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27 Chiz Hirzel Ar’27 GAr’30 writes, “I am now happily living in Clearwater, Fla. Greetings to all my surviving classmates.”

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36 Dr. Davis G. Durham C’36 is a retired ophthalmologist who had maintained a practice in Wilmington, Del., for many years; he was director of ophthalmology at the Wilmington Medical Center and a former assistant professor of ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University. In 1965, with help from engineers at the DuPont Co., he developed a pneumatic tonometer for measuring eye pressures in people with glaucoma, and in 1966 developed the diamond knife for cataract surgery. Motivated by his faith as a Quaker, he also devoted himself to humanitarian work around the world, from 1949 in Alaska, when he treated Inuit people for blindness, to 1995 in China, when he instructed ophthalmologists there on the latest techniques for cataract surgery. In 1999 the American Academy of Ophthalmology honored him with its outstanding-humanitarian award.

Dr. Stanley A. Kornblum C’36 writes, “As I am approaching, at 87 plus, the slippery slope of existence, I thought I would review what the hell I did that was good since leaving Penn in 1936. What am I satisfied with that I did in my lifetime to make things better? I volunteered for the U.S. Army Medical Corps 1942-46; started a cancer-detection clinic in Sullivan County N.Y., 1952; started health education in the Monticello New York Central School District, 1960; volunteered with my deceased wife (an R.N.) with Medico, a service-care provider in Colombia, in 1962; and started with two other physicians the health facility at the Senior Friendship Center of Sarasota, Fla., in 1978. These were, as I see it, my give-back to society. Somehow I feel it was not enough to do since I graduated from medical school in 1940! Was I a good husband and father? I really do not know since I was so busy helping others. Hope I was. At least my children say so, but I wonder. So that is my news. I no longer take care of patients at the health facility, owing to disability. But it has grown from three physicians to over 39, and the centers have spread all over Southwest Florida!”

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43 Dr. Morton Amsterdam C’43 D’45, professor emeritus of periodontology and periodontal prosthesis and the Norman Vine Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the School of Dental Medicine, received the prestigious Master Clinician Award from the American Academy of Periodontology. He also was named a Major Contributor to Dentistry by the International College of Dentists in their video series at the Museum of Dental History in Baltimore, and was named Laureate 2000 for the William Thomas Green Morton National Award for the Advancement of General Dentistry by the Maryland Academy of General Dentistry.

Dr. Anthony P. Garritano C’43 writes, “I am still practicing radiology at the Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. In May I celebrated my 60th Reunion
at Penn.”

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46 Theodore Nace C’46 writes, “One of our sons is a writer. His new book, Gangs of America: The Rise of Corporate Power and the Disabling of Democracy, is serious and important; the publisher’s announcement and the full text are available on the Web site (www.GangsofAmerica.com).”

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47 Dr. Slater E. Newman W’47, professor of psychology at North Carolina State University, has been appointed to the advisory board for the 2004 Civil Rights Exhibit, sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of History.

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48 Herbert D. Schimmel W’48 had established over the last 50 years the largest private collection of fin de siËcle French literature and art, especially that of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. In May he received an honorary degree from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, recognizing his support for nearly 30 years of Rutgers’s Zimmerli Museum and its Schimmel Rare Book Library.

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REUNION YEAR 2004
49 Julian Gladstone W’49 <gladstonelegacy@msn.com> wrote Never Climbed His Mountain: A Retailer’s Journey to the Heights and Disaster, published by Infinity Publishing 2002. Excerpts can be seen at the Web site (www.neverclimbedhismountain.com).

Edward A. Wiler C’49 has been elected to the board of trustees of Beaufort County Library in South Carolina

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51 Jerry Craig W’51 has been successfully selling and distributing household furniture for 50 years; he had covered New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and now covers Arizona.

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52 Geoffrey Johnson C’52, a founding partner of the Broadway casting firm Johnson-Liff Associates, Ltd., was awarded two major theatrical awards this year: a Drama Desk Special Award for Casting Achievement, and a Tony Honors Award for Excellence in Theater. Casting director for over 150 shows, including The Producers, Les Miserables, Cats, and The Phantom of the Opera, he now intends to take time off to do some teaching, writing, and travelling.

Jerome J. Neff W’52, president of Mid-Atlantic Furniture Sales, recently received the Dean of IHFRA Award from the International Home Furnishing Representatives Association, in recognition of his outstanding service to the industry. He was also honored by the Tri-State Home Furnishings Association, by being entered into its Hall of Fame. He has been involved in every facet of the furniture business for the past 55 years, having started his career while an undergrad, and still going strong: “Why should I quit when I thoroughly enjoy what I am doing? Although I have removed myself from the day-to-day management, I am now working at half-speed.”

George Nordham L’52, Winter Springs, Fla., has self-published a booklet, The Bill of Rights of December 15, 1791.

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53 George Binczewski MtE’53 and his wife, Veronica Jastrzebski Binczewski, celebrated their 50 years of marriage on July 18.

Michel T. Huber W’53 ASC’61 writes, “The Class of 1953 members of Beta Theta Pi, taking advantage of an open evening in the 50th Reunion schedule, held their own dinner on Saturday, May 17, at the Franklin Inn Club in Center City Philadelphia. To make it a more exciting event we invited brothers from surrounding classes, and it turned out to be a memorable evening. Attending from the reunion class were Dan Baugh C’53 G’57,
Bob Dempsey W’53, Fraser Hale W’53, Bill Leonard W’53, Jay Lillie W’53 L’59,
and Paul McNamara W’53. Harry Alsentzer Ch’50 and Dolph Tokarczyk W’50 were there from the Class of 1950, and Paul Hertel W’51 from the Class of 1951. The Class of 1952 contingent included Bob Flood W’52, Bill Forrest C’52, Dick Hedges C’52 GM’61, and Jack McCombs W’52. Representing the Class of 1954 were Jack Curley W’54, Bob Denney C’54, Dick Heylmun W’54, Tom Jones CE’54 WG’58, Jim McArdle W’54, Spike Muench W’54, and Bob Reiss W’54. Ed Bou W’55 represented 1955. Most were accompanied by wives, who enhanced the evening’s enjoyment.”

Stan Ross W’53 writes, “20 of the original 23 members of the Pi Lambda Phi Class of 1953 met for their 50th Reunion, May 16-17. A reunion dinner was held at the Warwick on Friday night, organized by Ed Schmith W’53 and Ron Wilner W’53. Attending were Stan Ross W’53, Steve Kaplan W’53, Mike Shore W’53, Stan Stern W’53, Howard Lidz W’53 Ar’57, Hal Cohen W’53, Leroy Shapiro W’53, Al Bear W’53, Mac Joffe W’53, Dave Schlesinger W’53, Marty Kreston W’53, Bob Rovine C’53 G’60, Art Sonnenblick W’53, Mike Stoller W’53, Bob Parmacek W’53, Al Pulver W’53, and Buddy Goldstein W’53. And many wives and significant others also attended.”

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REUNION YEAR 2004
54 Edward W. Ryan W’54, the Ryan-Bacardi Professor of Economics and founding director of the Economic Freedom Institute at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at its commencement exercises earlier this year.

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55 Barbara Field CW’55 writes that a book of her seven adaptations for the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis was published this year by Smith and Kraus as Classical Adaptations for the American Stage. The book contains a foreword by Joe Dowling, artistic director of the Guthrie. She is currently working on an adaptation for the Kennedy Center, as well as a children’s play for the Seattle Children’s’ Theater.

Dr. Philip L. Gildenberg C’55, a Houston neurosurgeon, was honored in May with the first distinguished-service award of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, for his service to the society and his 25-year tenure as editor-in-chief of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. A pioneer in stereotactic neurosurgery (extremely precise treatment of central-nervous-system disorders), he was the founding chief of the Division of Neurosurgery at the University of Texas Medical School; currently he is clinical professor of both neurosurgery and radiation oncology at Baylor College of Medicine.

Hugh C. Miller Ar’55 has been elected an emeritus member of the board of the Pinchot Institute for Conservation for his service as treasurer and to the Pinchot Institute and the Grey Towers National Historic Landmark. The 101-acre former estate of Gifford Pinchot in Milford, Pa., Grey Towers is an educational facility that promotes sustainable forest management and provides scientific solutions to national-resource issues.

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56 Dr. Mildred H. Gordon CW’56 in December was elected to the Court of Honor of Distinguished Daughters of the Philadelphia High School for Girls for outstanding lifetime achievement as a practitioner and educator in the field of psychiatry. In May she received a service award from the Reading Hospital and Medical Center for over 30 years of dedicated service and teaching, and in June she received the Caron Foundation’s Jasper G. Chen See, M.D., Healthcare Professional Award for her drug and alcohol work.

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57 Dr. David A. Loomar C’57 D’60, a former clinical assistant professor at the School of Dental Medicine (1974-95), married Dr. Judith R. Fox on June 28. “I am living on the Princeton (N.J.) Day School campus in a beautiful house provided to my new wife, who is head of this prestigious school. My former wife lost her four-year battle with cancer in 2000. Only three months after I started dating again, Judy and I were introduced by mutual friends. She had just (two months previously) moved to the PDS campus from Westchester County (where she had been superintendent of the Armonk (N.Y.) school system, and before that, principal of Scarsdale High School). If anyone is interested, neither of my daughters ever had to ‘come home,’ each has given me two great grandchildren, each is still with her first husband, each married a super guy, and believe it or not, life is really as good as it gets.”

Richard A. Silver C’57, Stamford, Conn., was recently presented an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden. He has served on its advisory board since 1982. He was also honored by the Connecticut Trial Lawyers’ Association with the CTLA Lifetime Achievement Award; he served on its board of governors since 1977 and as president, 1991-92. These honors are especially significant for him as their presentation coincides with the 25th anniversary of the formation of his law firm, Silver, Golub & Teitell, LLP. In accepting them he noted that he is proud to be a civil trial attorney: “Trial lawyers provide a voice for those in our society who otherwise might not be heard,” he said, adding that trial lawyers “level the playing field in the courtroom Ö a venue that offers no special privilege for wealth, position, and power.”

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REUNION YEAR 2004
59 Roy S. Blumenthal C’59 recently retired after 32 years as township administrator of River Vale, N.J. While at Penn, he helped organize the University Boys Club, Penn’s first attempt to serve the West Philadelphia neighborhood by affording youngsters the opportunity to use the University’s swimming pools, gymnasiums, and also free admission to such events as men’s football and the Penn Relays.

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60 Adele Aron Greenspun Ed’60 writes that two new books were recently published: Ariel and Emily, a children’s picture book about first friendship (Dutton Children’s Books, in March), and Grandparents Are the Greatest Because Ö , “a book to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren—a celebration of that unparalleled, unique relationship” (Dutton, in August). And, “the foreign rights to Bunny and Me (Scholastic Inc., 2000) were bought by Kinneret, an Israeli publishing company, who published a Hebrew edition of it. I live in Philadelphia with my husband, Bert, and I can be reached at (members.authorsguild.net/aadele).”

Dr. Judith Speiller G’60 <jandjjs@yahoo.com> e-mails she retired as supervisor of world languages, ESL, and bilingual education in the Edison (N.J.) public schools, and with her husband relocated to Florida. She recently inaugurated a foreign-language program for Crystal Cruises, teaching French and Spanish to guests on an almost-four-month world cruise; among her students were three Penn alumni, Robert Nestor W’50, and J. Richard Brand W’47 and Marjorie Jane Rust Brand Ed’48.

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61 Selma Roseman Davis CW’61 G’62 writes, “I am happy to announce the publication of my new novel Surf Kapu, in which a serial murderer gets his comeuppance, while the reader takes a vacation in Hawaii.”

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63 Michele Winitsky Palmer CW’63 wrote Toile: the Storied Fabrics of Europe and America, which was published this month by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. “This guide presents the history of toile, from its beginnings in 18th-century Britain and France through its evolution in 19th and 20th-century America. I include photos of two American toile fabrics which feature Ben Franklin; among his many firsts, he was probably the first American to buy toile.”

Idaherma Williams GFA’63, a painter and printmaker in Princeton, N.J., in February won first prize in the fourth annual International Woodblock Association exhibition in Kyoto, Japan. In April she also won first prize in the 21st Ellarslie Open at the Trenton City Museum. She serves as president of the American Color Print Society.

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REUNION YEAR 2004
64 Elaine Blumenthal CW’64 writes, “I’m delighted to tell you all that I’m entering my second year as co-chairperson of the annual campaign of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta Women’s Division. Our son, Philip, wed in December, and our other son, Daniel, wed in May. Our daughter, Amanda, married Eric Schwartz six years ago, and we have two marvelous grand-daughters.”

Barton Myers GAr’64 announced in May the groundbreaking for the Tempe Center for the Arts in Tempe, Ariz., that his Los Angeles-based firm Barton Myers Associates, Inc., is co-designing. The center will serve as a village on the lake for the city, and as a regional home for performing and visual arts; the $63 million project includes design of a new, 24-acre public park. Barton Myers noted, “We are inspired by the majestic rock forms of Monument Valley, the mysterious constructions of Chaco Canyon, and the dramatic colors and textures of native fabrics, pottery, and jewelry. The design honors these important native traditions even as it incorporates the most up-to-date practices in theater design, acoustics, and the visual arts.”

Barbra Shotel CW’64 writes that she is enjoying another aspect of her oral-history endeavors, while continuing to consult and work on legal and business assignments (she graduated in 1986 from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law). Last year she was asked by the Library of Congress and the American Folklore Society to be a workshop leader for the Veterans History Project, a five-year effort to collect the memories of war veterans and of those who served in support of them, and to preserve their stories for future generations. She has been leading workshops (underwritten by Congress and AARP) for groups such as the Bucks County (Pa.) Library System and the Women’s Overseas Service League in which she trains volunteers to conduct oral-history interviews for the VHP. In doing so, Barbra relies on her television-writing and -producing experience (from shows that include The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.) “If anyone is interested in learning more about the project and/or a workshop, contact me at <bshotelesq@aol.com>.”

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65 Beverly R. Budin CW’65, a partner in the family-wealth-management group at Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, has been appointed editor of the Journal of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. She also serves on the college’s board.

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67 Kenneth J. Artis C’67 <kenartis@yahoo.com> has joined the legislative-counsel staff of the Ho-Chunk Nation; he focuses on Indian law, tax and intellectual-property law, and mediation.

Steve Herbst C’67 <Steve@SteveTheWhistler.com> was recently named International Whistling Entertainer of the Year at the 30th Annual International Whistlers Convention and Competition. And he won North American Grand Champion and 2nd Place International Grand Champion. He has taken first or second place internationally three years running. Last December, Steve was the first whistler to be invited to perform at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington; streaming video of the two concerts is archived on the center’s Web site, with a link from his site (www.SteveTheWhistler.com). His debut CD, Broadway And Beyond, is now in its second edition. For more news updates and links to feature stories that have appeared in print and online, visit his Web site.

Rebecca Laird CW’67 is a partner in the law firm Washington law firm of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, where she practices financial-institutions law. In June she was elected again to the board of the Foundation of Women in Housing and Finance; she had served on it in the early 1980s and was general counsel for three years.

Keith L. Sachs C’67, chair and chief executive officer of Saxco International Inc., and chair of American Friends of the Hebrew University, in May received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. A tireless advocate of the university for over 30 years, he is a member of its board of governors, and has also served as president and treasurer of the friends organization.

Caroline F. Schimmel CW’67 writes, “Recently I had the honor of being elected to membership of both the American Antiquarian Society (Worcester, Mass.) and the Explorers Club (New York), in recognition of my work in the field of women in the American wilderness, of which I am an avowedly armchair explorer.”

Mark H. Schlein W’67 has joined Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A., as a partner in its healthcare and white-collar-crime practice groups. Previously he was director of the Medicaid fraud-control unit in the Florida Attorney General’s Office. He speaks nationally on Florida’s False Claims Act and qui tam litigation.

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REUNION YEAR 2004
69 Richard R. Lury C’69 writes, “I recently relocated from the New York office to the Parsippany (N.J.) office of my law firm, Kelley, Drye & Warren LLP. I am still spending several days a month in New York, but I enjoy the lifestyle change and the challenge of building a corporate practice for the firm in New Jersey. Taking (and passing) the New Jersey bar exam more than 30 years after graduating from law school was certainly a challenge as well! Gemma and I celebrated our 32nd anniversary last year and our three ‘children’ are all doing well: Alexis is now a third-year litigation associate with a major New York law firm; Larissa is also in New York and is an aspiring actress, having graduated a couple of years ago from Northwestern as a theater major (anyone out there have interesting projects?); and Alden just finished his sophomore year at Washington University in St. Louis. Gemma is finishing up her third full year of teaching first grade, after leaving the practice of environmental law.”

Joan Lensky Robert G’69, a member of the law firm of Kassoff, Robert, Lerner & Robert, LLP, in Rockville Centre, N.Y., who concentrates her practice in elder and disability law was elected chair of the New York State Bar Association’s elder-law section. She is past chair of the section’s committee for persons under a disability. And she serves as assistant dean of the Nassau Academy of Law.

Dr. Jerome D. Williams C’69 has been appointed the F. J. Heyne Centennial Professor in the Department of Advertising at the University of Texas at Austin; he also will hold a joint appointment in the Department of African and African-American Studies. For the past two years he was director of the Center for Marketplace Diversity at Howard University in Washington, and from 1978 to 2001 he was on the marketing-department faculty in the Smeal College of Business Administration of Pennsylvania State Uni-versity. He has co-written a soon-to-be-published book on diversity in advertising.

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70 Jeffrey C. Murray C’70 <Jeff Murray99@hotmail.com> e-mails that he and his wife, Vigdis Jacobsen, and family are returning to the U.S. after four years in Lisbon, where he was counselor for public affairs at the U.S. Embassy. He is taking up a year of Russian studies at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Va., before heading off to be the press and cultural attaché at the American Consulate in St. Petersburg. But most importantly, their eldest daughter, Mariel, is starting her freshman year at Penn this fall. “Who could have predicted that?”

Dr. J. Anthony Quinn D’70, an orthodontist who maintains a practice in Scranton, Pa., is the new president of the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation, the charitable arm of the professional organization. He is a past president of the Scranton District Dental Society. He lives in Waverly with his wife, Janie, and they have four children, Jenifer, Moriah, Matthew, and Erin.

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71 Paulette Bensignor FA’71 had a show, Mystery Landscapes: The Urn Series, at Philadelphia’s Muse Gallery in June.

Mike Bowers C’71, Philadelphia, was recently elected president of the Quaker City Rowing Foundation.

Deborah L. Jameson CW’71 writes, “I finally got around to going to graduate school! In August last year I received an M.S. at Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science and was inducted into its honor society. After 25 years as a nurse, I am now a medical librarian in Boston.”

Madeleine Sann CW’71 <madsann@comcast.net> e-mails, “I practice tax law in Philadelphia with my husband, Richard D. Birns. We just celebrated our 30th anniversary. Our oldest child, Amity (28), is a graduate of NYU and a Java programmer. She married NYU classmate E. Jamahl Du Bois Black in 1999; their son, Rufus Leopold Black, was born in New York in November. Our son, Jonah (24), graduated from the University of the Arts in 2002 and is an aspiring filmmaker. Our youngest child, Sancha, is entering her junior year of high school. Her current aspiration is to be rich and famous.”

Larry H. Spector C’71, a partner in the business-litigation practice group of the Philadelphia-based law firm of Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen, in July became chair of the Philadelphia board of the Anti-Defamation League. He has held various roles with the ADL, having served as vice-chair, chair of development, and chair of the a-worldñof-difference committee. He is a member of the ADL National Commission. Larry serves on the advisory board of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation and on the board of the Reading Terminal Preservation Society and has been a mentor for Philadelphia Futures.

William Lew Tan C’71, president and co-founder of Tan & Sakiyama, P.C., a Los Angeles-based law corporation, was elected president of the California State Board of Psychology in May.

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72 George E. Golomb L’72 <goegle@erols.com>, an attorney practicing in Baltimore, has been named secretary of the Bar Association of Baltimore City. A member of the executive board of the Maryland Institute for the Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers, Inc., he is chair of the continuing legal-education committee of the Maryland State Bar Association.

Dr. Robert E. Litan W’72 has been appointed vice president for research and policy at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City. He will remain as senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a senior consultant with Charles River & Associates.

Dennis P. Malone C’72 writes, “I have a son, Chris, who is now an assistant coach of men’s lacrosse at Penn.”

George M. Norton III WG’72 <valueguru@hotmail.com> wrote Valuation: Maximizing Corporate Value, published by John Wiley and Sons last winter. The book describes an effective valuation methodology for leaders to assess the value of their organizations, predict financial direction, and construct a strategic framework for focusing group efforts. Craig Lentzsch WG’72, president and CEO of Greyhound Lines, Inc., says, “For a business book it is not only a ‘good read,’ it is a ‘must read.’” Managing partner of George M. Norton Associates, a national management-consulting firm, George also completed an ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro in January.

Mark Pollak L’72, a partner in the Baltimore office of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, was recognized in the Chambers and Partners-USA 2003 Directory as being in the first tier of real estate lawyers in Maryland; only four Maryland lawyers in that practice area were so rated.

Shelley Kapnek Rosenberg GEd’72 recently had her second book published by the Jewish Publication Society: entitled Raising a Mensch: How to Bring Up Ethical Children in Today’s World, it follows upon the success of Adoption and the Jewish Family, Contemporary Perspectives (1998). A consultant at the Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education in Melrose Park, Pa., she is currently engaged in developing a text for teaching American-Jewish history to junior-high-school children.

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73 Ira Belsky C’73 writes, “Now re-tired, I am living in Franklin Lakes, N.J., with my wife, Dorothy, and two sons, Brian (18) and Scott (14). I was elected to the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School Board of Education. Brian will attend Yale this year, where he expects to play Division I lacrosse, after being selected First Team All State in New Jersey.”

Cammie Moffatt Bertram CW’73 writes, “I recently launched my own educational-consulting firm, with offices in Fairfield and Southport, Conn. I am a certified educational planner, concentrating on traditional junior and secondary boarding-school placement, as well as special needs; this includes working with children and young adults in crisis. In July I spoke on ‘Compassionate Therapeutic Solutions for our Youth at Risk’ at a conference sponsored by the Education Industry Association. My Web site is (www.cmbconsultants.com).”

Bob Boyer C’73 <Bobboyer5@aol.com> e-mails, “Well, I’ve given up immigration law (or, rather, it gave up on me) after 20-plus years, and just had my first book published. Appropriately titled: Slowing Down for Sanity. You guessed it: 50s burn-out with a whiff of Dave Barry. You can order it at the typical online sites or go to the store. Read it: you’ll know you’re not alone. I have got a second one ready, called ‘More Insanity.’ I figure if dummies and idiots can start a franchise, so can I.” He sent in the following description: “This book should give anyone who’s experiencing 50s burnout a smile of recognition and a few knowing laughs. Boyer’s 20-plus-year immigration-law career and equally long marriage collapsed at the same time, and he takes the reader on his journey back to sanity since then—all through a series of topical vignettes and cutting satirical pieces. Topics covered include singles scenes, bookstore cafes, aging parents, and working for 30-somethings. His only advice: accept your lot, but slow down!”

Dr. John J. Conley C’73 is associate professor of philosophy at Fordham University. His translation of a work by Jacqueline Pascal, A Rule for Children and Other Writings, was published in June by the University of Chicago Press.

Hon. Melissa C. Jackson Nu’73 in July was appointed a New York Criminal Court Judge, and will preside in Manhattan.

Joseph Semo W’73, a director and shareholder of the Washington law firm of Feder, Semo & Bard, PC, received the Joseph Wharton Award from the Wharton School Club of Washington, D.C., at its 34th annual-awards dinner in June. The club presents the award to distinguished members of the Wharton and University of Pennsylvania networks, whose professional success exemplifies the outstanding leadership and community-service qualities fundamental to the principles for good business practices and philanthropy encouraged by Joseph Wharton.

Ira Shapiro L’73 joined the Washington office of the international law firm of Greenberg Traurig LLP in May; he serves as of counsel, specializing in international-trade law. With over 27 years of experience working in Washington, he served as general counsel in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (1993-95) and as chief negotiator for Japan and Canada (1995-97). He played a major role in the completion of NAFTA and the Uruguay Round, and in the creation of the World Trade Organization.

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75 Jules Epstein C’75 L’78 <jepstein@law.upenn.edu>, who serves on the adjunct faculty at Penn’s Law School, will be a visiting professor of law at Widener University Law School in Delaware this academic year.

Dr. Barbara Fishman CW’75 M’79 <bmsfishman@aol.com> e-mails, “I have recently been promoted to associate professor of medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where I am full-time faculty practicing and teaching emergency medicine. My other full-time job is raising three sons, Alex (13), Louis (10), and Adam (seven).”

Dr. Jay A. Fishman C’75 is director of the transplant infectious-diseases and compromised-host program and an attending physician in the infectious-disease division of Massachusetts General Hospital; he also served as an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Associate editor of the American Journal of Transplantation and Transplant Infectious Diseases, he is president of the American Society of Transplantation for 2003-04: he is the first infectious-disease specialist to lead the society. He lives in Wellesley, Mass., with his wife, Gayle, principal and CEO of HealthSystems Redesign, Inc., and sons Aaron and Brian.

Dr. James F. Gaines G’75 Gr’77 writes, “I am professor of French and chair of modern foreign languages at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va. Greenwood Publishing recently published my latest book, The Moliere Encyclopedia. Also, I completed one of the wishes of my late wife, Dr. Josephine A. Roberts G’73 Gr’75, formerly the William A. Read Professor of English at Louisiana State University, by donating her copy of Lady Mary Wroth’s Urania (1621), the annotated, author’s personal copy (of the first novel by an English woman), to the Rare Book Collection at Van Pelt Library, where Jo worked when we met at Penn in 1972. And I recently completed my term as president of the Riverside Writers and began one as chapter representative to the Virginia Writers Club.”

Michael V. Murphy GAr’75, a principal in Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, in Baltimore and York, Pa., recently served on the jury for the 2003 excellence in design awards of the AIA’s Chicago chapter.

Burton Jay Nadler C’75 GEd’78 has been assistant dean of the college and director of the Career Center at the University of Rochester since 1998. He wrote The Everything Resume Book, which was published in May by Adams Media. In the press release it was noted, “The surefire techniques in the book make landing that job interview a piece of cake!” He also wrote Liberal Arts Jobs and Liberal Arts Power (Peterson, 1998) and Naked at the Interview: Tips and Quizzes to Prepare You For Your First Real Job (John Wiley).

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76 Dr. Irving Pressley McPhail GrEd’76 in February completed five years as chancellor of the Community College of Baltimore County. On the occasion, its board of trustees commissioned an independent review, which concluded that “The [college] must rank among the most improved institutions of higher education in the U.S.,” and “in sum, Dr. McPhail is clearly one of the most outstanding college presidents in the nation today.”

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77 Daniel J. McSwiggan C’77 has joined the New York law firm of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn; his practice focuses on private-client trust and estates. He serves on the board and is general counsel of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York City.

Dr. Christian Newcomer V’77, a prominent veterinarian and specialist in laboratory animal medicine, in May was appointed the new position of associate provost for animal research and resources at Johns Hopkins University. Previously he had served as director of the veterinary-resources program at the National Institutes of Health. He has been a consultant for the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care since 1983.

David F. Simon L’77, Gwynedd Valley, Pa., is senior vice president and general counsel of the Jefferson Health System, based in Radnor. Previously he was chief counsel for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department in Harrisburg; he served as chief legal and regulatory officer of Aetna US Healthcare from 1996 to 2000.

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78 Michael Brodie C’78 W’78 WG’84 writes that his “originally written short musical, Bali Chai, a slightly warped version of the story of Purim rewritten to the songs of South Pacific, premiered at fundraisers in South Florida to resounding acclaim.” His passion for musical spoofs has not waned since his days as head writer for Wharton Follies 1984. Now director of assisted living for the Miami Jewish Home, Michael is married going on 24 years “(wow!)” to Dr. Abby Brodie D’83, an associate professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. They live in Coral Springs with their two young adults, Alon (16) and Rebecca (19, and currently attending the University of Florida), and their two dogs, Astro and Milton.

Vincent T. Lombardo C’78, an assistant Ohio attorney general living in Cleveland, is the new vice president of the Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association. He again received its President’s Award, in recognition of outstanding service; he is its first alumnus to receive the award more than once.

Cliff Yurman W’78 <cliffyurman@marketingproresources.com> recently leveraged his career experience and contacts in advertising, marketing, and broadcasting to partner in a new venture: Marketing Pro Resources, Inc.; located in New York and serving the tri-state area, it is a boutique staffing and recruiting agency specializing in marketing and communications professionals. He is happily married to Carol Nash, the IT director for East Coast and European operations at the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. They “have two terrific children and live the city life in Manhattan.”

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REUNION YEAR 2004
79 Alisa J. Baker C’79 G’79 GEd’80 has opened her own law firm in San Carlos, Calif.; she will focus on helping companies structure compensation programs (including equity-incentive programs) and executive agreements. Her book on equity compensation, The Stock Options Book, is the core required text for the Certified Equity Professional Institute credential program at Santa Clara University. She was most recently a partner with GCA Law Partners LLP.

Dr George R. Dubyak Gr’79, professor of physiology and biophysics at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, in May received a Kaiser-Permanente Award for excellence in teaching.

Dr. Julia Hendon C’79, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, in May received its Luther W. and Bernice L. Thompson Distinguished Teaching Award.

Rob Levin C’79 <roblevin@optonline.net> e-mails, “I recently left the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation where I worked for 14 years as VP and associate general counsel to join an emerging technology company called Iridian Technologies as VP and general counsel. It owns the patents on using the iris of the eye for identification and authentication purposes (i.e., borders, airports, homeland security, etc). I live near the beach in Spring Lake, N.J., with my wife and two kids, and still surf as much as possible. All alumni surfers are encouraged to contact me; you can use my outdoor shower if you’d like.”

Dr. Maryanne McGuckin-Guinan GEd’79 GrEd’81, a senior researcher in Penn’s Department of Medicine, writes, “I am now a proud alumni parent of two Penn undergraduates, John L. Guinan C’05 and Maryellen Guinan Nu’06, and they are on their way to great things! Both were in the Penn Young Scholars Program for high-school students and as a result decided Penn was their one and only choice for college. John’s article, “Management of Healthcare-Associated Infections in the Oncology Patient” (in Oncology, March), actually had an editorial to go along with it. Maryellen’s article, “The Effect of a Comprehensive Handwashing Program on Absenteeism in Elementary Schools” (American Journal of Infection Control, June 2002), has gotten her all over the Internet and television. They are definitely carrying on not only my Penn legacy, but also my research legacy.”

Lou Oppenheim C’79 writes that in April he returned from Israel where he, his wife, Fern, and older son, Gabriel (Penn 2009), celebrated the bar mitzvah of his younger son, Jonathan (Penn 2012). “We were joined by Mark Shayne W’79 and Chris Shayne C’79, and their children, Elizabeth (Penn 2008), Dena (Penn 2011), and Dani (Penn 2016). I’d also like to congratulate Alan Sorcher C’80 on his being named Lawyer of the Year by Compliance Reporter, a securities-industry trade publication.”

Susan Rabinoff Rose C’79 W’79 writes, “I made a major career switch in 1998. After 17 years holding a variety of positions in the travel business, I went back to school to get my New Jersey teaching certification. I began teaching in February 2000 and received my Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in February this year. I am very lucky to be teaching in the town where I live and where my three children attend school. A parent of one of the students in my school is a fellow member of the Class of 1979!”

Perry H. Sobel C’79 <psobel@comcast.net> is a senior trial attorney with the U.S. Dept. of the Navy’s Office of General Counsel, as well as the manager of its program to pursue claims against polluters of the Navy’s lands. He lives in Alexandria, Va.

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80 F. Druding WEv’80 was recently honored by the IRS, with a Campus Star Award, and by Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in South Philadelphia, with its Holy Name Society Humanitarian Award, for his many years of devoted and outstanding service to his church and community. He is executive director of the Weccacoe Development Association, Inc., a non-profit housing and community-development corporation there. And he is studying to be a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, expecting to be ordained in June 2007. He is also writing a book on civic involvement, notably about the Whitman Park dispute and his part in it. “It is a case study of a major housing issue in the 1970s and 1980s; it changed public housing in Philadelphia and the country.” Fred and his wife, Diane, live in South Philadelphia; they are parents of two adult sons, Fred Jr., an employee of the federal courts and a pro boxer, and Kevin, an electrician. Both sons are active in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade.

Phill Golden C’80 <phillgolden@ameritech.net> and Sheryl Golden announce the arrival of Rachel Olivia; she joins brother Michael (5 1/2). Phill is product manager of Winncom Technologies, a distributor of wireless networking equipment. They live in Solon, Ohio.

Lisa R. Jacobs W’80 is a partner concentrating on commercial law in the Philadelphia office of the law firm of Pepper Hamilton LLP; in June she was named to the Federal Judicial Selection Commission for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She was the first woman named to the Newtown Township (Pa.) Municipal Authority, and the first to chair it, and she is an elected Republican Committee member.

David H. Laufman C’80, who formerly served as chief of staff to the deputy attorney general of the United States, has been appointed assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, where he will specialize in national-security matters.

Dan Paul-Heskins C’80 W’80 was named director, consumer and market insights, at Unilever Bestfoods North America, responsible for the Ragu and Bertolli food brands. He lives with his wife, Randi Paul-Heskins CE’80, and their daughters, Frances and Samantha, in northern New Jersey.

Michael Schwamm C’80 <mschwamm@abanet.org> has joined the New York office of the law firm of Duane Morris LLP as a partner; his practice is focused on corporate, securities, and technology law. Previously he was vice president, general counsel, and acting chief operating officer of FiberCity Networks, Inc., a start-up telecom company. He still lives in Short Hills, N.J., with his wife, Janet, and their three children, Abigail (12), Hannah (10), and Nathaniel (seven).

Dr. Laura Steinberg CE’80 is an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tulane University. Earlier this year she was named to the EPA’s science advisory board, which was established by Congress in 1978 to provide expert advice on scientific matters to the EPA.

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81 Jeffrey P. Gibbons C’81 GAr’84 is an architect who maintains a practice in Southampton, N.Y. Specializing in residential design, his firm was chosen to design the entry pavilion for this year’s Hampton Show House, an annual fundraiser for local charities. He can be reached at <jpgarchitect@aol.com>.

Joan Harrison C’81 e-mails, “We just moved from one industry town, LA, to another, D.C., where I’m heading up programming for TLC, the Discovery-owned cable network best known for Trading Spaces, and my husband, Michael Janofsky, is covering politics for The New York Times. Leaving Los Angeles, its tightly knit Penn community included, was bittersweet, but so far it’s been great to be back on the East Coast, and I look forward to connecting to Penn pals new and old.”

Dr. Chai Wook Kim EE’81 GEE’86 GrE’95, his wife, Alice Won-Kim, and their son, William S. Kim, welcomed the arrival of Andrew Kwan Hweh Kim on Sept. 3, 2002. “Hoping the kids will join the Penn family someday!”

Debra Medowar Landau C’81 writes, “Three alumni had an unexpected reunion this spring when they sang at a benefit concert. Amy Pearlman Kanarek C’83 and her husband, Barry Kanarek C’82, both cantorial students at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, were invited by me to participate. Debra, a cantorial soloist, is music teacher at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Suffolk County, and I produced the concert to benefit the school.” At Penn, Amy and Debra sang with the Penn Singers and Barry played the bass. Debra and Amy were French majors and spent their junior years in Paris at Reid Hall. Amy left a career in foreign-language education to pursue cantorial studies; Debra and Barry were in telecommunications. Barry serves as cantor of the North Shore Jewish Center in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y., and Amy is the part-time cantor of the Dix Hills Jewish Center in Dix Hills, where she lives with her husband and three children. Amy and Barry live in New York with their five-year-old daughter, Emily.

82 Dr. Scott Brown V’82 <sbrown@vet.uga.edu> was honored earlier this year with four major teaching awards: the national Norden Award for Excellence in Teaching, the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine’s Norden Award for Excellence in Teaching, the University of Georgia’s Meigs Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the David Tyler Award for innovation in teaching.

Grace Oh Kraybill C’82 writes, “I resigned as project manager and associate of Hayes Large Architects to stay home fulltime with our son, Joshua Jinsok Kraybill, who is one year old.”

Eric Vardac C’82 G’84 writes, “I am still working on the staff of the U.S. Army—home of the world’s finest imperial troopers, eh? And yes, it’s been a fine year for neo-conservative ‘thinkers.’ Who’s next? As the old Russian saying goes, ‘Careful what you wish for, it might come true.’ A useful guide to foreign policy (not to mention marriage, etc.), but who’s thinking these days? Stay tuned: in a world with skyrocketing gas prices, nuclear rogue states, and Christianity on the loose, history ain’t over—No way!”

Lawrence H. Wertheim C’82 W’82 is a partner in the Woodbridge (N.J.) office of the law firm of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin, Davis & Himmel LLP, concentrates his practice in commercial litigation. He was recently appointed chair of the franchise-law committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association. He gives periodic lectures on franchise law for the Small Business Development Center. He was successful recently in an appellate decision, OTR Associates v. Blimpie International, which has been cited in national and regional publications, as it has considerable effect on how franchises conduct business.

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83 Ira Allan Ginsburg C’83 <feesim7491@aol.com> e-mails, “Sorry I could not attend the Alumni Weekend celebrations, but my law practice in Morris Plains, N.J., is keeping me busy. Law is a tough business—always practicing but never seem to get it right.”

Vahe Gregorian C’83 in May was awarded a Knight-Wallace Fellowship for a year at the University of Michigan.

Michael H. Rosenthal C’83, an attorney in the Philadelphia office of the law firm of Pepper Hamilton LLP who specializes in employee benefits, was elected of counsel to the firm in June. He had joined in 1998, having served as a senior attorney with the U.S. Department of Labor, specializing in ERISA enforcement litigation.

Howard Shalowitz C’83 in May became president of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis; he has served on its board since 1995, and chaired its lawyer-referral and information service from 1992 to 2002. The new BAMSL television show Legally Speaking in St. Louis began airing in mid-June with him as moderator. He also volunteers with Legal Advocates for Abused Women and the St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts. He is an instructor in business law at St. Louis Community College and judges competitions at Washington University School of Law. He is vice president of the St. Louis chapter of the American Jewish Congress. A cantor, Howard is chair of the ambassador committee of the Cantors Assembly. He also has been a lead tenor in a variety of operettas, and he sings at naturalization ceremonies in federal court; he even delivered a singing telegram to Luciano Pavarotti. He wrote and produced four television programs for the Jewish holidays: The Sound of the Shofar, The Light of the Menorah, The Cup of Elijah, and The Scroll of Esther, which aired on St. Louis television for over four years. Ira has chaired Penn’s secondary-schools committee in St. Louis for the past 10 years; and he serves on the board of Logos School in Olivette. In 1998 he was the Democratic candidate for the Missouri state senate, garnering 19,993 votes.

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REUNION YEAR 2004
84 Martyn Babitz W’84 L’87 <martyn.babitz@pnc.com> e-mails, “I have written and published The Illusion of Freedom: How To Restore The True Constitution And Reclaim Liberty (www.tripleeaglepress.com). This book is to educate lawyers and non-lawyers alike on the practical, constitutionally sanctioned means championed by Thomas Jefferson for resisting and reversing encroachments by the federal government, via the Supreme Court, Congress, or the President, on those powers and rights reserved to the states and their people for determination through their elected state legislatures. These principles and specific methods of restoring and maintaining true constitutional balance and liberty are not being discussed today by anyone on either side of the political spectrum in the media, academic, or political arenas.”

Ari Chompre C’84 Nu’84 <achompre@aol.com> and his wife, Linda, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Ashley Nicole, on April 29. “Big brother Ryan is thrilled to have a baby sister.” Ari is vice president of operations for the Lourdes Health System in southern New Jersey.

Dr. Rob Drennan Jr. G’84 Gr’92, associate professor and chair of the department of risk, insurance, and healthcare management at Temple University, in April was honored with its Great Teacher Award for 2003.

Barbara Herington CE’84 and her husband Dana Michael W’82 announce with pride the birth of their daughter, Helen Martha Herington Michael, on Oct. 13. They live in Bronxville, N.Y., and can be reached at <Barbara.E.Herington.ENG84@alumni.upenn.edu>.

Michael S. Kutzin W’84 <kutzin@seniorlaw.com> e-mails, “I have become a partner in the New York City and White Plains law firm of Goldfarb, Abrandt, Salzman & Kutzin LLP, where I continue to practice in the areas of trusts and estates, elder law, and not-for-profit organizations. On Feb. 11, I testified before the U.S. Senate’s Special Committee on Aging on the subject of abuses in adult guardianships. I look forward to receiving e-mail from my classmates and friends.”

Dr. Alan (Elan