University of Rochester

Rochester Review
May–June 2012
Vol. 74, No. 5

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River Campus /Undergraduate

1951

Barbara Dowd Wright sends an update. In 2010, she published her first novel, An Awakening Heart: A Novel of the Moravians in Early America (Moon Trail Books). Barbara drew on archival evidence and research on Moravians to bring to life her ancestor, Christina Krause, a protagonist in the story of two Moravian women who, with their husbands and small children, make the passage from their native Germany to North America in the 18th-century. Barbara adds: “I have lived in New Jersey for many years, where I practiced psychotherapy. I obtained my PhD in psychology and religion from Drew University. I have lectured on the Moravians in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina.” Barbara is also the author of the 2005 book Jewish Renewal in America: 22 Stories of Transformation, Spirit, and Community (iUniverse).

1952

Chesley Kahmann writes that she’s released two new CDs in her Kahmann Touch series: Collision, a collection of 14 songs sung by the Interludes, Chesley’s longtime singing group; and Love Scenes, a collection of 13 songs sung by Jennifer McBride, with Chesley’s son, Ames Parsons, on trumpet, and Chesley on piano. Both CDs are produced by Orbiting Clef Productions.

1957

Joan Coombs McKinley (see ’58). . . . Bob Mumford writes: “Seven Alpha Delta Phis with their significant others held a minireunion in Key West at the end of February.” In addition to Bob, the Alpha Delta Phis in attendance were Harry Kroger, Jim (Rush) Rees ’65 (MS), Barry Robinson, David Linderman ’59, Pete Mermagen ’59, and David (Suds) Sutliff ’59. Jim was joined by his wife, Mary Switzer Rees ’66 (MA).

1958

Harry McKinley, an optical designer with his own company, McKinley Optics, was granted a patent last December for a rotatable zoom endoscope. He’s received many patents over the years since his graduation from the Institute of Optics, which he attended on the G.I. Bill. He’s now working with his son, Art, who has an optical company, Zibra Corp., which makes optical scopes. Harry is married to Joan Coombs McKinley ’57, and they have four sons, including Philip McKinley ’84, and seven grandchildren.

1959

David Linderman (see ’57). . . . Pete Mermagen (see ’57). . . . David (Suds) Sutliff (see ’57).

1960

John Milliman has coauthored River Discharge to the Coastal Ocean: A Global Synthesis (Cambridge University Press). The Chancellor Professor of Marine Science at the College of William and Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science, John was also one of three scientists to be named a Virginia Outstanding Scientist for 2012. Gov. Bob McDonnell presented the awards in January at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond. John is an expert in sedimentary geology and studies the impact of climatic and human influences such as dam building and agriculture on rivers and river discharge.

1962

Jim Case, a mathematician and science writer, has published a book, Why Can’t Obama Fix the Economy? (Lulu).

1964

Susan Tucker Davis sends an update. She’s published two young adult novels set during the American Revolution. Last year, she published Musket and Mobcap (North Country Books), the story of teen heroine Sybil Ludington, who “tangles with thieves, meets a spy, and makes her famous nighttime ride to muster her father’s militia troops and protect the Hudson Highlands while the British soldiers burn Danbury.” In January, she published Summer of Red Rain (North Country Books), which tells the story of a 13-year-old boy who fights in the bloody Battle of Oriskany. Susan lives in the Hudson Valley and maintains a blog on her website, www.stdavisauthor.com.

1967

Johnston (Jack) Beach has written a book, Leadership In My Rearview Mirror: Reflections from Vietnam, West Point, and IBM (McPress). Jack writes that he was a “reluctant draftee sent to fight in Vietnam.” Nonetheless he became a colonel in the Army and a faculty member at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he helped establish the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership. He’s now a senior leadership development consultant at IBM. . . . Henrietta Davis (see ’02). . . . Leonard Florescue writes that he and his wife, Marilyn, have returned to Rochester after four decades in New York City. Leonard is counsel to Chamberlain D’Amanda in Rochester and continues to practice family law. In returning to Rochester, Leonard and Marilyn join their daughter, Heather Florescue-Ferrantino ’00, ’04M (MD), ’08M (Res), her husband, Matt Ferrantino ’04M (MD), ’07M (Res), ’11M (Flw), and their triplet grandchildren, Jack, Kate, and Ryan, born in 2007 at Strong Memorial Hospital.

1969

Mark Rider has joined the Saratoga office of Towne, Ryan & Partners as of counsel. Mark was the Saratoga County attorney from 1997 to December 2010. . . . Andrew Gallant (see ’02).

1970

Bernie Ferrari ’74M (MD), founder and chairman of Ferrari Consultancy and a University trustee, has written a book, Power Listening: Mastering the Most Critical Business Skill of All (Portfolio Hardcover Books). . . . Robert Kirschbaum, a professor of printmaking and drawing at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., held a solo exhibition of his work at the University of Connecticut at Storrs this past winter. The exhibit, “The 42-Letter Name,” consisted of print folios exploring mystical Judaism and Kabbalah. . . . Dan Sharpe has joined the Buffalo office of the law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King as a partner. Dan specializes in employee benefits and executive compensation law.

1971

Patricia Gallant Wasserman ’71N (see ’02).

1978

Edward Goodman, a trial lawyer near Albuquerque, N.M., has published his first novel, Manzanita Seed (Plain View Press), the story of an older man whose life is changed forever when he rescues an injured and abandoned dog.

1984

John Ambrosi ’97 (MS), a former business executive and marine, has written a memoir, Route 15 to Gettysburg: A Journey (Self-published). . . . David Scharlin (see ’89). . . . Bruce Schneier, a security technology expert, has published Liars & Outliers: Enabling the Trust that Society Needs to Survive (John Wiley & Sons).

1987

Christian Cameron, a former Naval officer who’s been writing historical novels full time since 2000, has published God of War: The Epic Story of Alexander the Great (Orion).

1988

Mark Kreydt has been named executive vice president at Tompkins Insurance Agencies Inc. Mark has been at the company since 2006.

1989

Eric Kleinman sends a photo and update. His son, Jason, 10, is pictured with Howie Scharlin, 9, the son of David Scharlin ’84, and the 37.2-lb. African pompano that Howie caught during a recent fishing trip. Eric writes that Howie’s catch represented “a small fry world record.” He adds that he and David “met through our kids. They’ve been in the same class for several years. Jason is an avid deep-sea fisherman who has caught sailfish, shark, and pompano. Howie has been fishing a couple of times. We invited him to join us that day. It was Howie’s turn to reel in the fish and it turned out to be a record.”

1991

Dave Schlosser ’94S (MBA) has opened Naked Dove Custom Brewery in Canandaigua, N.Y. Prior to opening his own brewery, he worked at Rohrbach’s, Custom Brew Crafter’s, and High Falls Brewery in Rochester.

1993

Sky Moss has been named assistant professor of social sciences and social services at Corning Community College. . . . Michael Palumbos, a financial planner in Rochester, has written a book, Your Family Legacy: 32 Ways to Preserve Your Family’s Wealth for Generations (Collaborative Family Office). . . . Wilson (Bill) Wray writes that he’s opened the Wray Law Firm in Dallas, where he practices commercial litigation, business, and transactional law. He lives in Dallas with his wife, LeAnn, and their two children, Thomas, 8, and Jonathan, 2.

1995

Ken Rubinstein has joined the New England law firm Preti Flaherty as a director. He practices in the litigation and construction law groups in the firm’s Boston and Concord, N.H., offices. . . . Andrea Scala writes that she married Todd Atcheson last October in San Diego. On Valentine’s Day, Andrea and Todd welcomed Nicholas Macallan Atcheson. They live in San Diego, but are moving to Columbus, Ohio, this summer to be closer to their families. Andrea is a cardiology physician assistant and chef and Todd is an executive chef.

1997

André Farhat sends an update. Last September, he married Sonya Schumacher in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. They live in Marshfield, Mass., where André works at Eastern Retail Properties along with Michael Hotarek. . . . Asha Jackson, a trial attorney and litigator in the Atlanta firm Barnes & Thornburg, has been included in Georgia Trend magazine’s “Legal Elite” listing. Georgia Trend covers Georgia business, politics, and economic development. Asha was also named a “Rising Star” in 2010 and 2011 by Georgia Super Lawyers magazine.

1998

Henri Muhammad is founder and executive director of Muhammad School of Music. A violinist and music educator, he started the school in his hometown of Buffalo in 1999 and now trains more than 100 students there. In February, the school presented “Beethoven Resurrected,” an evening celebrating the music of Beethoven during which Henri and the school’s chamber orchestra and chorus performed Violin Concerto, “Ode to Joy” from Symphony No. 9, and the debut of a cadenza that Henri composed and dedicated to Minister Louis Farrakhan, an accomplished violinist, to honor Farrakhan’s performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in Cerritos, Calif., 10 years ago as part of a celebration of World Saviours’ Day, a Nation of Islam holiday. . . . Shea Unwin has been named special counsel in the Rochester office of Goldberg Segalla. He specializes in workers’ compensation law.

1999

Andrew Kramer and Jim Levin have released their third recording, The Undeserved (Horse Fuel Records), as part of the Boston-based Americana jam band Comanchero. Andrew, a professional audio engineer and producer, mixed and engineered the recording, in addition to performing on bass and mandolin. Jim is the group’s percussionist. . . . Michael Parrinello ’04S (MBA) has been promoted to principal at the Bonadio Group, a New York state accounting firm. . . . Melany Silas ’01W (MS) was named one of four Women of the Year by the City of Rochester’s Black Heritage Commission last February. Melany is a counselor, minister, assistant professor at Monroe Community College, doctoral candidate in counseling and counselor education at Syracuse, and founder and CEO of MJS Productions, a company that produces works by African-American artists. She’s the author of Black Girls’ Anthem, a production combining poetry, music, dance and drama, in which she’s performed, along with nine other women including Kate Washington ’04S (MBA). Melany, Kate, and the other actresses, dancers, and musicians have performed Black Girls’ Anthem in Rochester, Buffalo, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.

2002

Dan and Lindsey Bickers Bock celebrated their daughter Hazel’s 1st birthday last November with Hazel’s grandparents Henrietta Davis ’67 and Richard Bock. Lindsey works at North Carolina Prevention Partners, where she manages a project to address physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use among hospital employees. Dan is an analytics software developer at SAS Institute. They live in Durham. . . . Eric and Courtney Meyers Fox ’03 write that they welcomed a daughter—and “future Rochester alumna!”—Lily Ann Fox last September. . . . Joe Quijano founded the public relations firm Quijano Public Relations, or QPR, last year. Last September, he also joined the Albany Times Union as a blogger after several months of serving as the “He” on Times Union blogger Amanda Talar’s “She Said, He Said” blog. Joe’s blog is called “Everybody’s Doing Something, We’ll Do Nothing,” a title inspired by the television show Seinfeld. . . . Michael Stanczyk has been hired as an associate in the business department of the Syracuse law firm Mackenzie Hughes. . . . Leah Wasserman writes that she married David Schepard in Wilmington, Del., and that they live in Brooklyn with their dog, Scooby. Several alumni attended Leah and David’s wedding. Pictured are Amy Lynn Hawkins, Annie Geddes Ringelheim, Andrew Poletto, Diana Lupa Lee, Christy Montague Bishop, Josh ’03E and Jennifer Brown Rutner, Katrina O’Neil Weckenbrock ’03, Karen Robins ’01, David Henry ’01, Mansoor Khan ’03, and Patricia Gallant Wasserman ’71, ’71N (the bride’s mother). Also in attendance, but not pictured, were Andrew ’69 and Janet Bernstein Gallant ’70 (the bride’s aunt and uncle).

2003

Aaron Evans ’08S (MBA) has joined Strategic Financial Services, an investment management firm based in Utica, N.Y., as a financial planning associate and a research analyst on the firm’s investment team. Previously, Aaron worked at Lockheed Martin in Boston. . . . Courtney Meyers Fox (see ’02). . . . Caroline Severson married Matthew Williams last November in Rochester. Pictured from left to right are Greg Paules, Melissa Arms Moravan ’04, Matthew, Caroline, Brian Moravan ’04, and Anne Marie Regan Christian. . . . Prabhjot Singh sends an update. He writes: “This past year I started as an assistant professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University, and took the position of director of systems design at the Earth Institute. I teach in the spring, and many of the other months I’m a half-time resident in internal medicine at Mt. Sinai Hospital. It’s been a challenging year of learning medicine, teaching class, writing and doing research, traveling to many countries, and building the Earth Institute’s capacity for technical innovation in economic development and governance. But it’s great, and my wife, Manmeet Kaur, is incredibly supportive. She’s finishing an MBA at Columbia Business School and starting a social enterprise for community health in East Harlem called ‘City Health Works!’ Yes, we see each other, and we’re having a boy in August!” Prabhjot adds that he’d love to hear from classmates at psingh@ei.columbia.edu.

2004

Ryan Aylward (see ’06). . . . Yasmin Hilal and Eli Cabanas were married in January. Pictured behind Yasmin and Eli are Jonathan Mahoney ’03, Amy O’Byrne Mahoney, Matthew Dusel, Rachel LaManna, Brad Mervis ’03, Scott Morganstein ’03, Anthony Siniscal, Abby Warner, Merissa Dzau, Carissa Cama, and Kelly Trendell.

2006

Daniel Etlinger writes that he’s engaged to Tabitha Fish. They live in Tampa, Fla., with their two puppies, Fluffernutter and Scampers. Daniel adds: “We enjoy Florida’s beaches, athletics, and braving the outdoors. Tabitha is an attorney at Sacon Gilmore Carraway & Gibbons and I’m an attorney for Perry Law. I’m also pleased to announce my recent victory over fellow Theta Chi member Jared Halperin in a classic Pong game.” . . . David Ladon ’07 (T5) writes that he, Jon Dashkoff ’07 (T5) and Ryan Aylward ’04—all members of the five-person band The Doctors Fox—have released their second CD, Handful of Laughs (The Doctors Fox). David, who composed the songs, plays bass, mandolin, and sings lead vocals; Jon plays guitar; and Ryan plays violin.

2007

Jon Dashkoff (T5) (see ’06). . . . David Ladon (T5) (see ’06).

2008

Rachel Cahan married Adam Hipp on New Year’s Eve 2011. Pictured from left to right are Rachel’s field hockey teammates Rana Pedram, Kari Plewniak, Maeghan Kirsch ’09, ’10W (MS), Katie Moll ’09, Erica Gelb ’09, ’10 (MS), Alicia Citro, Robin Levy, and Dani Pearson ’10. Also in attendance were Alissa Tully, Marc Karasek ’09, Alex Langley, and Will Archambault ’09, ’10 (MS). . . . Greg Howard has joined the New England law firm of Donovan & O’Connor as an associate. He’ll work in the firm’s North Adams, Mass., office. . . . Natalie Lupiani sends an update. She writes: “In February, as I rode the subway to work in Manhattan and read the New York Times Magazine article ‘The War Ends Here: Fighting to the Finish in Afghanistan’s Most Dangerous Place,’ a name jumped out at me: Nikolaos de Maria ’09. Nik is now a lieutenant in the Marines, commanding a platoon in Afghanistan. I was startled to see his name in that context, although I knew he had been deployed to Afghanistan. Because I know how many people will be just as proud as I was while reading the article, I wanted to share the piece, which appeared in the Feb. 5, 2012, issue of the magazine. Nik is among several marines interviewed.”

2009

Nikolaos de Maria (see ’08).