER you remember from darker things in the world.” Robinson at a special performance of Lamb’s hit tal and Cornell Medical Center Nursery school. and New Jersey. Operation Messiah: St. Paul, Roman Intelligence play, Platanos and Collard Greens, at Hunter in April. 2000s your days as a student Eugenie Clark (BA ’42), one of the world’s and the Birth of Christianity, in. May Bodies of Work, a 15-year retrospective of artist June 26: Chapter Meeting Representative D orothy L. Hukill (BA ’67) has Nutritionist Rebecca Karchere (BS NFS ’00) leading experts on sharks, was honored with Debra Fraser-Howze (BA ’88) has joined Orasure Erin Wade’s (BA ’94) work, was featured at the at Hunter? served in Florida’s state legislature since 2004. runs Pure NEWtrition in Fairfield, Connecticut. Time: 7:30pm; E. Meadow Library, the prestigious Explorers Club Medal at a dinner Photographer Barbara Mensch’ s (BFA ’78) Technologies, Inc., a medical diagnostics company 46 Studio in Chico, California. The exhibition, Before entering politics, Hukill served as an At a YWCA workshop, “Lose the Clutter, Drop at the Waldorf-Astoria on March 15. She was works are housed in the Bibliothéque Nationale based in Pennsylvania, as vice president, Government showcasing 10 groups of work by the artist, was E. Meadow, NY elementary school teacher and practiced real the Weight,” she discussed how to overcome An extraordinary teacher recognized for her lifetime of contributions to de Paris, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and External Affairs. Fraser-Howze is the former her first solo exhibit. Contact: Helen Gittleman estate and probate law. physical and psychological barriers to weight loss. the study of deep sea fishes and other aquatic the Museum of the City of New York, and the president and CEO of the National Black Lead- who changed your life? Kim Waterman-Spitzer (MSEd ’95) has been 516.705.6277, [email protected]. life. Clark joins the ranks of other former winners Poet, playwright, and co-founder of Ikon Brooklyn Museum. Mensch, who was profiled ership Commission on AIDS, an organization an art education teacher for the past 15 years, Guy Moshe’s (BA ‘01) first feature film, Holly, or Rhona Goldman: 516.599.2719, like Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, Jane Goodall, magazine Susan Sherman (MA ’67) published in B&W magazine, uses New York City as her she founded in 1987. opened at the Quad Theater in New York City A faculty member the last five spent at IS183 in Berkshire County, [email protected] Edmund Hillary, and the Leakey family. her memoir, America’s Child: A Woman’s Journey muse. She hopes that her photographs capture Yvonne Graham (MPH ’88) has resigned from on April 25. Moshe wrote, directed, and co-pro- “some kind of truth, and to have that truth Massachusetts. She recently taught a “Creative who made such a Through the Radical Sixties. The New York her position as Brooklyn’s deputy borough president duced the movie, which examines the growing resonate with people.” Collage Workshop” for children and their Times Sunday Book Review called her writing and has been appointed as a special assistant to international atrocity of human trafficking. The memorable impact 1950s caregivers. NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA CHAPTER “evocative ... Sherman’s subject is finding herself Borough President Marty Markowitz. “In the near film was shot on location in Cambodia and and accepting her love of women — and learning Since 2005, Claudia Zequeira (BA ’96) has features actors Ron Livingston, Thuy Nguyen, on you that you want Yeshiva University Museum 1980s future, I hope to set up an exploratory committee her art.” covered Osceola, Florida, schools as an O rlando Udo Kier, Chris Penn and Virginie Ledoyen. June 14: Annual Fundraiser and Kilmer Library of to determine my viability as a candidate for the to thank him or her today? An experienced fundraiser and manager for the Sentinel r eporter. Early in her career, she covered Time: 5pm; Buffet supper at the Rutgers University have Murray Sabrin (BA ’68), a New Jersey resident, office of Brooklyn Borough President,” she said. arts, Eddi Wolk (MFA ’83) has been hired as New York’s City Hall for several daily newspapers Suzanne Palmer (BA ’04) is in her third and final acquired two of Janet is running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican. home of Estelle Stone. $50 Write and tell us development director at the di Rosa Preserve in J ane Grappone (MSE d ’89) has been named and wrote about NYC’s public education system. year in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Indick’s (BA ’53) large- He ran for governor of New Jersey in 1997 as a 6816 Meadow Lane, Chevy Chase, MD California. She previously served as director of director of guidance and counseling services in at MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. scale steel sculptures for Libertarian and for the U.S. Senate in 2000 as Trish Kerlé (MSEd ’97) has joined ASAE & The all about it for development of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. the Manhasset, New York, public schools. Last After graduating, she intends to work in either Contact: Estelle Stone at their permanent collec- a Republican. Sabrin is a finance professor at Center for Association Leadership as director of an acute care or inpatient rehabilitation facility. year she served as the lead counselor, and the 301.986.0478 At Hunter! tions. Indick has exhibited extensively in New Ramapo College of New Jersey. Martha S. Jones (BA ’84) diversity and inclusion. ASAE & The Center, seven years prior to that as a guidance counselor. The NY Times published a photo essay and York and New Jersey and is a recipient of several has written a new book, based in Washington, D.C., aim to help associa- slideshow of Ka Chan’s (BA ’05) recent photo Send your memories to: awards, including a Medal of Honor and a New All Bound Up Together, Leslie Koppel-Egierd (BA ’89) is a designer and tion professionals optimize their skills. Kerlé 1970s exhibit of the news photographers of NEW YORK CAPITAL DISTRICT CHAPTER Jersey State Fellowship grant for sculpture. Her which came out this fall. sales associate at the Closet Doctor, a New Jersey formerly served as an organization development “My Favorite Professor” Chinese/Chinese American newspapers. metallic artwork, influenced by nature, music, Patricia Spence Rudden (BA ’72), an associate The book explores the store that offers solutions to storage problems. associate at Applegate Consulting Group and a June 8: Summer Luncheon c/o At Hunter Jewish themes and current events, has been in professor of English at City Tech, is the editor roles of black women in She is a founding member of Kids First, and a program consultant for the National Association Emily Elizabeth Kolins (BA ’05) recently international exhibits in Germany, France, of the new book Singing for Themselves: Essays community movements member of the Middlesex County Transportation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender started a jewelry line under the label Emily The Clarion Hotel in Albany. 695 Park Avenue, Rm. E1301 Poland, and Canada. on Women in Popular Music. Published by against slavery and for civil rights. Jones is cur- Coordinating Committee. Community Centers. Elizabeth Jewelry. Her creations are sold in Speaker TBD. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, the book takes rently on the faculties of the history department New York, NY 10065 Musician Darren Wilsey (BA ’98) has written stores nationwide and have received press in Contact: R ona H. Wilson at an academic look at the work of female artists and law school at the University of Michigan. 1990s TV and soundtrack music for “Sex and the City,” the US, Sweden, and Japan. 1960s such as Laura Nyro. 518.465.7763 Bette Jane Kowalski (BA ’86) has worked for “Saturday Night Live,” and “Third Watch,” Or email to: Anna Sarubbi (BA ’90) Justin Matherly’s (MFA ’07) exhibition The Following a 47-year career as a magazine editor, , the , among many other programs. Wilsey, who owns John Malmgreen (BA ’73) has been elected New York Newsday Village Voice Publishers has been honored as Assistants was on view at Dispatch gallery in [email protected] Alan Richman (BA ’60), of Morganville, NJ, a music company in California, has degrees chairman of ASTM International Committee on Weekly, and the Stamford Advocate, as well as the “Woman of the Year” New York’s Lower East Side from February 24 QUEENS CHAPTER has launched Alan Richman Communications , where she served as editor from the Manhattan School of Music and the Nonferrous Metals and Alloys. The committee’s World Press Review by the American Italian to April 6. He is also the co-founder of Services, a freelance writing service and commu- for 10 years. University of California at Irvine. role is to develop standards in all aspects of the Coalition of Organiza- Basekamp collaborative in Philadelphia. June 7: Spring Luncheon nications consultancy. A former editor of the metals industry, including compositions, proper- For the past 16 years, J oseph Rutkowski tions, the Bay Ridge SUNY Cortland named Janina McCormack (BA ’06) and Michael Time: 12pm – 4pm; Pasta Lovers Hunter Arrow, which published twice-weekly ties, dimensions, classification, nomenclature, (Advanced Cert. ’87) has been the director of Business and Professional Andrew Mount (MFA McGrann (BFA ’07) were selected by Ugallery.com and covered both the Park Avenue and Bronx analysis and quality assurance. Malmgreen is the Restaurant. $30 instrumental music at Great Neck North High Women’s Organization, and the Congress of ’99) the director of the to exhibit at the Art Now Fair New York in March. campuses, Richman holds a patent pending for vice president of manufacturing and quality at Door prizes, raffles, entertainment We Want School in Great Neck, New York. He previously Italian American Organizations. Sarubbi is the Dowd Fine Arts Gallery The Ugallery exhibition, which focuses on how a method of teaching writing skills. Eastern Alloys, Inc., in Maybrook, N.Y. served on the faculties of Queens College, medical director of Maimonides Medical Center’s on January 7. Mount was young emerging artists express urban and rural Contact: Helene Goldfarb In December, the New York State Senate confirmed to Hear James Fand (BA ’74) was profiled in a Tampa Mannes College, Westchester Conservatory, ambulatory site. formerly the director of themes, included McCormack’s action paintings 212.517.3144 or [email protected] Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick’s (BA ’63) Tribune article entitled “Tile Salesman Has Worn and Stuyvesant High School. ThINC, an organization and McGrann’s landscape photography. From You... that develops, implements SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER Have a comment If you would like to be added to the on an article you read in In Memoriam chapter’s mailing list, please email At Hunter ? Frances Lewine ’42 Florence Belsky ’42 Monique Hart at [email protected] An idea for something Frances Lewine (’42), a trailblazing journalist who covered Florence Belsky — a longtime philanthropist, champion of the arts, and dedicated Hunter alumna — STATEN ISLAND CHAPTER you think we should the White House during the administrations of six presidents, died on November 29 at the age of 86. be covering? died on January 19 in Washington at the age of 86. Belsky’s life was characterized by diligence and generosity. She began working at the age of 13 to June 16: Book Club Event After graduating from Hunter, where she edited the support her parents and her sister Rose after her father was injured on the job. She supported herself Time: 7pm; Pasticceria Bruno, Or maybe College’s newspaper, Lewine worked as a reporter in New through her years at Hunter College, where she earned a BA in 1942, and at Brooklyn Law School, 1650 Highland Blvd. Jersey until joining the Washington bureau of the Associated where she was one of two women to graduate in a class of 200. Belsky went on to a 50-year career Contact: Mary Ellen Bennett you just want Press in 1956. She covered the White House for AP from practicing law, ultimately becoming the first female hearing officer of the New York Supreme Court. 718.979.2539 to share a favorite Eisenhower through Carter, and then joined the Carter Wide-reaching and diverse, Belsky’s philanthropic work has touched the lives of countless people. She Hunter memory administration in 1977 as deputy director of public affairs established scholarships at Hunter College, Juilliard School of Music, the Guilio Gari Opera Foundation, for the Transportation Department. She later spent nearly Elderhostel, and the New School Institute for Retired Professionals. She also founded the Florence Belsky BOOK CLUB through pictures three decades as a TV editor and producer at CNN. Charitable Foundation, which supports projects ranging from academic scholarships to children’s arts Frances Lewine Florence Belsky or words? Lewine was hailed as a leader among women journalists programs. Additionally, she was a patron of the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Public Library, The Book Club meets on the third 1922 – 2008 1922 – 2007 in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s for battling discrimination Ellis Island Wall of Honor, and the Metropolitan Museum. Wednesday of each month except Whatever it is... against women in jobs and assignments. She helped open up to women for the first time A website has been established in Belsky’s memory at www.florencebelsky.com. August, December, and February. we’d love to hear major journalistic organizations such as the National Press Club and the Gridiron Club. The group meets from 7– 8:30pm She was also part of a sex-discrimination suit filed against the AP, which helped change in the Archives Room of the Hunter what YOU have to say! its policies on women. Hunter Remembers... Library on Level Two of the East Send your comments to: “Fran Lewine was a pioneer for women in journalism and she stood up to the Frances Lewine with President Lyndon Building, except for January and July, Washington ‘media’ establishment and helped open doors that had been open only to Johnson and Lady Bird in the ’60s. when it meets in 1315 East Building. [email protected] men,” said Edith Lederer, chief AP correspondent at the UN and a longtime friend. Elizabeth M. Jones ’30 Lillian Winfield ’42 Ruth Kurtz Perrone ’51 Maureen Hansen ’59 June 18: Portrait of a Lady by Another friend, AP legal writer Linda Deutsch, described Lewine as “a role model for what a great woman could accomplish in Marie L. Hesselbach ’36 Frances Nadler Wolfman ’42 Naomi D. Lewis ’52 Rev. Salvatore A. Mistretta ’63 Henry James Or... journalism. She was truly a legend but so self-effacing you would never know how much of this country’s history she had covered.” Norma Liebert ’40 Mary Cohen ’44 Lydia Shneid ’53 Marilyn R. Padow ’64 At Hunter Lewine was a member of the Hunter College Hall of Fame. Her lifetime of distinguished accomplishments also earned her a place July 16: My Father Had a Daughter Leah Schwartz Shapiro ’40 Selma Berrol ’45 Gail L. MacFarlane ’56 Christine (Pepe) Signorelli ’86, ’94 b y Grace Tiffany 695 Park Avenue, Rm. E1301 in the Hall of Fame of the Washington Society of Professional Journalists. Last October, she was awarded the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism — the highest honor bestowed by the Missouri School of Journalism. New York, NY 10065 At 11

Foundation Board Member Carole Olshan: A Life of Teaching and Giving

arole Sklerov Olshan always wanted to be a school- decentralization and the introduction of community school teacher. “From childhood on, I had dreamed of boards,” she says. “It was very difficult, very challenging, Cworking with young people and helping to change but we never lost our focus on teaching, and despite the lives,” the Hunter alumna says. “It was the wonderful turmoil, we did make a difference in our students’ lives.” education I got at Hunter that made my dream come true.” In addition to her contributions to Hunter, Olshan has Now Olshan is repaying Hunter in many ways. She has been active in several community-service organizations. been a member since January 2007 of the Foundation She is a board member of the United Jewish Appeal of Board of Trustees. She serves on the Gala Committee. Northern New Jersey and serves on the board of the And she is a generous supporter of the Mother’s Day Jewish Center of the Hamptons. She was a member of Scholarship Fund, which she describes as “a wonderful the Committee to Visit the College at Harvard and the way to personally give back to Hunter what it had done Harvard Parents Fund. for me and my generation.” After graduating in 1963, Olshan realized her childhood ambition, teaching in an elementary school in East “My lifelong ambition was to be a school- Harlem — El Barrio, as it was more often called then — teacher... It was the wonderful education for 16 years. Along the way, she earned a master's in I got at Hunter that made my dream bilingual education from Hunter as well as a master's in come true.” the teaching of reading from CUNY, and she served as — Carole Olshan a United Federation of Teachers chapter chairman. She is especially proud that when the Board of Educa- tion published a pamphlet about teaching in New York, Her husband, Morton, is a prominent New York real she and many of her fellow Hunter alumnae were featured estate developer and a principal owner of the New York in the photos. “We really were dedicated and hard Yankees. Their daughter Andrea and son Michael both working and good at what we did,” she says, “because graduated from the Horace Mann School and Harvard. we had been so well trained during our student-teaching “Andrea and Michael were presidents of the Hasty days at Hunter. It was a phenomenal experience.” Pudding Club,” Olshan notes, “and they are almost The years she taught, through the 1960s and ’70s, certainly the only sister and brother in Harvard’s history were a time of upheaval in New York’s schools — and who both served in that office.” “I am,” she adds with in American society. “We went through school a motherly smile, “rather proud of that.” 10 Questions For... Nicholas Freudenberg Distinguished Professor of Urban Public Health

Nicholas Freudenberg has spent three decades working tirelessly to improve public health conditions — most recently by launching a website called Corporations and Health Watch, http://www.corporationsandhealth.org, which takes aim at corporate influence for causing many of our most daunting health problems. A graduate of Hunter (BA ’75) who went on to get his PhD at Columbia, Freudenberg has also done extensive research in New York City jails on AIDS protection and other inmate health issues; worked with homeless and community groups to promote better public health policy; and co-authored several books on solving pressing public health problems. The founder and longtime director of the College’s Center on AIDS, Drugs, and Community Health, he has been called “the most influential individual in the U.S. in the field of health promotion for disadvantaged urban populations.”

1. If you weren’t teaching at Hunter, what do you 4. What do you like to do when you’re 8. Favorite sport or team? think you might be doing for a living? not teaching? Under the influence of my son (a Hunter College High I have two alternative careers: a field biologist or a journalist. My research and teaching bring me to crowded, noisy, School graduate), I became an ardent Mets fan. Things I’ve always admired the nineteenth-century biologists who complex urban scenes like city jails, high schools, low- are looking a little rocky right now, but we’ve been here spent their time observing nature and making conclusions income neighborhoods and Hunter’s crowded hallways. before and I have high hopes for the summer. based on their observations. As a journalist, I’d write For relaxation, I look for more solitary activities like 9. What are some of the things you’ve been able about the ways that public policy affects ordinary people. running, kayaking or hiking. to do in the field of public health at Hunter? 2. Tell us about a memorable moment in 5. What book have you just finished reading? When I started teaching at Hunter in 1979 we had the classroom. To escape from work, I read at least one mystery a week. small undergraduate and master’s programs. Now we’re In the early 1980s, several of my Hunter public health I recently finished Richard North Patterson’s Exile, a the largest and oldest public health program in the students were involved in the first New York City can’t-put-it-down thriller that also gives one of the most metropolitan area, our graduates are leading many of Department of Health investigations of what was then balanced pictures of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that the city’s health agencies, we’ve opened a new doctoral called “gay-related immune deficiency”. Their descriptions I’ve read. Now I’m reading The Cigarette Century by program in public health this past September, and — of the people affected by HIV and the findings of their Allan Brandt, a history of how cigarettes and the tobacco with colleagues at Brooklyn, Lehman and the Graduate studies mesmerized my class and contributed to my deci- industry shaped the 20th century. Center — we’re planning a new CUNY School of Public sion to spend the next 20 years developing and evaluating 6. Favorite recent movie? Health to be based at Hunter College. We have the HIV prevention programs. One of the rewards of teaching potential to become national leaders in the emerging at Hunter is how much I learn from our students. I really liked Pan’s Labyrinth, a film that weaves a child’s field of urban health. fantasy world (great special effects!) with the end of the 3. Accomplishment you’re most proud of? Spanish Civil War. It showed the psychological roots of 10. How has being a member of the Hunter This past June, the state legislature passed a law political violence in a very personal and upsetting way. faculty helped you in your work? making it easier for people leaving jail and prison 7. Guilty pleasure junk food? Everywhere I go people admire and respect Hunter — to get Medicaid, thus allowing them to continue to because their mother, grandmother, son or daughter get care and medicines for HIV, tuberculosis and One of my recent public health crusades has been went to school here or aspires to. It makes it much diabetes. My research played a small role in making against the junk food that’s making so many Americans easier to develop partnerships of trust than if I were the case for that legislation. We were able to show that overweight, sick and at risk of early death. Lucky for me affiliated with an elite university with a more having Medicaid after release from jail was associated I don’t like it much, so avoiding it has not been hard. problematic history. with lower rates of reincarceration. On the other hand, ice cream….