“I have time to enjoy my collection of vintage electric guitars, regularly playing rock ’n roll with my friends, and doing some oil painting.”
— Bob Stein W’71
1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s
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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.
1958
Maryann Gay Rozzell PT’58, a retired physical therapist, has coauthored a new book, Daughters of Dunn House 1953: Stories of Fisk Early Entrants. As an adolescent, Maryann and six friends participated in a Ford Foundation–sponsored “experimental program that offered Black teenagers the opportunity to skip their final two years of high school and complete their general course studies in college,” explains Kirkus Reviews. She and the others, now octogenarians, compiled their stories of careers, further studies, travels, and families during the Jim Crow era and civil rights movement. Kirkus Reveiws calls the book “an important document of Black history and celebration of higher education.”
1960
Fred DeAntonis C’60 writes, “Once again I was one of the volunteers at the Exponential Music Festival, which is an annual three-day event, organized by WXPN, the best noncommercial music station in the US. The event took place at Wiggins Riverfront Park in Camden, New Jersey.”
Herbert “Bert” Lazerow C’60 writes that he is still teaching law full time at the University of San Diego. He shares that “2023 was an exceptionally productive year.” In addition to publishing an article on recovering Holocaust art, two of his books were released in June, Mastering International Sales Law and International Business Negotiations in a Nutshell, written with Ralph Folsom.
1961
Charlie Schlesinger W’61 shares that he and his partner Joan met with Steve Silver W’61, Leon Shoag W’61, and Leon’s wife Barbara for a weekend at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in 2019. He writes, “Then, in 2023, we met on Long Island, New York, for a great weekend celebrating ‘two of our birthdays,’ telling ourselves we ‘haven’t changed a bit.’ Ha! Thanks, Penn, for a fabulous education and lifelong friends!”
1965
Steven Irace C’65 G’66 see Carl Irace C’97.
Paul Zantzinger C’65 WG’67 shares that he had a “spontaneous reunion” with Dr. Robert Blasburg W’76 and Fred Slone C’71 L’74 at Robert’s ophthalmology office in Sandy Springs, Georgia, on November 7, 2022. Paul, who just had attended the Wharton alumni reunion two days earlier, writes that he “told Fred about construction of the new [data science] building named after past president Amy Gutmann Hon’22 … [and] told Dr. Robert about the two new Wharton Buildings at 37th and Spruce and 40th and Sansom. Dr. Robert talked about playing golf with his Wharton friends and his trip to Yosemite National Park. Fred talked about the successful 2022 season of Penn football and basketball.”
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 17–19, 2024!
1969
Benjamin Franklin Cooling Gr’69 has retired from federal civil service after 58 years of research, writing, and teaching, as well as two years in private education. His last position was as professor of national security studies at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. Author or editor of nearly two dozen published studies or books, his most recent publication, Arming of America Over the Centuries: War, Business, and Building a National Security State (2022, University of Tennessee Press), reflects a half-century of studying the military-industrial complex and defense industrial base.
Joseph H. Cooper W’69 L’72 has published another picture book, this time a work of nonfiction. How’d They Do That? Grandparents Answer Questions about the Wright Brothers and Amelia Earhart delivers history via relatable grandparent–grandchild conversations while also providing chronicling endnotes for adult readers. The book’s dedication reads, in part, “For historical societies and libraries whose special collections and archives preserve historic writings and images, and for STEM educators.”
1970
Frank Best L’70 has authored a new book, Beholding the Invisible, Embracing the Infinite: Understanding God and Our Parent/Child Relationship. A retired general counsel of Penn Mutual Life Insurance who has written many legal papers, Frank shares that this latest work grew from a personal Bible study project.
1971
Howard Brod Brownstein C’71 W’71, president of the Brownstein Corporation, serves as interim CEO and board chair of Universal Services Associates, a designer and manufacturer of exhibits for museums all over the world. He writes, “I am also continuing with my work in turnaround and crisis management, M&A (including for healthy companies), litigation support, and expert testimony. I also continue to serve on public and private company boards, and for large nonprofits.”
Bob Stein W’71 writes, “I retired as a tax partner of Eisner Amper on June 30, from my 48-year career as a CPA. A lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun working with numerous wonderful clients and colleagues. My wife Nancy (we’re married 42 years) and I now enjoy homes in West Orange, New Jersey, and Boynton Beach, Florida, and spend time with our two daughters and their families here in New Jersey. I have time to enjoy my collection of vintage electric guitars, regularly playing rock ‘n roll with my friends, and doing some oil painting. I stay in touch with a number of my Tau Delta Phi fraternity brothers. I was also a founding board member (in 2002) of the Wharton Club of New Jersey, a very rewarding experience. We set in motion a club that continues to this day.”
1972
Kenneth J. Fishman W’72, who retired as a judge of the Massachusetts Superior Court after 17-plus years on the bench, has been appointed as the special master for Massachusetts Asbestos Litigation. He has also been appointed as a hearing officer for the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
Juanita Stroud Martin GEd’72 writes, “After 32 years as a social worker for the El Paso County Department of Human Services in Colorado Springs, Colorado, I retired and penned my first book, A Taste of Life: Prisms—Through a Glass Darkly. The book is about my paternal family’s life in Colorado Springs, beginning in 1910. My grandparents had 11 children, who all exhibited above-average intelligence and who were tested psychologically by the city because of this “anomaly.” Even the youngest, Bobby Stroud, age four, had an IQ of 105. The Stroud legacy is one of perseverance in the use of one’s talents, with the goal of making the world a better place than one has found it. I am a US Navy veteran (1954–1958), the proud mother of seven children, and a retired professional jazz singer, teacher, and social worker. My second husband, Gregory Johnson, and I have produced a public access TV show, Black Beat Productions, in Colorado Springs for over 25 years.” Juanita shares this information in hopes that it will inspire “the younger generation to persevere in their endeavors.” More information about her family’s remarkable history can be found at stroudfamilycolorado.com.
Eileen Sullivan-Marx HUP’72 Nu’76 Gr’95 stepped down as dean of New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing in July after 11 years. In that role, she served as chair of the NYU Deans Council and president of the American Academy of Nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October, she received the President’s Award for exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. While dean, she received awards from the United Hospital Fund, Village Cares, Irish America, the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, and Penn School of Nursing Outstanding Alumni for her work during Superstorm Sandy. Eileen currently serves as a professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, adjunct faculty at Howard University College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, and professor emerita and clinician-educator at Penn Nursing. She holds board of director positions at VNS Health, United Hospital Fund, and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. On the third Thursday of the month, she hosts the Sirius XM Nurse Practitioner Show on Doctor Radio, Channel 110.
John D. Woolsey FA’72 GFA’73, had two recent exhibitions of his artwork. Distant Visions was a show of 70-plus pieces of recent work at the University of Maine’s Zillman Art Museum, from September 15 through December 30. Time and Transformation was an accompanying exhibit of about 30 recent works at the Caldbeck Gallery in Rockland, Maine, from September 23 through November 4. Caldbeck has represented John’s work in Maine since 2010. Visit JohnWoolseyArt.com to see his paintings, prints, and drawings.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 17–19, 2024!
1974
Geoffrey Greif SW’74 has been named Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He is a professor in the university’s School of Social Work, where he has worked since 1984. His 16th book, Group Work with Diverse Populations: A Handbook, will be published by Oxford University Press in 2024.
Linda Rabben CGS’74 has published Through a Glass Darkly: The Social History of Stained Glass in Baltimore, the first illustrated book on the subject. It is her 11th nonfiction book and her first art book.
1975
Harry Eisenstein C’75 W’75 L’86 has been elected a shareholder at the multi-jurisdictional law firm of Carlton, Fields, P.A. Practicing out of the firm’s Washington, DC, office, Harry focuses his work on investment products issued by insurance companies.
1978
Peter Krajsa W’78, cochair and founder of the National Energy Improvement Fund, received the Epstein Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sustainable Energy Fund in July. The award “is presented to a deserving individual each year for a lifetime of work moving society towards a sustainable energy future.”
Robert L. Wallace ME’78 was honored as one of Maryland’s Most Admired CEOs for the year 2023 by The Daily Record. Robert is founder of Bithgroup Technologies, an information technology consulting firm.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 17–19, 2024!
1979
Allen C. Guelzo G’79 Gr’86, senior research scholar at the Council of Humanities at Princeton University, has authored a new book that will be released in February. Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment is “an intimate study of Abraham Lincoln’s powerful vision of democracy,” according to the press materials. Allen’s biography of Robert E. Lee was featured in our Jul|Aug 2022 issue.
1980
Frederick C. Leiner C’80, a lawyer and historian, is the author of Prisoners of the Bashaw: The Nineteen-Month Captivity of American Sailors in Tripoli, 1803–1805, which was shortlisted for the Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize. The award recognizes “the best book on American military history in English distinguished by its scholarship, its contribution to the literature, and its appeal to the broadest possible general reading public.”
1981
Budd Mishkin C’81 writes in to say that, much to the chagrin of viewers and listeners everywhere, he’s had a long career in radio and television news and sports, covering playoff games, interviewing influentials, and doing ski reports from his bathroom [“Alumni Voices,” Mar|Apr 2021]. After 25 years at NY1, New York City’s 24-hour cable news channel, Budd now serves as a news anchor on 1010 WINS and WCBS Radio in New York, where he would like to remind listeners of his role as the elephant s___ cleaner in the 1981 Mask and Wig tour de force Ring Job. (He has resisted the urge.) From time to time, you’ll find him on stage in New York City and beyond, hosting and interviewing a wide variety of interesting people, conversations that somehow always come back to the 1979 Penn Final Four team. Budd is also the creator and host of an interview podcast called Before the Cheering Started with Budd Mishkin, all about the journey to success and professional fulfillment. He asks … rather, he begs that you please tell everyone you know in the Western Hemisphere about the podcast. Eastern, too. It’s available wherever you get your podcasts, a phrase that Budd sadly forgot to trademark. Finally, Budd has yet to realize his dream of becoming the 47th Beatle.
John D. Woodward Jr. W’81, a Professor of the Practice of International Relations at Boston University since 2015, has authored Spying: From the Fall of Jericho to the Fall of the Wall (Waynesburg University Press). He writes, “Spying is a comprehensive study of the history of intelligence activities from ancient times to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, with special attention to the American experience with espionage.” In his book, John, a former Central Intelligence Agency operations officer and US Department of Defense official, drew on the pioneering scholarship of his colleague, the late Boston University professor Arthur Hulnick, who also served as a CIA intelligence officer.
1982
Merle Ochrach C’82, a principal at the law firm Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, is listed in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America under the category of Banking and Finance Law. Merle has been practicing real estate, banking, and municipal law for more than 35 years.
Michael Swiskay C’82 has written a new play, Orbiting Esmeralda, which had its world premiere at the New York Theater Festival on November 27. From the play’s description, the story centers around “Esmeralda (Ezzie), a formidable art dealer from Prague, and her real-estate developer husband, Matt, [who] are entangled in a high-stakes art scheme.”
1983
José Almiñana GLA’83 has received the 2023 Wyck-Strickland Award from the Wyck Association, which manages a historic house, garden, and farm in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. According to the release, “The award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural life of Philadelphia through work that reflects a drive for progress and modernity and a sensitivity to the past.” José is a principal at Andropogon Associates, a landscape architecture firm based in Philadelphia.
1985
Urban Carmel W’85 was sworn in as mayor of Mill Valley, California, in October. He was the top vote-getter in the 2020 election to the Mill Valley City Council. He was previously chair of the Mill Valley’s Planning Commission and president of the Mill Valley Library Foundation. He has been chair of Penn’s North Bay, California, Alumni Ambassador Program since 2010.
Donna Gaffney GNu’85 GrN’86 has authored a new book with Nicole C. Foster, Courageous Well-Being for Nurses: Strategies for Renewal. The book provides nurses with the underlying science, practices, and strategies to enhance their well-being and protect their mental health.
Will Hyde C’85 writes, “After working for federal government contractors for 20 years, I finally escaped that rat race and now work for AARP in Washington, DC. The big news, however, is this: on September 30, I was ordained to the permanent diaconate of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It was the culmination of an amazing and humbling experience, complicated (and lengthened) by the ever-present pandemic. I look forward to continued learning and growing in service of the Church and community of Frederick, Maryland, where I have been assigned to the two-parish Pastorate of St. John the Evangelist (Frederick) and St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor (Buckeystown). My ever-patient wife Mary and I live in Lovettsville, Virginia, with our two dogs and a cat, and more than a few Red-and-Blue memories, as her alma mater, the University of Dayton, shares our school colors. Our daughters Caroline and Catherine recently moved to Frederick as both finish master’s degrees in anthropology and education, respectively.”
1986
Dov Hoch C’86 writes that he has stepped down as president of the Penn Club of Israel, which he led from 2006 to 2023. Dov also served on the Penn Alumni Advisory Board and is the former cochair of Penn Alumni (AB) International Clubs. Dov writes, “The 700 Penn alumni living in Israel will continue to conduct thriving philanthropic, social, and cultural activities that support Israel and enhance its members. In addition, we are enlarging our ambit to include thousands of pro-Israel alumni around the world.”
Debra J. Rosenthal C’86, an English professor at John Carroll University, is editor of a new collection of scholarly essays, Cli-Fi and Class: Socioeconomic Justice in Contemporary American Climate Fiction, with Jason de Lara Molesky. She also wrote an article for TheConversation.com about her climate change literature course, “This course uses ‘climate fiction’ to teach about the perils that a warming planet faces” (September 19, 2023).
1987
Lisa A. Freeman C’87 G’91 Gr’95 has been appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of Illinois Chicago.
1988
Judy Lobel C’88 married Dr. Dane Blumenthal on July 30 at Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. Many Penn alumni were in attendance, including the following members of the Class of 1988: Scott Bober EAS’88, Alissa Makower C’88, Dana Markow C’88, Lori Freudenberger Nelson C’88, Susan Witkoff Stein C’88, and Jeremy Steindecker C’88. Judy works in marketing for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Dane is a diagnostic radiologist. The couple resides in New York.
R. Scott Wright GFA’88 exhibited his recent works of climate change paintings at the Phillips Museum of Art at Franklin & Marshall College from September 5 through December 8. From the press release: “Coming Storms is a mini-survey of the artist’s conversations with our rapidly changing world from Superstorm Sandy to the plight of climate change refugees, as he questions the kind of world we are going to leave our children.” More information can be found on his website, rscottwrightstudio.com.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 17–19, 2024!
1989
Lisa Niver C’89, travel writer and author of a new memoir, Brave-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents, and Feeling Fearless After Fifty, writes, “I am so grateful for the overwhelming support and love at my book-signing event at the Penn Bookstore on Nov. 10! A heartfelt thank you to the campus organizations, especially the Pennsylvania Gazette, whose enthusiasm and promotion made the evening truly special. My alumni friends and family filled the room, and the warm reception filled my heart! Signed copies are still available at the bookstore and I will be back to sign more! Thank you to the bookstore team of Christine, Lew, Bern, Dylan, Taryn, and Marcellus. Thank you also to all the Penn 1989’ers who joined us in October for our reunion kickoff in Los Angeles! See you on campus in May for the alumni parade at our 35th Reunion! Hurrah-Hurrah!” More information about Lisa’s event, including video coverage from NBC 10 Philadelphia, can be found at www.wesaidgotravel.com/penn-bookstore. She can also be contacted at lisaniver.com/one-page.
1990
Dr. Douglas Thamm C’90 V’95, a professor of oncology at the Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center, was awarded the Alan Kelly International Award category of the 2023 International Canine Health Awards from the Kennel Club for his work in researching canine cancer. The award, underwritten by the Vernon and Shirley Hill Foundation, is named in honor of former Penn Vet dean Alan M. Kelly Gr’67.
1991
Jennifer Epstein C’91 and Stephanie Formica Connaughton WG’92 are core owners of Boston Unity Soccer Partners, which has been selected to lead the National Women’s Soccer League’s franchise expansion to Boston. Boston Unity Soccer Partners will unveil the new club’s brand as it moves closer to playing in the 2026 season. Jennifer is the founder of Juno Equity and a member of the board of trustees for the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. Her family has also been co-owners and managing partners of the Boston Celtics since 2002. Stephanie is a marketing executive and founder of Firebug LLC, and her family is a part of an investor/founder group and board member of the Boston Celtics.
Lauren Krasnow W’91 writes, “After 25-plus years in the legal profession (big firm lawyer, search firm recruiter, consultant, and a stint as a stay-at-home-mom), I’m an executive coach/consultant/speaker to senior leaders and teams at the largest global law firms. I also write a national column called ‘The Fully Human Lawyer’ (FHL) for The American Lawyer, a leading industry publication. I started the FHL during the pandemic to share (anonymized) common true stories from coaching to help make the legal profession more ‘fully human.’ It’s been well received, and I’m excited to recently have been named a top 2023 Global 100 Leader in Legal Strategy & Consulting by Lawdragon. I hold a leadership role in the International Coaching Federation, the world’s largest organization of professional coaches (chapter board member and DEIB committee founding member). After years in New York City, I now live in West Hartford, Connecticut, with my husband, our two teenaged kiddos and our puppy Ozzie. I’d love to reconnect with classmates and hear how you’re all doing! Feel free to reach out at [email protected] or on LinkedIn.”
1992
Stephanie Formica Connaughton WG’92 see Jennifer Epstein C’91.
1995
Dorian Mazurkevich C’95, currently serving at the US Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, has been awarded a Gold Medal for his work in supporting US commercial interests in Ukraine during Russia’s war on Ukraine. The Gold Medal is the highest honor granted by the US Secretary of Commerce for distinguished performance.
1997
Carl Irace C’97 has been sworn in as village justice for the Village of Sag Harbor, New York. This part-time judicial position allows him to continue serving as a federal criminal defense attorney on the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Eastern District of New York. Carl’s family, including Steven Irace C’65 G’66, was present at the ceremony.
Dawn Landua McCormack C’97 Gr’08 has been appointed as dean of the Howard College of Arts and Sciences at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.
Darlene D. Pedersen GNu’97, an advanced practice psychiatric nurse, has authored two new editions of her clinical titles for psychiatric professionals. PsychNotes: Clinical Pocket Guide (sixth edition) and Pocket Psych Drugs: Point-of-Care Clinical Guide (second edition) are both published by FA Davis Company.
1998
Sarah Burgess Gregorian GEd’98 has published her second novel. She says the young adult story, Kelly’s Folly, is about “a high school diver with his eye on the Olympics,” and it is published under her pen name, T. H. Forest. Sarah’s debut novel, Twinkies & Beefcake, which she describes as “a coming-of-age story made for the 21st century,” was released in October 2022, under the same pen name. Both books are available on Amazon, or a signed copy of either can be purchased directly from Sarah at a 50 percent discount for a limited time. Visit her website, fountainoffiction.com, or email her at [email protected].
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 17–19, 2024!
1999
Patrick Shilling C’99 has been promoted to Americas general counsel at UBS Group AG.
2000
Nia Tahani Wilkes C’00 and Leroy Wilkes III C’09 have codesigned a limited-edition fine jewelry pendant, “Sweet Chairiot,” which pays homage to freedom fighters, past and present. They write, “The design was inspired by the associations that were made between the Negro spiritual ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ by Black Choctaw freedman Wallace Willis, and the symbol that the folding chair has become since the ‘Battle of Alabama’ on August 5, 2023. [Also known as the ‘Montgomery Riverfront brawl,’ this was a large-scale altercation that began when a riverboat was unable to dock where a private pontoon was moored. Many alleged that the assailants were racially motivated in their attack.] ‘Sweet Chairiot’ is a symbol of resistance and remembrance for the Black lives—entire communities—lost to senseless racism from the Middle Passage to today. The final design (copyright pending) is a solid gold pendant featuring an eight-pointed ‘Freedom Star’ and a Victorian era–style ancestral hand holding the handle of the backrest.” Their nonprofit partner Alabama Arise will receive 10 percent of the sales, which will aid efforts to empower Alabamians, largely Black and brown, who are marginalized by poverty. Contact Nia and Leroy at [email protected] or visit www.gemcorps.com for more information.
2001
Jonathan Feinberg L’01, a Philadelphia-based civil rights attorney and partner at Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing, Feinberg & Lin, has been named president of the National Police Accountability Project (NPAP). The NPAP is “dedicated to holding law enforcement accountable,” by bringing lawsuits against police and correction officers for illegal behavior, seeking justice for victims of police violence, and fighting for an end to police brutality of all forms.
2002
Evelyn Gong C’02 is a judge-elect for Queens 6th Municipal Court District of the New York City Civil Court Queens County. As the first woman of color to preside in this seat, she assumes office on January 1. More information for her run for judge may be found at www.gongforjudge.com.
2003
Eloise M. K. Hirsch C’03, a real estate attorney at the law firm Polsinelli, has been elevated to shareholder. She works out of the firm’s Denver office.
Tamara Weiss Levine C’03 announces that she has joined Weinberger Divorce and Family Law Group as a partner in the firm’s Parsippany, New Jersey, office. She continues to reside in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters. Tamara welcomes alumni contact at [email protected].
2005
Martha Cooney C’05 has published an essay collection, Walk Me Through Your Resume. Hailed by national bestselling author R. Eric Thomas as “hilarious” and “delivering immense satisfaction and delight,” this collection of laugh-out-loud true stories follows Martha as she tries to make ends meet in the gig economy. Martha is a winner of The Moth GrandSLAM storytelling competition and reaches audiences regularly with her humor newsletter YO. from Martha Cooney. She has performed on Commonspace Radio Hour on WHYY and at the United Palace Theatre in New York City.
Gizelle Gopez C’05 and Antonio David W’07 are thrilled to announce the birth of their daughter, Astrid Giulia David, born on August 21. The family resides in Atlanta, along with their two rescue pups, Tisha and Thomas.
2006
Rob Forman W’06 has been elected to the board of directors of the Writers Guild of America West.
2007
Antonio David W’07 see Gizelle Gopez C’05.
Daniel Sun EAS’07 and Emily Chang EAS’07 now live in Cincinnati with their kids Kingston (six) and Chloe (two). Dan is the division director of neurotology at the University of Cincinnati and Emily works in the development of cancer diagnostics. Dan and Emily both majored in chemical and biomolecular engineering at Penn and met as next-door neighbors in Hill House.
2008
Lindsay Motlin EAS’08 and Adam Britanyak were married in Portland, Oregon, on August 20. Several Penn alumni were in attendance including her brother Craig Motlin EAS’05 W’05, and dear friends from Warwick 3, including best woman Anna Raper C’08, Jay Olman EAS’08, Jonathan Hakim C’08, Sarah Abroms Kunin C’08, Dr. Alex Hirsch C’08 M’12, Suraj Patel EAS’08 W’08, Rebecca Labov C’09, and Lauren Ahearn W’08. Celebrating from afar were Jasminka Arnautovic Arguez W’08 C’08, Kimie Bunyasaranand Marin C’08, Mark Pasha W’08, Nik Nirmel W’08, and Steve Raper L’12.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 17–19, 2024!
2009
Leroy Wilkes III C’09 see Nia Tahani Wilkes C’00.
2011
Matthew G. Frias C’11, a litigation senior associate at Lash Goldberg LLP, married Shanelle Gordon Frias, a mergers and acquisitions associate at Dechert LLP. Matthew and Shanelle share that they celebrated their wedding at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami. In attendance were several of Matt’s closest friends and fellow Penn Class of 2011 alumni: Siddharth Chandrasekhar W’11 EAS’11, Sandeep Karipineni EAS’11, Dr. Avinash Maganty C’11 G’11, Dr. Prashanth Sompalli EAS’11, Roger Stronach C’11 L’15, and Dr. Molly Halloran Stronach C’11.
2012
Dr. Barri Sarowitz V’12 see Dr. Benjamin Donati V’17.
2015
John A. McCabe LPS’15 shares this poem: “Sunlight turns in shade./ Sunflower seeing follows./ With magnetic eyes/ When the earth opens/ The darkest path now resolves./ New way, all who live./ Suspend life’s judgements./ Eyes of scorn that jury gaze./ Sun over ice melting/ A mid place arroyo/ Us held aloft no descent./ Always at the dawn/ A fish jumps above./ And into rain leaps beyond/ Spring or fall, the same./ Thinnest bread accepts./ Lambs silence on Shepherd’s field/ Our transformation/ Sharp frost ice forming/ Warm rain returns from the sun./ No shadows forming./ Fields shine or moon glow/ Clouds and light their circles move./ Pouring rain our love.”
Jennifer Shulkin C’15 and Ron Kerbs G’20 WG’20 have been named to the inaugural “itrek25” list of 25 itrek alumni driving positive change in their industries. itrek, an Israel experience company, brings graduate students from the US, Canada, and Europe to Israel for dynamic peer-led educational experiences. Jennifer is cofounder and CEO of Override Health and was recognized for “pioneering a new approach to chronic pain management.” Ron is founder and CEO of Kidas Incorporated and was recognized for “protecting kids from online predators through voice analysis.”
2016
John Laberee C’16 see Sara Gabriela “Gabi” Rodriguez C’17.
2017
Dr. Benjamin Donati V’17 shares that he is leading a group of veterinary specialists and emergency doctors who are opening an independently owned hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. Along with Benjamin, an emergency room doctor, the team includes Drs. Tierney Roche V’17, Kelly McKenna V’18, and Hanum Wensil-Strow V’18 as emergency room doctors; and Drs. Barri Sarowitz V’12 and Dominick Valenzano (who completed a veterinary internship at Penn in 2016) as surgeons. Apex Vets can be found online at apex.vet.
Hilary Dubin C’17 and Caroline Vasquez Huber C’17 are founders of a new company tackling the vaping crisis, born from their personal struggles to stop using nicotine. Jones offers behavior support along with nicotine replacement therapy mints. More information is at quitwithjones.com.
Sara Gabriela “Gabi” Rodriguez C’17 and John Laberee C’16 were married at the Hacienda Siesta Alegre Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, on August 25, with many Penn alumni in attendance. John and Gabi met at Penn. The wedding party included Nora Laberee C’18, Christina Qiu C’17, Linda Valadez W’17, Claudia Aliff GFA’21, Pierre Villenave C’16, Daniel Sha EAS’16 W’16, Raul Mendez W’17, Richard Wess C’16 W’16, and Adrien Gaussen W’16. Guests included Ian Seltzer C’09, and Ian’s father Jeffrey Seltzer W’78 and mother Annie Seltzer. Jeffrey was a college roommate of the groom’s father, Peter Laberee C’78 L’82. Gabi is a copywriter and John works in technology. The couple lives in Brooklyn, New York.
2018
Dr. Kelly McKenna V’18 and Dr. Hanum Wensil-Strow V’18 see Dr. Benjamin Donati V’17.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 17–19, 2024!
2019
Ed Pietrzak GEd’19 and Christie Heimbach GEd’19 were married in July in San Diego. The two met during their grad program in 2019 and started dating shortly after graduation.
2020
Ron Kerbs G’20 WG’20 see Jennifer Shulkin C’15.
2021
Dr. David Dunaway GM’21, a dermatologist and internist, has joined the Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, office of Dermatology Partners. He specializes in medical and surgical dermatology, emphasizing skin cancer prevention and treatment and complex medical dermatology.
Alexis Gibson Gr’21, a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon Health & Science University, is the recipient of a 2023 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Hanna Gray Fellowship. The $1.5 million award “recognizes talented early career scientists in the biomedical sciences.” Alexis’s research focuses on the intestinal epithelium, a layer of cells lining the intestines that is critical for the immune system.
2022
Joel Fishman LPS’22 has published a new book, We Once Were Giants, under the name J. E. Fishman. He writes, “This novel was my (very unusual) Capstone project for my master of environmental studies degree, completed in 2022.” According to the book’s description, it is set in “a future world where environmental disaster, wars and disease have reduced humans to wisps of their former selves.” In this dystopia, Drop Duncan embarks on a thrilling quest “to the end of the Earth, facing unimaginable dangers in scarred regions to which no New Yorker has traveled in generations.”
Eligio David P. Soliman Jr. GrN’22 is a clinical associate professor of the doctor of nursing practice program at the University of San Diego. He writes, “This year, I also advanced within my clinical role at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, within the inpatient endocrinology team, and joined the council for the Advanced Management for Inpatient Diabetes. I participated in research undertakings in developing prediction models for hypoglycemia and readmission.”
