“I won’t stop working, and I’ll tell you why. … We men don’t do well if we’re just sitting around with not much to do.”
— Dr. E. A. K. “Ike” Roepcke C’51 D’52
Celebrate Your Reunion, May 13–16, 2022!
Penn Alumni is planning a combined reunion for those who missed theirs in 2020 and 2021, along with those celebrating reunions in 2022 (classes ending in 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7). Visit www.alumni.upenn.edu/alumniweekend for more information.
1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s| 2020s
We Want to Hear from You
email gazette@ben.dev.upenn.edu
Please include your school and year, along with your address and a daytime telephone number. We include email addresses only when requested or obviously implied.
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.
1951
Dr. E. A. K. “Ike” Roepcke C’51 D’52, a 94-year-old World War II veteran and the oldest practicing dentist in Pennsylvania, was interviewed by the Bucks County Courier Times for a front-page article published September 21. He is quoted in the article as saying, “I won’t stop working, and I’ll tell you why. … We men don’t do well if we’re just sitting around with not much to do. We don’t last long. I’ve seen it over and over. So don’t retire. … Take my advice, it’s bad for your health.” The article can be viewed at bit.ly/3C1pZhs.
1953
Shirley Magitson Grallnick Ed’53 shares a poem, “Feeling Ageless at 90”: “Games from the schoolyard; / Jumping rope- 2 at a time, / That was double dutch / Both legs in line. / In my mind / I still hop / Feeling confident / Nonstop! / Hop scotch / Drawn from chalk, / Numbered squares / On the sidewalk. / Hop from ‘1’ / To number ‘2’ / Continue until / You’re through. / Continue this / From sun to sun / Until I reach ‘91’.”
1956
Samuel Myers W’56 writes, “Shortly after graduating from Yale Law School, I became manager of the Paris office for Kaye Scholer Fierman Hays and Handler, and later worked as international counsel for Gulf & Western until the firm was sold. The company then retained me to represent the various businesses it had acquired throughout Europe. Except for a three-year interim with Paul Weiss, where I became its European counsel, I remained in private practice. In 1966, my wife Myrna and I became increasingly serious collectors. At a shop in the Swiss town of Ascona we found that it was possible to purchase and live with real antiques. Later, we were persuaded to collect 17th-century blue and white Chinese porcelain. Myrna opened her gallery for oriental art in Paris on the Left Bank in 1976 and I continued to practice law, but we collected together. Unfortunately, Myrna passed away in 2012.” He adds that the couple’s collections have been the subject of exhibitions and accompanying books by Montreal’s museum of art and archaeology Pointe-à-Callière (Two Americans in Paris), which later moved to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, and by the Asian Art Museum of Nice (Genese de l’Empire Celeste/The Beginning of the World—According to the Chinese: Dragons, Phoenix and other Chimera). “You cannot imagine how thrilling and exhausting this aspect of my life has been. My only and very great regret is that Myrna was not here to share these events with me.”
1958
Rev. Robert B. Dendtler W’58 writes, “I have enjoyed two full-time careers. The first was as a regular Army officer. This included postings in Virginia, Kansas, and Missouri, as well as five years in Germany, two in Vietnam, and two in Korea, where I commanded a battalion. Over my career, I received numerous awards and decorations. My last assignment was on the Army staff in the Pentagon. I retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1980 to answer the call to become a priest in the Episcopal Church. I attended Virginia Theological Seminary, graduating in 1983. After ordination, I served 10 years in northern New Jersey before transferring to Atlanta. Although I retired from full-time ministry in 2000, I continue to serve. During my retirement I served for several years as the Protestant chaplain on numerous ocean cruises. Currently, I am in charge of a historic church in Washington, Georgia. My wife Charlotte and I have been married for 61 years. We like to travel and have spent a great deal of time in the Middle East, Far East, and the Caribbean, where we have a second home in the Virgin Islands. I have been on all seven continents (including the South Pole in Antarctica) and my wife has been on six. For the last 20 years we have lived in a golf community in Greensboro, Georgia.”
1960
Roger Colley W’60 has written a new book, Forging a New America: How American Liberalism and Climate Change Landed Us in Siberia. He writes, “It is a short story describing what socialism would be like in America 12 years from today. Part of the tale takes place on the the Penn campus. Its target audience is young adults and American voters regardless of political affiliation.” More information can be found at rogercolley.com.
W. Bruce Watson C’60 EE’61 writes, “Wonder of wonders, I’m 83, but I can still hear (albeit with aids), see (albeit with implants), read (albeit with an attenuated comprehension, more or less), write (albeit, as always, illegibly), and type (albeit haltingly and inaccurately, yet correctively). I published a memoir, A Right Crazy Quilt: My Bipolar Life, available on Amazon. As a child, a pervasive melancholy imbued me with an appearance of maturity or wisdom. But my first serious depression came on when I was about 16 years old, and on its heels, a capacity for great rage soon followed. At Penn, I pursued what was then termed a Combined Curriculum, receiving two bachelor’s degrees in five years. Those five years took their toll: seriously underfed, overworked, and sleep-deprived, I was overcome with a massive and mixed depression (aka manic depression) during spring semester finals in my junior year. I was almost forced to withdraw from my studies, but all but one of my professors excused me from final exams and gave me the grade I had going into the finals. I was able to recuperate during the following summer. Following a stint in graduate school at Harvard, I married and moved to a modest house in Livermore, California, near Lawrence Radiation Laboratory—I had been invited to join their staff as a computational physicist. Over the next 20 years, I single-handedly added a partial second story to my house. I took up sewing. I grew vegetables. Following a divorce, I took up Scottish country dancing and became quite good at it. That is where I met the woman who eventually became my second beautiful wife. I coped with my moods and mood swings, but of course there’s no coping with manic depression’s memento mori, the rage that always follows it. My younger daughter inherited her bipolar disorder from me. She and I were diagnosed within a few years of each other, and, for the last 20 years, have been successfully medicated—finally! Last year, my psychotherapist urged me to write an autobiography and said that doing so would be very therapeutic; my psychiatrist heartily concurred, so I did just that and now have unleashed it upon the world.” Bruce invites alumni contact at w.watson54321@gmail.com.
1961
Robert Gleason Jr. W’61 has been named to the 2021 Pennsylvania Fifty Over 50 list by the news firm City & State Pennsylvania. Robert served as chair of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2017.
1963
John “Jeff” Foran WG’63 has published his second novel, a political thriller titled A Mistaken Hostage.
1966
Dennis Drabelle G’66 L’69 writes, “I have a new book out, The Power of Scenery: Frederick Law Olmsted and the Origin of National Parks, which grew out of an article on geologist, explorer, and former Penn professor Ferdinand Hayden published in this magazine.” Drabelle lives in Asheville, North Carolina, and is a frequent contributor to the Gazette. His original story on Ferdinand Hayden Hon1886, “The Man Who Put Yellowstone on the Map,” appeared in our Sep|Oct 2016 issue.
Steve Klitzman C’66, former editor in chief for the Daily Pennsylvanian (1965–66) and a retired attorney and adjunct law professor, writes, “As usual, it was fun to chat and catch up with ‘survivors’ of the DP’s 80th editorial board for our monthly Zoom meeting. On the October 17 call with me was University of Connecitcut history professor Bob Gross C’66, otolaryngology specialist Dr. Howard Levine C’66, and retired judge Hon. Stuart Friedman C’66. (I’m very proud of all of our professional accomplishments!) Missing that day were Rabbi Bob Rottenberg C’66 (traveling across country, at that time in Wounded Knee, South Dakota) and retired architect Lance Laver C’66. Some notes from our meeting: (1) Dr. Levine testified for Johnson & Johnson in Dallas as an expert witness in a patent infringement trial for a sinus medication. (2) Professor Gross announced the November 9 publication of his long-awaited history The Transcendentalists and The World. (3) Judge Friedman noted that he and Arthur were back from visiting Niagara-on-the Lake and thinking of next trips as they walk their dog. (4), I, Steve Klitzman, published an op-ed in the October 15 edition of the Washington Post (tinyurl.com/klitzman), and organized a webinar for 109 attendees on the increasing use of ‘extreme risk protection orders’ to help reduce gun suicides (tinyurl.com/ERPOLaws).”
Richard Moll W’66 has written an unpublished manuscript, titled Taking the Plunge, and shares that he is looking for an agent.
1967
Dr. Robert N. Eskow D’67, clinical professor of dental medicine in the Division of Periodontics at Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine, received the Allan J. Formicola Volunteer Faculty Teaching Award in recognition of teaching post-doctoral students.
Andrea Mitchell CW’67 Hon’18 received Global Philadelphia’s award for excellence in journalism at Philadelphia’s World Heritage City Celebration in September. In a fireside chat, she talked about how she got her start in journalism at Penn and how the city of Philadelphia shaped her. View a recording at bit.ly/3pkbQbz.
Dr. Charles Vaughn Strimlan C’67 was honored at the 50th class reunion of the Penn State College of Medicine with his fellow classmates of the first graduating class of 1971. He was inducted into the Pioneer Society and received the College of Medicine medallion. He writes, “Following medical school graduation in 1971, I trained in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and pulmonary diseases at the Mayo Clinic. Now retired after a 50-year medical career, I live in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania.”
1969
Jeffrey David Jubelirer W’69 has written his 14th book of poetry, titled Trying to Be Important. It is available on Amazon.
Justin P. Klein C’69 has been named director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware. Justin is senior counsel with the law firm Ballard Spahr in its Philadelphia office.
1970
Michael “Mickey” Kaufman EE’70 C’71 writes, “I’ve published two more books, for a total of nine, in my children’s series Fox and Camel (www.foxncamel.com). The Coronavirus explores how best friends deal with social distancing and face masks and was followed by The Chess Club, which puts a positive spin on sibling rivalry. I was inspired by stories I had told my youngest child years ago, and they are loosely based on actual family events. I am a retired corporate lawyer, mostly at Johnson & Johnson, and now a grandfather of four kids who love my books. I’m also a member of the Class of 1970 50th Reunion Committee and am looking forward to celebrating with my fraternity brothers in May!”
Michael Tearson C’70, a DJ, concert host, author, recording artist, and actor, writes, “I recently celebrated the 54th anniversary of the very first FM rock show on WXPN, The Attic, which I debuted in 1967. I was later inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame after a long career in radio both on air and in production. I’ll be hosting a Class Zoom event about the music of our years, planned for mid- to late January, and former WXPN classmates are particularly invited to join the call. For details, join the ‘PENN Class of 1970–50th Reunion’ Facebook group or contact Lisbeth Willis at lisbethw@upenn.edu. My free and on-demand music podcasts are available at www.iradiophilly.com and www.radiothatdoesntsuck.com.”
Andy Wolk C’70 writes, “I started production on a new film about William Shakespeare, titled Rough Magic: Exit Shakespeare, which I cowrote with Elliot Krieger and am directing and producing. The film is set in a single night at a crisis point in Shakespeare’s career—he has sacrificed much of his family life for success and is now forced to consider whether it has all been worth it. It begins as he’s thrown out of a tavern meeting of his company’s shareholders and ends with him conceiving his masterwork The Tempest. It’s about how writers age, their jealousies, resentments, and regrets, why they can’t just revisit their old glories, and how writing can overwhelm their lives. I have directed many movies like HBO’s Criminal Justice and many series ranging from The Sopranos and Damages to Gossip Girl, along with acclaimed Shakespeare productions in New York City under the auspices of Lincoln Center, but this is the first time I have actually tackled Shakespeare the man, and it is one grand challenge!”
1971
Howard Brod Brownstein C’71 W’71 has received the NACD Directorship Certification from the National Association of Corporate Directors. As explained in the press release, NACD Certified Directors “signal to boards, investors, and other stakeholders that they possess the highest commitment to continuing director education available in the United States.”
M. Stuart Madden C’71 shares that his book, Tort Law and How It’s Tied to Our Culture, has been reviewed by Kirkus Review: “An illuminating and insightful work about tort law.” The full review can be read at tinyurl.com/MaddenTort.
1972
Evan R. Kwerel C’72 was honored with the Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Medal at the 2021 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies) awards ceremony in October. Considered the “Oscars” of government service, these awards honor outstanding federal workers. Evan is senior economic advisor in the Office of Economics and Analytics at the Federal Communications Commission. According to the press release, he “pioneered the use of competitive spectrum auctions to allocate the public airwaves for sound, data, and video transmissions, helping fuel the digital revolution while adding more than $200 billion to the government’s coffers.”
Dr. Harold Pincus C’72 is professor and vice chair of psychiatry at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and codirector of Columbia’s Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. The institute recently received a $61.7 million grant to accelerate development of new medical treatments. Harold also directs the national Health and Aging Policy Fellowship and serves as a senior scientist at the RAND Corporation.
Deborah R. Willig CW’72 has been selected for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Deborah is a managing partner at Willig, Williams & Davidson.
1973
Laurence Kotlikoff C’73 has written a new book that will help people transform their way of thinking about financial planning. Titled Money Magic: An Economist’s Secrets to More Money, Less Risk, and a Better Life, it “offers a clear path to a richer, happier, and safer financial life,” according to the book’s description. An excerpt from his 2004 book, The Coming Generational Storm: What You Need to Know About America’s Economic Future, was reprinted in these pages [“Expert Opinion,” Sep|Oct 2005].
Gerald Lombardi C’73 writes, “I’m interested in gathering recollections from members of the Classes of ’72 and ’73 who, like me, were part of the Experimental College in 1970–71, when 30 undergrads were given mostly free rein to design their academic experience. We lived collectively in a dormitory called Evans House, at 40th and Pine. It lasted only a year. For those interested, I’m semi-retired and divide my time between New York and Tokyo, where my wife chairs the sociology department at Senshu University. I spent years as an indie video producer after leaving Penn, earned a PhD in anthropology at New York University in the ’90s based on fieldwork among early internet users in Brazil, taught briefly, and spent most of my working life in the private sector, including stints at a dot-com consultancy and in healthcare market research. I welcome the chance to hear from my fellow Experimental Collegians at jerry@geraldlombardi.net.”
Bernard Robinson C’73 writes, “I’m celebrating my 25th year of being president/CEO of Networking Technologies and Support, a managed services and cybersecurity firm in Virginia. My wife, Barbara Robinson CW’74, just succeeded her 30-year project of starting and running Gentle East Martial Arts (GEMA), whereby hundreds of youth have become better citizens through the challenge of getting their black belts. Barbara and I are both Seventh Degree Grandmasters in Taekwondo. With eight grandchildren, we are blessed with their health and their proximity (within 90 minutes) of our home. Looking forward to catching up with everyone at the Class of 1973 50th Reunion!”
Robert M. Steeg C’73 ASC’75, managing partner of Steeg Law Firm LLC in New Orleans, was included in The Best Lawyers in America 2022 for Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Commercial Transactions/UCC Law, Corporate Law, and Real Estate Law (1995–2022). He is one of a select group of attorneys who has received this honor for more than 25 years. Robert was also included in the inaugural edition of the New Orleans 500, a book profiling the most influential leaders in greater New Orleans.
1974
Paul Grayson C’74 and Jo Ann Lewis OT’74 married on September 18 at the Merion in New Jersey. Paul writes, “Our wedding was officiated by Rev. Joseph Watkins C’75, and an evening of live jazz music was presented by Glenn Bryan C’74 SW’76 and his ensemble. In attendance were 150 guests and Penn alumni. Jo Ann and I were overwhelmed by a Proclamation received from Senator Cory Booker Hon’17 (NJ) and a personal letter from Marc Morial C’80, president of the National Urban League.”
Barbara Robinson CW’74 see Bernard Robinson C’73.
1976
Stephen Kieran GAr’76 and James Timberlake GAr’77, founding principals of the architectural firm KieranTimberlake, have recieved the 35th Louis I. Kahn Award from the Center for Architecture and Design. The award honors “individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of architecture” and is named for famed Philadelphia architect and former Penn professor Louis Kahn Ar’24 Hon’71. Stephen and James are “the designers behind the widely acclaimed US Embassy in London, the transformation of Dilworth Park, the master plan for Central Delaware, and hundreds of other projects worldwide,” according to the release. Their work has been featured in the Gazette in “A Passion for Putting Things Together” [Nov|Dec 2003] and “The Dhaka Studio” [May|Jun 2016.]
Gary Mendell C’76 writes, “After 16 years working for small but global manufacturers in several industries, in 1993 I started Meridian Finance Group to help US exporters use competitive credit terms to expand their international sales. The 28 years since then have been filled with adventures around the world (some happier than others!) as well as building a team of which I’m very proud. In 2017, I sold Meridian to Texel Finance in the UK. Now our group has 75 people in Los Angeles, New York, London, Brussels, and Singapore. I’m still fully involved and gratified to report that my team has just been recognized as Broker of the Year for the fourth time by the Export–Import Bank of the US (EXIM Bank). EXIM Bank is an 87-year-old small (400 people) federal agency with a mandate to help US exporters obtain trade finance. Most of Meridian’s business is underwritten in the private sector, but we also broker EXIM Bank policies for hundreds of US exporters who would not find the credit support they need anywhere else.”
David Rogers GAr’76 has published a book, The Envelope: War Correspondence of Steve Rogers. David writes, “It is based on the war correspondence of the Third Division Adjutant during World War II. The correspondence is unusual in that it is from behind the lines where the Adjutant is interacting with local people as he moves from Africa to Austria. These interactions give him the perspective of how war touches the lives of civilians. This leads him to an understanding of the commitments he owes and the country owes in a world being transformed from isolationism and nationalism to a world of global alliances. It is an emotional and moral journey culminating in the liberation of Dachau.”
1977
Michael Neuman ChE’77 GCP’86 GFA’86 writes, “Happy to say I’ve moved to Point Reyes, California, where I kayak, swim, run, hike, and bike regularly; volunteer with several nonprofits; and see D. Byron Miller Jr. ChE’77. My sixth and seventh books came out this year, Handbook for Regional Design and Sustainable Infrastructure for Cities and Societies, after Engendering Cities was published last year, all by Routledge. I’m a lead author with Cynthia Rosenzweig—a NASA scientist who worked on the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) when IPCC was jointly awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore—on Climate Change and Cities, to be published by Cambridge University Press this year. On the side, I am a half-time professor of sustainable urbanism at the University of Westminster in London.”
James Timberlake GAr’77 see Stephen Kieran GAr’76.
1978
Bruce Konopka W’78 see Dr. Shahrad Mabourakh C’81.
1981
Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman C’81, a practicing otolaryngologist with a specialty in endocrine surgery, has been named chief medical officer of Cambridge Health Alliance, a community health system in Massachusetts, serving Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston’s Metro–North communities.
Dr. Shahrad Mabourakh C’81 writes, “It was the spring of 1977; I had gotten into Penn and was on my way to the tour. I went to all my college interviews and tours by myself. My parents were working. Our family had emigrated from Iran in 1970, and though the transition was difficult for all of us, it was especially tough on my parents. I drove a green 1972 Vega. It was a hand-me-down from my sister. I parked on Spruce Street near the Quad and went to Houston Hall for the orientation speech. Then I got some lunch. I must have looked lonely because the parents of another prospective freshman invited me to join them. I still remember the student’s name: Hillary A. It was a beautiful day, and we had a great tour. I still didn’t think I was coming to Penn, because of the high tuition, but I knew it was a special place. After the tour was over, I headed back to my car. Marble-sized hail came out of nowhere. It was otherworldly. I think that was when I fell in love with Penn. Later, the generous scholarship Penn gave me made it happen. I became a Penn student. During the next four years I had what was arguably the most wonderful time of my life. It wasn’t always peaches and cream, but I learned a lot about myself. I spent a year on the lightweight crew team with Bruce Konopka W’78 as our coach. I made a lot of friends, and the Beta Theta Pi brothers took me in as one of their own. In my senior year I met my wife, Ruth. Now more than 40 years and four kids later I am still married to Ruth and am a geriatrician in South Florida. Two of our four kids are Penn alumni: Ariela Mabourakh C’12 L’15 and Etan Mabourakh C’19. I am still in touch with some of my Penn friends, including Mark Cody C’82, Tom Barron CE’81, Matthew Cohen C’81, Richard Stein W’81, Scott Wittenberg C’81, Jonathan Leason C’81, and some of the Beta boys. Much has changed in the world since then. As for me, I still love the otherworldly Penn of 1977–81. I still love my wife and my work. I haven’t given up on trying to heal my little corner of the world. I sometimes think that we had it much better than the present Penn students. The world seems a lot more complicated and more cynical. I hope it’s not true and it’s only my imagination mixed with a heavy dose of nostalgia.”
David Pinault G’81 Gr’86 has published a new novel. He writes, “Providence Blue: A Fantasy Quest features a plotline inspired by literary figures whose lives became intertwined in my hometown: New England librarian-sleuths discover a manuscript that propels them down the time-travel trail of 1930s horror-master H. P. Lovecraft, who has ensnared the souls of Edgar Allan Poe, Herman Melville, and Robert E. (‘Conan the Barbarian’) Howard in a plot to snatch enchanted artifacts from ancient Egypt.”
1982
Mark Cody C’82 see Dr. Shahrad Mabourakh C’81.
Susan Lasker Hertz GNu’82 has been named director of hospice at Samaritan, a not-for-profit, independent organization focused on hospice care and palliative medicine.
Merle Ochrach C’82 has been listed in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This is the second year she has been included in this list. Merle is a principal at the law firm Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin and has been practicing real estate, banking, and municipal law for more than 20 years.
1983
Chris Librie C’83 has joined the corporate leadership council at CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, a charity that “brings communities, nonprofits, and businesses together around a shared commitment to better health and wellbeing.” Chris is the director of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) at Applied Materials, a company that supplies products and services for the semiconductor, flat panel display, and solar photovoltaic industries.
Daniel Sternlicht C’83, the distinguished scientist for littoral sensing technologies at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, has received the National Defense Industrial Association Bronze Medal. Daniel was honored for his pioneering work and publications, advanced techniques, and leadership in maritime reconnaissance and surveillance technologies.
1984
Pramode K. Verma WG’84 writes, “After retiring from the University of Oklahoma as director of the Telecommunication Engineering Program in 2016, I moved with my wife, Gita, to the Greater Tampa area in Florida. Most recently, I authored my autobiography, As I Lived It, published by Mount Meru Publishing in Canada, distributed through Amazon. I also coauthored two technical books after retirement, The Economics of Telecommunication Services, with Fan Zhang, and Multi-Photon Quantum Secure Communication, with Mayssaa El Rifai and Kam Wai Clifford Chan. The latter two books were published by Springer.”
Alan Wolan C’84 writes, “I’ve started a very interesting podcast called The Genius of Thomas Sowell (tinyurl.com/sowellpodcast). I was inspired by my Penn professor Alan Kors. I was an intellectual history major, and I’ve stayed interested in the subject all these years since. College is only the beginning of one’s intellectual journey, not the end! In my spare time from podcasting, I’m CEO of a New York ad agency.”
1985
Dr. Alisa Kauffman D’85, the CEO of Geriatric House Call Dentistry, a national dental service for the homebound and frail, was honored as chair of the CaringKind Alzheimer’s Walk in Central Park. She also coauthored a new book with Sonya Dunbar, The Tooth and Nothing But the Truth: A Geriatric Dental Hygienist and a Geriatric Dentist’s Guide to Oral Care for the Aging Population. Alisa was featured in our Mar|Apr 2017 cover story “House Dentist.”
Charles E. Leasure III C’85 has joined the litigation department at the law firm Stevens & Lee at its Philadelphia office.
Linda Simensky C’85 has been named head of animation and scripted content at Duolingo, a language-learning platform. Before this role, she was an animation executive for PBS Kids and the Cartoon Network.
1986
Barbara Yates Vega C’86 has been named vice president of development at the National Benevolent Association (Disciples of Christ).
1987
Jaime Cortez C’87 wrote a new book of short stories, titled Gordo, set in a migrant workers camp near Watsonville, California, in the 1970s. From the book’s press materials: “These scenes from Steinbeck Country seen so intimately from within are full of humor, family drama, and a sweet frankness about serious matters.”
Neil Lanctot C’87 has written a new book, The Approaching Storm: Roosevelt, Wilson, Addams, and their Clash Over America’s Future (Riverhead Books). Publishers Weekly praised it as “a fresh, character-driven look at the debate over America’s entry into World War I.”C
Paul Puleo W’87 see Rob Fuller W’99.
1988
Phil Eager C’88 L’91 see Mimi Calter C’90.
1990
Mimi Calter C’90 has been appointed vice provost and university librarian at Washington University in St. Louis. She writes, “My husband Phil Eager C’88 L’91 and I are leaving behind San Francisco, our home for the past 18 years, and we look forward to exploring our new city and perhaps meeting some Penn friends.”
Brett Danko C’90 see Rob Fuller W’99.
Dawn D’Orlando Nu’90 GNu’93 see Rob Fuller W’99.
Jose Ibietatorremendia W’90 L’93 see Rob Fuller W’99.
Kimberly M. Kaplan Streicher C’90, former Philadelphia partner of Reed Smith LLP, has moved to Chicago with her husband and four-year-old daughter.
Freddy Sullivan W’90 see Daniel Roberts C’91.
1991H
Rachel Panush C’91 writes, “I recently started a new position as a strategic engagement manager with Rightpoint, a digital solutions company, in their commerce division. The new gig will bring me to New York City several times a year, and I look forward to connecting with former Quakers in the area. I’m working remotely from my home in Los Angeles. I’ve successfully launched my oldest child, who’s currently a sophomore at Macalester College, while enjoying the last bit of time with my youngest, a high school junior.”
Daniel Roberts C’91 writes, “My debut novel Bar Maid was published by Arcade (an imprint of SkyHorse Publishing) on November 2. Available on Amazon, this darkly comedic coming-of-age story takes place in and around Penn in the late 1980s. I live and work in New York with my wife and eight-year-old daughter and am in close contact with Claude Schwab C’91 WG’98 and Freddy Sullivan W’90.”
1994
Dr. Manisha Juthani C’94, associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at Yale, has been appointed commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Public Health by Governor Ned Lamont.
1995
Dr. Jason James C’95 has been elected president of the medical staff at Baptist Hospital of Miami, where he has been in practice as an obstetrician-gynecologist for 18 years. He welcomes communication from classmates at drjjames@gmail.com.
Stacy S. Kim GEd’95 Gr’00 writes, “I’ve written three essays connecting my teen years during Korea’s military regimes in the ‘70s to current family life during COVID-19. They have been published in The Independent and the Washington Post.” They can be read at tinyurl.com/stacykim1, tinyurl.com/stacykim2, and tinyurl.com/stacykim3.
Dan Schorr C’95 G’95 writes, “My debut novel, Final Table, was published on October 5. Inspired by my work as a sex crimes prosecutor and investigator, Final Table is a political thriller about sexual misconduct in the worlds of international politics and high-stakes poker.” More information is available at danschorrbooks.com.
1996
Steve Gresdo W’96 see Rob Fuller W’99.
Amy Reichbach GEd’96 GEd’98 has joined the board of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. From the press release: “Reichbach, a breast cancer survivor, is an administrative law judge for special education proceedings at the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals, and has served as a lawyer for the ACLU and a professor at the University of Massachusetts School of Law.” Read more about her cancer journey at www.lbbc.org/blog/hair.
1997
Judith Weiss Ottensoser C’97 W’97 has been named chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Rock Mountain Capital, a private equity firm.
1999
David Arnett W’99 has launched a sports app called Chuck. David writes, “Chuck’s mission is to take everything people love about enjoying sports with their friends offline and mapping that experience to a digital platform. I bonded with my first friends at Hill House watching sports at Smokey Joe’s. Alex Barfield C’99, Pat Cahill EE’99, Steve Caldwell C’99, Adam Cook C’99, Dan Nord EAS’99, and I still refer to ourselves as the Smokey Joes all these years later. We still chat about sports (and more) on a regular basis, only now we have a better platform for that! I’m now pursuing a seed round for Chuck to scale the business and help millions of sports fans stay connected with their teams and each other. Check us out at www.heychuck.com if you want to learn more.”
Andrea Canepari GL’99, ambassador of Italy to the Dominican Republic, is coeditor of The Italian Legacy in Philadelphia: History, Culture, People, and Ideas, which celebrates the impact of this vibrant urban community. The book includes chapters written by Penn professors, including Bill Ewald, Chris Sanchirico, Ann Blair Brownlee, and Cam Grey LPS’13; and also features institutions such as the Penn Museum.
Rob Fuller W’99 writes, “In July, SigEp Penn alumni and their families came together for a safari to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana with fellow fraternity brothers from 4028 [Walnut] to raise funds for Sigma Phi Epsilon and wildlife conservation. Joining me were Jose Ibietatorremendia W’90 L’93, Paul Puleo W’87, Brett Danko C’90, Dawn D’Orlando Nu’90 GNu’93, and Steve Gresdo W’96. You can read more about our trip and see photos at tinyurl.com/pennsigep.” Rob is cofounder of Africa 360 Travel, a not-for-profit safari travel agency that donates 100 percent of profits to wildlife conservation and other nonprofits.
Rob Murat EAS’99, an actor in the Netflix series On My Block and an R&B artist, has released a new single with dancehall artist Jupitar, titled “Fly Away.” From the press release: “In a surprise verse entirely sung in Haitian Creole, in which he is fluent, Rob urges Haitian people across the world to ‘rise up!’ in the midst of one of the country’s most turbulent times. Rob was quoted as saying, “As a Haitian American who understands the country’s rich history, it didn’t make sense to sit aside silently and miss this perfect opportunity to shine the light on the amazing potential that lies within Haiti and its people even in these dark moments.” More information can be found at robmurat.com.
2000
Gabriel Yom Dabiri C’00, an attorney at the law firm Polsinelli, has been named office practice manager in the firm’s New York office.
Kate Gaertner WG’00 has released her first book, Planting a Seed: Three Simple Steps to Sustainable Living.
Karen Winn Nu’00 writes, “I’m excited to announce my debut novel, Our Little World, forthcoming from Dutton/Penguin Random House on May 3, is now available for preorder. Set in the 1980s in a small New Jersey town, this lyrical coming-of-age story centers on two sisters whose relationship becomes forever altered in the aftermath of a neighborhood girl’s disappearance.”
2001
Andrew Alin C’01 L’04, a mergers and acquisitions and private equity lawyer, has joined the law firm WilmerHale as a partner. He works out of the firm’s New York office.
Michael McElwain C’01 is a senior research astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and serves as the observatory project scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope, which was slated to launch in December [“Profiles,” Nov|Dec 2021]. Michael lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife Crystal Simpson and their two daughters, Catherine (six) and Lilly (three).
2002
Ejim Achi C’02 L’06 has been promoted to comanaging shareholder of the New York office of law firm Greenberg Traurig and cochair of its New York Corporate Practice. He was also recently named to New York Law Journal’s list of “2021 Rising Stars.”
2003
Dr. David Bessler V’03 and David Glattstein WG’12 have announced a $100 million financing round for their company, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), currently a group of 24 hospitals that provide pet emergency services in nine states. Bessler is founder and CEO, and Glattstein is cofounder and president of the firm, established in 2014.
2004
Suzie Cohen C’04 writes, “I got married on September 11 to Brian Zager, a 2006 Emory University alumnus, in Houston. Many of my Penn friends were in attendance, including Mary Gover C’04, Leah Hirsch C’04, Ross Clark C’04, Kate Jay Zweifler C’04, Danielle Love C’04 EAS’04, Julia Weinberg C’04, Gabi Arnay C’04, Elisabeth Muller Miller C’04, Cassie Silverman C’04, and Steven Gottlieb C’04.”
2005
Hilal Isler GrEd’05 writes, “I’ve grown tired of reading articles about the persistent, pervasive problem of true inclusivity and representation in American publishing. So I’ve recently launched the Hennepin Review: a monthly literary/arts publication where all work is from women and nonbinary writers/artists of color. Submissions are welcome at hennepinreview.com.”
Efrén C. Olivares C’05 has written a new book, My Boy Will Die of Sorrow: A Memoir of Immigration from the Front Lines, which will be released by Hachette in July.
2006
Paula-Kaye Richards W’06 writes, “I’ve joined the board of directors of PennPAC, an independent nonprofit with a mission to harness the intellectual talents and professional skills of Penn alumni in a meaningful and socially beneficial way. Accordingly, PennPAC works with nonprofit organizations to help solve their business challenges through the engagement of Penn alumni who serve as pro bono consultants for short-term projects. I’ve been working with PennPAC since 2013 and am excited to join the board and continue to make an impact in the community.”
2007
Alethea White Dunham-Carson C’07 has been appointed assistant head of school for the Gordon School. Located in East Providence, Rhode Island, it is the state’s only non-public coeducational school, educating children from nursery school through eighth grade, and it is known for its emphasis on multiculturalism.
2008
Charlene Sun L’08 has joined the law firm DLA Piper as a partner in the firm’s international arbitration practice. She is based in New York.
2009
Melissa Campbell Brogdon GEd’09 has been selected to join the second cohort of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. Melissa is cofounder and chief operating officer of the legal tech startup Fourth Party. According to the press release, “The $100,000 award will be used to scale Fourth Party, a digital practice management solution for alternative dispute resolution professionals.”
2010
Dr. Michael J. Shumski M’10, a cataract and refractive surgeon in Orlando, Florida, writes, “I’ve recently launched a start-up to provide education for patients in need of cataract surgery, and to advocate for patients to achieve the highest quality outcomes possible. Cataract surgery is a unique area of medicine since patients are allowed to make decisions for higher quality lens implants and surgical techniques that insurance does not cover. Check us out at www.BestCataractSurgeons.com.”
2012
David Glattstein WG’12 see Dr. David Bessler V’03.
Ariela Mabourakh C’12 L’15 see Dr. Shahrad Mabourakh C’81.
2013
Cam Grey LPS’13 see Andrea Canepari GL’99.
2017
Vighnesh Subramanyan WG’17 writes, “I was recently elected to the board of directors for PennPAC (pennpac.org), a 501(c)3 nonprofit consisting of Penn alumni who provide pro bono consulting services to non-profits in three major US cities. Volunteers include alumni from all schools, ages and professions.”
2019
Etan Mabourakh C’19 see Dr. Shahrad Mabourakh C’81.
