“One hundred years is a long time to live in the world, but I would do it all over again.”
—Rev. R. Hunter Keen C’48
1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s| 2020s
We Want to Hear from You
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!
1948
Rev. R. Hunter Keen C’48 will celebrate his 100th birthday in April. He writes, “Becoming 100 years of age means that you can look back and see significant changes in the views of Penn, and in our culture. For example, my mother, Rachel Barry MacAllister C1911, was among the first women to graduate from Penn. During her time, there was a policy prohibiting men and women from ‘fraternizing,’ and she was called into the dean’s office one day for speaking with a male. The dean told her that even if a man and a woman were engaged to be married, they were not allowed to speak to one another on campus. My mother told him, ‘If I were engaged to a man who wouldn’t talk to me, I would break off the engagement!’ I have now lived long enough to see there are more women students than men at Penn, and there are many female faculty, as well. There have also been several women presidents, including the current one, Liz Magill. These are positive changes I’ve seen in my near 100 years. After I was discharged from the US Army after World War II, Penn offered me the best acceptance of the Army Specialized Training Program college credit and G.I. Bill. After graduating, I attended Princeton Theological Seminary and was ordained as a minister. In 1950, I became the founding pastor of Warminster Presbyterian Church (PA). During that time, I’d been a bachelor for 30 years, and I met a beautiful young widow named Barbara who had two young children. We grew to love each other, were married, and had two additional children. After that, we moved to Sisseton, South Dakota, where I served the Dakota tribe (also known as Sioux) on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation. After spending 20 years with the Dakota people, I was invited by an Indian friend, Rev. Cecil Corbett, to come and work with the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho. I retired in 2001 and moved to Spokane, Washington, where I still reside with my wife, Barbara. Our four children grew up on the Lake Traverse and Fort Peck Indian Reservations, and they all remain in contact with many different people there. They each felt it was good to have been raised in more than one culture, and that it gave them a broader life experience to learn that although people can be very different from one another, they can still form strong bonds of friendship and love. I am grateful for the part the Native American people played in my life’s journey. One hundred years is a long time to live in the world, but I would do it all over again.”
1956
Ilga Winicov Harrington CW’56 Gr’71, a retired research professor of molecular biology at Arizona State University, has released her memoir Uncharted Journey from Riga. She writes, “It tells of a composite journey from Latvia in World War II through war-torn Europe, with stops in a German labor camp followed by five years in a displaced persons camp in the American occupation zone in Germany. All this is a prelude to immigrant status in the US in the early ’50s and adaptation to a new society. My initial education spanned two different eras at Penn, and the book shows glimpses of Penn in those years. The rest of the book travels through the joys and frustrations of becoming an independent woman scientist (microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology) in academia, at a time when we first learned about information from DNA and how it applies to all biology. The complexity of concomitant responsibilities to family, children, and society at large on this journey have made it into a rich tapestry of life. October saw the publication of Aunt Hilda, my sixth short story in the Goose River anthology, and my food column ‘Thrifty Good Food’ in a local paper is still going strong after 14 years. Writing for the general public is much different than writing scientific papers but has kept me busy and engaged in retirement.”
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1958
Steve Schuck W’58 has been inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain. Steve is a founder of Schuck Chapman Companies, a real estate development company.
1959
Samantha Grier CW’59 (aka Shulamit Sofia) writes, “Being a Penn grad has been among the most meaningful parts of my life. Despite receiving a master’s of social work from Columbia, it is the Red and the Blue that holds my heart. After my post-master’s certification in community consultation and child development under the auspices of the National Institute of Mental Health, I began parent education programs that grew into Parents Place in White Plains, New York, which was later replicated in San Francisco when I moved there in 1979. In 1985 I founded my second nonprofit, Caring for Children, in San Francisco, with the support of the Milken and Buffett Foundations. Caring for Children has comforted and supported more than 250,000 youngsters in over 20 countries with the gift of a teddy bear. Known as a ‘transitional object’ in psychiatric literature, this low-cost intervention provides enormous emotional and psychological support to a child in crisis. Working with police departments (NYPD, SFPD, and LAPD), Caring for Children introduced using teddy bears as an innovative police practice. Most recently, Caring for Children has helped over 5,000 Syrian refugee children living in Jordan and Turkey as well as thousands of migrant children stuck at the US border. Unfortunately, the pandemic made our programs untenable, and Caring for Children closed in 2022. I have since begun a new phase of life. After decades of spiritual study and certification in spiritual counseling, in 2013 I published Climbing the Sacred Ladder: Your Path to Love, Joy, Peace and Purpose. My second book, Spiritual Aging: Your Path from OY to JOY, will be published in March, and I have begun a coaching practice for AGERS wanting to maximize their experience of this major transition. Anyone interested can reach me at SpiritualAging@gmail.com under my pen name Shulamit Sofia.”
1961
Michael Pschorr C’61 has published an essay in the Jan|Feb issue of Cruising World magazine titled “Leaving My Comfort Zone,” which describes a sailing trip he took at age 78, with his son, from San Diego to Panama City, Panama. He writes, “Our month at sea was almost all under sail as repeated engine failure and often overcast skies meant sparse if any electricity from three solar panels. The unscheduled repair stop we made was Acapulco, Mexico, where some diesel mechanics did a lot, but alas days out at sea, the engine failed, never to restart.”
1962
Steve Stovall W’62 ASC’63 of Thornton, Colorado, writes, “I taught marketing at a collegiate business school for 21 years (how’s that for a C student out of Wharton?) before finally retiring five years ago. Competitive distance running is something I have pursued since age 30. Now, training for races occupies a big chunk of each day. One son claimed I spend more time training than Olympic distance runners. Yep. The beauty of this is that there are age group categories in races, so in the final results one can see how well they ran in one’s age group, such as over 80. As Woody Allen said, ‘80 percent of success is showing up.’ Oh so true. I think the most over-80 runners I’ve encountered at a race is four. Often there are two, and sometimes I’m the only one. I boast ‘first in age group,’ leaving out that I was the only one, or ‘second in age group,’ omitting the fact that there were only two. My last two races, I was the oldest runner who finished. And I wasn’t last! All kinds of little medals and ribbons are displayed in our garage, where they belong. This keeps me busy and engaged, plus it allows me to get away with eating chocolate and drinking beer without adding weight. There’s no zen epiphany behind my running. Just the fantasy that I’m fast and bound for the Paris Olympics. Oh, one more fact: it now takes me as long to run a 5K race as it did to run 10K races when I was half this age.”
1966
Andrew Cohn C’66 writes, “I’ve retired for a second time: this time from serving as president of the energy and utility consortium of Harvard Medical School and its five affiliated hospitals and research institutions in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston. I continue to serve on the board of the greater Boston grantee of the US Legal Services Corporation that provides pro bono civil legal assistance to vulnerable populations; and I serve on the board of 826 Boston (www.826Boston.org), which operates ‘writers’ rooms’ in the Boston Public Schools to publish student writing and to bring authors into the classroom. I’m also teaching at the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement, including, for example, a course on the ancient Maya of Mesoamerica and another on medieval Iberia under Muslim rule. Because my wife Marcia and I have a grandson in Denmark, we travel to and stay frequently in Copenhagen.”
1967
Carl Mark Koch GCE’67 Gr’72 has published a book of poetry, titled Pandemic Poet: The First Two Years. He writes, “The book contains over 250 poems about the pandemic, real-life experiences, childhood memories, nature, travel adventures, holidays, parodies, current events, and inspirational thoughts. After working as an environment engineer and partner at Greeley and Hansen, I retired with my wife Nancy to Maris Grove, a retirement community in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. While I published many technical papers and presentations during my professional career, I never wrote poetry until the pandemic.” More information about the book can be found at amazon.com/author/carlkoch.
1970
David Sweet C’70 writes, “After a career in law, public policy, and politics, I am now fully retired. My last gig was a five-year term on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Prior to that, I worked, at different times, with three Pennsylvania governors, was a partner in two major Pennsylvania law firms, and served in the state House of Representatives. I was also fortunate enough to be a member of Penn’s board of trustees from 1994 to 2007. I now live in Center City Philadelphia but travel frequently to see friends and more recently, my three wonderful grandchildren (and of course, their parents—my son Andrew Sweet C’10 in San Francisco, and daughter Natalie in Kansas City, and their terrific spouses). Chasing little balls (tennis and golf) and catching up on decades of neglected reading takes up much of my time. Also, I am doing a bit of volunteer work and enjoying Philadelphia’s many cultural opportunities.”
1971
Terry Patterson SW’71 writes, “After 30 years as a tenured professor at the University of San Francisco and directing the doctoral program there, I am currently in independent practice in San Francisco, specializing in individual and couple psychotherapy and consultation. I’ve also been president of the APA Society for Couple & Family Psychology and the Association of Family Therapists of Northern California, and have authored a book, Real-World Couple Counseling and Therapy: An Introductory Guide (2020), with Jerrold Shapiro.” Terry welcomes alumni contact at pattersont@usfca.edu.
1972
Robin Palley CW’72 has been elected president of the Nick Virgilio Haiku Association and Writers House, an arts and literacy nonprofit serving Camden, New Jersey. She writes, “Our organization uses short-form poetry, especially modern American haiku, to support concise thinking, mindfulness, and literacy in an underserved population around Camden’s Waterfront South neighborhood. It also operates the Upright Remington imprint with several anthologies published and available on Amazon. (And we are seeking likeminded individuals to get involved).” Robin is also senior vice president of healthcare strategy at Epsilon, a Publicis Groupe company. Her poetry has recently been published in Frogpond, the Shaping Water Anthology, and other poetry journals. She adds, “I live in the Spring Garden section of Philadelphia with my partner Henry Brann and a cheeky Maine Coon cat named Biden.”
Arthur N. Read C’72, general counsel for Justice at Work, a legal services organization representing low-wage workers in immigrant communities in Pennsylvania, has been honored with the annual Pennsylvania Bar Association Immigration Law Pro Bono Award. In part, he was recognized for his efforts to help implement federal protections for workers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey under the federal Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1973
Seth Bergmann GEE’73 writes, “I ran the Rothman 8k in Philadelphia on Nov. 19, finishing third out of 29 men aged 70-plus.”
Carol Adaire Jones CW’73 writes, “I retired seven years ago from a career as an environmental economist in government and academia, with the plan to better control my schedule with consulting (wrong!). My most memorable career experience was at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration working on the Exxon Valdez oil spill case for the federal government (preparing the claim for the lawyers to file), and going on to lead the economic valuation of 36 natural resource damages cases, which recovered more than $190 million in addition to the $1 billion Exxon Valdez settlement. Consulting projects include working with partners in Indonesia, the Bahamas, and other biodiversity-rich countries to develop local capacity to bring environmental liability cases for illegal deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, and coral reef destruction. I have had wonderful opportunities to travel both for work and pleasure with my husband, Jay Pendergrass, who is also in the environmental field. I cannot believe it has been (almost) 50 years since I graduated from Penn. I am excited to be participating with two dozen other classmates on the Organizing Committee for our 50th Reunion (May 13–14, 2023), and for a series of events leading up to the big weekend! Please send contact info, alumni news, and ideas for events to reunion@ben.dev.upenn.edu.”
1974
Dr. Richard H. Epstein C’74 M’78 GM’82 was honored with the J. S. Gravenstein Award for lifetime achievement in the area of technology in anesthesia by the Society for Technology in Anesthesia at its 2023 annual meeting. Richard is a professor of clinical anesthesiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He was previously on the faculty of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University from 1985 to 2015. He lives in Miami with his wife, Libby, and shares that his daughter, Yoella, lives with her husband and four children in Philadelphia. Richard invites alumni contact at rhe@comcast.net.
Michael Wald C’74 W’74 writes, “I’ve published a book about two years living and working abroad as an older, experienced volunteer in the Peace Corps. Why Didn’t You Call? A Peace Corps Panama Exposé is nonfiction but is written like a novel, with 50 full-color photographs that make readers feel like they are on the journey with me. The book gives insight to anyone thinking about living, working, or volunteering abroad to help prepare them for the experience and, thus, avoid the high failure rate of these endeavors. Other important recommendations are included to help policymakers get better results from efforts in the developing world. For excerpts, visit www.authormichaelwald.com.”
Rabbi Stephen Wylen C’74 writes, “I’m pleased to announce the publication of my newest book, You Should Know This: A Rabbi Explains Christianity to Jews (Amazon Books, 2022).”
1975
Diane Zaino Chase CW’75 Gr’82 was recently named senior vice chancellor for academic affairs for the University of Houston System, and senior vice president for academic affairs and provost for the University of Houston.
1976
Alice Elliott Dark C’76, an author and associate professor of creative writing at Rutgers University, gave a reading of her latest novel, Fellowship Point, at Hammer Museum in Los Angeles earlier this year. The story follows two lifelong friends, both shareholders in a generations-old land partnership. When Agnes is faced with a dire medical diagnosis, she seeks to convince Polly to donate their large swath of land along the coast of Maine so it will remain protected. The novel explores themes of history, legacy, class, aging, family, and women’s friendship.
Chris Jennewein C’76 G’76 writes, “I’ve never forgotten the great times at the Daily Pennsylvanian, an undergraduate experience that launched me on a media career. My latest entrepreneurial effort in this industry is Times of San Diego, a local news website introduced in 2014 and now read by nearly 600,000 people a month. In October, we were named ‘Best News Site’ in San Diego for the sixth time by the local press club. Independent news sites like mine are appearing throughout the country to provide sorely needed local news coverage as legacy newspapers contract. It’s exciting to be part of this new wave in the media.”
David Unkovic C’76 of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, and David van Hoogstraten C’77 G’77 of Washington, DC, who were freshman roommates at 326 Rodney in the Quad in 1972–73, met in Princeton, New Jersey, on November 19 to attend the Penn–Princeton football game. They write, “We were thrilled to see the Quakers, who had been trailing the entire game, pull ahead of the Tigers by one point with five seconds to go for the win [“Sports,” Jan|Feb 2023]. Congratulations to the Penn players, coaches, band, and cheerleaders on a great 2022 season!”
1977
Susan Feibus C’77 has joined the law firm Dykema as senior counsel in its business litigation practice group.
David van Hoogstraten C’77 G’77 see David Unkovic C’76.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1978
Diane Kaplan CW’78 was nominated by President Joe Biden Hon’13 to the board of directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in July. She was awarded the William A. Egan Distinguished Alaskan Award from Commonwealth North in October and the Arliss Sturgulewski Award from the YWCA in November.
1979
Michael Scullin C’79 received the French Medal of Honor for Foreign Affairs at a ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall in December. The award was presented by François Penguilly, consul general of France in Washington, DC. Michael served as honorary consul for over 17 years, stepping down in June. The medal rewards service by French diplomats and civil servants stationed outside of France.
1980
Dan Kaplan W’80 has been elected president and CEO of the board of governors of the Polo Club of Boca Raton, Florida. He writes, “The Polo Club is a 1,700-home Platinum Country Club featuring two 18-hole championship golf courses, 27 tennis and pickleball courts, five restaurants, a spa and fitness facility, and other amenities. I retired as a partner from Ernst & Young in 2018 and needed a full-time, unpaid job to fill my free time.”
Joe Mahoney C’80 G’84 Gr’89, the Caterpillar Chair of Business in the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was named among the Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors for 2022 by Poets & Quants.
Mark O’Brien FA’80 see Kit Warren FA’81.
1981
Gregg Fallick C’81 L’84 writes, “I live in Taos, New Mexico, as a recovering lawyer and aspiring ski bum.”
John Jutila WEv’81 writes, “I’ve been busy growing companies for private equity investors and recently joined Boston-area Tekscan Incorporated as CEO for Artemis Capital Partners, a company founded by MIT engineers developing advanced tactile sensor technologies for leading-edge research, medical, and industrial applications. I was previously a CEO and investor in Ripley Tools and Champion ONE. I earned my doctorate degree from Grenoble Ecole de Management in France in 2017 and was previously a senior executive with Nokia Networks, Asahi Kasei, Micro Semi Corporation, and various start-up technology ventures. After relocating my family numerous times, including several years living in Austria, I’ve now settled into a renovated historic mountain lake home (circa 1790) in New Hampshire with my wife, Elizabeth, and enjoy time with our three children and four grandchildren.”
Kit Warren FA’81 writes, “I’m pleased to announce the opening of my solo show at the Zillman Art Museum-University of Maine, January 20–April 21. Altered States & Other Stories is a selection of work created over the past three years. If you’re in the area, my husband Mark O’Brien FA’80 and I would love to see you there!”
1982
Rosario Cassata C’82 donated more than $5,000 to provide holiday gifts for 45 children through his family’s organization, the Cassata Foundation. The toys were presented at a Target in Long Island, New York, during its annual “Shop with a Cop” event in partnership with the Suffolk County (NY) Police Department.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1983
D. Anthony Bullett C’83 writes, “Keystone Equality officially launched on January 26 and will be the leading political organization advancing LGBTQ equality in Pennsylvania. I serve as a member of the board of directors that includes current and former leaders of major regional LGBTQ groups, trans-led support organizations, and elected officials. The board represents the diversity of LGBTQ communities with individuals from urban, suburban, and rural areas across Pennsylvania.”
1985
David Jehn W’85 has a new role at JetBlue as vice president of network planning and airline partnerships. He writes, “My responsibilities include building JetBlue’s growing route network, including expanding into Europe, as well as developing and enhancing relationships with myriad airlines domestically and around the globe. Outside of work, my wife Cathy and I are doing tons of traveling and loving living in New York!”
Dr. Daniel S. Zapson C’85 writes, “On the day he was born I didn’t think I could feel more pride. On the day he was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2027, I did! Congratulations to my son Ben on his early decision acceptance at the Wharton School.”
1986
Aeon J. Skoble C’86 has been appointed Bruce and Patricia Bartlett Chair in Free Speech and Expression at Bridgewater State University, where he is also a professor of philosophy and co-coordinator of the interdisciplinary program in philosophy, politics, and economics.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1988
Geri Austein Kalinsky C’88 has been promoted to senior vice president of talent acquisition and internal mobility at Warner Music Group, headquartered in New York. She lives in Bayside, New York, with her husband and two kids.
1990
Angela Montez C’90, special counsel for Eversheds Sutherland US, has been appointed to the national board of directors of the Gift of Adoption Fund. Gift of Adoption is a national nonprofit that provides financial assistance to complete the adoption of children in vulnerable circumstances.
1991
Colin Campbell C’91, a writer and director for theater and film, is also the author of Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose, which details his journey through grief after his children were killed in a drunk driving accident. The book is described as “a fresh, unconventional guide meant to encourage active grieving—instead of shrouding the universal experience in stigma and mystery” (colincampbellauthor.com). Colin has also created a solo performance piece based on his experiences, titled Grief: A One-Man ShitShow. It has been described as “comedic and heartbreaking, profound and profane” (griefaonemanshitshow.com).
Sadia Carone C’91, a stand-up comedian, artist, and musician, recently released a comedy album, Total Dick Experience. Sadia writes, “Note: the songs are cute, not nasty, but possibly not safe for work. It is light-hearted comedy.” The album can be heard at tinyurl.com/SadiaMusic. In addition, on October 1, Sadia presented a TEDx talk at Faurot Park in Lima, Ohio, titled, “Family Secrets—An Incest Survivor Speaks Out.” The talk can be viewed at youtu.be/v5IptvecExQ.
1992
Rebecca Bratspies L’92 writes, “I have a new book out, titled Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues, and Heroes Behind New York Place Names (History Press). If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic wondering who on earth Major Deegan was, this is the book for you. New York City’s many roads, bridges, neighborhoods, and institutions bear the names of a colorful assortment of people from key periods in the city’s history. But to date, New York has chosen to commemorate mostly white men. This fact reflects the historical balance of power in the city—both in terms of who had the power to name things and who got to define what counts as history. As I was researching and writing this book, that began to change. Most significantly, the Shirley Chisholm State Park, named after the first Black woman elected to Congress, opened in 2019. This shift in who the city memorializes reflects the changing narrative that New Yorkers tell themselves about their city.”
Scott W. Hawley C’92 W’92 writes, “The Ralph Schlemmer Orchestra (RSO) just released five brand-new tracks! We are on Apple Music, Spotify, and other platforms. If you like bongos and mayhem—deep fakes and COVID quacks—and what Jesus eats for lunch, these five songs are for you. In the late ’80s Brian Guido and I knocked around the campus of Frankfurt American High School—a remarkable place during a remarkable time—in what was then West Germany. Both of us were children of the US military. Both of us children of the Cold War. In 2022 we formed RSO. Guido composed the tracks and played all the instruments in Sacramento. I wrote the lyrics and recorded the vocals in Atlanta. We hope you will check us out!”
Ellis Mass C’92 W’92 has been named chief marketing officer at Labor Finders International, an industrial staffing firm, and works out of its headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He writes, “I’m excited to be leading the department of a dynamic and growing company, whose mission is changing lives through meaningful employment and partnerships. My wife of nearly 30 years, Ellen Segal Mass Nu’92 GNu’95, and I continue to live in Parkland, Florida, where we are soon to be empty-nesters, as the youngest of our three children heads off to college in the fall.”
Jennifer Friedman Sklarew C’92, assistant professor of energy and sustainability at George Mason University, writes, “I’m happy to share that my book, Building Resilient Energy Systems: Lessons from Japan, was published by Routledge in November. The book applies my experiences in the US and Japanese governments to examine how shocks, resilience priorities, and stakeholder relationships combine to influence energy system transitions. I develop global lessons from a case study of Japan’s trajectory from the time of the 1970s oil crises through the period following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. I’d enjoy collaborating with others working on energy system resilience and transitions!”
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
1993
Dr. Adam Denish V’93 writes, “I was humbled to be honored at the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center’s annual gala on November 12. As a board member of the oldest Holocaust museum in the United States, I am proud to support its mission for the last 11 years. Our event raised much-needed funds to enhance the work of our staff to combat hate and antisemitism. We produce educational events, and a Holocaust survivors and second-generation speaker series to enlighten the public of the atrocities of the past and hope they never happen again. To find out more, check out www.HAMEC.org.”
Lisa Nass Grabelle C’93 L’96 and Kiera Reilly C’93 write, “We can’t wait to ‘Talk Thirty to Me’ with classmates for our 30th Reunion, May 12–13. Thanks to Alysa Mendelson Graf C’93, Eli Faskha EAS’93 W’93, Mitchell Kraus C’93, and Cris Pereira Werneck C’93, for organizing the Ambush Interviews leading up to our reunion. Outreach chair Jen Bernstein C’93 encourages everyone to register to attend Alumni Weekend now! Events include a kickoff party Friday night and a full day Saturday: our political pollsters panel, parade of classes, class picnic, and our big party at night. Eddie Matz W’93, the creative genius behind the viral parody music video, ‘You Down with ’93?,’ hopes everyone can join him (and his overalls) on Locust Walk for the alumni parade of classes. Check our class Facebook group, Penn Class of 1993, for reunion updates, follow us on Instagram @Penn_1993, and email us at UPenn1993@gmail.com. We hope to see everyone on campus in May! Our hashtag is #talk30tome93.”
Peter J. Kalliney C’93 G’93, the William J. and Nina B. Tuggle Chair in English at the University of Kentucky, has published a new book, The Aesthetic Cold War: Decolonization and Global Literature (Princeton University Press). From the book’s press materials: “A revisionist account of superpower involvement in literature, The Aesthetic Cold War considers how politics shaped literary production in the 20th century.”
1994
Daniel Farber Huang WG’94 and Theresa Menders WG’94 have published a new book, Get Lost: Personal Privacy Strategies for Extremely Busy People, and a companion online course, Extreme Personal Privacy. They write, “We also continue to raise awareness of displaced people through the Power of Faces, a global portrait project that shows individuals with their inherent courage, beauty, dignity, and grace [“Profiles,” Jul|Aug 2019]. In March 2022 we were reporting on the plight of refugees fleeing Ukraine into Poland and previously in Greece, Turkey, Mexico, and Bangladesh. We continue to raise awareness of vulnerable populations and this year will be reporting on Latin American communities lacking adequate healthcare as well as South Pacific regions impacted by climate change. You can see more at thepoweroffaces.com.”
Margaret Saito W’94 see Dr. Tony Saito D’95.
1995
Frank A. Farry W’95, whopreviously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for seven terms, was sworn in on January 3 as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate to represent the 6th Senate District in Bucks County. He’s been assigned to serve on seven standing senate committees during the 2023–24 legislative session, including being appointed chairman of the Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, a panel that oversees the operations of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The other committees he will serve on are Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure as vice chair; Appropriations; Communications and Technology; Community, Economic and Recreational Development; Health and Human Services; and Law and Justice.
Victor McCray GEx’95, vice president for research and a professor of chemistry at the University of the District of Columbia, has been reelected vice chair of the National Science Board (NSB). NSB is both the policymaking body of the National Science Foundation and an independent advisor to Congress and the president on science and engineering policy. In December, Victor was honored at the Wharton Club of DC’s 51st Annual Joseph Wharton Award Dinner.
Dana Brakman Reiser C’95 writes, “I’m thrilled to announce the publication of my second book, For-Profit Philanthropy: Elite Power and the Threat of Limited Liability Companies, Donor-Advised Funds, and Strategic Corporate Giving (Oxford 2023), coauthored with Steven A. Dean. I’ve been writing about philanthropy and social enterprise as a member of the Brooklyn Law School faculty for 20 years, where I hold a chair as Centennial Professor of Law. I live in Brooklyn with my husband Jeff Reiser C’95 and our daughter, Charlotte.”
Dr. Tony Saito D’95 and Margaret Saito W’94 write, “There is a new Penn Club in Central Massachusetts! If you live in this area, please consider joining the Penn Club of Worcester. Our first meeting will be June 8. Join our Facebook group at tinyurl.com/PennClubOfWorcester or contact drtonysaito@alumni.upenn.edu.”
1996
Suzanne Saldi Garber GGS’96 writes, “I successfully defended my dissertation, entitled ‘Predictors of US Hospital Responsiveness to International Patient Inquiries,’ and graduated with my Doctor of Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Key findings for US healthcare institutions included staffing, implicit bias, website marketing, and foreign language/cultural competency needs. Anyone wanting to learn more can view the paper on ProQuest or contact me at suzgarber@gauze.net.”
Jeff Jackson C’96 has been appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to be a judge of the Superior Court of California in San Mateo County.
1997
Carl Irace C’97 has been appointed to the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York by the Clerk of the Court. The CJA Panel consists of attorneys who are authorized to be appointed to represent indigent defendants in federal criminal cases in which the Federal Defender office has a conflict.
Lydia Hoff Kris WG’97 and Gary Kris WG’97 were recently featured in the Journal News/lohud.com, a newspaper in New York State, for their new chocolate and coffee shop in White Plains. The Pamplemousse Project opened in December and donates all profits to local charities. The article can be read at tinyurl.com/kriscoffee, and more information about the cafe can be found at thepamplemousseproject.com.
Dan Malasky C’97, chief legal officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, writes, “On New Year’s Day, I toasted Penn’s sprint football head coach emeritus Bill Wagner and his wife Connie at the Bucs game. Coach Wagner was recognized for ‘50 years of head coaching excellence’ on the Raymond James Stadium jumbotron and was treated to a picture with the Bucs super fan known as ‘Big Nasty!’” Malasky kicked the winning field goal in the Penn sprint football team’s victory over Army in 1996—one of the best wins in the 50-year tenure of Wagner, who retired from Penn in 2019 [“The Unlikely Legend,” Nov|Dec 2019].
2001
Katie Alex Stevens C’01 writes, “My husband Eric and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our son, Zephyr Vassilios, on November 17. Big brother Xander, who turns three in March, is already requesting that I play Penn Band standards for their entertainment (though neither, perhaps fortunately, is yet throwing toast). I continue to work in product management for Harvard Business School Online, and Eric is in financial management for the Boston Public Schools.”
2005
Blair Kaminsky C’05, a partner at the law firm Holwell Shuster & Goldberg, has been selected as one of 10 honorees for New York Business Journal’s 2022 Women of Influence Award. The award honors women across a wide range of industries who have made an impact both professionally and in their communities.
Megan Malta Scauri C’05 writes, “I joined the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) in New York as senior librarian for special collections and digital projects in August 2021. My husband Joe and I welcomed our third child and first daughter, Livia, in September 2022, joining big brothers Frankie (December 2016) and Luke (February 2020). I’ve been enjoying spending time with my little ones while on maternity leave but look forward to getting back to my ‘book babies’ in the new year. AJHS is the oldest ethnic, cultural archive in the United States, and one of five partners housed in the Center for Jewish History near Union Square. All are welcome to visit our exhibits and/or register to view our research collections! More information can be found at www.ajhs.org.”
Jordan Stanger-Ross G’05 received the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Impact Connections Award, the highest national awards for Canadian humanities researchers. Jordan was recognized for his highly collaborative public history project, Landscapes of Injustice, which centers on the mass displacement of Japanese Canadians during the 1940s (landscapesofinjustice.com). He is a history professor at the University of Victoria, Canada.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
2008
Reuben Asia C’08 has been promoted to partner at Faegre Drinker. Reuben is a member of the law firm’s Real Estate group and practices out of its Philadelphia office.
2009
Jarad Mason C’09 G’09 and Ivy Cheung Mason C’10 write, “We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our son, Oliver Clark Mason, on October 5 in Boston! Oliver joins older sister Ella Marie Mason.” Ivy is a postdoctoral fellow at Mass General Brigham in the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders and a teaching fellow at Harvard University. Jarad is an assistant professor of chemistry at Harvard University.
Ari Mittleman G’09 was recognized on January 17 at the European Parliament’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration. Ari is the author of Paths of the Righteous: Stories of Heroism, Humanity and Hope. In the press release, he said, “My book came about after the tragedy at the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh. I was looking for positive stories that were not in the depressing headlines. We need to look for the positive in these difficult times of rising antisemitism.” Ari’s book was featured at the event, and he participated in a panel discussion.
2010
Caroline H. Cheng L’10 has been promoted to principal at the law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. Caroline is an attorney in the firm’s Washington, DC, office who represents public and private employers in labor and employment law matters.
Ivy Cheung Mason C’10 see Jarad Mason C’09 G’09.
Andrew Sweet C’10 see David Sweet C’70.
2011
Mathew A. Golden C’11 L’14 has been elected partner at the law firm Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP. He works in the Corporate Litigation Group and focuses his practice on corporate and commercial litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
2014
Darcella Patterson Sessomes GrS’14 has been appointed chief of the Division of Programs and Reintegration Services for the State of New Jersey Department of Corrections.
2015
Becky Chalsen C’15 is author of a new novel, Kismet. From the press materials, “Kismet is a sun-soaked novel about love, sisterhood, and destiny, set in the glorious beach town of Kismet, following Amy Sharp as she navigates her marriage, her past, and her twin sister’s wedding over Fourth of July weekend.”
Jennie Shulkin C’15 is cofounder and CEO of the digital health company Override Health. She writes, “Our company uses the latest in pain neuroscience and virtual teams of multidisciplinary specialists to help chronic pain patients regain function and quality of life.”
2016
Jiye Bahng Lee Nu’16 GNu’19 writes, “I am currently a PhD student at the University of Miami, and my husband, Kyutae Lee C’17, is pursuing his MD-PhD at the University of Miami as well. We joyfully announce the birth of our son, Titus Lee, born June 3, in Miami.”
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 12–15, 2023!
2018
Carlo Comia C’18 is a founding member of Aspiring Physician Executives (APEx), a student-run, Philadelphia-based organization that works to diversify the next generation of healthcare leaders. On December 8, APEx presented an “Evening with Executives” for students from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Carlo helped organize the event and served as a co-moderator for the panel.
2019
Ryan Finch C’19 writes, “My new consulting company, Handly.io (www.handlyio.com), is focused on providing B2B services to coaches, consultants, and start-up founders. We specialize in offering web design, public relations and digital marketing, executive coaching, workflow automation, and the staffing of virtual assistants. Our mission is to help these businesses to become more operationally sound through strategic guidance. I am proud of the work that we have done to date and excited about the future.”
Matthew P. vandenBerg GrEd’19 has been named president of Ohio Wesleyan University. Currently the president of Presbyterian College in South Carolina, he takes up his new post in July.