Spring 2021 Snap!

SPRING 2021 SNAP!

Downhill From Here?

Co-captain and veep of UConn’s Ski Team Sydney Murner ’21 (ENG) competes in the giant slalom last year at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York, where the team placed in the top five. Covid-19 canceled the team’s season this year, so Murner has had more time for studying and for job applications — she hopes to do fieldwork for an environmental engineering firm. Murner, her ski teammates, and her Delta Zeta sisters also have been working on numerous fundraisers for Connecticut Children’s Hospital through Huskython.

UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU SPRING 2021 CONTENTS | SPRING 2021 SPRING 2021 | CONTENTS

UConn Magazine FROM THE EDITOR VOL. 22 NO. 1

UConn Magazine is produced three times a year (Spring, Summer, and Fall) by University Communications, University of Connecticut.

Editor Lisa Stiepock Art Director Christa Yung Photographer Peter Morenus

Class Notes Grace Merritt

Copy Editors Gregory Lauzon, Elizabeth Omara-Otunnu

Web Designers Christine Ballestrini ’03 12 14 40 (SFA), Yesenia Carrero University Communications Vice President for Communications Tysen Kendig Associate Vice President for Creative FEATURES Strategy & Brand Management Patricia Fazio ’90 (CLAS), ’92 MA GOOD PEOPLE When we decided to make this issue a front-to-back compilation of UConn people doing good in the world, it was because we thought everyone could use a hit of 14 DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD happiness right now. We found out near press time in January that our friend and We could easily fill every issue of this magazine with stories of Huskies doing good works Class Notes: [email protected] colleague Dee Rowe had died, and it became, also, a fitting tribute to this UConn Letters to the Editor: for people and for the planet — it seems to be in the genetic makeup of our blue blood. icon who was as good as good gets, and who left a lasting impression on every [email protected] But this seemed like a season where we all could use the feel-good inspiration of these human being he met. Address changes: UConn Foundation stories a bit more than ever. So, from the front cover to the final page, get to know some Records Department, 2390 Alumni Drive, Six years ago, almost to the day, as I looked out my new office window at Swan of our favorite Husky humanitarians, philanthropists, climate crusaders, and more. Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269 Lake and the Chem Building stacks, my computer pinged with the first external email to my uconn.edu account. It was from my dad. After I got settled in my new job, he asked, could I please try to find an old friend of his he’d lost touch with, a longtime UConn coach and athletic administrator named Dee Rowe. My initial SECTIONS Cover Mary Kate McDevitt Snap! Peter Morenus search failed when I looked for Rowe in the ranks of the retired — the Athletics Table of Contents Peter Morenus, Mary communicator who ultimately shared his contact info said, “He still has an office Kate McDevitt, Guy Mendes in Gampel, comes in most days.” Rowe was 86 at the time. From the Editor Stephen Slade ’89 (SFA) Dad introduced me to Dee at halftime of a local high school basketball game UCONN NOW 1 where the son of a friend of his was playing. It was his fourth basketball game or Huskies making meaningful music and movies, spreading joy, creating creators, saving scrimmage of the day and he was headed to another. Indeed, Rowe had a singular lives, change-making at the Pentagon and the West Wing, and much more. passion for the game and is credited with helping make UConn men’s and women’s basketball, and athletics in general, what it is today through his post-coaching career as a fundraiser. Rowe was a friend and trusted advisor to countless UConn 36 UCONN NATION coaches, athletes and, yes, presidents, deans, faculty, and staff. Alums show their Husky — and civil — spirit by busting monopolies, helping prisoners get “He took the time to really get to know people and wanted to help them,” says

degrees, mentoring young social work students, and turning ’60s campus memories into The University of Connecticut complies with all applicable federal my colleague Mike Enright who worked with Rowe for years. “When you went to and state laws regarding non-discrimination, equal opportunity and novels. Plus Class Notes, Tom’s Trivia, and more. affirmative action and does not discriminate on the basis of race, an awards dinner or a game with Coach Rowe, one thing was certain, you would be color, national origin, disability, sex, age or other legally protected characteristics in all programs and activities and supports all state and federal laws that promote equal opportunity and prohibit dis- the last to leave. He had to see everyone. To thank them and make sure they were crimination, including the provision of reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. To request an accommodation or for doing OK. He loved sitting down for a cup of coffee and a muffin to talk about life, questions related to the University’s non-discrimination policies, please contact: Title IX Coordinator, Office of Institutional Equity; family. He always said that to know the right thing to do is easy, it is just hard to do 241 Glenbrook Rd., Unit 4175; Storrs, CT 06269; Phone: (860) 486- 2943; [email protected] (non-discrimination policies); ADA Case it sometimes. Dee helped people do the right things in life.” Manager, Department of Human Resources; 9 Walters Ave., Unit 5075; Storrs, CT 06269; Phone: (860) 486-3034; [email protected] (accommodation requests).

2 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU SPRING 2021 3 UCONN NOW

LETTERS We want to hear from you — good, bad, just not ugly. Please share thoughts, insights, discrepan- cies, recollections, and how’s your Tom’s Trivia win-loss percentage coming? Post to our website at magazine.uconn.edu, email me at [email protected], and send by regular mail to UConn Magazine Letters, 34 N. Eagleville Rd., Storrs, CT 06268-3144.

Cliff Robinson better numbers and be a part of signifi- I have not returned to UConn since ➼ Your story on the tragic passing of cant championship teams. I graduated, yet I have often wondered Cliff Robinson certainly evoked some I’m certain there were several NBA if the initials three of us carved in the memories of what seems like an era teams in the 1990s who looked back maple tree near the entrance to Fair- long since passed. He’s the bridge beat the 1989 draft and wished they had field still remain. tween the mediocre teams of the mid- chosen him. Susan Hollister ’71 (CLAS), via e-mail ’80s and the ascension to glory a few Gone way too soon. years later. I remember the first time I Rick Darling ’84 (BUS), via e-mail Campus Update? heard about him. I used to subscribe to ➼ I love my UConn Magazine. Well the old Husky Blue and White publi- Lego done! As an older alum, I’d love to see cation, which covered UConn sports ➼ I had the chance to work with Meg you feature a new map of the Univer- back in the day. [Hall ’08 (CLAS)] in her agency days. sity and surrounding town. So many In one of their issues probably Savvy, smart, and a lover of all things alums would love it. #BleedBlue back in early 1985, there was a men’s Connecticut. Happy to see her still do- Ann McGreevy ’84 Ph.D., via mail basketball recruiting update with two ing great things here in Connecticut! players mentioned, one of whom was Eric Panke ’93 (SFA), via our website ASL Cliff Robinson — “6’ 9” forward from ➼ I have a teen very interested in Buffalo, New York.” I remember say- Women in the Jungle learning ASL. She was unable to take a ing to myself “Wow — this guy actually ➼ I would like to clarify that the first high school course. Perhaps next year, sounds like a good player.” And he was females took up residence in “The for she aspires to attend UConn and indeed beyond good. He’ll always be Jungle” in the fall of 1967. [“Jungle work with children with hearing and my UConn favorite, even if several Reunion, Class Notes,” Spring 2019] speech difficulties like herself. other players went on to amass slightly I resided in Fairfield. Lorraine MacIntyre, via our website MAKING GOOD

SOCIAL MEDIA THE KEY OF LIFE Brianna Chance ’23 (SFA) says the philosophy of “try every- “I didn’t realize research could be going out and gathering thing” is what led her to rewarding research experiences people’s stories.” during her first year at UConn. The music education and Chance hopes to apply her newfound data-collection skills vocal performance major from New Haven, Connecticut, next to questions that may have been overlooked surround- joined La Comunidad Intelectual, a Latinx living and learning ing students of color in the arts. “I really want to connect community, where she says she and her peers quickly rec- what it means to be a student of color and be pursuing the ognized there were relatively few Latinx people working in arts and not be tokenized.” higher education. Chance plans to be a music educator and credits the music So she joined communication professor Diana Rios in col- educators in her life with helping her through difficult situ- lecting testimonials and data about Latinx students’ experi- ations. “They were the people I could rely on,” she says. “So, ence here. Last February, the two presented their findings at I said I needed to do this because it saved me as a kid. It’s a the annual Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy. tribute to myself and the people who helped uplift me.” “It was so gratifying,” says Chance. “For me it was almost a She encourages students interested in conducting research form of activism and education.” to reach out to professors conducting work they care about, Congratulations to my good friends $60,000 in less than two weeks. Safe Congratulations to Brett McGurk ’96 The experience also showed her that this kind of work is even if it is outside their major, as it was for Chance. Angie and Matt the luckiest humans I to say, #UConnNation holds themselves (CLAS) on being appointed the Nation- not only for those in STEM fields. “I thought research had to “Being at a research university, the possibilities are end- know. @jonathanhusky14 #accountable. THANK YOU @husky_ al Security Council’s coordinator for the be done in a white lab coat over a microscope,” Chance says. less,” she says. — ANNA ZARRA ALDRICH ’20 (CLAS) ticket_project Middle East and North Africa. @uconn

4 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Peter Morenus SPRING 2021 5 UCONN NOW

CHECKING IN WITH LAUREN STOWELL, DOCUMENTARIAN

The first timeLauren Stowell ’06 “It was a huge opportunity with the age 20. Trent was a source of inspira- (CLAS) walked into a television pro- level of notoriety the UConn programs tion around the country for the way he duction truck, she knew this was how were having. The phones were ringing fought the disease and supported his she wanted to make a living. off the hook, people wanted media beloved Boilermakers. “It was organized chaos, and you guides, tickets, licensing was blowing “We didn’t even feel worthy of the could cut the tension with a knife,” says up. It all prepared me for a great career time we had with Tyler,” says Stowell. Stowell, who that day was working as a in media.” “His time was so short. We were with runner for ESPN during a UConn bas- him on the sideline when Purdue ketball game when she was a student. Satellite City beat Ohio State in football. His family That meant she was doing every little Combining that experience with her allowed us into the experience while odd job the ESPN crew needed during classroom work, which she says gave he was in hospice care at home. It was their time in Storrs. her a foundation of style, form, and an honor to share those moments with “I remember looking at the pro- good writing, Stowell applied to the him.” ducer and the director in front of the ESPN production trainee program board calling camera shots. There were after graduation and was hired for the No-Hugs Storytelling graphics people yelling. It was the competitive seven-month position. Over the past year, the pandemic most chaotic, but beautiful, orchestra “You have to prove yourself in many and the social justice issues that of madness I ever experienced. When different areas,” says Stowell. “You have gripped the country have made I went home, I told my dad, ‘I am not learn very basic production skills in Stowell’s job a challenge. “It’s been a sure what I just experienced, but I many different areas. I learned all I different landscape for storytelling want to be doing that.’” could during that time, and was ex- in 2020 for many different reasons,” Stowell knew sports at an early age posed to a lot of shows.” says Stowell. “It has been logistically as her father, Bob Stowell ’71 (CLAS), She was hired full-time after that challenging, because we are doing was a football player and then a long- seven-month period and, in 2013, won interviews remotely. You don’t get that time photographer at Husky events. her first Sports Emmy for the short connection you make when you go out The younger Stowell graduated with a feature “Drive,” the story of a NASCAR in the field and look someone in the degree in journalism with a concentra- motorsports engineer working for the eye as they tell their story. There are no tion in pathobiology and is now a fea- most successful team in the auto racing hugs or handshakes. tures producer at ESPN and a five-time circuit, despite having been born with- “We are at a time where there is a Sports Emmy Award winner. Her most out arms. national sense of reckoning. You are recent effort was the highly acclaimed In 2015, she received an Emmy for trying to do these stories with Zoom in- documentary “Tiger Woods: America’s the short documentary “No Excuses,” terviews. Normally, you would go into Son,” part of ESPN’s “The Undefeated” the story of 7-year-old wrestler Isaiah communities and walk the streets. That brand, which premiered in November. Bird. “Isaiah was born without legs, is a huge part of shaping a story. We Stowell worked her way up in the had a troubled family situation, and his have found novel ways to work around sports communications business, coach became his mentor and took over it, but it is a challenge as a storyteller.” starting in UConn’s Athletic Commu- his child care responsibilities,” says And, at her core, that is what Stowell nications Office as a freshman. She Stowell. “His father was in and out of is — a storyteller. answered the phone, made copies of prison, and he had a teenage mom with “Incredible people . . . that is the newspaper clippings, and proofread other challenges. It was an incredible joy about what I do,” says Stowell. “All media guides. Stowell says she also story of relationship and bond. Isaiah these stories. We are getting to meet learned how to interact with people at had an incredible spirit and character, and spend time with people that are that time. and never saw himself as having a dis- inspiring, who are really changing the “I learned how to communicate with ability. That attitude impacted so many world. I get to take their experience the public, with the media, how to be people, and that was the story we told.” with me and learn things from them.” a liaison for the school,” says Stowell, Stowell was also one of the produc- —MIKE ENRIGHT ’88 (CLAS) who is quick to credit now-retired Ath- ers as ESPN told the story of Purdue letic Communications secretary Lu- University student and super sports Stowell won Outstanding Short Sports anne Dunstan as the person who first fan Tyler Trent, who passed away from Documentary for “Isaiah Bird: No Excuses” prepared and mentored her in the field. bone cancer on New Year’s Day 2019 at at the 2016 Sports Emmy Awards.

86 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Marc Bryan-Brown Photography SPRING 2021 7 UCONN NOW

3 BOOKS UCONN TALKS

JAMES C. KAUFMAN On the collapse of the On UConn certifying pharmacists to administer the Covid-19 vaccine: iconic Arecibo telescope James C. Kaufman, professor of educational psychology in the Neag School, is an expert in cre- in Puerto Rico: “The more people we can get on the front lines and ready ativity and practices what he preaches. He’s published more than 35 books and more than 300 papers. He’s won countless awards, including Mensa’s research award. He tested Dr. Sanjay Gup- the better.” ta’s creativity on CNN, appeared in the Australian hit show “Redesign My Brain,” narrated the “We lost our star comic book documentary “Independents,” and wrote the book and lyrics to the musical “Discov- quarterback.” Dr. Jeffrey R. Aeschlimann, pharmacy professor, NBC CT, Jan. 11, 2021 ering Magenta.” He says researching past “3 Books” columns was “a bit intimidating, since they were generally filled with quality, intelligent nonfiction or literature. I unabashedly love genre fiction — I have grown to prefer entertainment over enlightenment.” We’ve ordered all his picks. Chiara Mingarelli, On why missing out on family traditions is a big deal: astrophysics professor, Just Finished: Currently Reading: On Deck: Scientific American, Dec. “All Our Wrong “Deadly Anniver- “The Trespasser” 11, 2020 “For many people, the lack of ceremony is experienced Todays” by Elan saries” edited by by Tana French Mastai Marcia Muller and as a feeling of emptiness, as if their very life narrative Bill Pronzini Tana French’s On what drove so had a gap in it.” “All Our Wrong Murder Squad series many college football Todays” is a time- I love mystery and has an enjoyable programs to play travel love story, thrillers, and anthol- progression — a through the pandemic: but in lieu of the ogies are particular- novel will be written Dimitris Xygalatas, anthropology professor, The Atlantic, Dec. 15, 2020 romance of “The ly enjoyable. I like to from the perspective “Money.” Time Traveler’s Wife,” it has snark, experience small tastes of my favorite of one character, and the next novel massive screw-ups, and a narrator writers while I discover new ones. This will be written from the perspective Head football coach Describing the fantasy football competition in which he won $2.5 million: who is somehow relatable despite collection has some of my all-time top of a supporting character. It connects Randy Edsall, The New a litany of flaws. It has time travel writers (Laura Lippman and Jeffery everything without risking becoming York Times, Jan. 4, 2021 without too much hard sci-fi, a vision Deaver) alongside other strong contrib- trite or predictable when an audience “A hobby.” of the future that doesn’t feel overly utors (Lee Child and both editors) and knows the protagonist too well. I’ve David Bergman, operations and information management professor, fantastical, and alternate universes new folks I’d never encountered. I like read the first five and have held out Hartford Courant, Jan. 17, 2021 that don’t feel like a cop-out to avoid mysteries that have a twist, especial- finishing the series (French’s latest On the legality of using enforcing the rules of time travel. I co- ly one that I never see coming (yet work has been standalone books). But data archived from the social media app Parler teach an Honors seminar (with doesn’t feel like a cheat). When I was why? I will indulge soon, and perhaps to track down Capitol riot P. J. Barnett) on time travel and the a teenager, I loved Agatha Christie (I dispense with my general “leave one participants: On racism: On the negative hashtags: movies. If the in-the-works film adap- still do). I like a lot of the 1950s and ’60s book to save” policy, which applies to tion is better than Mastai’s past work (and on) writers who would publish in most of my favorites. In addition to (the sequel to “Most Valuable Pri- “Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.” those already mentioned, I’d include “All the data “It’s the Achilles “If there are frustrations with mate,” etc.), I look forward to adding it They are sometimes forgotten because Kate Atkinson, Lawrence Block, would be fair heel of American to our syllabus. they preferred to write stories, yet they Michael Connelly, Harlan Coben, Facebook, they don’t seem to be game for law democracy, and it are worth seeking out: Robert Bloch, Jerome Healy, Jonathan Kellerman . . . affecting people’s use of it.” Edward D. Hoch, Jack Ritchie, Henry and so many others. enforcement.” always comes up.” Slesar, and many others. Kiel Brennan-Marquez, law Manisha Sinha, professor professor, The Washington of history, The Washington Sherry Pagoto, psychology professor, Post, Jan. 12, 2021 Post, Dec. 31, 2020 Newsweek, Dec. 23, 2020 KUDOS

Nursing professor Colleen Delaney ’80 (NUR), ’98 MS, ’03 Ph.D., was named Holistic Nurse of the Year by the American Holis- tic Nurses Association. The national organization’s annual award recognizes a nurse who has “contributed to outstanding inno- On his famous prediction of widespread unrest in 2020 and on what happens next: vations or changes in the field.” Delaney has dedicated her career to investigating interventions to help older adults with heart failure who are receiving care at home and older adults with depression, as well as spiritual interventions for older adults with “We may be the first society that is capable of perceiving, if dimly, the deep cardiovascular disease who are living in senior communities. In 2016 UConn began offering its Holistic Nursing Online Graduate structural forces pushing us to the brink.” Certificate program, of which Delaney is the founding director. As Renae Martin, a recent graduate of the certificate program, said: “Dr. Delaney, you are an exemplar of what we all aspire to be.” Peter Turchin, ecology and evolutionary biology professor, The New York Times, Dec. 16, 2020

8 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Illustration by Kyle Hilton SPRING 2021 9 UCONN NOW

KUDOS

and colleagues. His nomination to serve CARDONA IS NAMED as the country’s top educational leader is an amazing credit to Dr. Cardona’s talent, commitment, and passion, as EDUCATION SECRETARY well as a tribute to public education in Connecticut. On behalf of our entire OF THE UNITED STATES University, we wish him the greatest success.” “Miguel has continued to contribute his time and energy to our students, faculty, and alumni,” says Dean Gladis Kersaint. “On the national stage, he will no doubt shine as an engaged and com- petent leader at a time when our schools are facing challenges like never before.” When asked in a 2017 interview with the Neag School’s Shawn Kornegay what led him to choose the field of education, Cardona said, “Kids. There are few things as gratifying as knowing that your hard work will improve the lives of children. Coming from a family who modeled service to others, I knew I wanted a profession that would give me the opportunity to serve others and help strengthen my community. Teaching did that. Initially, I wanted to become an art teacher. I love the arts When President Joe Biden tapped icates from the School while moving and the important role it plays in the Miguel Cardona ’01 MA, ’04 6th Year, from teaching fourth grade in Meriden development of a person, but I gravitat- ’11 Ed.D., ’12 ELP to be the country’s to his appointment by Gov. Ned Lamont ed toward elementary education once top education official, Cardona became as the state’s education commissioner. in the program. Being an elementary the first UConn alum to hold a Cabinet- And his ties with the Neag School teacher is akin to being an artist, so I level position in the White House. and UConn go beyond earning degrees; got the best of both worlds.” “He will help us address systemic in- he represented Meriden as a partner Asked what makes a great educa- equities, tackle the mental health crisis district on the Neag School Leadership tor, he replied, “Great educators are in our education system, give educators Preparation Advisory Board; was an ones that do not look at their work as a well-deserved raise, ease the burden instructor in the UConn Administrator a job, [but] as an extension of their of education debt, and secure high Preparation Program (UCAPP) for sev- God-given gifts. The passion and com- quality, universal pre-K for every three- eral years before becoming education mitment from great educators comes and four-year-old in the country,” commissioner; and was a guest instruc- from within . . . Great educators build Biden said in a statement announcing tor in an Executive Leadership Program relationships with students and set a KUDOS his choice. “As a lifelong champion of course on school district leadership. high bar for their growth. Great edu- public education, he understands that “Dr. Cardona exemplifies the very cators believe in the potential of their TOM PENDERS NAMED TO HALL OF FAME our children are the kite strings that best of public education in our state, students, even if the students don’t yet. keep our national ambitions aloft — and which he has served as a classroom Great educators pay attention to detail Tom Penders ’67 (BUS), who played on some of the finest UConn basketball teams of the 1960s and also starred for the UConn that everything that will be possible for teacher, a principal, and as Connecti- and, like any other profession, value the baseball team (pictured, left, with brother and teammate Jim Penders ’66 (ED), father of current UConn baseball head coach our country tomorrow will be thanks cut’s Commissioner of Education,” importance of preparation. Whether Jim Penders ’94 (CLAS), ’98 MA) before going on to a long and successful college coaching career, has been named to the to the investments we make and the says UConn President Thomas C. that is lesson design, or getting to know National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in the class of 2021 as a coach. The Stratford native began his head coaching career care that our educators and our schools Katsouleas. “We are very proud of his their students, great teachers invest in at Tufts in 1971: Penders coached seven different programs over a span of 39 years — Tufts, Columbia, Fordham, Rhode Island, deliver today.” ties to UConn, not only as a recipient their work — and they reap the benefits Texas, George Washington, and Houston. His overall record was 649-437, with a 12-11 mark in the NCAA Tournament. In 1987 Cardona has a long association with of multiple degrees, but as an adjunct of their students’ success . . . The role while coaching Rhode Island, he was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year. Penders’ NCAA teams lost only once the Neag School of Education, earning instructor in the Neag School of Edu- of teacher is the most important of all. to a lower seed, and that was a No. 8 vs. No. 9 game in 1992. His 1988 Rhode Island team was the first A-10 team to reach the four postgraduate degrees and certif- cation and an advocate for his students Teachers shape lives.” Sweet 16. He guided Texas to an Elite 8 appearance in 1990, the school’s first since 1947.

10 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Nicholas Kamm Courtesy of Jim Penders ’94 (CLAS), ’98 MA SPRING 2021 11 UCONN NOW

that had no electricity and was inacces- IN DEVELOPMENT sible by road. Some 350 people lined up to receive healthcare. “It was eye-opening,’’ he says. He USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO helped with triage, took blood pres- PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE sure, and used his limited knowledge of French to translate symptoms. “It Assistant professor of social work made me feel good about the profes- Caitlin Elsaesser is one of 16 research- sion, making an impact and making a ers in the U.S. to receive the first Centers difference with your time, effort, and for Disease Control and Prevention energy,’’ he said. (CDC) funding for gun research in 24 Patel added the healthcare manage- years. Elsaesser studies cyberbanging, ment major after several semesters at how social media can intensify conflicts UConn because he ultimately wants among youth in neighborhoods with to be a decision-maker in healthcare, high rates of violence and lead to offline either running a department or even as violence, including gun violence. She the CFO. plans to use those same social media He says the Covid-19 pandemic THIS JUST IN platforms to help prevent the violence. hasn’t deterred him from a career in Elsaesser’s two-year $250,000 grant medicine — in fact just the opposite. ENGINEERING CARTILAGE IN SPACE is one of just two K01s, early career “I think the Covid pandemic awards that provide intensive training strengthened my determination to Use it or lose it — muscles, bone, and cartilage all deteriorate when astro- and mentorship to develop the next be a physician,’’ Patel says. “I saw the nauts spend long periods of time in space, away from the ponderous pull generation of research leaders. impact that healthcare providers made of gravity. Muscles and bone gradually recover once astronauts return to “I am honored to be a part of this STUDENT PERSPECTIVE and wanted to continue on this path so Earth, but cartilage rarely does. Now, a group of UConn engineers have groundbreaking group of CDC grantees that I can continue helping people in a plan to encourage cartilage to regenerate, and to test it on the Interna- that recognizes the public health crisis the future.” tional Space Station. of firearm violence in the U.S.,” she says, THE TEST DRIVE In his spare time, Patel, an Honors They have successfully engineered cartilage constructs and tissue adding, “This award is an outgrowth of Vishal Patel ’21 (BUS, CLAS) sampled primary care as an EMT student, tutors student-athletes and chips in the lab on Earth and just received $400,000 from the National a four-year partnership with Compass serves on the funding board for the Science Foundation and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Youth Collaborative and is a recognition After months of training, Vishal Patel medical school after he graduates in Undergraduate Student Government. Space (CASIS, which is also known as the International Space Station of the importance of violence preven- knew he was prepared to care for May. He began working as an EMT in But that isn’t what he is known for National Lab). Their partner, Space Tango, an aerospace manufacturer tion researchers being guided by agen- patients as a member of the Tolland September 2019 but recently resigned among his friends, says Aaron Yao ’21 in Lexington, Kentucky, will also receive $415,000. This multi-agency cies and youth who truly understand ambulance crew. But when the first call to focus on applying to medical school. (BUS), a finance major, who has known grant will fund the development for an experiment on the space station their communities.” came, a patient with fatigue and chest “Initially I wanted to see how it felt Patel since middle school. to begin in 2022. NASA has committed to funding the launch costs. Elsaesser has long collaborated with pain, it was the new EMT’s moment of to be the primary healthcare provider,’’ “Vishal has a passion for baking,’’ A team of bioengineers led by UConn’s Yupeng Chen will test two the Hartford-based Compass and its truth. he said. “I’d had experiences in medical says Yao. “He always jumps at the techniques. One uses a scaffold inside a 3D printed slide with micro Peacebuilder program, which connects “I was really nervous. You go through centers in the past, but they’d mostly opportunity to make delicious desserts channels for the cartilage to regrow upon. The channels also carry nutri- violence outreach workers (peacebuild- months of training and shadow work, been backseat experiences. I wanted for his family and friends, whether it’s ents to the young cartilage cells; blood vessels do this for most tissues in ers) with disconnected youth, providing and I felt confident in my abilities, but one-on-one patient interaction. After a flag-themed cake for July 4th or a the body, but not for cartilage. The other looks at the effect of a mi- conflict mediation, crisis intervention, that first call is nerve-wracking,’’ says joining the ambulance, I found meeting coconut cake for a birthday. cro-RNA (µRNA) researchers suspect could preserve or even encourage and counseling. Patel, now a UConn senior. “I had to people and talking with patients and “He never ceases to amaze me with cartilage growth and maintenance. Her project takes a community-based keep myself focused. I didn’t want to their families, to be really rewarding.’’ his creativity, precision, and crafts- Eventually, the research could improve astronauts’ health in space and participatory approach, soliciting input make the patient nervous.’’ In the past Patel volunteered as a pa- manship when it comes to making on other planets with weaker gravity than Earth. This is particularly im- through focus groups from both the During his year of service, he helped tient escort at Massachusetts General cakes and desserts, and is unparalleled portant for NASA’s long-term goal of sending humans to Mars. And even Compass Peacebuilders and youth to with everything from badly sprained and as an ER nurse assistant at New in comparison to other baking enthusi- if the µRNA is unsuccessful, the 3D printed cartilage scaffold could be a develop a social media–based inter- ankles to car accidents with trauma. York-Presbyterian. He has also volun- asts that I know,’’ he says. “His tiramisu very valuable tool, allowing medical researchers to test potential drugs vention that reflects their values and “Tolland has an older population, so teered with Bethesda Medical Mission, is a personal favorite of mine. for cartilage in early stages without sacrificing animals. preferences. By considering the pref- many calls are to homes and nursing assisting citizens in countries with nat- “If his dedication and perfectionist “If we can engineer a tissue in space, we can engineer it on Earth!” erences and values of the community, homes, and occasionally to an accident ural disasters for four years. Patel is the attitude toward baking is any indication Chen says. —KIM KRIEGER the developed interventions will have a on the highway,’’ he says. son of Dipti Patel and Dr. Mehendra of his future capabilities as a medical much better chance of succeeding. Patel, a native of South Windsor, is Patel, who practices internal medicine practitioner, I believe Vishal will find Find more on this study and other similar research —ANNA ZARRA ALDRICH ’20 (CLAS) pursuing dual degrees in healthcare and is his son’s inspiration. great success in any endeavors he choo- at s.uconn.edu/cartilage. management and physiology and neu- During a medical mission to Haiti ses to pursue throughout the course of Find more on this study at robiology, with aspirations of attending four years ago, they served a village his career,” says Yao. —CLAIRE HALL s.uconn.edu/gunviolence.

12 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Peter Morenus SPRING 2021 13 | DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD |

redefining "wealth"

learn video editing, sound engineering, graphic design, coding, digital marketing, and other marketable skills. “A lot of these kids want to be rappers,” Mutts says. “I would never throw dirt in someone’s drink, but breaking through as an entertainer is very challenging. While honing those skills, why not learn how to engineer? Why not learn videography?” Mutts got his own start in the re- cording industry more than a decade ago. A writer of poetry and lyrics since childhood, he decided to go full throttle with music after graduating with a degree in human development and family sciences. “I packed up the car and drove to California to see where it would take me,” he says. In short order his talent landed him in Atlanta, the red-hot center of hip-hop, where he worked with major label Jive Records. But the deeper he got into the business, As seen and heard on YouTube or on including the police. It nods to a wider Mutts discovered, the less he liked it. Revolt TV, the music network found- definition of “wealth” than is common- “It was so much smoke and mirrors, the ed by Sean Combs, a Richie Mutts ly celebrated by the music industry. cheap high of sex and drugs and money. freestyle strikes all the right notes. “Information is wealth, friendships Rather than how to make a record from Contemporary beat, dazzling word- are wealth, access is wealth,” he says. the heart, the question became, how play, powerful urban imagery. Close “Born Rich addresses the idea that gen- can I make a hit record? This was not listening reveals a strong social justice erational wealth begins with parents what I loved about the culture.” message baked into the groove. Mutts being able to share information and Craving something more meaning- calls it “putting medicine in the food,” opportunity with their children. Social ful, he returned to Connecticut to whipping up a confection so delicious and emotional learning techniques, do community outreach. While not kids don’t realize it’s good for them. understanding of self, financial literacy everyone from the industry under- For Mutts ’06 (CLAS) the impulse — in underprivileged communities, we stands why he’d launch a nonprofit to do good is as irresistible as an infec- just don’t have full access to all that.” — in Atlanta, one manager counseled Neuroscientists who study our brains on happiness tend to agree that a key ingredient tious melody. In addition to making Among current projects, the Foun- performers to bring $10,000 cash to for one’s own contentment is helping others. music and videos, the Hamden, Con- dation is collaborating with the cities live shows to toss at the audience — for As the Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus famously told a room full of necticut, native works as a program of Hamden, New Haven, and East Hav- Mutts the reward has always been obvi- Forbes 400 billionaires, “Making money is a happiness. Making other people happy is a director for Meriden Children First, en to produce a series of public service ous. It’s the ability to make an impres- super-happiness.” and last year he established the Born announcements aimed at bridging the sion, change a life, shift a perception. We are all in need of a little happiness and a little inspiration lately, so we’ve devoted Rich Foundation. Dedicated to improv- disconnect between communities of It’s the thirteen-year-old aspiring this issue of the magazine to stories of just a few of the many UConn faculty, staff, stu- ing racial equality across Connecticut, color and law enforcement. “I want to rapper who shares a song he’s written the nonprofit is built on what Mutts get officers and municipal leaders to after hearing Mutts’s work — in place of dents, and alumni who spend their days doing good in the world, making it a better calls “the five Es — exposure, experi- put themselves in the shoes of a young the same old, same old, the kid is now place for all of us. ence, education, and empowerment, all minority,” Mutts says. “And I also want rapping about being class president. These folks are called to their vocations because they are passionate about what they wrapped up on a foundation of equity.” that 16-year-old kid to put himself in “These are the stories that resonate do and about making a difference — it just so happens that doing so may be making The Foundation’s name comes from the shoes of a cop. We have to be able to with me,” Mutts says. “Building our- them happier in the process. We know that reading and writing about them made all a 2019 documentary Mutts made about at least try to understand each other.” selves up, creating connections within of us just a little bit happier, too. And we hope you share that feeling. the disconnection between communi- As Mutts and his team produce the our community. That’s true wealth.” ties of color and institutions of power, PSAs, kids will work alongside them to —KEVIN MARKEY

14 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Illustration by Mary Kate McDevitt Peter Morenus SPRING 2021 15 | DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD |

Inspiring Students to Save the Planet

“Sustainability is arguably the biggest challenge we face in the 21st century,” says Michael Willig. It’s not just about sustainability, though. “Proba- bly the most important questions we have to answer are not if a system is sustainable, but if it is desirable,” says the Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. “We have many paths we can take in our stewardship, but science doesn’t tell us which of those paths to take per se — it’s human values that guide us. I don’t think that each of us fully understands how we might marshal those perspectives and ways of knowing to the common good.” Willig also directs UConn’s Institute of the Environment — tasked with bringing together science, the humanities, and social science to chart a course to a greener world. One of the many things the Institute is doing to help students find such perspectives and Willig, “ you see their eyes light up as part of our responsibility — to edu- paths is getting them into the field with with the excitement of being in a new cate people regardless of circumstance. research programs abroad. A partner- place or environment and you see them That’s the cool thing about being at a ship with the Organization for Tropical become hooked on that perspective on public university. This is who we are.” Studies allows students from around life, which is what a college education is Willig has his own award-winning the world to take UConn courses at all about essentially. It’s called a liberal ecological research project in Puerto three field stations in Costa Rica and education not because we’re liberals but Rico, where for 32 years he has studied one in South Africa. because it liberates us from ignorance.” gastropods to understand the impact of “They provide outstanding oppor- UConn replaced Duke as the pro- hurricanes on tropical ecosystems. As a tunities for students to have a global gram’s school of record in 2019, which, student, though, he never went abroad, experience where they see the world Willig says, democratizes the opportu- because the programs were offered in not only through their eyes but through nity. Now “kids from all sorts of social the summer. “I could never afford to the eyes of others who have different and economic backgrounds can partic- go to those classes. I came from a poor perspectives and cultures and social ipate. That’s where a state institution family where if you couldn’t work in backgrounds,” says Willig. “Truly I like UConn becomes really important the summer, you couldn’t afford to go think this is an example of one of those — we’ve got academic standards like to school the next year. So I really like life-transformative opportunities.” Duke but we offer them at a price that the idea of making these experiences Being in the field with students, says students can afford. In fact we take that available to everyone.” Advocating for Animals

Join UConn Reads for an Earth Day Event Professor Jessica Rubin founded to advocate for justice in animal abuse and wildlife. “It’s gratifying to use my UConn’s Animal Law Clinic and worked cases. It was the first law of its kind in legal skills to help animals, building on Michael Willig and the rest of the steering committee for this year’s UConn Reads invite you to join the nation, but now several states have them at a virtual event with Amitav Ghosh, author of this year’s selection: “The Great Derangement: with animal rights groups to pass and the humane values that were part of my Climate Change and the Unthinkable.” In the book, says Willig, Ghosh deals with critical environmental implement the groundbreaking 2016 passed or are considering similar legisla- upbringing and continue as important issues from a humanist perspective. It’s a way to get the broader UConn family, including faculty, staff, Desmond’s Law, which allows courts tion. Rubin grew up surrounded by aban- parts of my work and my life,” says students, the surrounding community, and alumni, together to widen perspectives around a certain to assign legal advocates, usually law doned and abused animals. Her mother Rubin. That’s one of her own rescues, issue. Find out how to join in at s.uconn.edu/ghosh. students or lawyers working pro bono, ran a rescue organization for dogs, cats, Holly, with Rubin above. —AJ WYMAN

16 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Left: Bri Diaz ’08 (CLAS), ’10 MA. Right: Peter Morenus SPRING 2021 17 | DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD |

When I was a senior in college, I was in creative writing, she retired in 2002 do not reflect the true value of a story, told I had to take four classes my final but was lured back when the head of the or the reason to tell it. They’re not why semester, even though I only needed English Department, who knew she’d a writer writes. Stories are successful, three to graduate. For fun, then, I always dreamt of starting a writers’ according to the theory of literary signed up to study independently with retreat, made her an offer she couldn’t Darwinism, which Nelson taught me to a young English instructor named refuse. “He said,” Nelson recalls, “‘If you embrace, insofar as they help us survive Marilyn (Waniek) Nelson (now come back and teach half-time, we’ll and adapt. Stories, whatever else they professor emerita of English at UConn). donate the equivalent of the other half convey, teach empathy, and they let us I told her I wanted to write fiction, but of a full-time salary to your nonprofit.’” see through someone else’s eyes and she was a poet and suggested we write She started Soul Mountain Retreat feel what they feel and learn from it, poetry instead. My poetry was, at best, in 2004, buying a large house in East and when stories do that, they stitch the pretentious and derivative, and at worst, Haddam, Connecticut, where, over the social fabric together. birdcage liner, but with a week to go, she next 10 years, she hosted more than 100 “Poems and stories tell us what it told me I had talent and that I should young writers. “I wanted to be able to of- means to be human,” says Nelson. consider a graduate writing program. I fer residencies to people in small groups “They are underlaid with a moral was terrified of the shapeless future and of shared ethnicity so that instead of one vision.” uncertain what to do with my life, but person of color in a group of 50, the way Her current project, “Papa’s Free Day if she saw something in me, I thought it was when I was at Yaddo, I could have Party,” tells of her maternal grandfather, maybe I could give it a try. six people of color together, and give John Mitchell. “His father had a farm One MFA, 30 published books, and them an experience that they couldn’t in Kentucky, and the Klan came and set 150 published articles and short stories have anywhere else.” it on fire. The parents said to this little later, I have walked the path she set me “Amazing woman and a phenomenal Black boy, who was 6 or 7 years old, ‘Go on, sometimes diffidently but always teacher,” says Dawn Lundy Martin north.’ And he left running, by himself, happily, and I have made a living telling ’91 (CLAS), director of the Center for and got to the banks of the Mississippi stories, some of them my own. I have African American Poetry and Poetics at River. He was standing there, crying, also stayed friends with Marilyn Nelson the University of Pittsburgh. Lundy, as and this white man asked him where all these years, meeting when we can, an undergraduate, used to host poetry his parents were. He told him the story, at literary festivals in Vermont or over workshops in her home for both under- and this man said, ‘Why don’t you come dinner one night in Manhattan where, graduate and graduate students, and home with me? I have a boy your age. coincidentally, James Baldwin was Nelson would come by to participate, You can be playmates.’ And this man dining at a nearby table. outside of class, sometimes workshop- took my grandfather home, where he Despite her claim my senior year that ping her own poems in progress. “I have and his wife raised him with their son. she was more a poet than a storyteller, undergraduate students now who want These were not wild-eyed radicals. Nelson’s poems are narratives, more to start off writing experimental poetry, They were just ordinary farmers, and than any poet I know, imagining and and I tell them what Nelson told me, yet they did something extraordinary. giving voice to the interior lives of peo- that you have to have a foundation, in And I think we need to raise those people who did not get a chance to speak prosody and form, to experiment from. ple up as examples of what can happen. for themselves. As Connecticut’s Poet Whatever your aesthetic is, you need to Of who we could be, as Americans. Of Laureate from 2001 to 2006, she wrote know how narrative functions and how how we could understand each other, “Fortune’s Bones: The Manumission to tell a story.” and learn to talk to each other. I think Requiem,” about a Connecticut slave Her connection to Nelson, like mine, it’s important to tell stories that are whose skeleton ends up in a white doc- is more than pedagogic. “I have this true. You can’t paint everybody with the tor’s office, and “A Wreath for Emmett beautiful life as a poet, essayist, profes- same brush. And I think at this point Till,” telling the heartbreaking story of sor,” says Lundy, “and I believe that it is in our shared history, that’s what we’re the 14-year-old Chicago boy who was in no small part due to Marilyn’s seeing doing. Everybody is sort of dividing into brutally murdered in Mississippi in something in my poetry that made camps. To fight that, we have to keep the 1955. She’s written poems to accompany this path possible. And because she empathy growing.” a slave narrative of a man named Ven- saw something, she took great care to Where some poets turn ever inward, ture and poems about the settlers of the nurture it.” Nelson turns outward, and there is first African-American town of Seneca I might brag about Nelson’s work as compassion in every line she writes. Village, a people displaced when New poet in residence at the Cathedral of St. She showed me compassion years ago. York City built Central Park in 1857. John the Divine in New York City, or her She knew I was lost and she pointed me And she has striven, as a teacher, to numerous awards, including the Frost in the right direction. I have not had a making the world more poetic help other people (like me) find their Medal in 2012 and, in 2019, the Ruth Lil- moment’s regret. Sometimes I even still voices. After 20 years at UConn, teach- ly Prize, the top honor an American poet write poetry. But just for fun. ing both ethnic literature and courses can aspire to, but prizes and recognition Or maybe for her. —PETER NELSON

UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Shevaun Williams / Shevaun Williams & Associates / Courtesy of World Literature Today SPRING 2021 19 | DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD |

raising her voice to amplify other voices

As a teenager in her hometown of Paraty, Brazil, Pauline The experience made her a bit of a hero at home, and she Batista ’16 MA was enrolled in a rigorous five-year teacher- was asked to be a torchbearer for the Rio Olympics in 2016. It training high school and held multiple paid internships. “It also made her want to expand her skill set even more. “That was very hectic because I would leave my house at 7 in the was when I started thinking, ‘Maybe I should really get a morning and come back at 10 at night,” Batista says. “Your Ph.D.’ because people like me typically don’t have a voice,” average 15-year-old is not dealing with all that. But for me, Batista says. “But if they have the right education, all of a sud- that was normal.” den, they have a voice. All of a sudden, the door is open.” She She didn’t slow down in the summers, working for Festa decided to enroll as a doctoral student at the Neag School’s Literária Internacional de Paraty (Flip), the largest liter- Department of Educational Leadership. ary festival in Brazil. Her work as program coordinator of “That was a really important moment in my life because youth-oriented FlipZona included media and filmmaking my skill set really came together,” she says. “Everything programs and inspired her early interest in filmmaking. At clicked.” Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut, she focused In the Ph.D. program, Batista has learned about youth- on video production, but after graduation, she says, “I started led research methodologies and participatory filmmaking to get really critical of the relationships between what we call projects, bridging her experience at Flip to her research. She people from the North and people from the South” — those focused her doctoral research on international organizations regions of the world that have more and, respectively, less and Latin American education. “The whole idea is to show- wealth and power. After earning a master’s degree in Latin case how it is that international organizations have power Helping Dolly Fight Illiteracy American studies at UConn, she decided to return to Brazil over education in Latin America,” she says. for a year while deciding what to pursue next. Batista conducts her research through Youth Participatory “I go back home after all those years and, after participat- Action Research, a research model that involves collabora- “We know if children don’t read at As CEO of the Dollywood Founda- and the U.K. Dotson recalls fondly ing in this literature festival since 2002, for 14 years, every tion and co-ownership of research work with youth. For Ba- their grade level by third grade they tion, Dotson has helped legend Dolly how Parton asked him then if more summer,” she says, “I learned that the media program was tista, this means co-authoring papers, co-creating filmmaking likely will never read at their grade Parton realize and expand her vision might be possible. “I remember her going to be entirely cut. I was enraged.” projects about local education, and organizing local events. level later,” says David Dotson ’76 of improving childhood literacy. When saying to me, ‘Do you think we could Batista ended up in a meeting with the secretary of educa- “We’re going to be bringing the youth together to make (CLAS). “This is a world where read- he joined the fight in 1999, the orga- even help millions of kids in this way?’ tion for Paraty, whom she effectively lobbied for the refund- short films, and the youth are going to have ownership of the ing and writing is fundamental, and it nization gave away a book a month to It’s how she said it, that she was really ing of the program — a success she attributes to the critical short films, and they can use them as they please,” she says. will likely stop you from making the about 2,000 children in one county saying, ‘If you see this and you’re will- thinking she learned at UConn. “I was exposed to the right “If that means they call attention to policymakers, they are living you want — and having the life — today it’s more than 1.7 million ing to work for it, I’m right there with body of work and literature,” she says. “The conversation entitled to do that. It’s their films that we produce together.” you want.” children in the U.S., Canada, Australia, you.’” —ERIC BUTTERMAN shifts because I could shift the conversation.” —MICA CLAUSEN

20 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Left: Curtis Hilbun / AFF-USA.COM. Right: Courtesy of Pauline Batista SPRING 2021 21 | DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD |

Humanizing Human Rights

Don’t look for Ellen Messali ’10 JD on she helped to establish the Immigration worked with local groups on class action Monday nights. Unit there. litigation to get people out as well.” You won’t find her in her car, where She primarily does removal defense, Messali’s work takes her into out-of- she’s typically making good use of her with a priority for detainees being held state prisons — no immigration detain- hands-free function to knock off phone in federal custody, and as one of the few ees are held in Connecticut facilities calls during her 45-minute commute. law groups in Connecticut doing this — to meet with her clients. She brings You won’t find her running, even kind of work, the Unit is busy, especially her own personal protective equip- though she’s invested in a home tread- under the immigration policies in place ment to her no-contact visits while mill since the coronavirus pandemic has during the past four years. constantly coping with ever-changing kept her away from the gym where she “When you’re not detained, it’s much rules on what she can bring with her — was once training for a 10K. easier to find counsel,” she explains. sometimes her disinfecting wipes are You won’t find her binging on “You have much more time to pursue allowed, and other times they aren’t. podcasts, though she’s become an avid and prepare your applications for relief, “I think we put ourselves at risk every listener since this proud former “tech- because the detained docket moves so single time that we go to those facili- nology rejecter” finally caved and got quickly. You have your first hearing, ties,” she says, “and I think it is brutally her first smartphone in 2019. and then, a month later, you have your unfair. Our clients are not criminals. You also won’t find her at her desk at final hearing and in that time you’re They are individuals who have immi- New Haven Legal Assistance, though on supposed to find counsel. That counsel’s gration violations, and if they are just many other nights she’s probably there, supposed to prepare an application for released on certain conditions or with working well into the evening preparing you, talk to numerous witnesses to try monitors, we wouldn’t need to be can- briefs or evidentiary records or making to get statements on your behalf, gather non fodder going into these facilities.” other arrangements for her clients, evidence from you when you’re in lock- Messali knew when she entered many of whom are in detention facilities up — I mean, it’s a system created to be UConn Law that she wanted to work outside of Connecticut and all of whom impossible.” in the public interest, but it was in the are refugees and immigrants fleeing It is work that she views as “insanely Asylum and Human Rights Clinic that circumstances beyond their control. important,” but that’s only part of why she found her calling. “Jon Bauer just Instead, on Monday nights, Ellen she’s dedicated herself to it. She’s a taught me how to do this work so com- Messali is tap dancing. second generation American, but she’s passionately, so well, so thoughtfully,” She started tap dancing at two years quick to say that she doesn’t have an she says. “It was the only thing I knew old, stopped for more than a decade, immigration story of her own. how to leave law school doing, and I and picked it back up at age 31. Even “I wanted to do something that would knew I knew how to do it well, and after Covid-19 hasn’t slowed her, thanks to feed my soul,” she says, and because of you represent one person doing this — an innovative dance instructor, video her mother, a humanitarian. “I grew up which is what I did in the clinic — it’s conferencing on Zoom, and a portable watching her just be a good person.” such a powerful experience.” dance floor in her home. While issues surrounding immi- Though the hours are long, and the Tap dancing is her escape, she says, gration may have faded from public work sometimes takes an emotional toll, playing a huge role in her sanity, some- consciousness with the onset of Covid, Messali said her work with her clients is thing vital for an attorney who spends her work has remained constant, even a mutual relationship: she needs them her days and nights thinking about her ramping up during the early days of the and they need her. cases and her clients and, often, the vi- pandemic when there was a strong push “My clients restore my faith in hu- olent and traumatic circumstances that to get as many detainees as possible manity, and if I can offer them some- have led them to seek legal aid. released from detention facilities for thing in return, then I should,” Messali “It’s a lifesaver,” she says. “I think it’s their own safety. says. “This is what I love doing, this is the one thing that sort of helps repair a “From what our clients were telling what I know how to do, I think I do it lot of mental health damage throughout us and just from our own experienc- pretty well, I know I care about it, and the week.” es being at these facilities, there was at least for the foreseeable future that I A UConn Law graduate, and a prod- absolutely no way that they were safe in can predict, this is what I’m going to be uct of professor Jon Bauer’s tutelage at there,” she says. “They didn’t even have doing as long as I’m able to do it.” the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic, basic things; it was very poorly man- But on Monday nights, don’t bother Messali has worked at New Haven Legal aged. So we tried to take on as many cas- looking for her. Because she needs to tap Assistance for just over four years, and es as possible to get people out and then dance. —JACLYN SEVERANCE

feeding our apocalyptic fantasies

“They have popped in 2020 like crazy,” says Pam Bedore of the apocalyptic and dystopian books that are one of her specialty areas as a professor of literature at UConn Avery Point. Why, when the world itself feels downright disastrous, do people want to immerse themselves in the culture of Armageddon? “It’s a way to process that anxiety,” says Bedore. Beyond that, she says, it asks something of readers. “Dystopian literature is activist at heart — it asks readers to act,” says the teacher of a popular utopia/dystopia course, who claims dystopia is the more optimistic genre. “It is usually worse than reality. It tells people you gotta go do stuff to avoid this.” There’s a catharsis element, too. “You identify with great characters — and some of them survive.” Here’s Bedore’s list of “great pandemic reads — if you’re into dystopia and apocalypse!”

Louise Erdrich. Future novel, Canadian writer of the human race’s final and wealth disparity Shevek, my all-time fa- Home of the Living God. and activist Doctorow days — and the days has hit new heights. vorite fictional physicist, 2017. This eerie novel brings Orwell’s Big right after. It’s part of The story of Lauren Oya who moves between a that’s hard to classify Brother into the 21st a trilogy that suggests Olamina, a young hyper- consumption-oriented explores a very near fu- century. This novel the human race may be empath, includes a dark planet and its stark yet ture plagued by environ- includes lots of accurate more resilient than we exploration of modern- utopian moon. mental crisis and human information about hack- think, even in the face of day slavery but also devolution. Moving and tivism even as it tells a a bioterrorist attack. provides hope through George Orwell. Nine- funny, it draws together great story about teen new spiritual practices teen Eighty-Four. 1949. elements from political rebels. M.T. Anderson. Feed. and philosophies. A great companion to thriller and speculative 2002. Narrated by a Huxley, this classic dys- fiction. It also contains N.K. Jemisin. The Fifth teenager whose life Stephen King. The topia examines totalitar- my all-time favorite final Season. 2015. This is consumed by “the Stand. 1978. This thou- ianism, surveillance, and chapter. gorgeous fantasy novel feed” (a very realistic sand-page doorstop disinformation through follows three powerful extension of our own may remain my all-time the ever-compelling Emily St. John Mandel. female orogenes (who cyber-practices), this favorite pandemic Winston Smith. Station Eleven. 2014. can control energy) in novel is a mix of satire novel, and it was the Set 20 years after a the days leading up to and poignant scenes first I ever read. This mix Aldous Huxley. Brave Keeping Students Crafty pandemic has killed what promises to be about coming of age of science and fantasy New World. 1932. This is most of the Earth’s the worst “fifth season” in a world without a follows the few earthly a must-read for anyone population, this elegant (season with no growth) future, where Aldous survivors of the superflu interested in dystopia. novel follows a troupe in history. An explora- Huxley’s dark anxiety Captain Trips. It’s dated, Exploring emerging of Shakespearean actors tion of environmental- about the dangers of but still compelling. technologies, such as Underneath Karen Sommer’s contact send books. Instead of sending tanks, arts to students. “We know they’re and musicians as they ism, inequities of many pleasure have come to genetic engineering and info and credentials as operations and send pens. Instead of sending soldiers, on campus by themselves without face the challenges of a kinds, and hope. fruition. Ursula K. Le Guin. The new pharmaceuticals, program manager for UConn’s William send teachers.” family,” she says. From roundtable art postapocalyptic world Dispossessed. 1974. Do this novel posits a terri- Benton Museum of Art is a quote from Sommer and her colleagues are critiques, sculpture scavenger hunts, shot through with dan- Margaret Atwood. Oryx Octavia Butler. Parable you love physics and fying world in which ger and beauty. and Crake. 2003. At of the Sower. 1993. dystopia? No matter. everyone is carefully 17-year-old Nobel Peace Laureate using their teaching skills in the war drawing workshops, even pumpkin once satirical, terrifying, California is on fire, This classic “ambigu- bred for their position Malala Yousafzai — “If you want to end against Covid-19 and, in particular, its carving, the programs and workshops Cory Doctorow. Little and thought-provoking, there’s a white suprema- ous utopia” tells the and control is main- the war then instead of sending guns, attendant isolation by bringing virtual are a point of connection — and fun. Brother. 2008. In this YA this novel tells the story cist in the White House, compelling story of tained through pleasure.

24 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Peter Morenus (2) SPRING 2021 25 | DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD |

helping kids decode their brains

After nine months of Covid-19 quar- their website: haskinsglobal.org/ask-a- trouble repeating sounds and rhyming antine and endless online meetings, brain-scientist/. words. Dyslexia is her primary area Fumiko Hoeft has webinars on the Hoeft chooses the topics to cover all of research, and she recognized the brain. Literally. Her new “Ask a Brain the basics you’d get in a neuroscience warning signals. But even with all the Scientist” webinar series for kids textbook. But she frames them in a way knowledge and contacts and resources covers everything from dyslexia to op- that kids can relate to, echoing things she had, it took six months to get her timism to the newly urgent question, their parents might say to them. And son a formal psychological evaluation. “Is screen time really bad for me?” the sessions can’t help but be informed Finding therapy took even longer. The irony is not lost on her. by her own situation. That was one of the inspirations for “I struggled with the webinar format “It was a huge struggle to shut down APPRISE (Application for Readiness because it just means more Zoom the lab and BIRC, support my students, in Schools and Learning Evaluation), calls,” she acknowledges. But after re-budget all my grants and apply for another of Hoeft’s initiatives, which is months at home with her two young new ones, all while keeping track of my still going despite the pandemic. It’s sons, she was acutely aware of the lack kids’ schooling,” says Hoeft. an app that eventually will both allow of science opportunities available to Her kids’ online schooling, says teachers and parents to identify young kids this year. Museums are closed, Hoeft, was so chaotic at first that she children at risk of dyslexia and help events canceled, teachers overloaded. ended up writing a seven-page manual those children even if they have to wait But kids still need science. just to help herself keep track of all the for testing and professional therapy. Hoeft, who directs UConn’s Brain logins and passwords required. Simply “We really want to reduce the finan- and Imaging Research Center (BIRC), trying to remember all of them without cial and human cost” of addressing and former Disney artist Rebecca Lin the manual, she says, would have learning disabilities, says Hoeft. She thought the moment was ripe for a live, caused brain overload (She’s going to and collaborators including education- interactive webinar. Lin mocked up a cover that subject in March’s episode, al psychology professor Devin Kearns flyer, Hoeft began promoting it, and “Why Do my Teachers Tell me to Focus hope to have a new and improved the first episode launched last October. in Class and Not Multitask?”). version of the app out this year. October happens to be Dyslexia Aware- Despite the difficulties, Hoeft found Hoeft will keep doing the webinars ness Month, so beginning with that several silver linings in the timing of this year, too. That is, when she isn’t seemed natural. The second episode the pandemic, starting with a big one: spending time with her sons, pursuing covered what brains actually do, and her son who has dyslexia-like traits had research projects, supporting students, how we study them. For that one Hoeft just “graduated” from reading therapy. or writing grants. When we spoke on dressed up in a wig with an open skull, So at least they didn’t have to stay on the phone, she mentioned she’d been complete with exposed grey matter at top of that along with everything else. sitting at her desk since 1 a.m. When the top so she could pretend to poke She doesn’t need to imagine the diffi- does she sleep? Well, she’s covering and prod her own brain. The third culties families with learning disabili- that in the February episode of Ask a episode, in December, covered opti- ties face on top of remote schooling. Brain Scientist, “Do I Really Need to mism and why it’s important. Former Hoeft remembers when her fam- Get More Sleep?” and future episodes can be found on ily first realized her son was having Tune in. —KIM KRIEGER

UConn’s Brain and Imaging Research Center director Fumiko Hoeft likes to dress up for her online seminars aimed at kids. From left to right, she demonstrates how hard it is to experiment on your own brain; shows how to construct an almost ana- tomically correct brain out of playdough; brings a little Einstein style; and leans in with her own sons.

Feeding the Fish that Feed Us

As a kid Peter Goggins ’21 (CAHNR) spent lazy summer days trawling a dragnet along the shore in Clinton, Connecticut, scooping up minnows and sea robins. As he got older, he bought a dinghy and a fishing pole and caught flounder and bluefish. These days his passion has turned to the fish in aquafarms. The environmental science major’s start-up company Pisces Atlantic, which manufactures healthier fish food, recently won the $20,000 grand prize in UConn’s Wolff New Venture Competition, which Goggins says, is “the equivalent of strapping a rocket booster on the company.’’ It’s not the first capital infusion Goggins has received here. He trans- ferred to UConn as a sophomore after friends told him about the entrepre- neurial opportunities here and he proceeded to win awards in UConn’s iQ, Get Seeded, and Accelerate compe- titions. He also received a CCEI (Con- necticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation) summer fellowship. “I’m not a business major, and I learned so much about business, patents, and financials through the iQ program and others,’’ he says. “I Dispensing Stress Vitamins also made great contacts who gave me advice, all kinds of advice.’’ Goggins is focused on nourishing Think you might prefer a small spoon- so many of his patients who “weren’t “that whole mess.” Which gives you a the fish that people eat. The typical ful of snark to a large spoonful of sugar getting any better” find a way through sense of the author’s tone and attitude. American consumes about 16 pounds with your guided meditation? Have meditation. He says mindfulness The informal and what he calls of fish each year, according to the Na- aquarium purchased at Petco, he Another big moment came mid- you been wanting to try a meditation and meditation have a “vitamin-like “snark” are outweighed by the com- tional Marine Fisheries Service. About started experimenting with fish-food 2020 when Goggins moved Pisces practice but just haven’t known where quality in the way that they preempt passion. He explains it in the foreword. half of that seafood is farmed, and that formulae. Atlantic to a facility in East Hartford to start? Either way, Greg Sazima ’90 the stress.” “This particular life course can culti- percentage is growing. The initial results were disappoint- from his parents’ home in Middletown, MD might just be the guru for you. The other reason Sazima is so evan- vate in a shrink, or at least this one, a Some commercial feeds include ing, and there were some “burials at where it has been taking over. In January, the psychiatrist and gelical about meditation is personal. passion to examine the experience and feathers, bone meal, and chicken sea.’’ But he fine-tuned his fish food, “I have boxes piled in the garage Stanford University professor pub- He calls the book, accompanying pod- share what I’ve learned. It feels like a excrement, he says. They can also con- made from a combination of vegeta- that are taller than me and 50-pound lished “Practical Mindfulness: A cast, and blog a pay-it-forward mission kind of empathic duty, a compassionate tain “junk fish” like anchovies, which ble and insect protein, and tried his bags of ingredients that I’m milling to Physician’s No-Nonsense Guide to for the practice that he believes helped act. Born from those intentions, I’ve are high in mercury, and plastic bits Pisces Atlantic compound on a tank of flour,’’ he says. “It’s not just the garage. Meditation for Beginners,” which he him beat a rare and aggressive form of pulled together leading-edge ideas in culled from the ocean. In addition to catfish. It’s in the basement, the shed, and my says is “meant to lower the bar to entry bone cancer into remission. several areas of inquiry — psychology, his concerns about nutrition, Goggins “I fed some high-grade commercial bedroom too.” for readers interested in mindfulness Meditation’s effect on his fight with evolutionary biology, and, surprise, says he is dismayed by the environ- feed, and some my own food, and 80 The new space (pictured above) has but skeptical of a mystical approach.” cancer motivated him to write “Practi- a bit of quantum physics — and my mental damage done by conventional days later, there was no difference in allowed him to clean out his parents’ Sazima brings a large dose of humor cal Mindfulness.” own expertise as doctor, teacher, and fish-food companies as they trawl the their size,’’ he says. “I realized my food garage (he’s still working on the other to everything he does, including He wants to share the ideas, meth- sufferer, to illustrate a better way of ocean for ingredients. was just as good as the high-end prod- rooms) and made production 45 times teaching meditation. But he takes the ods, and specific practices that helped approaching this precious but unpre- With a school of goldfish and an uct. That was my big moment!’’ more efficient.—CLAIRE HALL practice quite seriously, having seen him manage and adapt to what he calls dictable human experience of life.”

3228 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Left: Peter Morenus. Right: Andrea Price SPRING 2021 29 | DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD |

elevating english majors

English professor Gina Barreca, dubbed the “feminist humor maven” by Ms. Magazine has kept us laughing through UConn Contributors: 10 books from “I Used to Be Snow White But I Drifted” to “If • Jianna Heuer, Making a Girl You Lean In, Will Men just Look Down Your Blouse?” Her • Nyanka J., Smiling with No Teeth latest, though, invites others to the party. “It’s like that chil- • Caitlin O’Donnell, dren’s book ‘Stone Soup,’” she says of the “little of this, little How I Spent My Summer Vacation of that” approach she took to editing “Fast Funny Women: 75 • Michelle P. Carter, Ace AF Essays of Flash Fiction.” • Dawn Lundy Martin, For the compilation Barreca brought together 75 writers including Jane How to Remove a Lost Tampon Smiley, Mimi Pond, Fay Weldon, Marge Piercy, and Judy Sheindlin aka • Lauren Saalmuller, Gambling for Tampons Judge Judy — and 35 UConn students, alums, and staffers. “I thought, ‘I • Monique Heller, Obituary want emerging writers, I want students, who might not have their voices • Suzanne Staubach, heard, alongside these foundational writers,’” says Barreca. English major The Hayfield: A Gardener’s Tale Nicole Catarino ’22 (CLAS) is one of those students. She also helped Bar- reca put the book together. “She said, ‘We’re making a book and I want you • Kristina Reardon, “This is a Green Pear” in it,’” says Catarino, “which was massive for me. It’s such an honor to be • Ali Oshinskie, The Blender side by side with these women. My confidence has skyrocketed.” • Erica Buelher, Stranger Roommates It’s not surprising that Barreca would find a pandemic project like this. • Lisa Nic An Bhreithimh, “Making comedy, making a story, has always been my way to cope,” she My First Date . . . with a Girl says. And she is known for gathering people. Pre-Covid, friends, students, • Niamh Emerson, Coming to Am-er-ic-a and former students were always stopping by Barreca’s office, which she • Kristen Mongillo, Anti-Social Media describes as “a cross between a piñata, a toy store, and an Italian deli. • Laura Rossi, The Podcast Diaries Everybody comes, we eat, we talk.” Even more than humor, perhaps, this • Katharine Capshaw, Fred the Aviator is Barreca’s brand — bringing people together to support one another in a • Maggie Mitchell, Vanilla community, as she says, “based on letters, on a love of words.” • Jennifer Sager, Weighing In “Dartmouth may have Gina’s papers. The Friars Club may have Gina’s • Mollie Kervick, Falling in Love Is Fattening photo. Thankfully, UConn has Gina’s living legacy of students and alumni,” • Cynthia Luo, No Belly is how Laura Rossi Totten ’91 (CLAS), another English major, puts it. • Lisa Douglas, Free Chance at Happiness “I hold the singular honor/distinction of being Gina Barreca’s very first • Kerri Brown, For Now mentee,” says Rossi, “the two of us started at UConn at the exact same time • Lydia Snapper, Fame Adjacent 34 years ago. I can still picture us side by side in her former office on the • Anna Zarra Aldrich, Personal Statement third floor of the Arjona Building where, as a wide-eyed freshman in Storrs, • Amanda Smallhorn, I was calling publishers and magazines for her bestseller “They Used To What Does That Word Mean? Call Me Snow White.” It’s this experience that directly launched my New • Nicole Catarino, York City career at Viking Books and led eventually to getting Gina on “The Manipulating Man Spreading Oprah Winfrey Show” and having my own business.” • Joan Seliger Sidney, Forget comedy. Forget English. Do the math. That’s 34 years of helping I Married a Mathematician countless students and alumni, as Oprah would say, become their best • Brenda Murphy, The Nearby selves. “I’ve been here for more of my adult life than I haven’t,” says • Kristina Dolce, Girl School Rules Barreca. “I stay in touch with these now thousands of adult students.” • Jessie Lubka, My Perpetual Fear of Water Those students are now professors, publicists, CEOs, authors, and • Laurie Cella, Chaos Theory lawyers in cities and towns across America. And they aren’t all women • Emily Heiden, or, as Barreca puts it, “Sometimes the muse is male.” It was yet another Reasons Why I’m Giving Up Dating Online former English student, Dave LeGere ’06 (CLAS), who pitched the idea for • Krisela Karaja, Waste Not “Fast Funny Women” to Barreca and it is Woodhall Press, the company he • Kate Luongo, I Apologize for What I Said co-founded, that will publish the book in early March. When I Was Hungry “All of us are united,” says Rossi, “by the friendship and encouragement • Gina Barreca, The Miserable Snapshot of The Career Whisperer Gina Barreca.” —LISA STIEPOCK Theory of LIfe

Join Gina and other alums and authors for a special “Fast Funny Women” Find photos and more at s.uconn.edu/gina. book club on March 18. Sign up and find more at s.uconn.edu/club.

30 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Peter Morenus SPRING 2021 31 | DO GOOD, FEEL GOOD |

Pioneering the new field of regenerative engineering — and championing social justice

He has established preeminence residency in orthopedic surgery and over the past almost 40 years in the in science, engineering, medicine, opened my laboratory at MIT. area of social justice and equity. technology and social justice. A Since then I have been working in It recognizes my efforts to create master of multiple fields, Dr. Cato T. both areas; a common theme in all a fairer society for all in work that Laurencin, holds UConn’s highest my research has been combining the has ranged from boots on the ground academic title: University Professor. principles of material science and programs seeking to increase the engineering with physics and clinical numbers of Black and Brown people Please tell us about yourself medicine to allow us to be able to cre- working in engineering, science, and and how you got to where you ate new information and new science. medicine, to larger programs such are today. as the creation of The W. Montague I work at the interface of medicine and You have been recognized numer- Cobb National Medical Association engineering and am also someone that ous times for your achievements in Institute program looking at ways is very much involved in issues of so- bioengineering. Could you talk about in which one can address disparities cial justice. I grew up in Philadelphia your work in this field? in health, medicine, and science for and became interested in medicine at I essentially defined what is now a Black people, to launching a new jour- a very early age, and decided I wanted new field — regenerative engineering, nal — the Journal of Racial and Ethnic to become a doctor. I started college which is the convergence of tech- Health Disparities — which is now the at Princeton, where I met people who nologies that we can utilize for the leading journal working in the space, were fantastic mentors in engineering. purposes of regeneration of complex to our new work in terms of Chairing At that time, I was not quite sure how tissues. the National Academy of Sciences, I was going to combine engineering I first outlined this vision for the Engineering and Medicine Roundta- and medicine, but I pursued chemical new field of regenerative engineer- ble on Black Men and Black Women in engineering. ing in 2012 and since then we have Science, Engineering and Medicine. When I completed college, I went continued to work and expand the I have been involved in a broad on to medical school at the Harvard field. We now have a society called the gamut of endeavors that have at their Medical School in Boston and part- Regenerative Engineering Society core the aim of making the U.S. and the way through I decided to revisit my and our work has been successful in world a more fair, just and equitable scientific and engineering routes. I terms of developing new science, new society. met Robert Langer, who was a young technologies, and new ways of think- assistant professor at that time ing for the regeneration of complex You have received singular honors and decided to join his laboratory. tissues and organ systems. We have for your years of work. You were I subsequently took on a combined been fortunate to be funded by the the first individual in history to MD–Ph.D. program combining work NIH Director’s Pioneer Award and receive both the oldest/highest at Harvard with work at MIT. This the National Science Foundation has awards from the National Academy program was unusual and I realized awarded us two Emerging Frontiers in of Engineering (the Simon Ramo that to do a comprehensive job on Research and Innovation awards for Founder’s Award) and the National both would take a long, long time! this new field. Academy of Medicine (the Walsh With the support and help of McDermott Medal). The American Noreen Koller, who was a fantastic You have recently been awarded the Association for the Advancement of registrar at Harvard, I was allowed to Herbert W. Nickens Award by the Science recently awarded you with move back and forth for my training, AAMC — congratulations! Please tell the prestigious Philip Hauge Abelson so I would do clinical rotations and us briefly about that award, why you Prize for your innovative research, then I would do work in the labora- won it, and how that makes you feel. contributions to national policies tory. This enabled me to complete I was very excited and very proud to regarding science, and for dedication my MD and Ph.D. combined in seven receive the Herbert Nickens Award. to supporting diversity in the field. years, which really helped me on my It’s the American Association of Med- How will regenerative engineering journey because I became very, very ical Colleges’ highest award for social shape the future? used to working in both the clinical justice and equity, and it recognizes At the Connecticut Convergence Insti- and research realms. I then began a the work that I have been involved in tute our main focus is on regenerative

engineering, which as I mentioned medical establishment, too, in terms there are expectations from both the You’ve done much for the state of is defined as the convergence of of medical care, which translates to mentor and the mentee. The mentees Connecticut. You were the faculty advanced materials sciences, stem higher mortality for Black people. have to follow up with and listen to architect for Bioscience Connecticut, cell science, physics, developmental That is the major challenge we have their mentors. It is not necessarily which revamped UConn Health, biology, and clinical translation, for to address in terms of healthcare and that the person has to agree with what and even serve as a Commissioner the regeneration of complex tissues something that I am very passionate their mentor says, but there has to be for Boxing for the state. You’ve been and organ systems. Our Institute about. a clear relationship in which the coun- awarded the Connecticut Medal of aims to regenerate human limbs, not We recently made the case for why sel or guidance is provided and has Technology and Innovation for your robotic limbs but rather real, organic, we need to see more Black profes- been well thought through. Finally, work not only in research, but in flesh-and-blood ones that grow on the sionals working in medicine, along there has got to be an open dialogue entrepreneurship. You have a large person receiving treatment. This type with science and engineering. On the about successes, setbacks, and plans. social justice footprint in the state. of breakthrough will have a tremen- medical side, Black physicians treat- You serve on the Connecticut Racial dous impact on global public health ing Black patients obviously do not You touched earlier on studies show- Profiling Prohibition Advisory Board and in the lives of those with ampu- exhibit the levels of unconscious bias ing the availability of Black physi- and you were recently named a Con- tations due to bone cancer, diabetes, and conscious racism that take place cians reduces unconscious bias and necticut Magazine Healthcare Hero. dangerous infections, trauma acci- among white physicians and some new improves care. Do you think that a Tell us about your work that earned dents, or children born with missing studies — for example in Covid-19 — representative workforce is requisite you that title and what your vision is or impaired limbs. have suggested that clinical outcomes for equitable healthcare? for the future. The ultimate goal of the Hartford are improved where Black physicians Yes, I think you do need to have a repre- In the “Healthcare Hero” article I Engineering A Limb (HEAL) project, have taken care of Black patients. sentative workforce in order to be able discussed how and why the coronavi- under active research in my my labo- to have equity in medicine, for a num- rus was and still is disproportionally ratory, is aimed at helping wounded So what challenges are still faced ber of reasons. Number one — because, affecting Blacks. I recall that when warriors as well as others who have by Black and Brown students who as we alluded to, when you have Black Covid-19 first hit, there was a myth of lost limbs or experienced joint dam- aspire to careers in STEM industries, and Brown physicians, you reduce the Black immunity that was circulating age. Other patients who could benefit such as healthcare? levels of unconscious bias and racism in on the internet and social media, so I from the future breakthroughs are Number one is that there are so many the system as a whole and that results set out to examine that because I was those with amputations due to bone systemic racism issues. It was ex- in better quality of care. Number two is really concerned if that misinforma- cancer, diabetes, dangerous infections, treme when I was growing up — I still that to a great extent the under-repre- tion got out it could be disastrous for or trauma accidents, or even children remember walking into a classroom at sentation of Black physicians in medi- the Black community. born with missing or impaired limbs. MIT and having a professor block me cine right now is a symptom of a system I published the first peer-reviewed from coming into the door. Is it still that has at its roots systemic racism. study in the nation with these findings What would you say are the main this extreme? Probably not as blatant, One marker for how we progress is to in April. It exploded the myth and cre- Dr. Laurencin’s interest in social action led to the creation of the Laurencin-McClinton challenges still hindering equity in but just as damaging. examine the numbers of Black people ated an early warning that the disease Greeting (LMG) in conjunction with his research fellow Dr. Aneesah McClinton. The healthcare? who are in medical school. We had a could be particularly bad for the Black handshake alternative was created in an effort to reduce human contact and protect Our main challenge in terms of equity As an active mentor helping historic low in terms of Black men in community. public health. The LMG was published in Science under the editor’s blog. for Black people in both the U.S. and address this, what are your top medicine around 2014–2015. Those It’s important to understand that the world is the persistence of racism. tips for others hoping to be good numbers have rebounded a bit, but that the reason the levels that we’re seeing We know that there are excess deaths mentors? shows that even in a world in which we are this high is because of the history the history of Black, Indigenous, and share some of my philosophy. There each year of Black people linked to I was very fortunate to win the talk about diversity and equity, such a of discrimination that has taken place all people of color. Moving from ally to are actually three “most important” racism and we have known this for Presidential Award for Excellence phenomenon can happen. That’s why in this country. what I would call a ride-or-die partner dates of your life. They are the day you a very, very long time — this is not in Science, Math and Engineering I published my piece “The Context When thinking about remedies for in the anti-racism movement — these are born, the day you realize your pur- new news. In the 1990s, the National mentorship from President Obama of Diversity” in the journal Science. the issue at hand, I developed the con- are some of the ways that I believe pose in life, and the day you are truly Medical Association had a consen- and the American Association for Ad- You cannot think of diversity as an old cept of the IDEAL Pathway to creating learning can be used in a constructive carrying out your life on purpose. sus report examining racism and its vancement of Science Mentor Award, Kumbaya general feeling. We have to a just and equitable society. Currently, way to bring about the ideal pathway to For me, starting the new field of effects on health and the creation so mentoring is a big component of look at what’s happening with specific we’re in a world of discussions about move forward. regenerative engineering, taking care of health disparities. The National my life. groups and with the specific challenges diversity, inclusion, and equity. While of patients as a surgeon, working for Academies followed up with a study I think for mentors it is import- that are taking place in specific groups. we have had some gains in these Finally, what have been some of social justice, and mentoring the next called “Unequal Treatment,” which ant that there is a dedication to that With Black people, especially in the areas, they have not really sufficiently your proudest moments during your generation, all while doing the most examined the unequal treatment of individual and to their long-term U.S., we know that racism plays a role in addressed the issues of racism that we career thus far? important thing: staying connected to Black people and others in the U.S. and future. I have been fortunate to have every aspect of their life. see in this country. So my belief is that The proud moments are too numerous my family, my values, and my God — found racism to be a primary reason mentorships that have been lifelong; I I wrote a paper recently on racial we need to move to inclusion, diver- to count. I am blessed and highly fa- collectively represent my purpose. why this is happening. am still in contact with people I have profiling as a public health issue speak- sity, equity, anti-racism, and learning vored. The moments surrounding my A life on purpose is where I am, Recently, we have seen the murders mentored who are now full professors ing to how racial profiling by police (IDEAL). Understanding ways in family (meeting and falling in love with which is the ultimate goal. of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and chairs or deans. I think it is also in America has serious health effects. which Black people are affected by the my wife, and the birth of my children garner widespread media atten- important that the mentorship is a This is an area that really needs to be specific kinds of racial discrimination probably count as the best moments). Portions of this interview originally ran tion. This injustice translates to the two-way relationship — meaning that addressed. called anti-Blackness. Understanding Speaking of moments, I want to in the journal BioTechniques.

34 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU SPRING 2021 35 UCONN NATION | ALUMNI

the number of 1,416 separate Assistant Education Associ- in Birmingham, 1920–1980.” CLASS NOTES golf courses he has played ation presented a Lifetime on across all 50 states and Achievement Award to 23 countries over his life as William Kohlhepp ’74 1950s a student, soldier, insurance (CLAS), professor emeritus underwriter, and internation- of physician assistant studies al corporation insurance risk at Quinnipiac University. ➼ Congratulations to manager. He retired in 1996 Kohlhepp, who joined Quin- Roland A. Boucher and lives in Chesterfield, Mis- nipiac in 1996, held several ’54 (ENG), who recently souri, with Dolores, his wife of administrative positions there published “Ancient Measure- 60 years. including dean of the School ments,” which examines the of Health Sciences. He was a ways Sumerians and other physician assistant for more ancient civilizations created than 40 years variously at ➼ David Fetterman ’76 precise measurement stan- 1970s Yale New Haven Hospital, the (CLAS) is reaching new dards. Boucher was engineer- Hospital of Saint Raphael, and heights. He trekked to the ing program manager for the the Community Health Care Mt. Everest Base Camp with Hughes Aircraft Company’s ➼ Congrats to James N. Plan; and a hospital admin- his family, including then- space division. He lives with Lasbury ’70 (BUS) and istrator. ➼ Marc Summer- 12-year-old son David. Their his wife, Nancy, in Irvine, Cal- Sharon Neuhauser Las- field ’74 (PHARM) retired adventures ranged from a ifornia. They have two adult bury ’69 (CLAS), of Oden- after 45 years of pharmacy harrowing helicopter ride children and a 12-year-old ton, Maryland, on a long-last- management. He published from Katmandu to the trek’s grandchild, Catie. ing Husky love story: They a book on leadership, “Three starting point to summiting ➼ Kenneth Burack ’54 celebrated their 50th wedding Key Employee-Centered at over 17,500 feet, where he (PHARM) retired after a long anniversary in 2020. ➼ Ed- Elements with Case Studies.” says, “the lack of oxygen on career as director of pharma- win Slade ’70 (CLAS) is ➼ Charles E. Connerly the moonrock-like landscape cy at Griffin Hospital in Derby, the new chair of the board of ’74 MA, a professor at the above the tree line literally Connecticut, and pharmacy directors of the Accreditation University of Iowa School of takes your breath away.” He manager at Brooks Pharmacy Association for Ambulatory Urban and Regional Plan- served as a faculty member in Stratford and Cheshire, Health Care. Slade is a fellow ning, published “Green, Fair, in the School of Education, Connecticut. He says he’s of the American Association and Prosperous: Paths to a and director of evaluation spending time with friends, of Oral and Maxillofacial Sustainable Iowa.” Connerly in the School of Medicine at children, and grandchildren Surgeons and the American previously wrote “The Most Stanford University. He’s past and volunteering at the Long and International College of Segregated City in America: president of the American Wharf and and Shubert the- Dentists. ➼ The Physician City Planning and Civil Rights Evaluation Association, re- aters in New Haven. ➼ Alvin Berger ’57 (CLAS), who served in the REMEMBRANCE U.S. Army’s 32nd Army Band and attended Temple Univer- FRIENDS FOR LIFE sity Dental School, published “We Love You, Madam Margaret “Peggy” E. Sczesny ’69 (NUR), ’79 MS and I met in President,” about a brilliant 1965 as we started our undergraduate years, living on the 7th young woman who rises from floor of Brien McMahon Hall. We both came from working class the tumult of a dysfunctional families and experienced the whirlwind of change that followed. Washington establishment to During our freshman year, we women students (only) had cur- break the glass ceiling, relying fews, we had mandatory study hours in the dorm, we needed pa- on her own intuition and the rental permission slips to be out overnight, and we were prohib- goodness of humanity. ➼ Congratulations to retired ited from wearing slacks to class. I still shiver recalling frigid winter mornings trudging across U.S. Ambassador Philip S. campus, barelegged but for oh-so-thin nylons, to make an 8 a.m. English class. By the time we Kaplan ’59 (CLAS), whose were seniors in 1968, flower power prevailed, men were allowed in women’s dorm rooms, and Emt curling in Norfolk, Connecticut, debut novel “Night in Tehran” bra-burning parties were not uncommon. Although our professional paths diverged, we main- in 2016. Find more info, photos, and was published by Melville tained a close friendship for more than 54 years. Peggy went on to obtain her master’s degree Husky, Coach, Paralympian — and now Author video at s.uconn.edu/emt. House in November. in nursing; I ultimately obtained my law degree from the University of New Hampshire. As we each pursued demanding professions — she in Virginia, and I in New Hampshire — we shared a profound gratitude for the educational foundation we received at UConn. After I retired as Fresh off a cameo appearance in the Michael Jordan doc, “The Last Dance,” former UConn basketball player and Team USA 1960s a justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, I helped Peggy relocate to an assisted living Paralympic curler Steve Emt is on a virtual book tour for “You D.E.C.I.D.E.” The inspirational speaker says his debut book home in Richmond, where she passed away in March 2019. Peggy always lived quite modestly, gives readers an inside look at his secret recipe for turning adversity into opportunity. Emt was forced to do just that when, and I learned only after her death, as her executor, that she had gifted more than $1.5 million to after earning a walk-on spot from legendary coach Jim Calhoun and playing alongside future NBAers Ray Allen, Donyell ➼ Bill Howard ’60 (CLAS) UConn’s School of Nursing. I shall always remember not only her deep commitment to nursing, Marshall, Kevin Ollie, and Scott Burrell, Emt flipped his truck late one night on I-84 and severed his spinal cord. Emt tried reports that the pandemic has but also her contagious enthusiasm for the UConn women’s basketball program, which sparkled different sports after his accident, even handcycling the New York City Marathon in 2010, and coached high school basketball made 2020 the only year since until the very end. —CAROL ANN (KNOTT) CONBOY ’69 (ED) Above: Sczesny, left, with Conboy in for 20 years. But, he says, it was the discovery of wheelchair curling in 2014 that changed everything about his life — again. 1950 that he has not added to 2009 when Conboy was sworn in as a justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

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Student Malachi Bridges has been interviewing residents of New Haven about home ownership on ceived numerous awards, and significant impact in the of UConn’s Yarish Seaweed (CLAS) plans to retire this streets like this one, in the Foxon written 17 books. fields of the arts, sciences, Marine Biotechnology Lab. spring after 25 years in man- section where he lives. ➼ Mary Kuechenmeister and humanities. Recordings Mary started her career at agement for Walmart, where ’76 (PHARM) is the founder include those of U.S. poet Save the Children in West- he is a food and consumables and executive director of laureates, internationally port, Connecticut. ➼ John coach at the Putnam, Con- Story Preservation Initiative, recognized artists and sculp- Wenke ’76 MA, ’81 Ph.D. necticut, store. Brian lives an oral history–based educators, noted environmentalists published a short story collec- with his wife, Colleen, and tional nonprofit, headquar- and naturalists, recipients tion “The Critical List,” which 19-year-old daughter, Brian- tered in New Hampshire. of the National Book Award, tells the stories of people tee- na, in Thompson, Connecti- She has personally recorded astronauts, astrophysicists, tering on the edge — a former cut, where he is involved in the oral histories of more Holocaust survivors, and oth- jailbird under house arrest; town activities, including the than 60 people whose work ers. She recently recorded the a soap opera writer tangling Thompson Trails Committee, or life experience has had oral history of Charles Yarish with fraying family ties; a and is chair of the Thompson former philosophy professor, Turkey Trot 5K. Previous- now homeless, living in the ly, he lived in Waterbury, subway underground. “The Naugatuck, and Southington, Critical List” is published where he helped raise four by Regal House Publishing stepchildren with his late, and received pre-publication first wife, Evelyn. He is a endorsements from writers proud Husky, as his license Richard Ford, Cary Holladay, plate will attest. and John Surowiecki ’66 (CLAS), ’78 MA. Wenke teaches American literature and literary writing at Salisbury University in Maryland. His books include “J.D. Salinger” and “Melville’s Muse.” He was a T.A. in the ➼ Rita M. Renzoni ’78 UConn English department (BUS) reports that she is a from 1974 to 1981. ➼ Rich- work skills instructor in adult MAKING GOOD ard Gannon ’77 (PHARM) education in Bridgeport, retired after 35 years at Connecticut, and volunteers Hartford Hospital, where he for the American Red Cross was director of the pharmacy and Literacy Volunteers. She IS THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR ALL AMERICANS? pain control service. He and remembers her days on cam- Malachi Bridges ’21 (CLAS) of New Haven, Connecticut, zens and policymakers. his wife, Judy Wiechniak pus fondly: “Thanks for the is a political science and Africana studies major, but it was Bridges has been doing interviews with people in New Hav- ➼ It was eight years ago that Allyson (Valentine) Schrier Gannon ’78 (ED), have memories, they are great!” ’82 (BUS) had her life turned upside down when her husband three adult children, all of a sociology class that spurred him into his area of research. en about their home-buying experiences. was diagnosed with dementia at age 47. Their sons were just 12 whom followed him into the “Race and Ethnicity” looked at rates of housing among “I hope that will support the initial claims in my thesis, and 15 at the time. Then, within a few years, both of her steppar- health field:Stephen ’08 whites, Blacks, and Hispanics since the 1960s, says Bridges. which speak on the initiatives by our government to prevent ents developed dementia as well. Schrier became determined (PHARM), ’12 MD is an 1980s “Of course, whites had the highest rate of home ownership Black home ownership. I argue that a lot of the initiatives to learn all she could about the condition so she could provide interventional cardiologist and amassed wealth because they were the first group of peo- in specific urban cities have contributed to the collective excellent care. at Mount Auburn Hospital in ple allowed to own property and purchase housing. Blacks economic destitution. I also talk about urban containments, Two years ago, she put her newfound knowledge to work. She Cambridge, Massachusetts; ➼ CEO Dan Delventhal were not so far behind, especially with the passage of the Fair in which cities constructed neighborhoods to confine Black left her job in technology to start a new company, Thriving with Denis ’12 (PHARM), ’14 ’81 (BUS) is celebrating the Housing Act in the 1970s. So, from the 1970s to the 1990s, people into pockets of poverty. In addition to the interviews, I Dementia. She teaches a program called “How to be Friends with Pharm.D. is an emergency dramatic growth of his com- white families had an average of about two to three times the am studying the likelihood of families leaving a city for more People Living with Dementia” to friends and family members. department pharmacist pany, MowGreen, of Fairfield, wealth of an average Black or Hispanic family. Then we saw opportune areas. I am using New Haven court documents She also trains professional caregivers, and, as a program man- at Middlesex Hospital in Connecticut, a zero emission, ager at the University of Washington, teaches primary care pro- Middletown, Connecticut, gasoline-free lawn service. how those numbers have changed. Currently, the difference and Ancestry.com for that.” viders about dementia detection, diagnosis, and support. And she and Ryan, who graduated UConn is a family tradi- in wealth amassed by white families is almost six times that Bridges is passionate about home ownership himself. “My co-founded Zinnia TV, which provides gently paced videos that from the University of Rhode tion for Dan, whose father of Black families. So, the question is why we think that the parents own their home, and they had to go through a lot of provide identity and connection for people living with dementia. Island, is a clinical nurse Elmer “Del” Delventhal white population continues to grow in wealth and home own- the same things I talked about to do that. When I graduate “Zinnia TV is kind of my passion project,” says Schrier. “I was leader at Hartford Hospital. ’82 Ph.D., daughter Kayla ership, and even Hispanic populations are growing, but Black from college, I want to purchase a home.” so unhappy to find that, when he moved to a care community, ➼ Elaine W. Viens ’78 Delventhal ’15 (CLAS), home ownership lessened after the 1990s.” He graduates in May and is already enrolled in UConn’s my sweetheart spent hours on end parked in front of a television (CLAS) writes to say she and wife, Cynthia (Baena) Bridges’ study “Blacks and the American Dream” has two master’s of public administration program. After that, he watching programming that was completely inappropriate for has retired as a speech and Delventhal ’81 (CLAS), focal points: The first is the measurement of the extent to says he’d like to open a real estate firm and launch a nonprofit a person no longer able to track a plot, tell fact from fiction, or language therapist. She loved ➼ are all Huskies. In other which Black Americans’ social immobility is due to cultural organization that has an educational component about finan- process rapidly moving images and audio.” UConn, where she played JV climate-related news, David factors or external conditions, like the federal and municipal cial literacy, credit, and home ownership. Recently she was honored with a 2020 Maude’s Award for basketball. She reports she Samuels ’83 (BUS) was Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care for her work providing support now has grandchildren, who appointed to the board of policies that prevent Black homeownership. “I want to facilitate workshops and provide programs to for family care partners. The award is named after Maude Ferry, are growing up quickly, and directors of private equi- The second examines the effects of those disparaging laws increase Black and Brown home ownership in New Haven,” a Seattle philanthropist, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s loves reading about UConn. ty-backed SemaConnect, a on today’s housing markets. The goal, he says, is to provoke says Bridges. “After that is all over, I might want to be mayor disease. —GRACE MERRITT ➼ Brian Loffredo ’78 leading provider of electric critical thought and provide education and resources to citi- of New Haven!” —MIKE ENRIGHT ’88 (CLAS)

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a book tour during a pandemic, doing was restricting people and making always responded with encouragement. vehicle charging stations across Zoom interviews, and giving talks at them scared. And another thing that “Offerings,” the 20th story she sent to North America. He is also chair of the company’s audit committee. bookstores around the country, where made a huge shift in the culture was The New Yorker, was accepted, and she’s ➼ Congratulations to Barbara she is introduced as one of America’s the birth control pill, and that was been writing short fiction and “Talk of (Solomon) Josselsohn ’83 MA, greatest writers. liberating.” the Town” columns since. who recently published “The Lilac As Mason wrote “Dear Ann,” she Two years after that firstNew Yorker House” and “The Bluebell Girls,” the What If? thought often about UConn, about the publication, her collection “Shiloh and first two books in her Lake Summers “Dear Ann” hinges on the kind of beauty of campus in the fall, about her Other Stories” arrived to great notice. series. ➼ Speaking of authors, Ste- wistful question that can take hold many “great professors and the best It won the PEN/Hemingway Award for phen A. Black ’86 (CAHNR), an and tug at you: What if I’d chosen a professor I ever had, Milton Stern.” She First Fiction and was nominated for assistant professor of rehabilitation different path? Ann looks back to the chuckles thinking about how he would National Book and Book Critics Circle sciences at Florida Gulf Coast Uni- sixties wondering what if she had gone often break into recitations of Edgar and PEN/Faulkner awards. Her novel versity, reports that he also recently published a book, “Healthy Knees to Stanford in California instead of a Allan Poe’s “The Bells.” His enthusiasm “In Country,” which she says is one of Total Knee Replacement,” with Rob- small college in upstate New York — for American literature was catching. the works she’s most proud of, followed in Robertson. ➼ Congratulations to maybe she wouldn’t have met Jimmy. She thought too about her own love shortly after. Like “Dear Ann,” it focus- Barbara Evans ’88 (CLAS), who Through her imagining, she tries to story, meeting Roger Rawlings, getting es on the Vietnam War. It was made became associate executive director escape difficult memories of that time married, and living in a farmhouse into a film starring Bruce Willis and of the Foundation for City College, when the Vietnam War was escalating. in Chaplin “just down the road from Emily Lloyd and, along with “Shiloh,” the oldest City University of New But memory triumphs over imagina- Diana’s Pool, which was delightful.” has been taught in colleges around the York senior college. Prior to CCNY, tion. She can imagine California, but country for decades. she worked in fundraising for the she can’t imagine a life without Jimmy. Hidden UConn Appalachian Mountain Club, the “What if . . . ” is a question Mason has Mason was a graduate assistant at A Life Challenged Athletes Foundation, and the National Multiple Sclerosis mulled over herself. When she gradu- UConn and then taught journalism The career she thought she couldn’t Society, among other nonprofits. ated with a bachelor’s degree from the part time at Mansfield State College in make a living at has spanned four ➼ Mary Kay (Karp) Tshonas University of Kentucky, several of her Pennsylvania, where she and her hus- decades and includes O. Henry ’88 (ED) is the new principal of classmates from a creative writing class band moved after graduating. “I was Award–winning short fiction and the Hall Memorial School in Willington, were headed to Stanford on Stegner not a natural teacher,” she says. What memoir “Clear Springs,” the story of Connecticut. She had been principal Fellowships. Mason went to New York she was was a writer, though she says it her family’s farm and a finalist for the of Quinebaug Middle College High City where she wrote for a fan maga- took some years before she would have Pulitzer Prize. She was inducted into School in Danielson, Connecticut. zine, eventually leaving the city for a the confidence to say it. the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame and graduate assistantship at Harpur Col- Her start in short fiction has “a bit won a Guggenheim Fellowship and an lege and then to Storrs for her Ph.D. of a back story” with a UConn connec- Arts and Letters Award for Literature. 1990s Mason has wondered what it might tion, she notes. Ann Beattie, another In the introduction to “Patchwork, have been like to have gone to Stanford, acclaimed alum writer, and Mason A Bobbie Ann Mason Reader,” George “where others from Kentucky went attended UConn at the same time, Saunders wrote, “Her stories exist ➼ Mazel tov to Edina (Riebman) before me and paved the way.” Moving but the two did not meet until Mason to gently touch on, and praise, even Oestreicher ’90 (CLAS), who to the Northeast from the South, she attended a writer’s workshop in 1977. mourn, what it feels like to be alive in has returned to campus to become says, was “a culture shock.” But so “I was just starting to write stories this moment.” Each book, each of those executive director of UConn Hillel, the Center for Jewish Student Life. ALL STAR many things she loves about her life and met Ann there, and we had a lot of stories is its own journey, says Mason. would not have happened had she made background to share about UConn,” “You start with a blank page and a She says she is excited to be back a different choice. she says. Beattie “was a hot young blank mind, and you have to wait to get at UConn and looks forward to collaborating with students, families, “I loved it at UConn,” she says. “It writer” who published stories in The a surge of creativity, and that’s fun and BOBBIE ANN MASON — faculty, staff, and the greater Storrs was one of the most significant times of “And I thought, ‘Well, I’ll that’s kind of timeless, but it doesn’t New Yorker. community to create a vibrant, wel- THEN AND NOW my life. It was where I met my husband. send a story to Roger Angell at The New always happen every day,” she explains. coming, and inclusive Hillel. Things were in such flux at that time; Yorker,’” Mason says. “I was so naïve. I “It took six years to write this novel,” ➼ Another Husky love story! Mi- Growing up on She loved to read, she says — “The I was changing. It was a time of great thought I’ll just start at the top!” she says of her latest. “I kept abandon- chael ’90 (BUS) and Jennifer her family’s dairy Bobbsey Twins,” Nancy Drew myster- upheaval. It was liberating and exciting It worked. The longtime New Yorker ing it.” She refined “Dear Ann” working Marzano ’92 (CLAS), who first farm in Kentucky, ies, and “Little Women.” and unnerving because of the war.” editor “took an interest in me and in the quiet of her home back in met at an alumni event in Atlanta in Bobbie Ann “Books made me want to know so About “Dear Ann,” she says, “I didn’t helped build my confidence and en- Kentucky, where she returned with her the mid-’90s, are celebrating 21 years Mason ’72 Ph.D., much more about the world.” She knew want to write about the sixties as the couraged me,” says Mason, who turned husband more than two decades ago. together. Michael is chief commer- ’02 H explored her future would involve words. “I sixties with all those iconic images. her focus to the people and places in “I tend to jump in over my head cial officer of Aon’s Human Capital the natural world wanted to write,” she says. “But I knew This was about innocence and about Kentucky that she knew so well. “He and figure I’ll get out somehow. I take Solutions business and Jenn is head of marketing at the Cliff Valley unfolding all you couldn’t make a living from it.” young people trying to find out who was listening and saying that I was unexpected directions,” she says. School. They live in Atlanta, Georgia, around her. The As it turns out, writing has made for they are and experimenting and going on the right track. He wouldn’t tell “The beginning is always the hardest with their children, Lily and Alex. farm was at the quite a life. Mason’s latest book, “Dear through incredible self-doubt and inse- me how to do it, but he would kind of part. The fun comes in the later stages ➼ Bonnie Heatzig ’91 JD sells very center of her family, but even as Ann,” was released last September. At curity, and all those things are normal nudge me to find out for myself.” when I can say ‘I see where I’m going upper-echelon waterfront proper- a young girl, she knew she wanted a 80, the celebrated, bestselling author probably for that age, but several things Over a period of about two years she now. I know what this is.’” —JACKIE ties in South Florida. She and her different life. is navigating the uncharted terrain of had shifted. There was the draft, which submitted 19 stories to Angell, who FITZPATRICK HENNESSEY ’83 (CLAS) husband are the proud parents of a

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daughter, who is a freshman world.” ➼ Classmate John cist, that some healthcare engagement, and the career City, Utah. Yorkin joined the (CLAS), ’02 MA reports at Cornell University, and two Maciulewski ’91 MBA has professionals were empa- center. She held a similar company as an account direc- that he and his wife, Victoria, sons, a junior at Massachu- been retired from the Hart- thetic with their patients but position at the Rhode Island tor six years ago. ➼ Leslie welcomed a new Husky to setts Institute of Technology ford post office for 15 years, not necessarily with their School of Design for the past Brody ’95 MA, ’98 Ph.D. their family. Caroline John- and a University of Michigan after an 18-year career there. staff. Good luck on the new five years and previously held has published three books, ston Boecherer was born in graduate. ➼ Leslie Bilo- ➼ Stephen P. O’Maho- venture! ➼ Nicole Hughey several positions in student most recently “Sometimes in February 2020 and joins deau Placzek ’91 MBA ny ’92 (ENG), ’96 MD is ’93 (BUS) joined SiriusXM life at Brandeis University. You Have to Lie,” a biogra- elder Husky, Nora — UConn reports she has written a senior vice president, chief in New York as vice president ➼ Meanwhile, Maj. Michael phy of Louise Fitzhugh, the class of 2035. bestselling humor book, health information officer at of diversity and inclusion in Amato Salvatore Goba author of the Harriet the Spy “The Audacious Adventures RWJBarnabas Health in West July. She was senior direc- ’94 (BUS) retired July 1, series. Brody, a playwright, of Zazoo Plazz Part-time Orange, New Jersey. In 2011, tor in the office of diversity, 2020 as a U.S. Army JAG journalist, and biographer, Superhero, Full-time Mom.” he won the John D. Thomp- equity, and inclusion at Mass after 20 years of legal service. has taught creative nonfiction In it, she describes growing son Award from the Con- General Brigham. Previously Goba, practicing law, was in the Creative Writing De- up in the Hartford area in necticut Hospital Association she worked at Travelers Com- assigned in Baghdad and Taji, partment at the University of the 1970s, her big-hair school for excellence in the delivery panies, where she held several Iraq, as well as in Germany; Redlands in California since days in the ’80s, and life today of healthcare through use roles of increasing responsi- Bosnia; Kosovo; Fort Hood, 1998. ➼ Tom Hooten ’95 as a career woman, wife, and of data. ➼ Jill Hunter ’93 bility, including second vice Texas; Fort Bragg, North (CAHNR) told us what he’s mother of Ben, 20, a junior (PHARM) founded UpLevel president, office of diversity Carolina; and Fort Leonard been up to all these years. He at the University of New To Lead, which helps com- and inclusion. ➼ Maggie Wood, Missouri. ➼ Congratu- retired in July from Colorado Haven, and Zach, 17, a high panies change their culture Balch ’94 MA recently was lations to Andy Yorkin ’95 State University, where he school senior. “I treasure to become places where appointed dean of students (BUS), who was just named worked in extension service the memories of my years at everyone wants to come to at Westfield State University, president of BrandHive, a for nearly 22 years. He earned ➼ Congrats to Melissa Ol- UConn, which set me up for work every day. She launched where she oversees student global branding firm special- a master’s in plant science iveira ’01 (CLAS), whose my quirky quest to spread a UpLevel after she noticed, activities and leadership, izing in the healthy lifestyles from Utah State University, essay “Ruin Value” was pub- little light and laughter in the while working as a pharma- student conduct, residential industry based in Salt Lake worked as a research associate lished in the fall 2020 issue of at the Southwestern Colorado the prestigious Ploughshares. Research Center Agricultural Oliveira is working on a novel Morenus Peter Experiment Station, and as an in Berlin, Germany. ➼ Kudos MAKING GOOD MAKING GOOD extension agent and director to Kristen (Gudlewski) in Montezuma County, Colo- Keyser ’02 (ED), ’03 MA, READY TO LEAD — AND SERVE EDUCATED rado. Along the way, he earned who won her first election a Distinguished Service Award — to the West Allis-West Caesar Valentin ’20 (CLAS) can say he opened for President As activist and scholar Angela Davis spoke, Chance the for Excellence in Extension Milwaukee school board Barack Obama! The Obama Foundation asked Valentin to be Rapper performed, and seven students stood in their caps Education Programs from the in Wisconsin in April. She one of four students across the country to introduce Obama’s and gowns holding their new bachelor’s degrees, Timothy National Association of Coun- teaches at a private school for virtual address to 2020 graduates last spring. The Founda- ty Agricultural Agents. He and Indigenous students in the Barnett ’86 (CLAS) sat quietly taking it all in. tion says Valentin “exemplifies the promise and resilience of his wife Diana Donnelly plan Milwaukee area. the year’s graduates, and is living out our mission to inspire, The students studied at Stateville Correctional Center (a to stay in southwest Colorado, maximum security facility outside Chicago) as part of a pris- but he remains an enthusi- empower, and connect people to change their world.” on University Without Walls Program co-directed by Barnett, astic Husky: “I love UConn! Growing up, Valentin says he felt disconnected from his professor of English at Northeastern Illinois University. They And will always remember my Latinx identity and culture, so at UConn he became a leader were the first prisoners in Illinois, and among the first in the time there!” at the Puerto Rican Latin American Cultural Center country, to receive BAs since Pell grants were halted in the (PRLACC), organizing events and speakers and giving voice prison system more than 25 years ago. They studied justice to the Latinx community (above, he and Madison Maynard Pictured left to right: Timothy Barnett and Erica Meiners, co- policy advocacy, community organizing, and the arts and ’19 MA question John Quiñones during a PRLACC “Illumi- directors of the University Without Walls program at Stateville 00s published books and articles and poetry, worked with outside 20 nating the Path” lecture at Jorgensen). Correctional Center, and 2019 graduates Eric Watson, Devon Terrell, Raul Dorado, Antonio Kendrick, Darrell Fair, Joseph programs on criminal justice reform, and created Parole As part of the Community Leadership Corps Hartford, Dole, and Marshall Stewart. Illinois to advocate for changes in parole policies. Valentin developed a peer mentoring program at a local high While it was a momentous day for the graduates, Barnett Michael A. Pascucilla ’02 school and his alma mater, Connecticut River Academy. His says the experience has also been life changing for him. “You come to realize how limited your experience is and how much you MPH is the CEO/Director of team drew from their own personal experiences of feeling as need to go places you haven’t been, meet people you’ve been told not to talk to, to try to figure out all the things you don’t know,” Health for East Shore District if they didn’t have a voice when they were younger, and cre- he says. “I went to a place where I met people who are incredibly intelligent, with integrity and commitment to issues around Health Department of Con- ated a way for younger students to feel seen, supported, and justice and academics. I’ve learned so much at Stateville; I’m doing work that has sustained me in these last 10 years of my necticut. His work research- cared for. What started as an idea for a student “care package” career.” ing, developing, and funding morphed into a peer mentoring program. Valentin and his It was a career path Barnett says he could not have imagined when he was a high school senior. “I was good at English, but it the world’s first Solar-Electric team presented the idea at the school in the fall, and then did ➼ seemed silly just to find the symbols in poems,” he says. He wanted to do work that got at the world’s larger questions. Taking Pump-out Vessel, which is in Faced with the challenge additional work to survey students and tweak the plan so that use in Connectiduat and for of remote learning for the English classes with the late Jeremy Richard at UConn Stamford showed him that literature “could help you understand eco- it would best serve their audience’s needs. which a U.S. patent applica- arts, Harlem Children’s “Community leadership is more about giving people the nomics, religion, philosophy, social justice, all kinds of things. He was doing phenomenal work that affected the rest of my life.” tion has been submitted, was Zone Promise Academy II Barnett has taught literature and writing, helped create a university minor in LGBTQ studies, and won three faculty excellence published in the Journal Wa- theater teacher Margot resources to be their own leaders and develop their own awards at Northeastern Illinois. He is teaching a new cohort of Stateville inmates and collaborating with the recent graduates on ter Practice & Technology last Littlefield ’05 (SFA)had leadership pipelines,” says Valentin, who is now pursuing a a book about formerly incarcerated people who have gone on to work in the fields of law and social justice. “It centers on the idea July. ➼ Another Husky pup! to think outside the box. joint MA/MPA. “It’s unfair for anyone to look at themselves that people who are closest to the problem are closest to the solution,” he says. —JACKIE FITZPATRICK HENNESSEY ’83 (CLAS) Michael Boecherer ’00 She reached out to fellow as a failure before they get the chance to succeed.”

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Anti-monopoly crusaders Daniel fraternity. This allowed me to hone Why should regular people care boosted its own version first on the Hanley, left, and Jackie Filson at the and solidify the skills I acquired in the about anti-monopoly/antitrust? search page. UConn Law School in Hartford last classroom before entering a formal Daniel: Monopolies harm all of us — Maybe worst of all, monopolies have December. work environment where the stakes from consumers to small businesses also been known to use their financial are much higher. to workers. They use their dominance might to influence state politics, the James Kwak, Hillary Greene, and Rob- Jackie: I had countless exceptional to impose restrictive “non-compete news, and the free flow of informa- ert Langer, who taught me antitrust professors at UConn, including Ruth clauses” on workers that prevent them tion. For example, when Tennessee concepts and how they can remedy Fairbanks, Glenn Mitoma, Anne Gebe- from obtaining other employment in wanted to expand broadband access, broader social injustices. lein, Jelani Cobb, and David Richards. similar industries even if they’re fired the telecommunications giants AT&T Jackie: Studying human rights and En- They transformed my analysis of the or laid off. Right now, many healthcare and Comcast used their financial war glish set me up perfectly for my first world while also facilitating many of workers are unable to utilize their chest to subvert the effort. And other job in strategic communications for my most valuable experiences such skills to help give care during Covid-19 monopolies are able to control what is Food & Water Watch, an environmen- as interning at WNPR and collecting because of non-competes. aired on television and manipulate tal advocacy organization based in data for Social Progress Imperative. Meanwhile, monopolies also reduce algorithms to suppress what is Washington, D.C. I learned a lot there I also wouldn’t have found my way consumer choice in their vendetta available on the internet. In essence, about the governmental failures that to the anti-monopoly movement against fair competition. Amazon is monopolies pose a direct threat to de- allow giant corporations to monopo- without everyone I worked with at a great example. The corporation has mocracy and to the autonomy of each lize markets while treating workers EcoHusky, The Daily Campus, WHUS, routinely copied third-party products of us, no matter what you do, who you poorly and manipulating prices. That’s and on alternative breaks. listed on its marketplace and then are, or where you live. how I ended up at Open Markets working to stop Big Ag, Big Tech, Big Pharma, Big Everything — in hopes of Husky and Brooklyn-based Hartford, where she provides He came to the Thunder from Centene Corp. ➼ Meanwhile, helping to create a more just, fair, and puppeteer Julia Darden pediatric medical care to in- the University of Florida, Thomas Wise ’08 (ED, equitable democracy for all people. ’07 (SFA), who created fants, children, and teenagers where he was an assistant SFA) and Jennifer (Susin) more than 100 custom hand and offers medical visits in coach, and previously was Wise ’08 (ED, SFA) What are some of the major fights puppets for the students. The Spanish, Polish, and English. at the College of the Holy of Boonton, New Jersey, you’re in now? scholars now use the puppets Previously, she was lead pedi- Cross. During his years as an welcomed son Thomas “TJ” Jackie: Open Markets is leading an in their theater lessons and atrician for the Venice Family undergraduate at UConn, he Joseph in September. effort to unify antitrust with other as a tool for social emotional Clinic in Venice and Culver was a student manager under movements in labor, racial justice, learning. ➼ A shout out to City, California. ➼ And Rob Hall of Fame men’s basketball Tatiana Melendez- Amenta ’07 (BUS) was coach Jim Calhoun. ➼ Adam and farm reform. We work closely 2010s with prominent groups like the Rhodes ’06 MA, ’10 promoted to lead portfolio Dreyfus ’07 (BGS) writes Ph.D., who was promoted manager, U.S. High Yield, and that he loves getting UConn Athena Coalition, Family Farm Action, to associate professor and to co-lead portfolio manager, Magazine and checking out and Color of Change to stop predatory granted tenure at Central Global High Yield, at NN what fellow Huskies are do- ➼ How’s this for roman- monopolies, especially those in Big Connecticut State University. Investment Partners. Amenta ing. Since getting a master’s tic? Benjamin Arsenault Tech. Last September, Daniel co- She’s in the Marriage and has worked in their New York from Columbia University, ’10 (CLAS) and Jessica authored a report exposing Amazon’s Family Therapy Program. City office since 2012. he has been working on sup- Potrepka Arsenault ’08 abusive union-busting surveillance ➼ And congrats to Matthew porting autism programming (CAHNR), ’10 MS an- practices and detailing clear policy Biron ’06 (CAHNR) and in public schools in Virginia. nounced the birth of their solutions. Right now, we’re focused Caitlyn Willox-Biron ’06 He is director of the Sarah third child, James Ellsworth MAKING GOOD on presenting the Biden administra- (CLAS), who welcomed Dooley Center for Autism, — named for Ellsworth Hall tion with antitrust remedies it can their second daughter, Luna, where he raised funds to build where his mom and dad met. in October 2020. ➼ Rachel a new facility. He co-founded Both are pursuing advanced implement without Congress, such as MONOPOLY BUSTERS Fain ’07 (CLAS), a partner AnswersNow, a telehealth degrees at UConn: Benjamin bright-line merger rules to limit the at Halloran Sage, is getting platform that connects is earning his MBA and Jes- America’s economy is dominated by How did each of you end up working power of corporations. noticed. She was just named parents to certified clinicians. sica her DNP. James, born in monopolies like Google and Tyson at Open Markets? to the Hartford Business “None of my success would July, joins brother David and Foods that harm workers, suppress in- Daniel: After graduation, I committed What role did UConn play in Journal’s “40 Under Forty” have been possible without sister Evangeline, both future novation, and threaten democracy, say myself to public service, joining Teach landing you at Open Markets and list. She is co-chair of the my time at UConn,” he wrote. Huskies, according to Mom Daniel Hanley ’12 (BUS), ’19 JD and For America in Lowndes County, this line of work? firm’s insurance coverage ➼ Jean Rush ’08 MBA and Dad. The family lives in Jackie Filson ’16 (CLAS). The alums Alabama. There I came to understand Daniel: The School of Business equips litigation practice group and was appointed to the strategic Southington, Connecticut. ➼ lead a growing anti-monopoly move- how monopolistic companies such as students with the essential skills nec- works with the Connecticut advisory board for Decode Kudos to Shane R. ➼ Congratulations to Mark Health, a Nashville-based Goodrich ’10 (CLAS), ment at the Open Markets Institute, a Walmart are destroying economic op- essary for critical analysis, while also Veterans Legal Center on a pro bono basis to manage Daigneault ’07 (ED), who predictive analytics company, ’13 JD, a lawyer at Mor- Washington-based nonprofit seeking portunities for individuals. I became encouraging independent thought. At eviction defense cases for was promoted to head coach to aid in tracking Covid-19. gan, Brown & Joy, who was to restore antitrust laws to ensure a fair curious about how to use antitrust UConn, there were plenty of oppor- veterans facing homelessness. of the NBA’s Oklahoma City She was recently executive recently recognized by Best and equitable distribution of opportu- law to tame dominant corporations, tunities to test these acquired skills. ➼ Pediatrician Barbara Thunder basketball team. vice president of government Lawyers in America in its new nity, wealth, and power. We asked these so I pursued my law degree at UConn For example, as an undergraduate, “Basia” Szajda ’07 MD Daigneault, who has been markets at Highmark and category, “Ones to Watch.” alumni about the growing movement where I took classes with exceptional I founded a chapter of Alpha Kappa joined Wheeler’s Family with the franchise for six previously was senior vice ➼ And to Richie Kremer and the exciting work they’re doing. professors, such as Alexandra Lahav, Psi, the oldest professional business Health & Wellness Center in years, replaces Billy Donovan. president of complex care ’10 (CAHNR), who was

44 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU Photo (left) Peter Morenus SPRING 2021 45 UCONN NATION | ALUMNI I’m so grateful that I can get

MAKING GOOD through higher education debt free. This is a huge blessing, especially ESTHER PAHL IS STILL VERY MUCH MAKING A DIFFERENCE during the pandemic.

Esther Pahl’s parents ran a neigh- “It was difficult because I had to — Sana Qureshi borhood grocery store in Springfield, build up a relationship of trust with Massachusetts, in the 1940s. While him and then slowly settle him into a they made ends meet, there was not new school situation, where he would much left for anything else, let alone not only be comfortable but be able to money to help their daughter pay her produce,” she says. She spent the next graduate school tuition. several months helping him process That’s one of the reasons Esther his mother’s death. “Part of the thera- Pahl ’52 MSW was motivated to create py involved taking him to the cemetery an endowed fellowship to support where the mother was buried and graduate students at UConn’s School spending a lot of time with him talking of Social Work. about his mother and the tragedy “I realize there are students who around her death.” Give today. are struggling now as I did when I was Another time, she helped an inter- a graduate student,” the 97-year-old generational family from Russia reset- says over a Zoom call from Potomac, tle here. “They were having adjustment Change a life. Maryland, where she lives with her problems, mainly because the grand- daughter Jamie Borns and her family. mother felt so guilty about leaving “I wanted to set up a program for way, she instilled in children her fierce Russia,” she says. “Her oldest daughter students who are marginally making sense of self-reliance and a compas- had died unexpectedly just before they Scholarships change lives. it so they can study without the stress sion for others. moved here. She felt that by moving Your gift, of any amount, of worrying about paying the bills that “She always gave me the love, sup- out of Russia she was abandoning her are involved in basic living.” port, and confidence to go out into the daughter, and this made her feel very helps provide opportunities In 1946 Pahl was one of UConn’s world and make something of myself,” guilty. I spent a lot of time with the first eight MSW graduates. “It was a says Borns, a nurse. “She taught me to grandmother, encouraging her to really for students who may bit of a pioneering experience,” she never rely on someone else for any- talk about the relationship she had otherwise not be able to says. “At the time, the School did not thing. She showed me by example to be with this daughter. Because of my so- have its own building, so we met at patient and kind to people.” cial work training, I focused on helping access a world-class education Hartford [Public] High School. Most of her treasure the opportunity she had our professors were visiting professors Strengthening Others to spend all the wonderful years living at UConn — changing their lives, from Trinity College, the University of Pahl began her long career as a social together with her.” and enriching UConn Nation. Chicago, Boston University, and Yale.” worker at the Family Service Society Though she retired 40 years ago, in Hartford and eventually found her Pahl found that setting up the UConn Going Strong dream job at the Jewish Social Service fellowship for future social workers Sharp and energetic, Pahl remains Agency in Washington, D.C. Over the reconnected her with her profession Donate to the General a voracious reader, devouring a new years, she helped scores of families, and gave her a great sense of purpose. Scholarships Fund now book every few days. She recently children, and immigrants settle in the “Donating money and setting up a finished a book about Gertrude Ederle, area, overcome trauma, and move on scholarship fund gave me the feeling to support these the first woman to swim the English with their lives. that I was still contributing — not on a Channel. Until a couple of years ago, In one memorable case, she helped professional level — but certainly as a exceptional students. Pahl swam every day and took college a 10-year-old boy who was suddenly humanitarian who is truly concerned courses for fun on international affairs alone when his mother was brutally about the problems in our society that or current events at Florida Interna- murdered. His parents had divorced, need attention,” she says. “One of the Give today at s.uconn.edu/supportscholars. tional University, near where she used and his father had moved away to Flor- most effective ways of dealing with to live. Borns attributes her mother’s ida with his older brother. The boy was these problems is to prepare commit- longevity to clean living. placed with a foster family, but it was ted graduate students who want to But Pahl’s life hasn’t been easy. As a poor match and he was struggling. make a difference.” —GRACE MERRITT a young mother, she got divorced and Working with a team, Pahl found a single-handedly raised three children more suitable foster family for the boy To give to Esther Pahl’s scholarship on a social worker’s salary. Along the and began to counsel him. fund, visit s.uconn.edu/pahl.

46 UCONN MAGAZINE | MAGAZINE.UCONN.EDU SPRING 2021 UCONN NATION | ALUMNI

KEEP THAT research group on non- awarded an American Asso- Now living in Boston, Sidney equilibrium universality in ciation for the Advancement works in emergency manage- NEWS COMING! quantum matter at Johannes of Science fellowship. She ment for Boston Children’s WE WANT TO Gutenberg University in will work in the Department Hospital and Taylor serves HEAR FROM YOU. Mainz, Germany. of State Office of the Global on the marketing team for an AIDS Coordinator and says infrastructure firm. ➼ To submit a she is excited to be starting ➼ Caitlin Kingston ’18 Class Note, email: at Dr. Deborah Birx’s office. (CLAS), of Abington, alumni-news@ She is one of 284 scientists Massachusetts, has known uconnalumni.com and engineers who will spend she wanted to be an archae- a year serving profession- ologist since she was in the ally in federal agencies and sixth grade. Now she’s the ➼ Or write to: congressional offices as a assistant site supervisor for Alumni News & Notes Science & Technology Policy Southwest Archaeological UConn Foundation fellow. ➼ The Snyder Group, Consultants, working on 2384 Alumni Drive a Norwalk, Connecticut, the El Segundo Archaeolo- Unit 3053 marketing firm, recently gy Project in New Mexico. Storrs, CT 06269 hired Stephanie Suarez Kingston earned her master’s ’15 (CLAS) as a marketing in field archaeology in Submissions may be specialist. Previously, she January last year from the edited for clarity or length. held a similar position at University of York in York, Trace Analytics in Austin, England. While in England, Texas. ➼ Caps, gowns, and she increased her knowl- ➼ Tyler R. Morrissey . . . romance? Four years edge through internships ’14 (CLAS) and Mariah after meeting at their UConn at AECOM and Council for TOM’S TRIVIA ANSWERS N. Monroe ’14 (CLAS) graduation ceremony, Jaim- British Archaeology. ➼ Ria

married in October in a ie Farkas ’16 (CLAS) and Bhattacharya ’19 Ph.D., 1. C, 2. D, 3. B, 4. A A 4. B, 3. D, 2. C, 1. small ceremony in Hartford, Peter Miraglia ’16 (CLAS) who came to the U.S. in 2014 Connecticut. While a global happily announced that they to attend graduate school at pandemic curtailed a much are engaged and planning a UConn, wrote about her fond larger ceremony, it could destination wedding. memories of the Univer- not stop this UConn love ➼ Kudos to Tina Iraca ’17 sity: “This place has given named the new golf course story. Tyler and Mariah look Ph.D., who was promot- me happy memories, great superintendent at Hop forward to a celebration with ed to associate professor experiences, and lifelong Meadow Country Club in family and fellow UConn at Dutchess Community associations. There is this Simsbury, Connecticut. ➼ A alumni soon. They also College, State University of vibrant energy present in Morenus Peter new book by former UConn look forward to attending New York in Poughkeepsie, the campus, which lifts your Humanities Institute fellow basketball games at Gampel where she teaches writing mood all the time. I had JOB ENVY Alea Henle ’12 Ph.D. Pavilion and stopping at and English literature. some great students to teach, offers a vital account of how the Dairy Bar. ➼ And kudos took classes with inspiring Teaching Taekwondo to Autistic Kids local history organizations to Dustyn C. Nelson ’14 professors, and made lifelong They stood assembled, dressed in their crisp white uniforms, belts tied, ready — and absolutely excited to begin: Andrew Chasse formed, built collections, (CAHNR), who became friends.” and operated across the the Connecticut Nursery ’85 (SFA) can picture it like it was yesterday, the Taekwondo class he was about to teach for 15 students — ages four to 12 — with late eighteenth and early & Landscape Association’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). “They hadn’t even done one second of Taekwondo yet, but they felt like they were really a nineteenth centuries, laying youngest president. Under part of something,” Chasse says. “Just that moment alone was so powerful.” 20s the groundwork for profes- his tenure, the group plans to 20 Fourteen years later TKD for ASD is a thriving and popular part of Hansoo Taekwondo Academy in Glastonbury, Connecticut, sional practices that are still spearhead a state-approved where Chasse, a Taekwondo master who holds a 5th degree black belt, is head instructor and owner. Chasse piloted the class embraced today. ➼ Congrat- apprenticeship program. after an adult student who is a behavior analyst told him she thought children with autism spectrum disorder would respond to ulations to Shane Kelly Last year, he helped com- ➼ Congratulations to and enjoy Taekwondo. The classes are tailored to students’ specific learning styles with a focus on structure, and Chasse works ➼ ’14 (ENG), who reports mission an economic impact Sidney Allmendinger Joshua Fennessey ’20 with a team of assistants. “The kids are graded every class on things like, ‘How was your listening today? Did you follow direc- study for the green industry that he earned his doctorate ’17 (CLAS) and Taylor (BUS), who has joined inde- tions?’ and they like to find ways to improve and get a better score next time. Taekwondo training helps with confidence and in theoretical physics from in Connecticut, which he Borowiec ’17 (CLAS) pendent advisory firm ICR, helps improve their physicality; it’s loaded with all kinds of exercises, a lot of kicking, and specific forms.” the University of California presented to state legislators. were married in a small based in Norwalk, Connecti- Riverside and is now working ➼ Paola Chanes-Mora ’14 ceremony in October 2020 cut, as an investor relations Parents have told Chasse that the positive benefits extend into their children’s lives at school and at home. Students move on as a postdoctoral scholar in a MPH, ’17 Ph.D. has been surrounded by their families. associate. to integrated classes when they feel ready. “We have one student who is 17 who started when he was 6. Now he’s running warm- up for integrated classes,” Chasse says. “He’s become a great role model. It’s something to watch students in front of you grow in so many positive ways.” Exercising mind and body is what struck him when he took his first martial arts class at UConn. “I’d been a sports guy my IN MEMORIAM whole life, and this was a nice way to segue into staying physical and continue learning a lot,” says Chasse, who majored in fine arts. “All the good things you hear about martial arts training, how it helps with focus, with confidence, things that are healthy Please visit s.uconn.edu/febobits2021 to find obituaries for alumni and faculty. And please share news of alumni deaths for people to be developing, it’s all there in Taekwondo.” —JACKIE FITZGERALD HENNESSEY ’83 (CLAS) and obituaries with UConn Magazine by sending an email to [email protected] or writing to Alumni News & Notes, UConn Foundation, 2384 Alumni Drive Unit 3053, Storrs, CT 06269.

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CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO TOM'S TRIVIA!

1. UConn made international head- Go to s.uconn.edu/spring21trivia to see if you know as lines in 1999 when researcher much as King of UConn Trivia Tom Breen ’00 (CLAS). Jerry Yang and his colleagues TOM'S successfully cloned the first animal from non-reproductive related cells. What was the TRIVIA name of this famous cow? A: Edwina B: Jonnie C: Amy D: Aspen

2. UConn didn’t grant honorary degrees until 1982, although three were conferred on members of the university community in 1918 and 1934. Who was the first official recipient of an honorary Doctor of Letters from UConn? A: Maurice Sendak B: Isaac B. Singer C: Fred Rogers D: Barbara Tuchman

3. For 30 years, the Daily Campus has occupied its own building near the Buckley Residence Hall. Where was the newspaper based just before that building was constructed? A: The Student Union B: A former sorority house C: The basement of Wilbur Cross D: Ted’s

4. What was the informal name of the ski slope that was located east of Horsebarn Hill, complete with two rope tows, a warming hut, and nighttime lights? A: Husky Hill B: Mount Jonathan C: The Connecticut Matterhorn D: The Horsebarn Run Skiing on campus in 1935. That’s Beach Hall, which at the time held the library, the post office, the book store, a cafeteria, and classrooms.