The Carillon

Alumni News & Notes

1930s-40s / 1950s / 1960s / 1970s / 1980s / 1990s / 2000s / 2010s

1935

Carlton A. Coulter, founding member of the Edward Eldred Potter Club, passed away Jan. 4, 2014, at the age of 99 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.  An active member in the Potter Club Alumni Association, he attended the club’s final anniversary, the 80th, in September 2011, and gave a memorable presentation.

Class councilor: Edna Wright Smith, [email protected]

1948

A note from your class councilor: Gari Deliganis Paticopoulos traveled from Florida to Albany in June to attend her grandson Christopher’s graduation from the Albany Academy. Marjorie Harland Harrington is recovering from quadruple heart-bypass surgery and is doing well. Annalee Levine Ginsberg and Elihu celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary July 3. Daughter Marsha and son-in-law Neil celebrated their 24th anniversary on May 27. Grandson Brett started his senior year at Drexel U. He has received a scholarship award for his service to the university and has been featured in several articles in the university newspaper. Younger grandson Michael is a sophomore at Rutgers University. Annalee hears frequently from Joan Sittner Sherwood, as well as other classmates. They don’t travel now because of health issues. Donald Sayles writes from his home on the Great Sacandaga that he has been sailing on for 41 years. Dulcinea, a 22-footer made in Canada, is a very safe boat whose 1,500-lb. keel weighs the same as all the rest of the boat. He spent 15 hours getting Dulcinea ready for launching. Now Donald only sails when his oldest son, Doug, is with him. Donald says he is convinced that remaining physically active contributes to a long and happier life. He downhill skied for 50 years and finally gave that up at age 82. Eleanor Holbig Alland attended a weekend in June celebrating the 100th anniversary of Chi Sigma Theta Sorority and will share more about that in the next issue. Joan Sittner Sherwood writes of the passing of her best friend, classmate Anne Gilleo Vondra, in January 2014. She and Anne were roommates at Pierce Hall during their senior year, and they made a promise to save their money and take a grand tour of Europe. Their dream came true, and on July 10, 1951, they boarded the French liner DeGrasse in New York City and visited France, Switzerland, Italy and England. They flew home via TWA on Aug. 30, both declaring the trip “the high point of our lives.” Anne had been a stroke survivor for 11 years.

Class Notes Councilor: Eleanor Holbig Alland, [email protected]

 

1949

A note from your class councilor: Joan Rourke McClelland died April 27, 2014. After settling in Sedona, Joan became one of the wonderful full-time volunteers who make it such a vibrant place. She spent many hours on committees helping to preserve the beauty of the Sedona, Ariz., area. Bonnie Totten Adkins and husband Lee have been very busy, as usual. In March, two great-grandchildren were added to their family. In May, Bonnie and Lee traveled from Vermont to the Capital District area to celebrate the Excellence in Alumni Service Award presented to Joyce and Joe Zanchelli. That same month, they flew to South Carolina for a granddaughter’s graduation from the University of South Carolina and saw her off to South Africa with a Volunteers in Mission team. In June, Bonnie and Lee celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary. In July, they held a family reunion and attended the wedding of a granddaughter; they were also looking forward to the October wedding of a grandson. Robertson Baker reports that his grandson Benjamin completed his first year as a music major at Syracuse.

Elsa Cox Moberg is proud of her granddaughter, who graduated from UCLA in three and a half years and was headed for Pepperdine Law School. In the spring, Don Dickinson, who lives in Tucson, visited his two daughters in the Bay Area. One daughter is a cataloguer at the University of California at Berkeley, and one is a children’s librarian in Oakland. Richard Foster, who lives in Sarasota, Fla., still spends part of each summer on Lake Limekin in the Adirondacks. Mary Jane Peris Fredericks reports that her granddaughter Hannah will be attending Siena College in the fall and that her grandson Ian graduated from SUNY Oswego in June. Mary Jane proudly announced that she has four great-grandchildren. Jean Pulver Hague still reports to her office to counsel families regarding educational options. She is a certified educational planner and a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Jean and husband Merl have children in California, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Granddaughter Katie, who graduated from Colby, was married at Kiawah Island in November 2013; grandson Kevin, who graduated from Boston College, is working for an investment firm in Palo Alto, Calif., and will be married this Labor Day weekend. Granddaughter Jennifer is working for an e-book company in Norwalk, Conn.; granddaughter Jackie, a student at the University of Connecticut, has recently returned from a semester in Barcelona. And grandson Thomas is a student at Claremont McKenna College in California.

Ellen Fay Harmon and her daughter Maureen did not have to travel far in May (they live in Albany) to attend the University at Albany Alumni Association Gala Awards Event, where they helped Joyce and Joe celebrate receiving the Excellence in Alumni Service Award. Also in May, Ellen, husband Tom, two daughters and one granddaughter relaxed on a cruise to Bermuda. There was a family gathering in July to celebrate Ellen’s 87th birthday and again in August to celebrate Tom and Ellen’s 63rd wedding anniversary. Their 11 grandchildren range in age from 18 to 30. Bob Kittredge reports that his wife, Diana, celebrated her 47th year as a naturalized U.S. citizen, and states that “Britain’s loss was Bob’s gain!” Bob helps distribute 300 or more boxes of food once a month in the low-income neighborhood of Pinedale in Fresno, Calif. Through his Rotary Club, he was instrumental in securing soccer uniforms and balls for 75 children from Pinedale Elementary School. In May, Bob and Diana attended granddaughter Kelsey’s graduation from the University of Idaho. For July, they were planning to rent two houses near Yosemite National Park for their annual family gathering.

“Freddy “ Laemmerzahl Miller, with her daughter and son-in-law, participated in a “birdathon” and spotted 82 different species in a 24-hour period. Birdathons are one way of raising money for the Audubon Club’s scholarship fund for teachers and students. In May, Freddy traveled from Oklahoma to Jupiter, Fla., to spend time with son Dave; outings included a cruise to the Bahamas and a visit with granddaughter Kate in Tampa. Anne Sulich Raser attended her granddaughter’s wedding in Lake Tahoe in June. Joe Zanchelli and Joyce were looking forward to attending their grandson Jonathan’s beach wedding on July 27, 2014.  On May 3, Joyce and Joe enjoyed a most memorable evening when they were recipients of the UAlbany Alumni Association Excellence in Alumni Service Award. “Thank you, 49ers, for making this possible; all the news you supply helped to make this award possible,” they wrote. Our planning committee is hoping very much for a good turnout for the Class of ‘49’s 65th reunion celebration on Sept. 19-21. 

Class notes councilor: Joe Zanchelli, [email protected]

1950

A note from your class councilor: Elise deSeve Brown and Irwin Baumel remain in good health and enjoy California, with some wonderful travel mixed in. They are preparing for a trip to Rome and Naples. They plan to drive to San Francisco to visit one of Irwin’s daughters, then go on to Washington, D.C., for their flight to Rome. Upon their return, they will spend some time in Washington collecting the last of Elise’s possessions to take back to California. Elise’s condo is in the process of being sold; Irwin’s home in Whittier will become their permanent residence. The drive back to California will include a visit to a granddaughter in Houston. Another granddaughter lives near Irwin and manages his real-estate properties. A pair of mallard ducks has taken over their swimming pool; “if they are still here when we return, we may have to evict them,” they said.

Audrey Hartman White is now living in a Salt Lake City retirement community near son William White Jr.; “I will be far from the east but one has to adjust.” She has been planning a trip back to Westerville, Ohio, in the spring. Her husband died April 25, 2013. Audrey thought she was doing great; she flew to Orlando for a granddaughter’s graduation from the University of Central Florida; drove to Ocala to visit Elly (Adams) Rapacz – then, out of the blue, she had a major heart attack. Ben and Gloria Jackson had two grandchildren graduating last spring: Jenna Willett from Kenyon College and Lewis Smoot III from New Albany High School in New Albany, Ohio. Audrey Koch Feathers continues to live in Queensbury, N.Y., near both the Feathers camp on Jenny Lake and the high school in South Glens Falls where she, Richard, Sparky Vaughn and BJ taught for several years. Sparky stopped by one morning in May. A little later that day, Audrey left for Jenny Lake and a family gathering celebrating multiple birthdays.

Lila Lee Silva Harrington wrote, “Life has been good to me these past five years here at Prestwick Chase independent living facility in Saratoga Springs.” The plethora of activities keeps her involved in aerobics, a book-chat club, poetry, bingo and erecting bluebird houses. She also serves on the executive board of the in-house newspaper, The Chase, and attends plays, concerts and lectures at Skidmore College and the wider area: Lila enjoys operas, plays and popular shows at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Proctors, Cinemax and, not to forget, the Saratoga Racetrack in August. She is blessed with reasonably good health and continues to drive, making trips to Oneonta to visit family and Maggie (Hosking) Winne. Lila also keeps in touch with Jeannie Bowen Walsh Gardner. Last spring, the Silva clan was planning a July family reunion – always a joyful event – bringing together 70-plus family members. At her children’s urging, Lila will curtail solo trips to Vermont and Canada, but, accompanied by brother Bob, she will travel in August to visit aunts, uncles and cousins. She sends all her best to her fellow alumni from the Class of 1950 and to her Phi Delta sisters.

Marjorie Lyons is still directing plays, with more to come in 2015. Marjorie’s dear friend Barbara Smith Vosburgh, who has always been a non-flyer, found her granddaughter’s graduation from Florida Atlantic University irresistible. She recently flew to Florida for that event; she and Marjorie, old friends, had a joyous lunch together. Ruth Marschner Boynton reports that daughter Lois Boynton, a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of North Carolina, was chosen by a vote of the senior class to give the last lecture to the University on the steps of the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Lois’ family are (understandably) very proud of her, as we all are. Dr. Malcolm (Mickey) Slakter and his wife, Dr. Nancy Suzuki-Slakter, planned to join their three children, their spouses and four grandchildren on a cruise to Alaska out of Seattle in June. The reunion will celebrate Malcolm’s 85th birthday.

Earline (Ken) Thompson Sorensen hesitated to respond because “so little seems to change in my life that I am not sure it warrants an update. And I suppose that is a good thing.” She is still in Auburn, N.Y., and still enjoys daily walks, tai chi, some golf, and three or four trips a year. In June she was at the Chautauqua Institute for her annual week-long visit. “I really love that place, the serenity and the feeling of being shut off from the rest of the world,” said Earline. In August, she spent some time in Quebec. Her four children and their families are all doing well; Earline’s five grandchildren range in age from 8 to 23. “My sincere best wishes to all and an invitation to call, e-mail, or visit.” Harold Sparky Vaughn, one son, three daughters, and two grandchildren were in Vermont for the May wedding of his great-niece. En route, he and son Eric passed through Glens Falls, stopping for a great visit with Audrey Koch Feathers and, later, with Potter Club brother Tom Yole ’52 and his wife, who happens to be Sparky’s cousin. He continues to be absorbed in a project to maintain and preserve a unique family library in San Marcello Pistoise, Italy, and hopes to develop a project in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Bangkok, Thailand, focusing on issues of child slavery. Three great granddaughters and a great grandson have been added to the family since he last wrote.

Class notes councilor: Harold Vaughn, [email protected]

 

1952

A note from your class councilor: I am sorry to transmit a late report of the passing of Robert Hausner Sept. 23, 2012. He was a distinguished educator, both a teacher and a business administrator. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, also a member of the Class of 1952. We also report with great sadness the loss of Eleanor Rosenblum Roth. Eleanor, a published novelist, always had plenty of news to share with us. We send our sympathies to the families of Bob and Eleanor. You will be happy to know that our friend Al Stephenson is well on his way to complete recovery after his long-term illness. He has regained all the weight he lost (35 lbs.) during the fall and winter and got through his part-time teaching this spring. Al could see his physical progress as he started lecturing from a chair, but by the end of the semester, he was standing most of the time. With school out this summer, he was hoping to increase his stamina even more, as he still tires easily. Al wanted to visit the Capital Region during the summer; he has several little grandnieces he looks forward to seeing. He also said he has begun selling his oversized document collection. We had the privilege of seeing part of his impressive collection at one of our reunions.

Tom Holman writes from Naples, Fla., that he continues his relaxed lifestyle, following the sun between St. Maarten and Naples. Sounds like a nice life, Tom! A nice note from Shirley Feinstein Rosenbaum states that, as a member of the League of Women Voters, she’s the membership director of the state league board and the local board of Morgantown, W.V. She is also a membership and leadership development state league coach. In addition, she is a violinist with her community orchestra and substitute teaches high-school English several days a week in Mon County. What do you with all that spare time, Shirley? Her son Jonathan is president of the League of Women Voters (yes, the league has women and men members) and a cellist in the local orchestra. Jonathan is also the chair of Positive Spin, a non-profit community bike shop that aims to empower people to repair bicycles, find happy homes for unhappy bikes and make bicycles more accessible to the community. Shirley’s daughter, a Juilliard piano major, has a children’s music workshop in Kentucky and also accompanies opera students from the University of Kentucky. Her husband, a string physicist, teaches and lectures worldwide. Shirley’s two grandchildren are studying viola and cello. One had a successful bat mitzvah last spring; the other will have his bar mitzvah next year.

Bill Wiley reports that he and Jane have been dealing with a number of health issues and are commuting between Hilton Head, S.C., and Jacksonville, Fla., seeking medical care. Jane has had back and balance problems, and Bill had an atrial fibrillation this past December. However, his non-Hodgkins lymphoma is in total remission (hallelujah!). Their family is spread from Tucson to Geneva, N.Y., and from Indianapolis to Marietta, Ga. The Wileys’ granddaughter in Tucson is attending grad school for electrical engineering in aerospace; she was honored for her teaching-assistant position in her first year. Another, back from teaching English to students in the Czech Republic, is now working in a law firm in Geneva, helping less fortunate people navigate this complex world. She hopes to get into a doctoral program in law and sociology. A third granddaughter is returning to college to become a paralegal. Jane and Bill’s other three grandchildren are in high school, 6th grade and 5th grade. Bill says: “Any of you who get into this area (Hilton Head) are always welcome. Give us a call at 843-341-7544.”

Vickie Eade Eddy always has news about her family. Son Chris is a brigadier general in the Air Force Reserves; he was named to Olean’s Academic Hall of Fame in June. Her daughter, Pam Eddy, Ph.D., teaches at William and Mary and has authored and co-authored books on leadership in community colleges. She has also supervised some of her doctoral students on trips abroad. Vickie is equally proud of her other three children, a high-school physical-education teacher, a budget analyst for the court system of Philadelphia, and a marketing director for a non-profit that hires people with disabilities. Nancy Frey Pettinelli brings us the sad news that she lost her husband just five weeks short of their 53rd wedding anniversary. She intends to stay in their “starter” home so her address will remain the same. She did have some good news: her grandson, who was confirmed, and her granddaughter, who made her First Communion.

Joan Bennett Kelly has had a stressful year trying to find a cure for Charlie’s serious back problems. He is now much better, thank goodness, but the difficulty of finding care in two areas as diverse as Vermont and Florida has convinced them to give up their Florida home and substitute an apartment in New Jersey, which will put them close to their children. They weren’t able to get to all the graduations they wanted to attend, but they did get to Sara’s at Binghamton and to her last track meet, where she did her personal best. Sara was on a track scholarship. Joan and Charlie also got to attend their granddaughter’s graduation from West Point; they are very proud she wants to serve her country.  She also did her personal best at her diving meet. Dorothy Simmons Van Der Ven writes: “I still live as ‘Little Old Red Riding Hood’ in the woods at 8036 Indian Hill, Manlius, N.Y. Please come and visit.” She goes on to say she would be very happy to show you her Japanese tea hut, which was created in memory of her son Jacques. She continues to participate in the Saturday Workshop for actors and playwrights. Recently, Dorothy and her long-hair teacup chihuahua have become therapy-pet partners; they visit people in nursing homes and at an adult reading center. One son and his family live in Skaneateles, N.Y., and another son lives in Maine. Dorothy concludes: “Life with all its ups and downs is good and beautiful. I am grateful and blessed. All blessings to each of you.”

Kitty Kloser Irons is one busy lady. Easter saw Kitty and husband Marty in Vermont with their son; they returned there 10 days later. Two weeks afterward, they were in Detroit for the wedding of their niece; 10 days after that they were back in Vermont for their granddaughter’s graduation. (She had been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa on their previous visit.) In June, Kitty and Marty took a cruise to Bermuda; in July, they headed to Texas for their family reunion and, in August, Granville, N.Y., for their annual two-week vacation on a small lake. Whew! They’ll need a rest. In the meantime, Kitty is occupied with church activities, bridge, quilting, book-discussion group, and theater trips to New York City.  With Quilts of Valor, a small group in Goshen, N.Y. Kitty makes quilts for wounded servicemen and women to keep. Very nice idea, Kitty. Your co-councilors, Joan Barron and Joyce Zanchelli, were in Albany to present our annual scholarship. This year, we awarded scholarships to two men in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Joshua De Clerk, who had a triple major in Spanish, Italian, and French, and Michael Maneen, a junior with a triple major in Russian, French and international relations, were the recipients. Both of these young men were very pleased with the award. Joyce Leavitt Zanchelli and her husband, Joe, were recognized May 3 with the Excellence in Alumni Service Award from the University at Albany Alumni Association. “We have many of you to thank for helping us win this prestigious award, for you are the ones who supply us with news, attend our reunions and help us keep in touch with one another. Thank you, classmates,” Joyce said.

Class notes councilor: Joyce Zanchelli, [email protected]

 

1953

A note from your class councilor: Hello, Red Devils Class of 1953. Here’s news about your old friends. The American Legion presented Daniel Kelly the Americanism Award for his work on the World War II exhibit in his hometown, Rye, N.Y. Dan sent us pictures that showed him riding in a Jeep in the 2014 Memorial Day parade; he was looking quite dapper. He went on to say, “Strange how it took until retirement to return to my Albany education, but I am totally involved with history, especially as it focuses on my hometown. It’s a far cry from the world of IBM, which I also relished.” Congratulations, Dan, on the award! Rye is lucky to have you as a devoted volunteer.  This May, Dan took a three-week trip to Germany and England.

Carolyn Gazulis Johnson told us about her husband’s passing in 2013; our sincere condolences. She is now living in Florida and says, “The invite is open for visiting classmates.” Carolyn loved traveling and has seen a good part of the world. During the Clinton years, she volunteered at the White House and, because of her background as an English teacher, she was called upon to edit and correct documents prepared by the president. Your councilor wonders if he got good grades from Carolyn. Reporting on her children, Carolyn said that her twin daughters are successfully employed: one is a computer teacher in San Francisco, and the other is a lobbyist for the motion-picture industry. Her son is a professional golfer. Kitty Brumfield Pickett reports that she enjoyed the councilor’s reminiscing in the class letter; it brought about fond memories for her. Kitty remembers: “I enrolled at NYSCT in December 1950, when my father was recalled into the Army to go to Korea. (We lived In Delmar and my mother planned to sell our house and move to an apartment in Albany.) I decided to leave Mount Holyoke College and transfer to State. I entered the building with Minerva at the entrance. The only person there that day was Dr. Josiah T. Phinney, whose wife had graduated at MHC. We got along so well that I was accepted, and I asked him to be my advisor. I was very shy then and made few friends, but even then I knew I had made a good decision. My father got to Japan and then was sent home to pick up his job with the NY Health Dept. I am very proud of Albany, and because all New York teachers have to have a master’s degree, I applied to return for another year. The dean of Men asked me to take a job at Brubacker Hall counseling 70 sophomores on half of the top floor. Carolyn Gazulis got the other side of that floor. It was a difficult and rewarding year, and Carolyn and I are still friends.”

Joe Lombardi, in response to a class letter sent in March, remarked he had just returned from a 15-day trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. “We were there during ‘Tet,’ their New Year’s celebration. It was festive, decked out with red banners (hammers and sickles prominently displayed). And beautiful flowers everywhere. The Vietnamese were friendly, cordial and open to Americans. One can even buy a condo on the South China Sea. The country is open for business.” Alvin Brown responded to the class letter’s request for information, either past or present, with this interesting news: “After college graduation I served in the Air Force and flew to many places and islands in the Pacific, including Japan. A number of these were famous battle sites in WWII. As a result, I spoke to diverse senior groups and veterans’ organizations about such events. [I] am the historian/archives person with a veterans’ organization.” Al went on to say that he had authored two books that are listed on Amazon. Based on the description of the author, it’s fairly safe to assume that Al is the author of Native American Stories and Spelling: A Mnemonics Approach. Herb Thier has become interested in programs for seniors through organized university and other programs. He indicated that he would be further interested in contacting others who have gotten involved in this education for the general public. In March 2014, he was finally fully retired from UC Berkeley after nearly 51 years as an academic. In December, Herb and his wife, Marlene, will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary by taking their immediate family (10 now) on a cruise. Congratulations on your anniversary and your retirement, Herb!

Gary LaGrange happily informed us that he had moved to southern California and is enjoying the beautiful weather. In response to a questionnaire about a class reunion, Joyce Turner Ogden said, “I’m retired to a far corner of the U.S. (only 60 miles from the Pacific Ocean) so Albany is just too far away to travel to reunions.” She, along with your councilor, would like to see more folks on our Facebook group page. Just find us at SUNY Albany Class of 1953. You can reminisce, post comments to your classmates, post photos – the list of possible activity goes on. Bob and Rosie Keller Hughes have decided to downsize, sell their home, and move to a condo near their youngest son and his family. First, Rosie had surgery on her hammertoe. (She had anticipated an easy recovery, since what could happen in such a simple operation? After the surgery, the surgeon told her that recovery could last six months – he was right.) Shortly after, Bob started having horrendous pain in his back. After many tests and lots of medications, it was determined that the pain was caused by the healing of a compressed fracture in his spine. Finding it progressively difficult to manage the stairs in their house, they decided to find a one-story condo and appreciate and enjoy having someone else maintain their abode. They’re not yet ready for independent or assisted living, but who knows what is down the road. Bob and Rosie so enjoy their grandchildren. They happily watched a live stream of one of their granddaughters get her master’s degree with distinction from Pratt Institute. Another happy moment was seeing their oldest grandson dressed in his tuxedo, all ready to go to his first formal dance.

Evi Iglauer is still involved in her career: She continues to work as a per diem (two days a week) administrative law judge for the City of New York. Evi spends long weekends at the condo she owns with her sister on the water on eastern Long Island. She still travels at every opportunity. Evi, too, shared memories of our freshman year at State; “I remember that song as we ascended to the balcony, ‘We did it last year, now you do it this year!’” Ruth Dunn Reed replied to the question of when we should have our next reunion: “I love reunions – anytime. I go despite severe hearing and sight loss. [I] Agree with Rosie – college memories strong and lasting.” Recalling our freshman year, Ruth mentioned Mary McFarland [one of the leading actors in the Frosh Big 4; she had a lovely voice] was one of her four roommates, and she later dropped out of NYSCT. Ann Pelton, Annie Oberst and Ruth lived in Miss Cobb’s house the first part of the year – no room elsewhere was available – 18th and 19th century lived there also!” It’s not expected that Ruth will “friend” our Facebook page, since her last comment was “I don’t compute or twitter.” Ruth is still the spunky redhead we all knew and loved at State.

Jordine Skoff Van Wontoch is very active in several theatres and on the Board of Directors of the Old Globe Theatre, when she is home in San Diego. To keep up on what is new in the theatre, she went to London in May and New York in June. Marion Howard Bon replied to a query on whether her email address, “born to dig,” was indicative of a hobby in petrology, anthropology or archeology. “In retirement my husband and I have had time to enjoy new avocations. He (school administrator in another life) and I (librarian) are busy with new  interests. He is doing a lot of volunteer archeology, and I am a master gardener, hence the digging reference.” Marion described the weather at home as cold and snowy and very windy. She moved to Delaware “to get away from snow and cold in New York!” Carroll Judd was given the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in September 2011 for promoting and practicing safe aircraft operation for 50 consecutive years. Juddie is still an active flight instructor and has been the safety director for 45 years with the Stockbridge Valley Flying Club in Syracuse, N.Y. Good for you, Juddie! Rudy Desantolo had been missing from our class list for some time. Your class councilor decided to try to find him on the Internet and discovered his obituary in Newsday, published Aug. 1, 2013:  “De SANTOLO - Rudolph on July 26 of complications from Parkinson’s at age 82. He served as Former Assistant Superintendent of Sachem Schools and founded the Special Education Program.”

Vince Aceto retired 10 years ago – happily – as a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and a Collins Fellow. He is working at IBM East Fishkill, managing the library online information services as an external contractor. In April 2013, he went for two weeks to Prague with his best interpreter, his Czechoslovakian wife. William (Bill) Whitwer hung up his clerical robe in March when he retired from the ministry after 58 years. Enjoy your retirement, Bill; you have earned it! Wilma Nuber Cutler enjoyed reading the class letter since it sure brought back many memories of our four years at Albany. Lucille Roulier Guthrie was happy to spend the winter in Venice, Fla., especially since New York had such terrible weather. She was looking forward to going back north in May and hopefully enjoying a nice, warm summer at Brant Lake near Lake George.

A report on the Class Fund and the Next Reunion survey: Donate the Fund to:  2 votes for the Art Museum; 12 for the University Library, or to Other Group or Individual; 2 to the education department; 3 for a Scholarship to Some Needy Student; and 1 for a rehab of Minerva, if she is still standing guard in the rotunda. Growing the Class Fund Account: 4 wanted to present the money at our next reunion, while 2 wanted us to vote on the allocation of the fund at the next reunion. When to Have the Next Reunion: 2 wanted to gather for our 61st in 2014; 8 liked the idea of a 62nd reunion in 2015 (2 also voted for a get-together in 2015 or 2018); and 12 wanted no reunion until our 65th in 2018 (one respondent commented “for anyone still alive then”). Based on the voting, we will present the class fund to the University Library at our 65th reunion. In closing, your councilor wants to encourage all of you to send her your news either via e-mail or in response to a class letter. Just as you enjoy reading about your former classmates, your classmates would enjoy hearing about you. We were such a great class, with good fellowship, involvement in Red Devil activity, and a love for the school where Minerva reigned. We have not seen many of our fellow 53ers for 61 years but I, for one, and I’m sure others, as well, still hold all of you in happy memories of four wonderful years … a Camelot for many first-generation Americans and for children of parents who wanted their offspring to have a good education despite their financial circumstances. Weren’t we lucky to go to State! 

Class notes councilor: Rose Mary (Rosie) Keller Hughes, [email protected]

 

1954

A note from your class councilors: Bradford and Ingeborg Miller both celebrated their 80th birthday in September at the historic Fairmont Spa Hotel, Montebello, Quebec. Their son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons traveled from Cambridge, Mass., to join the party on the banks of the Ottawa River. Frank and Laura Giannone had a wonderful vacation at their place in Maui. Fortunately, they missed the terrible winter in Rochester. They are now in the process of getting the gardens back in shape. Fortunately, they have reliable help to do all of the heavy lifting. They are looking forward to attending the class reunion in the fall. Gladys (Tink) Smith O’Meara moved from Williamsburg to Bailey’s Glen in Cornelius, N.C., in September. Beverly Dodge Brousseau will become a great-grandmother for the first time in September. Her granddaughter is expecting a girl. Joan and Fred Paul will be visiting Israel for the first time in early November. They will be part of a tour led by the rabbi of our temple in Albany. Certainly, they are looking forward to this experience. After 23 years in Florida, John and Kimie Parsons have moved to live with their son in southern Maryland, thus also moving closer to second son Leo, who resides in Falls Church, Va. In addition, they will be some 1,000 miles closer to Son No. 3 in North Andover, Mass. John and Kimie play duplicate bridge twice a week in Lusby, Md.

In March, Stu and Myra Macnofsky were flown to Kauai by their daughter Robin and her husband, Bob, for Stu’s 80th birthday. Barking Sands, the Navy’s Missile Facility hospitality, was wonderful for the old Captain. The last time Stu landed on a Kauai beach was in 1956, as a LTJG on active duty. Mary Ann Frascatore Corsi and Carmen Corsi ’53 will be celebrating their 58th anniversary this August. They are blessed with three daughters and seven grandchildren whom they see quite regularly. After living on Long Island for 52 years, they moved to Montclair, N.J., to be close to family. They are very active with their local YMCA and try to go daily. Weekends are spent in New York City. They also enjoy traveling and are planning a trip to Italy with their daughter and her husband. They plan to visit Carmen’s relatives, who live outside of Rome, and then tour the Amalfi Coast. Carmen and Mary Ann hope to attend the 60th reunion this Fall. Naoshi Koriyama shared that some of his poetry was published in Bridging the Waters: An International Bilingual Poetry Anthology. He has been working on a project of translating 12th-century medieval tales of Japan into English. Shirley Callahan Dillon reports that she is alive and well, and hopes to make the reunion this fall. John Allasio and his wife Marge visited their daughter and her family in California in February. Their grandson and his wife were expecting their first child in August; John and Marge are thrilled to have their first great-grandchild! John continues to stay busy with Knights of Columbus Council, bowling, and golf. Joan Hartman is looking forward to coming to the 60th reunion.

John Granito and wife Dolores White Granito ’53 are still living on Pine Island in Florida from October to May and on Keuka Lake, N.Y., during the summer. This summer, they took another Viking River Cruise with some family – this time from Lyon through southern France. Three of their grandchildren graduated this summer: one from Ithaca College, one from Penfield High School in Penfield, N.Y., and one from Johns Hopkins University. In July, Oklahoma State University presented the sixth annual John A. Granito “Leadership Research Award.” Phyla Weaver is still part-time house-managing a 503-seat 1926 theater as well as volunteering to organize and train the 100 volunteer ushers. She recently traveled to Albania, Slovenia, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Palm Springs to visit with family and friends, celebrate her grandson’s third birthday and celebrate her own 80th birthday. In late September, she will head off to England to visit friends, then on to Lisbon for several days before taking a ship back to Miami. Jim Thompson and fiancée Carol recently returned from visiting Jim’s son in Springfield, Va. Jim also celebrated the arrival of his 10th grandchild; his son, Navy Captain Scott Thompson ’91 and wife Karen adopted a two-year-old boy from China. They have three other children, ages 14, 8 and 6. Jim is still enjoying retirement, traveling some, and spending summers at Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks. He looks forward to seeing classmates at the fall reunion. Richard Shands is now retired (for the second time) and living in Clifton Park. He was a superintendent for several years and taught college courses, as well. He is married to Peggy Neil and has five children and 12 grandchildren. 

Class Notes Councilors: Bernice Gunsberg Shoobe, [email protected],
and Joan Paul, [email protected]

1956

Esther Goldstein Printz and husband Robert traveled to Israel in June.

1957

A note from your class councilor: Beth Beehler Stefano lives in Las Vegas near her son and granddaughters. She quilts for charity with a small church group, plays with her granddaughters, and travels to visit with other children and grandchildren who are scattered across the country. She visited with Marcia and John Gauquie when they were in Las Vegas in April. Marilyn DeSanta DeLorenzo and Marilyn Leach Causey ’58 traveled to Barcelona, Prague, the Danube, and Vienna. They attended four concerts and visited the Gaudi-designed structure in Barcelona, and many churches and art museums.

Class notes councilor: Sheila Lister Bamberger, [email protected]

1959

A note from your class councilor: The class recognition breakfast will be held on campus Oct. 11, 2014, and the reunion committee is planning some events for the next day in celebration of our 55th. Registration information will be made available by the Alumni Association at a later date; formal invitations will be sent out closer to the date of the events.

Class notes councilor: Miriam Russell, [email protected]

1961

A note from your class councilor: This was a milestone year when most of us hit 75 and some of us celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary! If you did not receive an email request for notes, please send me your current email address ([email protected]) to be added to our class list. We hope that you had a great summer. Judy Bleezarde spent six weeks in the Tampa and Ocala, Fla., areas this past winter. She is looking forward to the summer theater season at Barrington Stage and Williamstown Theatre, and the reopening of Clark Art Museum. She also enjoyed NCAA finals for Williams College teams in many sports. Bob Sands has written a case study on business planning, included in the text Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Maghreb. The text was written by three RPI colleagues and two colleagues from Tunisia. The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce and is published in English, French and Arabic. Bob was a Fulbright Fellow in Tunisia. The case study will also be included in a text being prepared for Libya. Bob Congemi shares that his latest book, Les Yeux, is a group of related stories about the eyes of other people and their perception of you.

Elaine Romatowski Frankonis lives with her daughter, son-in-law, and almost-12-year-old grandson in East Longmeadow, Mass. As part of a home-schooling family, she is on a constant and unanticipated learning curve. She is in her 13th year of blogging at www.kalilily.net and continues to write and publish her poetry. The latest appears in the current issue of Mused: The BellaOnline Literary Review. Elaine’s daughter, Melissa, is actively involved in the region’s (secular) home-schooling community; her son, virtually known as “The One True Bix,” lives in Portland, Ore., and is the co-owner and social-media manager for the non-profit “The Belmont Goats,” an experimental project that has endeared the herd of 14 pygmy goats to the hearts of urban Portlanders. Elaine has become a suburban farmer, a creative knitter, and a Facebook fanatic. Thomas Virginia is still living in Stamford, Conn., near his two daughters and their families. His oldest granddaughter, Natalie, graduated from high school and is heading to Dickinson College. Thomas recently took both families to Turks and Caicos for a family vacation. He sees Debbie Traver Connolly on occasion, as her daughter lives two blocks from one of his daughters. He also hears from Julie Steiner Rimel and Ruby Campbell Cook at holiday time.

Following some health issues, Jan Goodermote Newport and her husband, Dick, sold their house of over 48 years and bought a home in a new townhouse development outside Troy. They love it, enjoy the snow without having to shovel or plow, and love the summer without cares of the lawn! This summer, they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Jan’s eldest child, Scott, turned 50 this year. He and Jan’s daughter and her husband live in the Capital District; Jan’s youngest lives in Charleston, S.C., which makes for a long trip to visit grandsons. Her eldest grandson, Christopher, was tragically killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver 10 years ago at the age of 16. Jan says, “It is the most tragic event we have experienced, and while the rawness has worn off, the pain never leaves.” Jan and her husband are both retired and remain active in their church. They’re putting travel on hold for now, as they aren’t as healthy as they once were. Jan reports that her mother is still alive at age 95 and lives in assisted living nearby. Jan would love to hear from former classmates! Janet Beardsley celebrates her 75th birthday and her daughter, Laura, celebrates her 50th this year. LaRae Atwood Groves and husband Gene celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by going to Europe over the Pole from Anchorage, Alaska. Both retired, they go “recreational gold mining” in Alaska and in Arizona, where they’ve enjoyed their Scottsdale condo during winter. They’ve also enjoyed many travels over the years but miss the East. LaRae is looking forward to reading alumni news and says, “Greetings to all.” June Hunter and husband Ken celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in February. They recently returned from cruise that took them from Prague to Berlin via the Elbe River; their next adventure will be the western part of Alaska.

Class notes councilor: Mel Horowitz, [email protected]

 

1962

A note from your class councilor: Elena Rabine Halady winters in Florida with her significant other, enjoying tennis, golf and dancing. In March, Elena traveled to New Orleans for an orthopaedic convention. This summer, she traveled to China. Hank and Pat Maus traveled often this past year; Hank thanked your councilor for doing the class news. Susan Blank had a volunteer experience with the Israeli Army; she lived in barracks, wore fatigues, did physical labor, and enjoyed dining in the mess hall. Sheril Joan McCormack would appreciate a few more missives from classmates; please email news to Sheril at [email protected]. 

Class notes councilor: J. Sheril McCormack, [email protected]   

1965

A note from your class councilor: Mary Ann (Meindl) and Bill Gray have both finally retired, Mary Ann in 2009 and Bill in July 2013, after teaching at the University of Dayton (six years) and the University of Toledo (38 years). When Bill started at Albany, his goal was to be a high-school guidance counselor and boys’ basketball coach. Along the way, Bob McMorris liked what he was doing in his class, and Bill was invited to apply to the doctoral program in educational psychology and statistics. Bob’s interest in Bill completely changed Bill’s and Mary Ann’s lives. They are very thankful for the support the citizens of New York State provided them for their degrees. Our 50th reunion will be in October 2015; anyone interested in serving on the reunion committee should contact me at [email protected]. 

Class notes councilor: Judy Madnick, [email protected].

1966

James Ward, professor emeritus of educational administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, lives in Sahuarita, Ariz. He chairs the Finance and Investment Advisory Committee for the Town of Sahuarita and recently was appointed to a six-year term on the Pima County Bond Advisory Committee.

1970

Paula Camardella Twomey lives in Ithaca, N.Y., and is an author. She works at the Ithaca City School District.

1971

William L. Spearman  recently was elected chair of the SUNY Ulster Board of Trustees in Stone Ridge, N.Y. An alum of SUNY Ulster, he is a 2006 inductee to the school’s Hall of Fame. Prior to serving on the college board, he was chair and treasurer of the Ulster Community College Foundation. Nelson Atkin was presented the Portland Opera’s Aubrey N. Morgan Award April 17, given for distinguished and extraordinary support and service to the company. It is presented annually, and Nelson, the 27th recipient, joins an impressive list of past recipients. He provides pro bono representation to the opera and to the Oregon Ballet Theater, the Oregon Symphony and the Oregon Children’s Theater. His work for the opera dates to 1985. Nelson has worked with the Portland Opera to organize its business goals, provide employment-law advice, and represent its interests in negotiations with musicians, chorus and stage hands. Catherine Bertini was recently interviewed by the Syracuse Post-Standard. She currently teaches at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Prior to teaching at Syracuse, Catherine ran the United Nation’s World Food Programme and served as undersecretary general to Kofi Annan.  Her full interview with the Post-Standard can be found by searching “Catherine Bertini Leadership” at www.syracuse.com.

1973

The final patent was granted to Irving Mizus, M.D., for U.S. 8,105,284 B2, a slit-needle catheter drainage system. It involves a closed circuit that will access fluid cavities, arteries and veins by percutaneous catheter placement via a slit needle without the need for a wire guide for the purpose of drainage, monitoring and infusion.

1975

Philip Domenico is a scientist who recently invented a new class of antimicrobial agents that are making some headway toward commercialization. The bismuth thiols, or BTs, as they are called, are now approaching Phase 2 clinical trials. However, the game changer is that Philip’s BTs have just been given “qualified infectious disease product” (QIDP) status from the FDA to help fast-track their development. The U.S. has deemed his invention essential to help overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance. Philip, who currently lives in Manhattan, grew up in Rome, N.Y.

1976

Dr. Franz-Joseph Wehage, Muskingum University professor of German, has been elected to a two-year term as first vice president of the executive board of Phi Sigma Iota, the International Foreign Language Honor Society. A member of the Muskingum faculty since 1991, he received the William Rainey Harper Award for Outstanding Scholarship in 2002 and 2012. As part of his development of the German program at Muskingum, he created study-abroad opportunities at both Deggendorf University and Passau University. He has published several books; the most recent, Geschaftsdeutsch: An Introduction to German Business Culture, was co-authored with Gudrun Clay. During his tenure as advisor of the Phi Sigma Iota chapter at Muskingum, seven of the university’s graduates have been awarded scholarships, including the Dr. Henry Ward Church Scholarship, the highest honor granted by Phi Sigma Iota. He currently resides in Nashport, Ohio. Nate Salant retired as commissioner of the Gulf South Conference, effective June 30. “It’s been 22 years and its time to look for the next challenge, whether in sports or elsewhere,” the longest tenured NCAA D2 commissioner said. Among Nate’s accomplishments were the creation of GSC-TV LIVE, the first-ever conference-owned- and -operated TV network (beginning with the 2000 football season), which grew to include major regional sports channels and ESPN-3, and twice repopulating the league after severe membership loss. “I used to say that my job was my hobby and my hobby was my job, but now that’s changed, so I think it’s time to take some time off and then find the next exciting opportunity,” Nate said.

1977

Charles Schwartz now lives in Monroe, Conn. He worked for IBM in finance for 32 years and is currently employed by the University of Connecticut Health Center as an accountant. 

1979

Bill Sobel was brought on board in January as a weekly columnist for CMSWire.com, a Web magazine focused on intelligent information management, digital customer experience management, and the emergence of social business tools and practices. He lives with his wife and daughter in Old Bethpage, N.Y. Patrick J. McGuigan was honored March 22 as the annual Knights of Columbus “Person of the Year” in Malvern, Pa. Ira Goldstein completed his Ph.D. in informatics in May 2011 and recently joined the Siena College computer science department as a visiting assistant professor. Rev. Norman R. Macklin received the doctor of ministry degree in June from Faith Evangelical College & Seminary, Tacoma, Wash. He is the pastor of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Troy, N.Y.

1980

Ellen Brotman, partner in the litigation department of Montgomery McCracken in Philadelphia, recently served as a key member of the trial team that successfully defended U.S. Army Brigadier General Jeffrey Sinclair in a rare, high-profile court-martial in Fort Bragg, N.C. Ellen was named one of the 2014 “Women of the Year” by American Lawyer Media’s The Legal Intelligencer, an honor highlighting the achievements of top women lawyers across the state of Pennsylvania. Al Bunshaft has been named to the 100 Leaders in STEM. He is senior vice president of Dassault Systemes Americas, where he has instituted science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives. A board member of the Massachusetts High Technology Council and co-chair of the Education and Talent Committee, Al is also a member of the STEM committee of the Clinton Global Initiative America and of the Workforce Development Committee of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Al serves on the advisory board of UAlbany’s College of Computing and Information.  

1981

Errol Cvern was named to the Customized Logistics and Delivery Association (CLDA) board of directors. Errol, president of Select Express and Logistics, has been a member of CLDA for 25 years. He has served on many committees of the New York State Messenger and Courier Association and is currently its president. Richard Gertler joined Davidoff Hutcher & Citron’s commercial litigation group as a partner in the Garden City, N.Y., office and will focus on commercial and bankruptcy litigation, corporate governance and real estate. Previously, Richard was founding and managing partner at Thaler Gertler. Robert Blau works for Bloomberg News as an editor at large and managing editor, reporting directly to the EIC for Bloomberg Businessweek. He is also a new member of the Pulitzer Prize board.

Elizabeth (Liz) A. Murphy, now vice president of External Affairs at PECO (Pennsylvania Energy Company), oversees government and external affairs activities for Pennsylvania’s largest electric and natural-gas utility. Liz leads the company’s work with local and state elected officials and stakeholders, legislative lobbying activities and policy development, economic development and corporate philanthropy and sponsorships. 

 

1982

Chemistry alumna Alanna Schepartz has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, a distinguished honor in recognition of her continuing achievements in original research. Alanna is a Milton Harris ’29 Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry at Yale University.

1983

The John Marshall Law School Alumni Association recently awarded Brian Stephenson its prestigious Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes alums for significant achievement in their careers, sharing their time and talent at John Marshall and supporting the school’s missions. Brian is a trial attorney with private-practice offices in Chicago and suburban LaGrange, Ill. A stand-up comedian, Brian also works with the juvenile court system and regularly uses his comedic talents to develop positive programs for troubled youth.

Tom Sands, retired principal from the Watervliet City School District and longtime resident of Saratoga Springs, has been selected to receive the 2014 Irving Schwartz Distinguished Retiree Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). During his 25-year career as a school administrator, Tom was well known for mentoring many aspiring school leaders; he continues to mentor fellow administrators and is a long-standing, dedicated member of SAANYS. He was honored for his contributions at an awards ceremony May 9. 

 

1984

Elizabeth R. Bouchard,  co-authored an article for the peer-reviewed journal American Catholic Studies. “We’re Here for the Bodies” is a history of the Albany Monastery and the cloistered Dominican nuns who lived there. Elizabeth also had the honor of receiving the 2012 Excellence in Library Innovation Award from the Academic and Special Libraries Section of the New York Library Association (NYLA). She has been a librarian in the Capital Region for nearly 30 years and is currently the catalog librarian at the Bethlehem Public Library in Delmar, as well as a part-time reference librarian at Maria College in Albany.

1985

Brad Rabinowitz was selected to play for Team Israel in the World Lacrosse Festival in Denver in July. Richard H. Golubow, a founding member and the managing shareholder of Winthrop Couchot Professional Corporation, a premier bankruptcy law firm located in Newport Beach, Calif., received the 2014 Corporate INTL Magazine Global Award as Bankruptcy Attorney of the Year in California. The awards recognize outstanding law firms and attorneys for excellence in expertise and service. Gary Farkas is now systems analyst at Price Chopper Supermarkets. He lives in Niskayuna, N.Y. 

Class councilor: Patty Salkin, [email protected]

1986

James L. Wright, partner with Pulsar Advertising, has just helped lead his team to become the agency of record, along with Arcade Creative Group, for MTA, the largest transportation system in North America. MTA encompasses New York’s transportation system, including the iconic subway. The account had been handled by Korey Kay & Partners for 22 years; the story of the MTA win was recently covered in The New York Times.

 

1988

Martha Asselin, vice president of Student Affairs at Schenectady County Community College, recently was appointed by the SUNY Board of Trustees to serve as acting president of the two-year school. She lives in Scotia.

1990

Adam Kinory, a 10th-grade English teacher at the School of the Future in Manhattan, is completing his 23rd year for the New York City Department of Education. National Board-certified for the second time recently, he looks forward to going to work every day and would be happy to talk with anyone considering teaching as a career. Howard Wright is now the executive director of Ground Truth, a publication of the Sankofa Restoration Project. Howard resides in Beaufort, S.C. Michael Rosenblut, president and chief executive officer of Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, was honored June 9 at the Primary Care Development Corporation Spring Gala in New York City. Michael, who also serves as chairman of the board of managers for AgeWell New York, was recognized for his dedication to expanding primary care and transforming health care, as well as for his leadership in bringing managed long-term-care services to more than 3,000 people across seven counties since AgeWell New York’s launch in 2012. 

1992

Beth L. Weatherby is now provost/VP for Academic and Student Affairs at Southwest Minnesota State University. She lives in Marshall, Minn. Charlotte Ghiorse brought her third installment of AMERICAN GARBAGE to the Mamapalooza Rock Festival this past May. Karin Sloan DeLaney, Esq., opened Sloan DeLaney, P.C., in Baldwinsville, N.Y. A boutique law firm providing advice and assistance with trusts & estates, elder law, special-needs planning and tax law, Sloan DeLaney, P.C., serves all of central New York and points beyond. Karin was formerly a partner at Hancock Estabrook, LLP, and DeLaney & O’Connor, LLP, of Syracuse, N.Y.  Kenneth Rosenberg was installed as the 116th president of the Essex County, N.J., Bar Association in April. 

1993

Leslie Tayne, Esq., of the leading debt-management and resolution firm Tayne Law Group, P.C., recently was named among this year’s Long Island Center for Business & Professional Women’s 35th Annual Achievers’ Awards honorees. Since its establishment as a debt-relief law firm in 2001, Tayne Law Group, P.C., has expanded into Manhattan, as well as White Plains and Mount Kisco, N.Y. Leslie lives in Melville, N.Y. More information: www.taynelaw.com.

John Bagyi, a member (partner) in the Albany, N.Y., office at Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC, has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2007, when he was the youngest labor and employment-law attorney in New York State to be recognized. John counsels and represents employers of all types and sizes in a variety of labor and employment-related contexts. He also provides a broad range of employment-law and human-resource training to executives, managers, supervisors and employees. Carla Rutigliano Shouldice has been elected senior vice president and chief of staff to New York Life Insurance Co. chairman and CEO Ted Mathas. In that role, Carla ensures the oversight and coordination of key strategic initiatives in the Office of the Chairman and CEO and provides a link between the chairman’s office and all other business areas within the company, as well as with external organizations. She grew up in East Islip, N.Y., and currently resides in Dix Hills, N.Y., with her husband and their two children.

1996

Maria Claudia André of the Hope College Spanish faculty received a travel grant from the University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies to support her work on two research projects. Maria, a professor of Spanish and chairperson of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at Hope, used the award to travel to Gainesville, Fla., and conduct research at the university’s Latin American Collection. She currently resides in Holland, Mich. Nicholas Cremona has been named a partner with Baker Hostetler, New York, N.Y. He is a member of the business group, whose practice focuses on corporate and financial restructuring; bankruptcy litigation; and debtor and creditors’ rights, including the representation of secured lenders, creditors, debtors, and fiduciaries in complex Chapter 11 proceedings and out-of-court restructurings.

1998

Stradley Ronon’s New York office has added Harris Diamond as counsel. Harris focuses his practice on secured and unsecured financing, financial and corporate restructuring, and creditor representation. He counsels clients regarding a wide array of proposed financial transactions, and also advises clients on asset protection during the restructuring and bankruptcy processes. 

1999

James Webber, senior scientist of Webber Environmental Health Consulting LLC in Pleasantville, N.Y., received the Moyer D. Thomas Award from ASTM International Committee D22 on air quality. He was a research scientist specializing in asbestos and hazardous nanoparticles in the environment at Wadsworth Center in Albany, N.Y., for 33 years. James, who retired in 2012 and began his consultancy work, is currently an adjunct assistant professor at  UAlbany. He received the Wadsworth Center Recognition Award from the New York State Department of Health in 2001, the Distinguished Dissertation Award from SUNY in 1999, and the New York State Department of Health’s Commissioner’s Award in 1985.

2000

Jennifer Tsyn is a business-law attorney at Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC. She advises individuals and business entities (both publicly-traded and privately held) on a variety of matters, including contract negotiations, corporate governance and transactional matters. Jennifer also assists clients with commercial real-estate transactions, including leases, purchases and sales. She represents lending institutions and also represents employers in employment-based immigration petitions. 

2001 

Thaddeus Pinckney, a.k.a. The Muffin Man, delivers fresh-baked muffins and breads to various charities throughout the Capital Region. The Muffin Man Gives is a registered non-profit specializing in “dough-nating” healthy, delicious muffins to food programs and homeless shelters. With the help of sponsors, manufacturers and individuals, it offers special muffin treats to those in need. For additional information on The Muffin Man Gives, visit www.themuffinmangives.org.

 

2002

Renee Adamany received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Renee, an associate professor in the Division of Liberal Arts at Schenectady County Community College, is the lead person in the human-services A.S. and A.A.S. degree programs. She teaches courses in sociology, social work, interpersonal and group dynamics, integration of theory and child maltreatment. 

2003

Jason Kennedy, director of Strategic Initiatives/director of Supply Chain at Price Chopper/Golub Corp., was named to the Albany Business Review’s 2014 “40 under 40” list. He resides in Niskayuna, N.Y

2004 

Dana Basnight-Brown recently was honored with an American Psychological Association Early Career Achievement Award. 

2005

Brian Whitt was promoted to chief operating officer of DWM Facilities Maintenance, Latham, N.Y. Dedicated to continuous improvement and process enhancement, Brian’s efforts have resulted in a 20-percent increase in the company’s workforce since 2013, and service that is provided 14 percent faster than DWM’s competitors’. The Iona Prep Mothers’ Auxiliary is happy to announce that this year’s Emerald Isle honoree is Chris Trizano. Chris and her husband, Rick, are both University at Albany alumni and donate to the school. The Iona Prep Mothers’ Auxiliary hosts the annual Emerald Isle dinner honoring an Iona Prep mom who has made great contributions to the Iona Prep community and the local community. 

2006

Virginia Fasulo is among the first 50 Woodrow Wilson New Jersey Teaching Fellows recently announced by Gov. Chris Christie. The highly competitive program recruits both recent graduates and career changers with strong backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and math – the STEM fields – and prepares them specifically to teach in high-need secondary schools. Each fellow receives $30,000 to complete a cutting-edge master’s degree program; in return, fellows commit to teach for three years in the urban and rural New Jersey schools that most need strong STEM teachers. 

 

2007

The board of directors of the Museum Association of New York (MANY)announced Devin Lander as the organization’s new executive director in June. Devin, who brings years of legislative and advocacy work built on a foundation of museum and cultural heritage experience, joins MANY after six years with the New York State Assembly as deputy legislative director for Assemblyman Steve Englebright. He also acted as staff director for the Historic Hudson-Hoosick Rivers Partnership, a public-benefit corporation created by the New York State Legislature to preserve, enhance and develop the historic, agricultural, scenic, natural and recreational resources and waterways within the Northern Hudson River region. Alexandra Bresee Morgen joined Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C., in Albany, N.Y., as an associate. She focuses primarily on labor and employment, municipal law and insurance defense litigation matters. She received her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, where she was the executive editor of Wake Forest Law Review. Alexandra was admitted to practice in New York in 2010. Josh Sisskind recently was certified as a GIS Professional by the GIS Certification Institute. Certification requires educational achievement, professional experience and contributions to the profession. Josh is a GIS applications engineer with Leidos in northern Virginia.

2008

Zachary Halloran is a young entrepreneur with a vision and passion for giving. Inspired by his younger brother, Zach launched the small start-up Twill. His vision for Twill is to provide the warmth of a blanket, along with a message to motivate children in need. Twill gives 100-percent organic cotton blankets; for every customer who purchases one, Twill donates one. Zach, who has a bachelor’s in sociology and a master’s in special education, is no stranger to helping others. More information: www.mytwill.com

2009

Alexandra B. Stevens joined Goldberg Segalla in Garden City, N.Y., as an associate. A member of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Practice Group, she previously was an associate with Bruno, Gerbino & Soriano, LLP. 

2010

The work of poet Kristina Johnson was featured in the Studio Around the Corner presentation “The Poetry of Painting & Treasures” in Brewster, N.Y. Kristina’s work covers an array of subjects dealing with human emotions, nature and theory.  

 

2011

Joe Bonilla recently was named one of Albany’s “40 under 40” by the Albany Business Review. Joe is currently managing partner and senior media director for the public relations firm Relentless Awareness. Sara J. Pruiksma was hired as a design assistant at May & Watkins Design. M&W Design, with locations in both New York City and upstate New York, holds national recognition for its interactive children’s exhibits across the United States. Sara’s work can be viewed at www.sarapruiksma.com. After three years in her current position, Susan L. Rogers, was promoted to associate professor at SUNY Sullivan. Susan, an active force at the community college, was recognized at the 2014 commencement ceremonies with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. She has also been tapped to head SUNY Sullivan’s new Division of Social Sciences and Sustainability Studies and is looking forward to starting her new position as chairperson this fall.

2014

Leslie Tolentino is among the first 50 Woodrow Wilson New Jersey Teaching Fellows recently announced by Gov. Chris Christie. The highly competitive program recruits both recent graduates and career changers with strong backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and math – the STEM fields – and prepares them specifically to teach in high-need secondary schools. Each fellow receives $30,000 to complete a cutting-edge master’s degree program. In return, fellows commit to teach for three years in the urban and rural New Jersey schools that most need strong STEM teachers.