“My wife Jayne and I are pleased to announce a new set of Penn alumni, our triplets Emma Davies C’22, Julia Davies C’22, and Pryce Davies C’22, who graduated as Benjamin Franklin Scholars, each summa cum laude.”
—Richard J. Davies C’83
1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s| 2020s
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email gazette@ben.dev.upenn.edu
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Deadlines 7/15 for the Sep|Oct issue; 9/15 for Nov|Dec; 11/15 for Jan|Feb; 1/15 for Mar|Apr; 3/15 for May|Jun; and 5/15 for Jul|Aug.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1953
Nick Lyons W’53 writes, “I recently edited a book of selections from my late wife Mari Lyons’s essays, journals, and talks, with more than 75 photographs of her paintings. It’s called A Painter’s Life and includes an essay on Mari by Jed Perl. It will be published by Skyhorse Publishing in November. I turned 90 in June and still write every day, following Delacroix’s motto, ‘Never a day without a stroke.’” Nick’s latest Alumni Voices essay, “Nearing Ninety,” appears in this issue.
1959
Samantha Grier CW’59 writes, “Delighted to announce that my spiritual self-help book has published under a pen name (not Penn name)—Shulamit Sofia—to rave reviews. Climbing the Sacred Ladder: Your Path to Love, Joy, Peace, and Purpose is now available on Kindle. This book is designed to help support you in coping with the many challenges and stressors of your life, including aging and other personal issues, as well as supporting you in maintaining a calm and positive attitude at this difficult time in history. Personal consultations are available at info@soulstrengthseminars.com.”
Paul D. Pearlstein C’59 wrote a review of Walter Stahr’s new book, Salmon P. Chase: Lincoln’s Vital Rival, which was posted on the Washington Independent Review of Books’ website on March 4 (tinyurl.com/pearlstein). Paul, a retired lawyer, writes, “I have been writing book reviews since the mid-1950s.”
1961
Dr. Henry Greenberg C’61, a lecturer in the department of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health,writes, “My new book, No Ordinary Doctor; No Ordinary Time, is available in paperback and digital format at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I had a wide-ranging medical career, delving into many of the nooks and crannies of medicine, a career that is not possible in today’s imperial and corporate healthcare world. I also witnessed and was a participant in the most dramatic changes ever in medical science. All in all, a career in full.”
Dr. Jerry Levin CGS’61 writes, “My play Herzl’s Analysis will be given a dramatic reading at the Peconic, New York, community hall on June 12. Theodor Herzl and Sigmund Freud lived on the same street but, until I brought them together, had little connection. Last year a similar reading of Edith Stein, my play about a Jewish woman who became a Carmelite nun, perished in Auschwitz, and was subsequently canonized, was very well received. Seventeen books and four Gazette travel articles later—some of which have been translated into Farsi, Italian, and Greek—I continue to practice psychotherapy. Although I am aware that the ice gets thinner, so far I am a happy and lucky guy.” Jerry’s latest Alumni Voices essay, about his 200-mile bike ride in southern Italy at age 81, appeared in our Nov|Dec 2018 issue.
1962
Richard Light W’62 G’64 and Allison Jegla C’16 have coauthored a new book, Becoming Great Universities: Small Steps for Sustained Excellence (Princeton University Press). Richard is a professor of teaching and learning at Harvard University, and Allison is a nonprofit leader and higher education strategist.
1964
Dr. Ed Rossomando D’64 has been inducted into the 2022 Innovators Hall of Fame by Incisal Edge, a magazine for dental professionals. Ed, a professor emeritus at the University of Connecticut School of Dentistry, was honored for his work with the Center for Research and Education in Technology and in promoting dental education. Incisal Edge’s profile of him can be read in its Spring 2022 issue, at tinyurl.com/rossomando.
1965
Dale Richard Perelman WG’65 writes, “I’ve recently completed my ninth book, Death at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles, a true crime story about the serial killers, the suicides, and the unusual happenings for which the hotel is famous.”
1966
Dr. Joel Brenner C’66, director emeritus of the Taussig Heart Center/Pediatric Cardiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1999–2019, and previous director of pediatric cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, 1982–1999, has retired from practice. He is also a former president of the Maryland affiliate of the American Heart Association and a former president of the medical staff at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He writes, “After training, I served two years of active duty in the US Navy/Bethesda Naval Hospital, returning to my academic career at the University of Virginia Medical Center as director of the Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization lab, before moving to Baltimore. Working with wonderful colleagues during my 50-year career, I have authored more than 70 peer-reviewed articles and a dozen book chapters. In the 1990s our group was instrumental in the promulgation of information in the emerging field of fetal cardiology, sponsoring meetings around the world. I am most proud of our fellowship training program, producing the next generation of leaders in our field. I have begun a new position, teaching practice/management issues in pediatric cardiology to the Graduate Nurse Practitioner PhD program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. I have also had the good fortune to have the support and love of my wife of 54 years, who eschewed acceptance at Penn to attend Cornell, but we still remained together.”
1969
Andrew Beckerman C’69 writes, “When you last heard from me, I was living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In late 1995, I participated in the first successful highly active anti-retroviral drug trial and began 26 years of an undetectable HIV viral load. On November 1, 2005, I immigrated to ‘kinder, gentler Canada,’ specifically Victoria, and was thrilled to become a Canadian citizen on February 11, 2015. Although trained as an architect and after running a small hotel, my life in Canada has traveled a different pathway. As an HIV+ person, I was comfortable being a public face of HIV and I found myself volunteering with charitable societies and attending conferences across the country advocating for better treatment of my struggling peers. Like every immigrant and refugee, I work hard to repay the generosity of the very warm welcome I received from Canada. I have been awarded medals from United Way of Greater Victoria (Honorary Lifetime Member), my home province, British Columbia (Good Citizenship), the City of Victoria (Honorary Citizen), and the Association of Philanthropic Professionals on Vancouver Island. Immigration is a veritable fountain of youth as one gets to begin a whole new life. November 1 is my Canadian birthday; on November 1, 2021, I turned 16!”
Martin Bornstein W’69 writes, “I’ve published a book on how to solve cryptograms, called Keys to the Crypt. The book demonstrates how to identify patterns of letters, words, and phrases through observation, analyzing the data by deductive reasoning and the use of probability, drawing conclusions on what are the most likely answers and then testing those hypotheses. This book has received high praise from several experts in this field, including Jeff Allen, president of the American Cryptogram Association, and Randall Nichols, professor emeritus of cybersecurity, intelligence, and forensics at Utica College.”
Joseph Cooper W’69 L’72 has published his debut picture book, Grandpa’s Lonely, Isn’t He? Joseph writes, “The story depicts a young boy’s concern for his grandfather, from whom he is distanced during the height of the COVID contagion. The story is intended to serve as a tribute to all those—of all ages and backgrounds—who, by various means and strategies, managed to deal with the separations, uncertainties, isolation, and loneliness of the COVID years. At its core, the story is about missing those we care about—about being missed, about being cared about.” More information can be found at grandpaslonelyisnthe.com or by emailing book@grandpaslonelyisnthe.com.
Phil DeSantis ChE’69 writes, “I’m pleased to announce the publication of the fourth edition of The Handbook of Validation of Pharmaceutical Processes, which I coedited. I have been a long-time contributor to this series in the areas of sterilization, project management, pharmaceutical equipment qualification, and process validation. In my more than 50 years in the pharmaceutical industry, I have worked to establish the discipline of pharmaceutical engineering as a key contributor to the safety and efficacy of the drug products that we deliver to patients, and my work has taken me all over the globe. I have also served as a trainer for the FDA field investigator training program. Now semi-retired, I continue to provide consulting services where I can contribute to the important effort to fight disease. I recently completed my term as chair of the Science Advisory Board of the Parenteral Drug Association and continue to be active in that organization, as well as the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering and the Council for Pharmaceutical Excellence. Visit the council’s website (councilforpharmaceuticalexcellence.org) for some of my thoughts regarding the state of pharmaceutical manufacturing and its applicable regulations.”
Dr. Barry R. Zitin C’69 writes, “Off to a good start! On April 22, 1972, I married my Harvard Medical School classmate, Melinda Grindrod. On April 22, 2022, we celebrated our 50th anniversary (via Zoom call with family and friends). After satisfying careers in pediatrics (Melinda) and psychiatry (me), we retired and moved from Boston to Jersey City. We have two daughters (a librarian in Boston and an English professor at Rutgers) and one terrific grandson. I still try to see the Mask & Wig show every year and remain convinced that my singing and dancing in high heels helped get me admitted to med school.”
1970
Ted Gilmore W’70, Sandi Shustak Kligman MT’70, and Maureen Hare Luschini Nu’70, 50th Reunion cohairs, write, “We’d like to congratulate and thank Andy Wolk C’70, Tim Carson W’70, Toni Schmiegelow CW’70, Ira Harkavy C’70 Gr’79, Helen Frame Peters CW’70 G’74 Gr’79, Don Maynard ChE’70, and Judy Nemez Vredenburgh CW’70 for their outstanding panel presentation ‘The Way We Were’ on May 13. The unsung stars of our Alumni Day parade were the two adorable grandchildren in a decorated float, but we need help in identifying the ‘70 classmate who is their proud grandfather. Please contact Lisbeth Willis at lisbethw@upenn.edu with any information!”
Tom Madden ASC’70, CEO and founder of the public relations firm TransMedia Group,has written a new book, Wordshine Man: Tips for Polishing Words Until They Sparkle. Tom writes frequently for CommPro, a magazine for communications professionals, and his most recent article, “As Our World Becomes More Digital, NFTs Are 0ur Digital Property Rights,” can be read at tinyurl.com/maddenNFT.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1973
Seth D. Bergmann GEE’73 writes, “On March 18–19, I competed in three events, the 3,000 meters, the mile, and the 4×800-meter relay, at the USATF National Masters Indoor Track championship meet in New York, finishing last in my age group in all three events.” Seth is 72 years old.
Douglas Richardson ASC’73 writes, “I’ve been celebrating publication of my first novel, Down Wind and Out of Sight, with book signings in the US and abroad—Doha, Bangalore, Goa, Udaipur, Delhi, and London. I find writing fiction a wonderful, if challenging, change from my years as a nonfiction business book author and decades as a Dow Jones columnist. Interviewers seem interested in how the publishing world regards a 75-year-old debut novelist and recovering lawyer, and how best to market an off-the-wall genre-bender that already has been nominated for multiple awards. My Annenberg class reunion was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends and indulge in lengthy games of show and tell.”
1974
Amy Meislin Pollack GEd’74 writes, “After I retired from a long career in teaching, I became an author and recently published a middle-grade book, for ages 8–13. The Adventures of Jelly Bean is the story of a forthright fourth grader whom everyone calls Jelly Bean. The challenges she meets include being the youngest in her family and having three older brothers; feeling as if her parents and teachers often don’t understand her; dealing with the death of her beloved grandfather … and more.” More information can be found at amypollack.com.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1978
Diane Kaplan C’78 announced in March that she will be leaving Rasmuson Foundation, a private Alaska-based family philanthropy, in early 2023. Diane joined the foundation in 1995 as the first employee and became president and CEO in 2001. Her announcement can be read at rasmuson.org.
1979
Patricia Reid-Merritt SW’79 GrS’84, Distinguished Professor of Africana Studies and Social Work at Stockton University, writes, “I served as a Goodwill Ambassador to Soles 4 Souls, a national and international nonprofit organization that distributes free shoes in poor, economically disadvantaged communities. DSW (the shoe company) put out a call, seeking to identify 10 individuals willing to travel to Honduras to distribute free shoes to children in several local communities. Sharing my personal experiences about growing up in poverty, always in need of a good pair of shoes, resulted in my selection from a national pool of more than 3,000. However, due to the pandemic, the Honduras trip was delayed for two years. DSW, the sponsors of the program (providing complete financial support for the ambassadors and their guests), decided to switch the program to several project communities in Los Angeles County. I spent four days trying to find the perfect shoe and perfect fit for hundreds of children. It was such an exciting moment for the children and their parents. I am grateful to DSW and Soles 4 Souls for providing me with this unique opportunity.”
1981
Dr. Gregg Coodley C’81 writes, “I’ve just published a new book, Taming Infection: The American Response to Illness from Smallpox to COVID. The book tells the story of how 15 major infections, such as tuberculosis, yellow fever, malaria, and syphilis, have affected American history. It looks at how Americans have often responded with scapegoating of certain populations, ignorance and fear, and yet eventual triumph to each of these diseases. I continue to work full time as a primary care doctor at the Fanno Creek Clinic in Portland, Oregon. My next book will address the crisis in primary care in America and is scheduled for a late fall publication date.”
Joe Jablonski C’81 L’87 shares that his novel A Thing with Feathers is a finalist for two 2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards, the Montaigne Medal and the da Vinci Eye. The Montaigne Medal is awarded to “books that either illuminate, progress, or redirect thought.” The da Vinci Eye is awarded “to books with superior cover artwork … judged on both content and style.” The image on the cover of Joe’s book is created by Russian artist Julia Tochilina.
1982
Dr. Beth Desaretz Chiatti CGS’82 WEv’84, associate professor of nursing at Drexel University, has been appointed director of the RN to BSN Completion Program at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. She has published numerous papers and given presentations related to transcultural nursing, immigrant health, reproductive health, and culturally competent care. Her dissertation research, “Culture Care Beliefs and Practices of Ethiopian Immigrants,” won a Research Award from the Transcultural Nursing Society and a NEF Scholarship from the Nurses Educational Fund. She recently authored a chapter on culture and diversity for a fundamentals of nursing textbook. For many years, Beth worked as a nurse, a genetic counselor, and a clinical resource coordinator at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Deborah Wong C’82 writes, “I’ve recently joined the boards of the Chinese American Museum DC, the nonprofit arts organization Great Leap in Los Angeles, and Répertoire International de Littérature Musicale (RILM), which produces resources for the music research community. My most recent book, Louder and Faster: Pain, Joy, and the Body Politic in Asian American Taiko (University of California Press, 2019), was recognized with best book awards from the Society for Ethnomusicology and the International Association for the Study of Popular Music, US Chapter.”
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1983
Dr. Andrew Chapman C’83 has been appointed enterprise director and executive vice president of oncology services at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia.
Richard J. Davies C’83 writes, “My wife Jayne and I are pleased to announce a new set of Penn alumni, our triplets Emma Davies C’22, Julia Davies C’22, and Pryce Davies C’22, Class of 2022, who graduated as Benjamin Franklin Scholars, each summa cum laude. Emma will be attending Harvard Law School this fall, Julia will be researching thrombosis at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital before attending medical school, and Pryce will be pursuing research in applied economics at MIT.”
Howard Yaruss L’83 has written a new book, which will be published in September, Understandable Economics: Because Understanding Our Economy Is Easier Than You Think and More Important Than You Know. Howard is an economist, attorney, and adjunct professor of real estate at New York University.
1984
Helen “Honey” Beuf CGS’84 writes, “After the death of my beloved 19-year-old daughter Liv in 2019, my daughter Tess and I started the Liv Project, a nonprofit organization developing creative tools that encourage fearless conversations to turn the tide of youth suicide. We have a film coming out this year, My Sister Liv, directed by Grammy Award–winning director Alan Hicks and produced by Oscar-winning producer Paula DuPré Pesmen. It reveals the realities of stigma, the struggles of mental health, and the aftermath for the survivors left behind in a suicide. We have also developed a fun and relatable conversation game for ages 13 and older: The Game that Goes There, cocreated with Humanaut and made in collaboration with mental health professionals and youth advisors. Our organization has a number of creative programs, tools, and workshops, all designed to normalize the conversation around youth mental health and suicide. Please check out our website, thelivproject.org, and consider making a donation to help us continue our work to bring these valuable tools to young people around the country.” Honey invites alumni contact at honey@thelivproject.org.
1985
Nancy Bea Miller C’85 exhibited new still life and landscape paintings at F.A.N. Gallery in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, April 1–29. More than 40 oil paintings in sizes ranging from a few inches to a few feet were on display. Nancy writes that most of the paintings were created during the pandemic and are “the expression of ideas and feelings that have been forming in my mind for many years. Having a long period of enforced downtime meant that I finally had the time to focus more intensively on what I have been wanting to express.”
1986
Joan Roop GNu’86 has been awarded a doctorate in education from Saint Elizabeth University.
1987
Adam Finerman W’87 L’90 WG’90 writes, “I recently moved law firms to become a partner at BakerHostetler and cohead of its IPOs and Securities Offerings Team.”
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1988
Karen Weintraub C’88 and Michael Kuchta C’88 have coauthored a new book, Born in Cambridge: 400 Years of Ideas and Innovators (MIT Press). The book chronicles cultural icons, influential ideas, and world-changing innovations that all came from Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the authors are based.
1989
Thomas Lambert C’89, a managing partner of FLB Law in Westport, Connecticut, has been named an honoree of the 2022 Connecticut Legal Awards, presented by the Connecticut Law Tribune. Thomas is one of three finalists in the Best Mentor category.
1990
David J. Glass C’90 has been elected to another term as managing partner at Enenstein Pham & Glass, a law firm focusing on civil litigation and family law.
Laura Ferguson Richardson C’90, a first-grade teacher at Edith C. Baker School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, is the recipient of a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The award, administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, recognizes “outstanding teachers for their contributions to the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science.”
1991
William Hudders GFA’91 writes, “Two of my most recent collages were featured in a group show at Gross McLeaf Gallery in Philadelphia in May.” Titled Residential Tourist, the show “considers voyeurism a tonic for isolation, interrupted socializing, and deferred travel.” William exhibited his collages titled Monkey Puzzle and Viewfinder.
Tom Jester GFA’91, a principal with the architecture firm Quinn Evans, has been named chief operating officer for the firm. He joined Quinn Evans in 2006 and has directed many of the firm’s most challenging projects, including the modernization of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC.
Darren Rosenblum C’91 L’95, a law professor at McGill University, has been appointed associate dean of graduate studies at McGill’s Faculty of Law.
1992
Yvonne Armendáriz C’92 CGS’98 was elected to serve as president of the Wake County Bar Association (WCBA) in North Carolina for 2022. She served as president elect of the WCBA in 2021 and has been a member of the WCBA board of directors since 2018. The WCBA/Tenth Judicial District is the largest bar organization in North Carolina, and she serves as its first Latinx president in its over 95-year history. Yvonne is a family law attorney in private practice. She invites alumni contact at yvonne@armendarizlaw.com.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1993
Lisa Nass Grabelle C’93 L’96 and Kiera Reilly C’93 write, “We can’t wait to ‘Talk Thirty to Me’ for our 30th Reunion, May 12–13, 2023. Our reunion planning committee rocks—there is so much enthusiasm on our planning Zoom calls. Special thanks to Eli Faskha EAS’93 W’93 for being our tech and Zoom guru, Jen Eisenberg Bernstein C’93 for leading our outreach committee, Joel Yarbrough W’93 and Monica Goldstein Avinami C’93 for sharing flashback photos, Mitchell Kraus C’93 for writing lyrics for our theme song, and David Foster EAS’93 andJoel for leading our LinkedIn/Facebook targeted outreach. Join our Class of ‘93 Facebook group and email us at upenn1993@gmail.com if you’d like to join the planning committee! #talk30tome93”
1994
Pamela Grebow Ehrenberg C’94 has coauthored a middle-grade novel (for readers ages 9–12) with Tracy López. Titled Detour Ahead, it tells the story of Gilah, a 12-year-old neurodiverse Jewish girl who is finally allowed to ride the bus alone. There, she strikes up a friendship with Guillermo, a young Salvadoran American boy resigned to taking the bus while his bicycle is being repaired. “Through Guillermo’s poetry and Gilah’s prose, the two navigate the detours of their families, their friendship, and themselves.”
Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi GEng’94 Gr’99 has written her first book, a novel in stories, titled Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions. From the press materials, “Nigerian author [Ogunyemi] makes her American debut with this dazzling novel, which explores her homeland’s past, present, and possible future through the interconnected stories of four fearless globe-trotting women. Moving between Nigeria and America, [the book] is a window into the world of accomplished Nigerian women, illuminating the challenges they face and the risks they take to control their destinies.”
1996
Salamishah Tillet C’96, a contributing critic at large for the New York Times, received a 2022 Pulitzer Prize for journalism in the Criticism category “for learned and stylish writing about Black stories in art and popular culture—work that successfully bridges academic and nonacademic critical discourse.” Salamishah is also a professor of creative writing and African American and African studies at Rutgers University. (See “Salamishah Tillet’s Journey,” Sep|Oct 2014.)
Jared Viders C’96 has published his second book, The Light of Day: Slices of Life and the Lessons They Teach, published by Mosaica Press.
1999
Andrea Canepari GL’99, a former counsel general of Italy in Philadelphia, and Judith Goode, a professor emerita of anthropology at Temple University, are coeditors of a new book from Temple University Press. Andrea writes, “The Italian Legacy in Philadelphia: History, Culture, People, and Ideas tells the centuries-long story of Italian heritage in the Philadelphia region.” The book was featured on Philadelphia magazine’s website on December 23 (tinyurl.com/canepari). Andrea Canepari GL’99 also received a 2022 honorary degree from the American University of Rome in May.
Jared Fishman C’99 is a former federal civil rights prosecutor and founding executive director of Justice Innovation Lab, a nonprofit that works towards a more equitable, effective, and fair justice system.
Richard Hollman C’99 see Josué “Joshua” Brenner C’02.
Kevin Schmiesing Gr’99 has authored a new book, A Catholic Pilgrimage through American History: People and Places that Shaped the Church in the United States.
2000
Iosefa Alofaituli C’00 is executive director and cofounder of CIELO, a nonprofit that trains residents of Orange County, California, to become economically self-sufficient through entrepreneurship. His organization was recently featured in 11 regional magazines in southern California (tinyurl.com/IosefaCIELO).
2001
Fabian Castro W’01 has been promoted to executive vice president of multicultural marketing at Universal Pictures.
Jared Susco W’01 GrEd’14 writes, “After four fabulous years with Benefits Data Trust (a social enterprise that assists vulnerable populations with accessing public benefits through policy/practice modernization and tech-enabled, human-centered, data-driven strategies), I moved in March to the Department of Radiation Oncology at Penn Medicine, one of the world’s premier centers for research, care, and education in cancer. It’s a bittersweet transition for sure, but the role of chief financial officer for the department opened while I was recuperating in a hospital bed after my final (let’s hope) surgery this winter, and I knew I had to apply there and then. Having recently waged (and won) a three-year battle with cancer and its aftermaths, I think it’s a special opportunity to match personal connection and professional growth. Put another way, given that I’m lucky enough to still be around to complain about my cancer-related ailments, I’m delighted to be a part of this fight from the inside.”
2002
Nafeez Amin W’02 WMP’19 is cofounder of Smart with a Heart, a nonprofit GMAT and GRE prep test provider. Nafeez writes, “Smart with a Heart offers a full-service ecosystem of intimate live-instruction classes, free office hours, private mentoring and admissions advice from full-time teachers with 99th percentile scores, and a no-questions-asked free repeat policy. Our mission is to level the MBA playing field by making bespoke test prep accessible to everyone.”
Josué “Joshua” Brenner C’02 writes, “I wrote and directed Harris Kooler, a short film that deals with mental health. It stars my fellow Mask & Wig and AEPi alum Richard Hollman C’99, with cinematography by Samantha Lynn Cohen EAS’15 GEng’15. My hope is to launch a film production company that focuses on mental health recovery, but movies you’d watch anyway.” The five-minute film can be viewed at vimeo.com/703731129.
Solimar Otero Gr’02, a professor of folklore and ethnomusicology at Indiana University and director of the Folklore Institute, shares that her book Archives of Conjure: Stories of the Dead in Afrolatinx Religious Culture has won the 2021 Albert J. Raboteau Prize for the Best Book in Africana Religions.
Kim Rittberg C’02 writes, “After launching Us Weekly’s video unit and working at Netflix, I founded Henry Street Media, a communications company focused on content strategy, video production, and media training. I’m also the host of Mom’s Exit Interview, a podcast highlighting women making bold choices in their search for professional and personal fulfillment. What happened to the two million moms who dropped out of the workforce during the pandemic? This podcast may have the answer. Guests include Rebecca Minkoff, Gretchen Rubin of the Happiness Project, and Carley Roney, cofounder of the billion-dollar Knot.com, in addition to inspirational everyday women. Its tagline is ‘Working moms are learning we don’t need a boss to give us permission—or a promotion—to create the lives we want.’”
2005
Blair Kaminsky C’05, a partner at the law firm Holwell Shuster & Goldberg (HSG), has been appointed to the firm’s management committee. She also co-leads HSG’s marketing and recruiting efforts, and she cofounded its diversity and inclusion committee.
Clayton Rose G’05 Gr’07 announced that he will be stepping down as president of Bowdoin College on June 30, 2023. Since 2015, when he was named Bowdoin’s president, applications for admission have risen 40 percent, with those from first-generation students up 115 percent and those from students of color up almost 50 percent. The school also created a senior position of chief diversity officer, built new residence halls and athletic facilities, and raised more than 85 percent of its goal of $500 million, with more than two campaign years remaining.
Nolan Tully C’05, a partner at the law firm Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, has been appointed co-leader of the firm’s insurance industry team.
2006
Dr. Kenneth Katz GM’06 has been named a Patient Care Hero by the American Academy of Dermatology for his work as cochair of the US Food and Drug Administration’s Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drug Advisory Committee, which provides advice to the FDA on new therapies to improve patients’ skin, hair, and nail conditions.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
2008
Wendy Chan WG’08 is cofounder of a grassroots movement called One Journey. She writes, “Motivated by my family’s refugee stories and moved by the Syrian refugee crisis, I have been organizing this thousand-people free event with a group of refugee activists since 2018. Our most recent festival was held on June 25 at the Washington National Cathedral. At our festivals, people experience refugee life via virtual reality, converse with refugees living overseas, take studio lessons taught by refugee dancers and artists, listen to inspiring refugee stories, purchase products to support refugees, and more importantly, visit the Take Action Tent that features local and global NGOs working to help refugees. More information can be found at onejourneyfestival.org.”
Jim Saksa C’08 writes, “I celebrated an extremely well-lubricated ‘dadchelor’ weekend in March, joined by 20 of my nearest and dearest friends. Penn was well represented by a coterie of sweet bros from SigEp and Penn Rugby, including JJ Anthony C’09 GEd’14, Brian London C’06, Stel Plakas C’09, Tripper Sivick C’08, Kyle Srivastava EAS’10 W’10, and Zach Zwicker EAS’10;and Kyle Johnson W’06 was also there in the form of a cardboard cutout. For three blissful days, beers were chugged, boats were raced, songs were sung, shots were slugged, and—for a brief, beautiful moment—all of us gathered in the Poconos forgot that we’re not 23 anymore. Relatedly, my hangover lasted three days. (Totally worth it.) Oh, also, I should probably mention that my son, Georges Francis, was born May 7. And that I married his mom, Jennifer Khouri, last year. The pandemic screwed up our wedding plans, so we eloped at the dive bar where we had our first date. I’m a journalist, Jenn is an attorney at the US Department of Justice, and Georges is a freeloader who cries whenever I tell him to get a job.”
2009
Colin Fegeley GEd’09 has been named the 2022 NCADA Athletic Director of the Year for the state of North Carolina by the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association. Colin is the athletic director for Green Level High School in Cary, North Carolina.
Gerald Griffin Gr’09, a former postdoctoral researcher in Penn’s department of microbiology, has been appointed provost of Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Gerald is a neuroscientist and virologist who has been a member of the Hope College faculty since 2015.
Radhika Sen W’09 has published her first children’s picture book, The Indian Dance Show. She writes, “I created this book after realizing that I couldn’t find many children’s books about Indian dance, something I have always loved so much. In this joyful and colorful book, children can enjoy learning over a dozen graceful dance styles from across India. I hope this story is fun for readers and also inspires them to learn about diverse global cultures.” The Indian Dance Show can be ordered from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores.
Serena Stein C’09 and Tiago Sanfelice C’09 write, “We were married in São Paulo, Brazil, on March 25. Among the guests in attendance were Best Man Ercole Volonnino W’09 and Nina Johnson Windgätter C’09 G’09. We met at Gregory College House, where we lived all four years at Penn.”
2010
Nakita Reed GAr’10 GFA’10, an architect at Quinn Evans, has been selected by the American Institute of Architects to receive a 2022 Young Architects Award. According to the release, “The national award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the early stages of their architectural careers.”
Marissa Rosen C’10 has been promoted to chief of staff of Salesforce Industries at Salesforce, a cloud-based software company.
2014
Adam Pascarella L’14, founder and CEO of Second Order Capital Management, has published his first book, Reversed in Part: 15 Law School Grads on Pursuing Non-Traditional Careers. He writes, “The book shares the stories of 15 law school graduates who have created notable careers outside of traditional, day-to-day legal practice. Feel free to send any feedback or comments to reversedinpart@gmail.com.” More information can be found at reversedinpart.com. Adam lives in New York City.
2015
Samantha Lynn Cohen EAS’15 GEng’15 see Josué “Joshua” Brenner C’02.
John A. McCabe LPS’15 has written a new novel, The Girl in Japan: A Young Soldier’s Story, which centers on his studies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It tells the story of Joe McGrath, an Army recruit who, after being exposed to the ravages of atomic bomb detonations in the Nevada desert, meets the titular girl in Japan, Reiko, who was exposed to atomic detonations at the end of World War II.
Michael J. Sorrell GrEd’15, president of Paul Quinn College, is the recipient of the 2022 J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award from Southern Methodist University’s Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility. The award is given to “individuals who epitomize the spirit of moral leadership and public virtue.”
2016
Allison Jegla C’16 see Richard Light W’62 G’64.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
2018
Mana Sazegara GAr’18 has won a 2022 ICFF Editors Award, in the Body of Work category, from the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. The awards recognize the top designs in the furniture industry.
2021
Daniel Rubin W’20, a board member of the Global Livingston Institute (GLI), coordinated an Earth Day project for the nonprofit. He writes, “We hosted community cleanups in eight different locations around Uganda. Across all locations, we purchased over 100,000 pounds of plastic from the community, injecting nearly $10,000 into the local economy. This plastic will be responsibly recycled and revenue/profit generating! We couldn’t have done this without our outstanding team in Uganda, partners, supporters, and friends. The GLI recycling initiative has a bright future ahead of it, and we are just getting started in making Uganda a greener, better place one recycled plastic bottle at a time.”
2022
Emma Davies C’22 see Richard J. Davies C’83.
Julia Davies C’22 see Richard J. Davies C’83.
Pryce Davies C’22 see Richard J. Davies C’83.