“Like Dolly Parton said, ‘I ain’t dead yet!’”
—Richard J. Buxbaum C’60
1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s
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1954
Tony Pasquarello C’54, professor emeritus of philosophy at The Ohio State University, continues to write articles for various publications at age 93. He shares that he received an award from Free Inquiry magazine, which is published by the Council for Secular Humanism, for his article in their Oct|Nov 2024 issue, “The Face of (the Problem of) Evil.” His article, which explores the significance and validity of Epicurus’s famous Problem of Evil, received the magazine’s Selma V. Forkosch Award for Best Article of 2024. The judges wrote, “The article provides a concise, cogent argument against the existence of a benevolent god based on the harm and suffering endured by living beings. It avoids the standard rebuttal based on free will by focusing on natural evil, that is, events outside of human control.” Tony’s article was chosen out of dozens of articles published that year by the bimonthly magazine, and it can be read at secularhumanism.org/2024/09/the-face-of-the-problem-of-evil.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 15–18, 2026!
1956
William A. Haviland C’56 G’58 Gr’63, a retired anthropology professor at the University of Vermont, has authored his 21st book, Indian History on Deer Isle (Penobscot Books), on Native populations on Deer Isle, Maine. From the book’s publisher: “For thousands of years, people have lived, loved, and labored on Deer Isle and other islands, as well as on the mainland. Their descendants today are known as Maliseets, Passamaquoddies, and Penobscots. This book relates the state of our knowledge as of the early 21st century.” An author interview can be found at penbaypress.me/indian-history-author.
1958
Richard Saul Wurman Ar’58 GAr’59, an author and creator of TED conferences, shares that, at 90, he produced three days of orchestrated conversations in Miami Beach at an event he called Wurman Shoulders Weekend. In place of keynotes, he paired speakers for conversation including Jack Dangermond, Stefan Sagmeister, Esther Dyson, Danny Hillis, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Paula Scher, Sanjay Gupta, Bjarke Ingles, Moshe Safdie, Bobbi Brown, and 20 others. The City of Miami Beach proclaimed January 11, 2026, as Richard Saul Wurman Day in his honor. He is now at work on a new fable that resurrects the Commissioner of Curiosity & Imagination, a character he created 50 years ago, “to tell a 250,000-year history of the world through the filter of conversation and technology,” he writes. Richard [“The Commissioner of Curiosity,” Dec 1997] received the Penn Alumni Creative Spirit Award in 2014.
1960
Richard “Dick” Buxbaum C’60, a former hospital administrator and executive of the Greater Cleveland Hospital Association, writes that he’s “now retired and living in Crossville, Tennessee. More importantly now is that I am still alive at 87 years old, as is my wife. We have one child who teaches microbiology to grad students at FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University) in Tallahassee, Florida, and a son who is an HVAC technician in northeast Ohio.” Dick is also a former clarinetist with the Dixie Lakesiders Dixie Band at Chautauqua Institution, a resort in New York; and a former member of the all-scholarship band of the Valley Forge Military Academy, which marched in President Eisenhower’s inaugural parade. Dick adds, “Like Dolly Parton said, ‘I ain’t dead yet!’”
1962
James E. Jones GFA’62, a retired professor of fine arts at Morgan State University who turned 89 this year, was the designated Artist of the Month for the Fireside Artist Group at Charlestown Retirement Village in Catonsville, Maryland. He presented an exhibition for Black History Month in February that consisted of original woodcut prints that were hand-colored with watercolors. James’s partner Elva writes that he “continues to try to remain active as a painter and printmaker to inspire young artists and stimulate collectors of ‘Black art.’” He is included in collections around the world and has received many awards for outstanding work.
1963
Bill Aron C’63 will be the subject of two retrospective exhibitions of his photography in 2026: The World in Front of Me at the American Jewish Historical Society in New York, and a second retrospective exhibition at Pucker Gallery in Boston, his longtime representative. Bill has spent more than five decades documenting Jewish life in America and abroad.
1964
Stuart Resor C’64 writes, “I had heard some of the Beach Boys songs at Penn and I was a growing fan as time went on. Then I decided to drive all the way out there to see them in California but also to surf. I started at Boston one snowy April 1966 morning getting almost smashed to bits! Then in Dallas I paused to visit with classmate Virginia Savage, who helped me tour the Dealey Plaza where JFK was killed. Such a sad time for us all. Then off to El Paso where I crossed into New Mexico, and it was dry and warm from there on to San Diego. I put the top down. As I neared the California state line in Yuma, Arizona, I encountered the massive Algodones Sand Dunes; and I rolled in to San Diego on the 15th or so of April 1966. I knew no one there! My life was about to take some fun but drastic turns. I immediately bought an old surfboard and my California adventures were underway. For my Beach Boys story see my book Amazing People I Met Along the Way.”
Ruth Lande Shuman CW’64 is the founder and president of Publicolor, a mural/painting program that counters undereducation by keeping kids interested and involved in school. Founded 30 years ago, it has “effectively engaged over 30,200 struggling students and impacted approximately 20 million New Yorkers, introducing visual beauty to neglected schools and community facilities,” she writes in the nonprofit’s 2025 annual report. As a holistic program, it offers “huge healthy food packages weekly to the 85% who report food insecurity, and access to our highly qualified and experienced psychologist for those who need emotional support.” She reports that 100 percent of students in the program matriculate to the next grade, and last year 98 percent of seniors went onto college, with the other 2 percent enrolling in a post-secondary accreditation program. More information can be found at publicolor.org.
1965
Nancy Worden Horst CW’65 shares that her grandson Cyrus L. E. Horst W’26 will graduate this year with the Wharton Class of 2026. He is the son of Louis T. Horst III WG’01.
Ellen Stekert Gr’65, a folk singer and folklorist, has announced the first public release of her private photographic archive. Now available for purchase, the collection features candid prints from the historic 1964 Newport Folk Festival, captured from Ellen’s vantage point backstage. The collection includes striking, unposed portraits of Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and many others. See the images and get in touch with Ellen on her website, ellenstekert.com.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 15–18, 2026!
1966
Arthur M. Shapiro C’66 writes, “As the Class of 1966 nears its 60th Reunion, I am taken back to the wonderful academic experience of my undergrad days. I was a biology major, but I took a B.A., not a B.S., and thus took numerous courses outside my major as part of my ‘distributional requirements.’ Three of these stand out in my memory: Chinese Civilization taught by Derk Bodde, Latin American Politics from Henry Wells, and The French Revolution from Lynn Case. Although only Latin American Politics ended up having a significant impact on my career, all three had a very significant impact on my life in that they helped shape my worldview in manifold ways. I want to believe that Penn students today are being exposed to brilliant scholars and teachers like those men!”
Eugene Stelzig C’66 has published his fifth collection of poetry, Just Saying: Selected Poems from My Sixties and Seventies (Resource Publications). The collection, he explains, “is an older poet’s reactions to being-in-the-world. Reflecting, responding, maybe even half-philosophizing, half-admonishing. Poems about the natural world, about politics and the mess the world is in, about literature, especially Shakespeare, about the universe and our place in it, about time and temporality and getting old and facing mortality and the death of friends, about the recent pandemic. Thoughtful, playful, ironic, angry, tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic, wry.” Eugene is a professor emeritus of English at SUNY Geneseo.
1969
Brian Black C’69 writes, “In 1972, the Pennsylvania Gazette reported that I taught at a girls’ private school in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The following year, I returned to Phoenix, spending several decades until retirement teaching high school history. However, back in 1965, while preparing to leave for Penn, I witnessed a local garage band play and ran out to purchase a guitar. I spent the next four years in my dorm room practicing. In 1969, after graduating from Penn, I taught high school during the day. One evening, I was invited by a local band, The Grapes of Wrath, to record with them two songs I had written. Years later a commercial CD of the band’s recordings was released in the United States, Europe, and Asia, which included my performance with the band. Vacationing in Europe, I listened to my performance on the band’s CD at a large store in Paris. Though flattered when approached by older students who remembered me fondly from my teaching days, secretly I am pleased to see the CD of the band remains for sale on Amazon.”
Michael Cowan W’69 writes, “My debut novel, John B. Peoples, was published on April 21. Writing a novel was definitely not on my mind as a wide-eyed, relatively innocent Buffalo boy entering Penn’s hallowed halls in 1965. Neither was it when I went to law school and embarked on a long legal career interspersed with adventures in songwriting and yogurt making (the latter being where I received my most expensive education). However, now I sit penning (no pun intended) this paragraph in February, happily married for 46 years, a father of three and grandfather of four (learning through being a grandfather that God gave ‘man’ two knees so that multiple grandchildren can sit on them), waiting to see how many people like my novel. Given the timing of all of this, you might be able to get an inkling for yourself now at michaelcowan.net. And to my classmates who remember our Class of ’69 cheer, I send my best regards.”
Jeffrey David Jubelirer W’69 continues to write poetry. His newest book is Coming Back to Life (2024). According to the book’s description, it explores “various themes—from serious depression and heartache to… love and harmony.”
Douglas W. Orr EE’69 has published a new book, My Collected Poetry, available through online merchants, including Lulu. Douglas writes, “Philosophy, science, history, and prophecy are themes interlaced into many of my poetic entries.” More information can be found at his website, dworr.zenfolio.com.
1970
Irene Gaskins GrEd’70 see William Herndon C’80.
Charlie Ketchey W’70 has published a new novel, Under Their Watch (River Grove Books). He writes, “The tale is a dramatic thriller, tracing exploits and violence encountered by Cameron Springer and John Quint working as case workers with families and children at risk.” Charlie is a business litigation and civil trial lawyer based in Tampa, Florida. Over the course of his career, he has gained experience in child dependency cases and worked with organizations that provide assistance to families and especially to children at risk of neglect or abuse.
1972
Robert Elias C’72 has been awarded the 2026 Seymour Medal for the best baseball history or biography by the Society for American Baseball Research for his book, Dangerous Danny Gardella: Baseball’s Neglected Trailblazer for Today’s Millionaire Athletes (Bloomsbury/Rowman & Littlefield). The chair of the medal selection committee said in a statement, “Robert Elias’s book combines superb research and a readable presentation. He puts Danny Gardella’s story into a vivid, lively historical context, where labor and management battle over the ballfield as in the rest of American life. Gardella emerges as a talented, remarkable man who navigates multiple challenges and survives.” Robert is a professor of politics and legal studies at the University of San Francisco.
Manuel García Jr. ME’72 writes, “My hyperlink book on ‘everything there is to know’ on global warming [and] climate change and ‘how it affects you’ is a 14-page PDF document. I have exhausted myself on the subject (physics, chemistry, geology, biology, psychology, sociology, politics) and have nothing more to say about that accelerating planetary inevitability. There is lots of enjoyable reading to be had from my hyperlink book, if you are game.” Manuel’s complete book, Everything About Global Warming Climate Change and the Planetary Crisis, can be downloaded for free at manuelgarciajr.com/
wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mgjr.s-gwcc-evolution-18jan23.pdf.
Gil Rothenberg C’72, former chief of the Appellate Section of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and currently an adjunct professor of law at American University Law School (who also taught tax courses for several years at Penn Carey Law School), was one of four former government officials who, together with two organizations, submitted an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief to the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida in the case of President Donald J. Trump v. IRS. Gil writes, “The amicus brief takes the position that, while the president’s prior tax returns were wrongfully made public by an individual who is currently incarcerated for his illegal actions in disclosing those returns, the president’s lawsuit should be dismissed because it was brought against the wrong party, was filed too late, and is otherwise non-justiciable in its current state.”
Margaret Ryan CW’72 won the Leon Burstein Award from the Mystery Writers of America last fall for the manuscript for her cozy mystery, Gorgeous. The award is named for Leon Burstein, an ardent fan of mystery fiction, and is given to an unpublished author for a completed manuscript worthy of—and ready for—publication. Margaret explains that the story “features Margot Tobin, a former journalist turned florist who works at a high-end flower shop called Gorgeous in the affluent town of Grange. Margot’s life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers the murdered body of Hannah Deere, a wealthy socialite, at her mansion while delivering flowers.” The award judges remarked, “It takes a great deal of work to make the writing that smooth and readable! … With relatable characters, and deep internal reflections about the past, it felt immediate, real and engaging.” Margaret shares that she is now looking for an agent and publisher.
1973
Robert M. Steeg C’73 ASC’75, managing partner of Steeg Law Firm in New Orleans, has been included in the 2026 Louisiana Super Lawyers list by Super Lawyers magazine in the category of Real Estate Law.
1974
Brooks Kolb C’74 GLA’79 has written a memoir, Landscape in Lavender: A Young Man’s Search for His Gay Identity. From the press materials: “Brooks explores the conflicts between different aspects of his personality on a roundtrip odyssey around the world during the 1970s sexual revolution and the AIDS pandemic. Brooks’ story is at times heartbreaking, but ultimately a hopeful and inspiring one about coming out, coming of age, and the search for an authentic life.”
1975
Susan M. Campbell Nu’75 has published a picture book for children three to eight years old, titled It’s Great to Have Ants in Your Pants. She writes, “The book celebrates energetic, curious children who love to move, explore, and imagine, instead of instructing them to sit still, calm down, and be quiet. This joyful story, featuring delightful illustrations of happy children and adorable ants, encourages children to see their boundless energy as a precious treasure. It invites parents, caregivers, and educators to view ‘antsy’ behavior as a natural spark worth nurturing. Perfect for all the busy kids in your life.” It is available on Amazon.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 15–18, 2026!
1976
Jim Finkelstein WG’76 writes, “For those of my friends who are not connected with me on LinkedIn or Facebook, I stepped away from full-time executive leadership on January 2 and into a new chapter. This has me reflecting on a favorite quote, by Edward Everett Hale: ‘I am only one, but still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.’ I spent 50 years in corporate life, as a leader, manager, and consultant in human resources and strategic thinking. I started with TPF&C (now WTW) after graduating, and worked as a manager with Pepsi-Cola, American Can Company, and Emery Air Freight before going back to consulting with Meidinger (now Mercer). Subsequently, I worked for the Wyatt Company (now WTW) and WF Corroon (now WTW) in leadership positions. In 1995, I started my own business FutureSense, which was combined with Arthur Andersen (as a partner) from 1995 to 1997, removed in 1997 and joined with the Innovation Institute in a joint venture in 2016 and ultimately sold to Alliant Insurance Services in 2022. It is now Alliant Human Capital. I’m not slowing down—just shifting gears. I’ll continue serving on boards (such as Street Soccer USA and BabyLiveAdvice) and sharing 50 years of experience as a speaker, coach, author, teacher, and mentor. My work has always been about people—culture, growth, and performance—and that purpose hasn’t changed. If you’re in a similar season, stay curious, stay connected, and keep contributing. I hope to see many of my classmates at our 50th Reunion in May. Purpose doesn’t retire. Onward and upward. The adventure never ends…”
James Rahn C’76, an author and leader of the Rittenhouse Writers’ Group in Philadelphia, has published a new novel. Full Moon Bop is narrated by 15-year-old Billy Mott, growing up in a fading 1970s shore town. An orphan raised by his demanding aunt, Billy is often angry and bored, and he quits school to follow a life on the streets. Ultimately, as his adventures become more illicit, “Billy begins to wonder whether he should abandon this exciting but perilous life or continue down a road that may lead to disaster,” according to the book’s description.
Richard Weill C’76 announces the release of his new book, Frederick Knott and Dial M for Murder: The Creation and Evolution of an Iconic Thriller (McFarland & Company). Richard writes, “It is a complete history of Knott’s classic stage thriller, later a Hitchcock film, from its conception through its writing, rejection, first production, success on Broadway and in Hollywood, and subsequent revivals. Knott’s other work (Mr. Fox of Venice, Write Me a Murder, Wait Until Dark) is covered as well, and Knott’s complete original draft of Dial M is included in an appendix.”
1978
Don English C’78 see Ann Knapp English C’80.
Scott Lederman W’78 WG’79 is retiring as a managing director at the investment management firm GCM Grosvenor L.P. after 27 years. During his tenure, he writes, he was “involved in a wide array of initiatives as the firm grew both its assets under management and global footprint.” He also authored and continues to update Hedge Fund Regulation, a PLI Press treatise, now in its second edition, and is a contributor to several other PLI publications.
1979
Jill Howlett Mays OT’79, an occupational therapist, avid gardener, and author of Nurturing Nature: A Guide to Gardening for Special Needs, was recently interviewed by Living on Earth, a syndicated NPR/PRX broadcast reaching over 250,000. The episode, “Gardening for Special Needs,” aired January 23, and in it, Jill discusses how gardening can offer personal growth opportunities for people with developmental and physical disabilities. It is available for replay at tinyurl.com/howlettmays.
1980
Ann Knapp English C’80 has retired from the Montgomery County (Maryland) Department of Environmental Protection and been named a fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects. At DEP, she built the Watershed Restoration Division’s popular green infrastructure education and incentive program, RainScapes. Currently, she writes, she and her husband, Don English C’78, “are operating a small farm in southern York County, Pennsylvania, focused on growing hazelnuts and using a variety of land restoration practices, which are rebuilding the soil and improving water quality.” (Find their farm on Facebook @happyhollowfarmpa.) Don is the administrative director of the Keystone Tree Crops Cooperative, which is developing the market for locally sourced nut products from hickory, hazelnut, and chestnut trees.
William Herndon C’80, who graduated with a degree in elementary education, shares that he “taught elementary school full time for over 20 years at schools that practiced best practices in pedagogy, including at the UC Irvine Farm School.” Now retired in Austin, Texas, he is the president of the board of directors of YouthLaunch, a nonprofit that supports peer-to-peer mentorship programs in Texas public schools. He writes, “My excellent training at the University of Pennsylvania department of education, led by Irene Gaskins GrEd’70 and other fine professors, prepared me for a truly fulfilling career in teaching.”
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 15–18, 2026!
1981
Dr. Gregg Coodley C’81 announces the publication of his seventh history book, Arboreal Destiny: How Trees Shaped the History and Culture of People. He writes, “The book explores the central role trees have played in the religion, buildings, tools, art, literature, and economy of different people across the world. The book also [shows] how crucial trees remain today and how they will be even more important for humanity’s future.” Gregg is a primary care physician who wrote about “the disappearing family doctor” in our Jan|Feb 2023 issue [“Alumni Voices”].
Mary Fissell C’81 Gr’88 see Nancy Novick C’82.
1982
Robert Carley C’82, an artist based in Connecticut, recently showed more than 200 caricatures of famous artists at Naugatuck Valley Community College during the month of February. In celebration of Black History Month, several African American artists were highlighted in the exhibit, called “Art Stars.” A video interview with Robert can be seen on WTNH News 8 at tinyurl.com/CarleyNews8.
Nancy Novick C’82 writes, “Happy to report that my short story ‘Emergency’ was selected as first runner-up in the Saturday Evening Post’s 2026 Great American Fiction Contest. The full story can be found at: saturdayeveningpost.com/2026/01/emergency. When I’m not writing fiction, I continue to enjoy freelance writing assignments that bring me in contact with fascinating people in academia, medicine, and the arts, including fellow alumna Mary Fissell C’81 Gr’88, who is the inaugural J. Mario Molina Professor of the History of Medicine at Johns Hopkins. My article on Mary’s book Pushback: The 2,500-Year Fight to Thwart Women by Restricting Abortion was published on Medhum.org, a website created to cultivate empathy and critical thinking in health, culture, and the arts. More of my work—including projects for institutional healthcare clients and individual physicians—is at nancynovick.com.”
1983
Edward Lubin C’83 writes, “I’m writing to celebrate the 43 years since graduating from Penn in 1983. Still have good friends and former heartthrobs that I cherish and meet up with from that ancient time. Loved it so much, we sent our middle daughter to the Law School, where I readily confess she worked harder than I ever did. (She and her sisters are ‘serious’ students.) After Penn, I earned a PhD in experimental psychology form CUNY Graduate School in Manhattan, got my MD at Albert Einstein Medical School in the Bronx, finished an anesthesia residency at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and a pain medicine fellowship at Yale. The private practice of interventional pain medicine in Florida has been my life. I’m busy in a small physician group—we spend our time in the OR all day and love it. Marriage of 37 years keeps me busy and happy too! We have two out of three married daughters with family all over the US—they make for a full heart and a full life, in addition to wonderful vacation destinations! And I have a new grandchild who is the focus of all of our love. I’m grateful for their health and happiness. I’m also busy planning my second act—on the pulpit as an ordained clergyman of the Jewish faith. I have put in over a two decades on the bimah, performing high holy day chazzanut—but once my practice winds down I’ll be doing more rabbinical work. The Quakers aren’t the only ones to have shown me the many benefits of a religious life!”
Steven M. Rubin W’83 is the author of a new novel, The Unraveling of Michael Galler (SparkPress). He writes, “The book is a psychological family drama about a teenager transitioning from high school to college, and whose entanglement in an intense, complex new relationship exacerbates his obsession over his greatest fear: cancer.” It has received favorable reviews from other Penn alumni, including USA Today bestselling author Jacqueline Friedland C’99 L’00, Pulitzer Prize–nominee and journalist Vahe Gregorian C’83, and filmmaker Gavin O’Connor C’86.
1984
Robert M. Maxwell C’84 G’86 has joined Sterlington as an estate and fiduciary accountant in the law firm’s Private Wealth practice. He is based out of the company’s Philadelphia office.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 15–18, 2026!
1986
Mark Cronin EAS’86 writes, “After 33 years as a television producer, show creator, and showrunner, I am now mostly retired and living on Martha’s Vineyard full time with my wife, son, two dogs, and five boats. My last show, Below Deck, and its various spinoffs still air every week and I keep my hand in on casting and staffing, but I no longer slog out the day-to-day production. I am proud to say that I have been the head creative alumni producer for the Mask & Wig annual production for the past five years and will be doing it next year as well. I also serve on the boards of several local nonprofit organizations, including our film and theater organization, Circuit Arts, and Sail MV, which teaches island kids to sail.” Mark was profiled in our Nov|Dec 2007 issue [“Profiles”].
Susan Kleinman C’86 has authored the novel All Afternoon, described by its publisher, Volume 36 Books, as “a powerful debut about the quiet ache of losing yourself and the courageous work of finding your way back.”
1987
Robert K. Fitts C’87, a curatorial consultant for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, is pleased to announce the publication of his latest book, In the Japanese Ballpark: Behind the Scenes of Nippon Professional Baseball. Learn more at RobFitts.com.
1989
Tom Biglin C’89 successfully defended his dissertation, “Tuning the Instrument: A Phenomenographic Exploration of the Value and Praxis of Personal Music Therapy for Music Therapists,” and will receive his PhD in Music Therapy from Temple University in May. He writes that he is “pleased to be returning to Philadelphia for another graduation 37 years after [my] Penn degree” and finds it especially meaningful to spend time in the city during the United States’ 250th anniversary. Once a Quaker, always a Quaker: Tom still enjoys visiting campus with his wife, Kristi, and daughter, Abigail (potential Penn Class of 2044).
Anne Evens G’89, CEO of Elevate, is highlighted in a new exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) in Chicago. Anne has been named a featured leader in the museum’s “2026 Women in Energy” exhibit, a Women’s History Month pop-up tied to MSI’s new permanent “Powering the Future” exhibition that spotlights women driving innovation in clean energy. Elevate is a Chicago-based nonprofit that aims to make clean energy more accessible nationally.
Dr. Jill Goff Wenger C’89 is serving as the first female chief of staff at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After working as an intensivist in the ICU during COVID, Jill says she “needed a change.” She went into primary care and is teaching internal medicine to medical students at the University of Oklahoma and physician-assistant students at Oklahoma State University.
1993
R. Tali Epstein L’93 was recently appointed to be a New Jersey State Superior Court Judge. Prior to this appointment, Tali had been serving as an administrative law judge.
1995
Oreste R. Ramos C’95 L’98, a capital member at Pietrantoni Méndez & Alvarez LLC whose practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation, has been named the 2026 Lawyer of the Year for Arbitration and Mediation in San Juan, Puerto Rico, by Best Lawyers.
Christina Uss C’95 has published her “sixth ridiculous book for young readers,” Midnight Mayhem. Explaining the story, she writes, “Kaz has just moved to West Philly and will never sleep again. How will he fill his long, lonely nights? Releasing wild animals into the Penn Museum is one idea, and hunting for the world’s most perfect pretzel is another. Any fellow Quakers fondly remember eating well in Philadelphia? Le Anh’s cart, cheese fries at the all-night food truck in front of CHOP, the Amish pretzels at the Reading Terminal Market, Astral Plane or Zanzibar Blue or even Le Bec Fin? Please get in touch to reminisce!” More information about Christina’s books and her contact information is available at christinauss.com.
1998
Rachel Ehrlich Albanese C’98 L’01 recently joined the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in New York as a partner and cochair of the Restructuring Group. She also recently became cochair of the Federal Bar Council Bankruptcy Litigation Committee.
Ashley Wren Collins C’98 see Jordan Rockwell C’00.
2000
Paulita David C’00, senior managing director and head of US large customer sales at Reddit, has joined the board of directors for the Boston Arts Academy Foundation. Boston Arts Academy is a public high school dedicated to the visual and performing arts, and according to the press release, “David’s appointment signals a powerful intersection between digital storytelling and arts education.”
Michelle Holme C’00, a creative director and graphic artist, has won a Grammy for Best Recording Package for Bruce Springsteen’s Tracks II: The Lost Albums. This is her second Grammy win and third nomination (“Arts blog,” March 12, 2012).
Jordan Rockwell C’00 writes, “As I mentioned a few issues ago, my writing partner Ashley Wren Collins C’98 and I have written a romantic comedy novel, She Wrote, He Wrote: A New York Love Story, which releases worldwide on May 12. As part of our book tour, we will be having a book signing event at the Penn Bookstore on Thursday, May 14, at 5:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!”
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 15–18, 2026!
2001
Louis T. Horst III WG’01 see Nancy Horst CW’65.
2005
Hilal Isler GrEd’05 writes, “My debut short-story collection, Har Mar, will be published by Northwestern University Press this summer. The collection explores women’s lives in the in-between—between countries, languages, selves—and moves from Turkey to the United States and back again, tracing migrations both physical and emotional. One of the stories takes place in West Philly, just off campus.” Hilal is an associate professor of instruction at the University of Texas at Austin College of Education.
Lindsey Palmer C’05 shares that her fifth novel, Salt Sisters, will be published in July by Lake Union Publishing. She writes, “Set against the stunning backdrop of Cape Cod, the novel follows two sisters who reunite and confront their painful past in a powerful story about family expectations and life’s unforeseen turns. It’s an exploration of sisterhood and motherhood, and the courage it takes to face the past, forgive, and finally let go.” More information about Lindsey and her books can be found at lindseyjpalmer.com.
2008
Pierce Cravens C’08 produced the feature film Mouse, which had its world premiere at Berlinale (the Berlin International Film Festival) in February. The film was critically lauded and has received a 100 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It will be released theatrically in the North America later this year.
Tim Kaijala C’08 has been promoted to senior vice president and chief investment officer at Spinnaker Trust, a wealth management firm based in Portland, Maine. In this expanded role, Tim leads the firm’s investment strategy and due diligence efforts across public and private markets. He works closely with client advisors and service teams to align portfolio construction with client goals and serves on the firm’s Investment Committee.
2010
Christine Hernandez GEd’10 was honored by the City of Westminster, California, as one of five Women of Distinction during Women’s History Month in March. The annual award recognizes women who have made a positive impact in the community through leadership, activism, volunteerism, and service. Christine currently serves on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission and as a trustee on the Huntington Beach Union High School District Board of Trustees. She is the deputy director at IGNITE National, a nonpartisan nonprofit that empowers young women to unleash their political power and influence policies that affect their communities.
Annie Jean-Baptiste C’10, veteran tech executive and director of Products for All at Google, has written a new book, Empowerment for All: A Four-Step Framework for Creating Change in Teams and Communities. In the book, she “explains how people of any experience level can use their individual voices and experiences to help everyone in their organization actively and fully participate,” according to the press materials.
William Shotzbarger C’10 has been promoted to partner at Duane Morris LLP. He works in the Trial Practice group out of the firm’s Philadelphia office and specializes in antitrust and commercial disputes.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 15–18, 2026!
2016
Elizabeth Hitti EAS’16 is the founder and director of the first field hockey club in the southeast US, the Atlanta Field Hockey Club (AtlantaFHC.com). In 2025, Atlanta Field Hockey clinched its first national title: the US Field Hockey League Women’s National Club Championship. As a student at Penn, Elizabeth was a member of the varsity field hockey team, finishing her four-year career with 26 goals and 34 assists while starting almost every game for the Quakers. With this new endeavor, she continues to grow the game for youth and adults.
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 15–18, 2026!
2021
Joe Kemp GEd’21, founder of the educational game publisher Games That Matter, is excited to share that he competed on season two of 60 Day Hustle, streaming now on Prime Video. Joe writes, “From my days at Penn and the training and support I received from programs that help entrepreneurs like me, to taking on this high-stakes business reality challenge, it’s been quite the journey. I’d be thrilled if students and alumni tune in to watch the journey unfold!” The trailer is available at youtu.be/2ZnaefoA64o.
