T H E A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E S C H O O L O F G E N E R A L S T U D I E S

FALL/WINTER 2005

STUDENT LIFE AT GS EVOLVESCOLUMBIA RESPONDS TO KATRINAAPARTMENT 6D'S MANY KEYS

Table of

COVER IMAGE

Clockwise: Dominic Stellini, GS Assistant Dean ofStudents; Walter Sweet, GS 1996; Stephen Davis, CurrentGS Student; and Evelyn Kircher, GS 2001 (Cover and Tableof Contents Photo: Alan Orling)

Back Cover Image: Graduates lining up in Alfred Lerner Hallfor GS Class Day, May 17, 2005. (Photo: Chris Taggart)

PETER J. AWNDEAN

MALCOLM A. BORG, ’65CHAIR, GS ADVISORY COUNCIL

CURTIS RODGERSDEAN OF COMMUNICATIONS

MANAGING EDITORJOSE R. GONZALEZ

DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS

EDITORALLISON SCOLA

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

CONTRIBUTORSROBERT HORNSBY

UNIVERSITY PUBLIC AFFAIRS

LINETTE MATTEIALUMNI AFFAIRS

BONNIE ERICKSON, ‘01

MARGUERITE DANIELS, ‘05

JENNIFER VERMILLION, ‘03

DIANE CARLYLEDEVELOPMENT OFFICER

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND CHANGE OF ADDRESS

THE OWLGS OFFICE OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS601 LEWISOHN HALL, MC 4121

2970 BROADWAYNEW YORK, NY 10027-9829

gsalumni@columbia.eduTEL 212-854-8498FAX 212-854-6970

THE OWL IS DESIGNED BYDI VISION STUDIO,

NEW YORK, NY

AND PRINTED BYNORTH JERSEY MEDIA GROUP INC.

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ

STUDENT LIFE AT GS EVOLVES4 Over the past ten years, the School of General Studies Student Council

(GSSC) has evolved from a small student governing group into an activeorganization of passionate students focused on community building andcampus-wide integration.

COLUMBIA RESPONDS TO KATRINA8 This fall Columbia welcomed over 200 displaced students in the wake

of Hurricane Katrina.

THREE KEYS FOR 6D10 The inhabitants of Apartment 6D yielded more than one set of keys

during their Columbia education.

DEPARTMENTS12 Student Notes14 New Graduate Profile15 GS Events Recap16 Development News18 Alumni Notes26 Upcoming Events Calendar

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CONTENTS8

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Letter from the Dean

Dear GS Alumnae and Alumni,

It struck me recently how critically important GS students and alumni have been and

continue to be to the life of this great University. The current issue of The Owl highlights

student leaders who have, over the decades, contributed actively to the integration of GS

into the academic and community life of Columbia; and alumni who continue to remain

champions of GS long after their graduation. This is a very powerful legacy, and one for

which all of us should be justly proud.

This brings me back to a theme I never tire of invoking: If you want to understand

truly what GS is all about, come and meet the students. And if you get to know the

students, you will understand why they become such dedicated alumni. Their energy,

creativity, and unwavering commitment to our mission are what have helped make GS

the finest college of its type in the country, bar none.

Let us also celebrate the distinguished alumni and alumnae of the Postbaccalaureate

Premedical Program, the oldest, largest, and most distinguished such program in the

country. The Postbacc program has just celebrated its 50th anniversary, and counts

among its graduates an amazing array of talented physicians and healthcare professionals.

We are especially proud that the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program has been

traditionally more than 60% women. Over the past half-century, GS has been a major

point of entry into the world of medicine for highly skilled and compassionate women.

We have much to celebrate, and much more that we can accomplish. I hope you will

stay actively involved with this dynamic community, and share the extraordinary energy

of 21st Century Columbia. On behalf of all of us at GS and the University, I want to wish

you the very best for the New Year.

Sincerely,

P E T E R J . A W N

D E A N

GSStudentLife

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BY ALLISON SCOLA

Phot

o: A

lan

Orl

ing

Evolves

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n New Student Orientation Day in lateAugust, Stephen Davis, President of the2005–2006 General Studies Student Council(GSSC), took the podium to address thecrowd in Alfred Lerner Hall’s Roone Arledge

Cinema. He proudly told his new classmates — whose ranksinclude Olympic medalists, parents, former taxi drivers, andIT consultants — that they are about to embark on an amaz-ing intellectual experience. If they want to play an active rolein the life of the student community, there are over 200 stu-dent interest groups, and the GSSC meets on Tuesdayevenings. Everyone is welcome.

Davis is able to advertise such possibilities because over thepast ten years, the School of General Studies Student Council(GSSC) has evolved from a small student governing group intoan active organization of passionate students focused on com-munity building and campus-wide integration. Achievinggreater campus-wide integration has been challenging, but

because of previous visionary GSSC leaders, today’s studentshave a greater sense of community and more opportunitiesthan ever before.

Just ten years ago, current GS Assistant Dean of StudentsPaola Scarpellini-Crotts (GS 1995) was in her final year as a GSstudent. She recalls that only a handful of GS student groupsexisted. “I remember attending a few Writers Club readings,” shecommented, and then added that learning about other events andopportunities for undergraduates was difficult, “If you saw theflyer, you saw the flyer. If you didn’t, you missed the event.”

In 1995, a few social events and organizations were availableto GS students; however, before widespread use of the internet,email, and cell phones, contacting the general student popula-tion was limited to printed newsletters and posters that were dis-tributed only on-campus In addition, because much of the GSpopulation worked, had families, or were focused on academics,few students participated in extracurricular activities.

Walter Sweet (GS 1996), President of the 1994–1995General Studies Student Council, noted that although few,there were students who sought an extracurricular life at GS.He explained that a minority of students expressed interest ininteracting with undergraduates at Columbia College (CC),School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), or BarnardCollege (BC), but the majority of GS students who sought activ-ities participated in the six or seven organizations that the GSSCsupported — groups such as the Columbia Dramatists, The

Observer journal, the Women’s Coalition, the Speakers Club,the Writers Club, and the Yearbook Committee.

Student life at GS has transformed since Sweet’s undergrad-uate days. Because of a number of sweeping changes, today’sstudents enjoy an array of academic and extracurricular choicesvastly different from the mid-1990s. The transformation tracesback to 1990 with the creation of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences,an initiative that formalized years of work towards academicintegration by creating one faculty for all of the Arts andSciences schools at Columbia.

Further, in the early-to mid-1990s an even greater changeoccurred: an administrative reorganization separated the contin-uing education programs, Summer Session, American LanguageProgram, the Columbia sponsored study abroad programs, andthe non-degree and visiting students programs from the under-graduate degree granting program and the PostbaccalaureatePremedical program. This separation created a new divisioncalled Continuing Education and Special Programs. The new

structure enabled the School of General Studies to focus on itscore mission: to attract, train, and support nontraditional studentswho possess exceptional academic potential within the challeng-ing intellectual environment that is Columbia University.

Walter Sweet remembers that it was a tumultuous yet excit-ing time for the school. “Before the official administrative split,there were some people that questioned the necessity of havingan undergraduate college for nontraditional students. OnceCaroline Bynum was appointed Dean, she moved to clarify GS’sunique mission and strengthen its relationship with the Arts andSciences Faculty and the University administration.”

Dean Bynum’s tenure (1993–1994) was followed by that ofDean Gillian Lindt (1994–1997), who led the School throughstructural changes recommended by the University StrategicPlanning Commission spearheaded by Provost Jonathan Cole.According to Sweet, Lindt infused GS with a new sense ofpride and tradition, which led to stabilized enrollments andrevitalized fundraising. Sweet commented, “Under each dean’sleadership, the mood shifted, and students, faculty, and admin-istrators renewed their commitment to the School.”

In 1997, Peter Awn was named Dean, and he worked aggres-sively to continue the academic integration started by his prede-cessors. It was this academic integration that set the table forgreater student life integration among the undergraduate col-leges. The momentum was contagious, and many students beganto seek social integration that mirrored the progress made on the

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The creation of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences in 1990, which integrated

Columbia’s schools academically, set the tablefor another integration — that of student life.

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academic front. That is what promptedBridget Burke (GS 2003) to ask her advisorabout how she could meet other GS students.“I joined the Student Council because it wasone of the only extracurricular venues for GSstudents. I wanted to be part of what wasgoing on,” Burke recalled.

In her first year on the Council in1996–1997, Burke served as the liaison to theColumbia College Student Council. Theposition introduced her to the potential forthe GSSC. Her enthusiasm prompted her torun for President that spring. She won theelection and led the Council for the follow-ing two academic years.

During her term, Burke exploited herbackground in public relations to cultivatea more cohesive GS student community.Through publications such as the StudentGuide to Living, the first GSSC website,and a monthly community newslettercalled Civitas, she established ways for herclassmates to learn easily about events. Inaddition, she reached out to journalists atthe Columbia Spectator, which generated anumber of articles covering the activitiesof the GS Council.

Burke’s enthusiasm was joined by that ofher colleagues: In just two years, theCouncil expanded from eight positions totwenty-two. The new leadership regimerepresented a growing population of GS-ers who believed that involvement inextracurricular activities and the life of theColumbia community added an importantdimension to their educational experiences.Six years after the academic integration ofthe undergraduate faculties, a desire forsocial integration had grown among thenontraditional student population.

A movement toward equal opportuni-ty in student life began in February 1997when the GSSC requested that theColumbia College Student Council(CCSC) appoint a liaison to participate inthe GSSC’s weekly meetings in order tofacilitate relations between the two stu-dent councils. The request prompted asurprising response, “I don’t consider GSto be of the same genre as the other threeundergraduate colleges. We have differentneeds, different concerns, and very differ-ent constituencies,” stated the CCSC VicePresident presiding over the meeting.(Hofstetter, Steve. “Council DeniesGeneral Studies a Representative.”Columbia Spectator, 25 Feb. 1998)

The CCSC’s decision brought to lightissues that the GSSC would be champi-oning for the next few years: Not only didthe Columbia College, SEAS, and Barnardstudent boards feel GS was not “of thesame genre” as the other undergraduateschools, but they also pointed out financialreasons for not granting the GSSC’srequest for representation.

“[Creating such] structural links willlead to pressure to open up every door toGS students. Establishing a link with GScouncil could create some friction with[the Union of Student Organizations]. It’sour student activity fees that pay for theseclubs to run,” declared the CCSC VicePresident. (Hofstetter, Steve. “CouncilDenies General Studies a Representative.”Columbia Spectator, 25 Feb. 1998)

The denial of the liaison request was asetback for the GSSC, yet they worked toresolve the matter in a constructive fashion.Later that semester, the CCSC amended itsconstitution to appoint a liaison to the GSCouncil. With the appointment, the GSSCmade strides, however, the issue made it clearto GS students that in order to participatefully in activities with other undergraduates,they would have to challenge the perceptionof what a GS student is, and they would needto change the funding policies of all the stu-dent government organizations.

With this focus, Burke and the councilsshe led began to lay the foundation for abroader change, one that guaranteed futureGS students full integration into extracur-ricular life on campus. She did this by cre-ating a Presidents’ Council that met month-ly and gave the leaders of the CC, SEAS,BC, and GS councils an opportunity toshare news and ideas. She also encouragedGS students to participate in campus inter-

est groups and programmed activities andsocial events targeted at the nontraditionalstudent population.

As time passed, more matriculantsshowed interest in participating in studentgroups and activities. The following spring,a record turnout for the 1999–2000 elec-tions revealed a new lineup of GSSC officersfeaturing Christopher Smith, President (GS2000) and Bernard Goldstein, VicePresident (GS/JTS 2002). With fresh ener-gy, Smith and his team embarked on a yearof continued community building, network-ing, and public image overhaul. As1999–2000’s Senior Class President EvelynKircher (GS 2001) explained, “We on theGSSC wanted to bust the myth that GS stu-dents weren’t interested in enjoying a richersocial experience.”

Optimism about positively changing per-ceptions grew until an October 1999 ColumbiaSpectator opinion piece written by the CCSCCommunications Director noted a series ofnegative impressions about the School ofGeneral Studies and its students.

“Ask most College and SEAS studentswhat sort of contribution is made by the GSstudents in their classes, and you will mostlikely receive a snort, snicker, and a cruderesponse.” (Neumann, Ariel. “Identity CrisisPlagues School of General Studies.” ColumbiaSpectator, 6 Oct. 1999.)

The segment prompted an uproar amongthe GS Community, and in the days follow-ing, the Spectator received a flurry of letters-to-the-editor from Columbia College stu-dents, alumni, current GS students, and areligion professor, to name a few — all con-testing the piece. One published letter fromGSSC President Christopher Smith coun-tered each published inaccuracy about GSregarding admissions standards, graduationrequirements, and the misperception that theSchool advertises in the New York City sub-way. Smith concluded his letter challenging,“[GS students include people] who came herespecifically to be in this environment of gutsypioneers who dared to do things backwards.”

Kircher remembers that at first, responseto the article felt like defeat, but, “After read-ing Chris’s piece in the Spectator, I wanted tobecome even more involved.” Mason Beard(GS 2004) who held a number of positions onCouncil throughout her four-year academiccareer commented, “It woke us all up.”

Consequently, the Council and its sup-porters went to work to dispel misunder-

The 2004–2005 General Studies StudentCouncil embarked on a team building retreat inSeptember 2004. Events such as these help GSSCleaders create thoughtful programming for theircolleagues. (Photo: Erica Jackson)

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standings about the School of GeneralStudies’ population. Smith explained thatalthough uniting GS, CC, Barnard, andSEAS students was a “painful process, wemade progress in little steps by co-sponsor-ing events and holding meetings between thecouncil presidents every month.”

Smith’s Council also turned inward.They knew that developing a sense of GSpride would help their cause within the larg-er University community. The GSSCbecame a reliable resource for students, help-ing them network, giving them a voice withadministrators, building community, andprogramming inclusive social events. Theresult was a change in the overall energy inLewisohn Hall. The year’s kick-off barbequewas well attended, the Lewisohn loungebecame a hub for degree students to meet andstudy, and the year culminated in the first for-mal social event for GS in decades.

“There was a lot of skepticism aboutwhether or not there would be interest in aformal dance,” Kircher remembers, “And thequestion was raised, ‘Do thirty-year olds real-ly need a prom?’ but Chris Smith’s answerwas, ‘Why, yes!’”

The GS population proved the GSSCright: 300 tickets for the 2000 GS SpringFormal dinner-dance held in Low Library’srotunda sold-out within 24-hours. It was ahuge success and illustrated the enthusiasmGS students had for more traditional stu-dent customs.

During the following two years withBernard Goldstein (GS 2002) as President

in 2000–2001 and Michael Nadler (GS2002) as President in 2001–2002, the GSSCcontinued to forge relationships with theother undergraduate councils and organiza-tions. Goldstein used his experience fromserving as CCSC Liaison in 1998–1999 toencourage further interaction between GSand College, SEAS, and Barnard students.With more GS students extending them-selves, in concert with an increased offeringof University housing and the explosion ofmodern communication tools, the GS stu-dent body chipped away at the barriersbetween campus communities.

Mason Beard remembers that, “Morethan anything, GS students wanted to berespected on campus and be an integral partof the undergraduate community.”

Big strides had been made, but ulti-mately, both Goldstein and Nadler under-stood that constitutional and administrativechanges needed to be addressed to gain fullaccess to undergraduate student activities.Nadler recalls, “I thought it was unfair thatwe couldn’t participate in executive posi-tions in student groups that we were con-tributing a great deal to. As members oforganizations, our participation and dedica-tion was the same in every other way. Whynot just make it equal?”

During the 2001–2002 academic yearNadler and Vice President Mason Beardmade it their business to force the discus-sion about total integration. They spentthe entire year of their term “fighting theuphill battle” to have the new Activities

Board at Columbia (ABC, formally theUSO) bylaws amended. They finally madeheadway when the ABC realized the fiscalbenefits of full integration. By the lastmonth of the spring 2002 semester,Nadler and Beard composed a proposalthat tackled what Beard termed, “thefunding hurdle.” With support from GSAssistant Dean of Students DominicStellini, they were able to raise the GSStudent Life Fee to match the fundsrequired by ABC and the Earl Hall Centerfor full participation.

Mary Catherine (Katie) Daily (GS2003), who served as GSSC President fol-lowing Nadler in 2002–2003, had thehonor of signing the amended ABC consti-tution. “It was a long time in the making.In fact, many people said, ‘I can’t believewe didn’t do this sooner!’”

Stellini remarked, “GS students wereoff and running once the organizationsopened up.”

Today GS-ers continue to work tointegrate the Columbia community. Inaddition to scores of GS students partici-pating in extracurricular activities (the GSStudent Activity Fee now pays into fivestudent governance councils), outreachtools, such as “Faces of GS,” a feature onthe new GSSC website, introduce thegreater community to the diversity anddistinctiveness of GS students.

Ariel Beery (GS 2005), President ofthe GSSC in 2004–2005, wrote in hisFebruary 2005 web-address, “…togetherwe can create a [stronger] community andlay down the foundations for a betterfuture for the students of the School ofGeneral Studies.”

With that sentiment, internal commu-nity development continues, not only withtraditional events such as teas, happy hours,and the annual spring formal, but also withnew concepts such as an ethnic meal series,town-hall meetings, and parents-who-are-students events. Furthermore, Councilelections for the past few years were heldon-line, making voting more accessible tostudents who are not on campus everyday.

It is a new era at GS, and as the currentGSSC President Stephen Davis reflectedin his campaign platform, “When you walkaround campus, unlike my freshmen year,people now recognize what GS stands for.This is in no small way thanks to years ofhard work by the GSSC.”

1997–1998 GSSC leaders from left to right: Ralph Charles (GSSC Social Chair), Kristin Pietrykoski(GSSC Barnard Liaison), Chris Smith (GSSC COI Rep), Bridget Burke (GSSC President), DavidAcosta (GSSC Treasurer). (Photo: Alan Orling)

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COLUMBIA RESPONDS TO KATRINA

BY ROBERT HORNSBY

One of the less reported aspects ofHurricane Katrina is that it dam-aged up to 30 colleges and universi-

ties in the Gulf Coast region, displacing asmany as 100,000 college students, accordingto the American Council on Education.Tulane University alone had 13,000 displacedstudents from eleven different colleges andschools, many of whom had just arrived tobegin their fall term when the storm hit.

As news and images of the devastationwrought by Katrina emerged, ColumbiaUniversity acted quickly. A group of keyadministrators and faculty worked togeth-er to create a seamless system for admittingover 200 of the displaced students as visit-ing students — waiving tuition, extendingregistration deadlines, offering academicand psychological counseling, and provid-ing a full range of student services, includ-ing temporary housing assistance andhealth benefits. The planning team alsopooled information and coordinatedresponses with other universities in theNew York area and with the AmericanCouncil on Education.

Provost Alan Brinkley summed up thesentiment driving these efforts in a letter tothe Columbia community: “All of us in NewYork were the recipients of the enormousgenerosity of people across the nation andthe world after September 11, 2001, and Iknow that we will all do our best to recipro-cate by helping those affected by the disas-ter along the Gulf.”

FAST-TRACK ADMISSIONS

Within hours of the hurricane’s landfall,the admissions offices at many of Columbia’sschools began receiving calls from dis-traught college students and anxious parentsseeking help. Most of the callers wereTulane students with home residences inNew York, New Jersey, and Connecticut;but a few were also from faraway states, suchas California, Florida and Texas.

With home institutions unable to pro-duce transcripts and other written records,admissions officers conducted sessionswith individual students to determine theiracademic level and assigned them to class-es accordingly.

AT LAST COUNT, 139UNDERGRADS AND 66 GRADS

Over 200 displaced students are now tak-ing classes at Columbia. They come from avariety of institutions — not only Tulane butalso Loyola University and the University ofNew Orleans.

The majority are undergraduates andhave entered the University through theSchool of Continuing Education, where theyare mixed in with regularly enrolled studentsin Columbia College, Fu Foundation School

of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)and the School of General Studies.

At least 66 students are enrolled in grad-uate schools, including Arts and Sciences(18), Law (6), Business (5), Architecture,Planning and Preservation (4), TeachersCollege (4) and SEAS (1). The MailmanSchool of Public Health has admitted 23graduate students; and by special arrange-ment, the College of Physician & Surgeonshas accepted four third- and fourth-yearmedical students from Tulane for their ten-week clinical rotation.

GETTING ORIENTED

On Wed., Sept. 7, over 100 visiting stu-dents and parents filled the President’s Roomof Faculty House for a special orientation ses-sion. “It means a tremendous amount to all of

Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger welcomes visiting students to campus at a specialorientation dinner on September 7, 2005.

us that you are here, and we would invite youin every way to participate in the life ofColumbia,” said President Lee C. Bollingerin his welcoming remarks. “I think you’ll lovethis place,” he added.

Loyola University New Orleans fresh-man Jackson Nardelli, 17, said he was look-ing forward to starting physics classes at

Columbia despite missing New Orleans. “Iwas away from home in a cool city, but the flipside is that Columbia’s a great university. Sofar, I’m really blown away by it.”

RAPID MOBILIZATION EFFORT

Crisis response presents a particularlydaunting challenge for large, complex and

decentralized institutions like Columbia.Yet in the wake of Katrina, the Universityacted quickly to respond with one voiceand to craft and implement a university-wide process for accommodating studentsdisplaced by the disaster. A group of facul-ty and administrators spent long hourshammering out policy and overcominghurdles to ensure that Columbia could doits part in assisting the students whoselives had been disrupted by one of theworst natural catastrophes in U.S. history.

The list of those who helped ensure asmooth, equitable response is long. In addi-tion to faculty at the schools involved, itincludes directors and staff from StudentAffairs, Health Services, Housing &Dining, Academic & Residential Facilities,Student Financial Services, StudentInformation Services and Public Affairs,plus the University Registrar and theUniversity Chaplain.

For the latest on the University’s ongo-ing Katrina relief efforts, go to www.colum-bia.edu/cu/news/05/09/katrina_final.html

Katrina Brings Father and Son TogetherBY ALL ISON SCOLA

At the end of August, Bob Caldwell dropped his son Bobby off atLoyola University in New Orleans to start his freshman year of col-lege. Unlike most parents, however, he returned home to New York toembark upon his own Bachelor’s program at the School of GeneralStudies at Columbia.

In the early 1970s Caldwell left Fordham University to work full-time in his family’s furniture business on Canal Street. After success-fully running that business for years, he embarked on a career infinance and sales, working for companies such as Shearson LehmanBrothers, Dow Jones & Company, and Standard & Poor’s. When itcame time for his son Bobby to consider college, he advised him aboutthe value of a liberal arts education and encouraged him to stay intel-lectually curious, following his passions rather than focusing oncoursework geared toward a specific career. In the midst of counselinghis son, Caldwell realized he was engineering his own plan for resum-ing his educational journey.

The afternoon before his own orientation at GS, Caldwell learnedthat Bobby had been evacuated to a Red Cross shelter in Baton Rouge,Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Katrina. “I was on the phone withhim between orientation sessions scheduling his flight home,”

Caldwell recalls. When it became clear that Loyola University wouldbe closed for the fall semester, the Caldwells sought the offer fromColumbia’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) to accept studentsfrom affected universities.

On September 6th while Bob attended his first class at Columbia,his wife Deborah assisted Bobby in registering at SCE. “I came out ofmy lecture and learned Bobby was already in philosophy class!”

Grateful to Columbia for the opportunity for his son, Caldwellsaid, “What initially looked like a disastrous start to Bobby’s collegeeducation has morphed into a unique and special opportunity. Funnyhow things work out sometimes.”

Bobby Caldwell is spending his first semester of college with his dad, BobCaldwell, a new GS student.

GS Dean of Students and Associate Dean of Faculty Mary McGee led the academic advising session atthe September 7th special orientation for Katrina students.

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THREE KEYS FOR 6D

“YOU ARE THE KEY MASTER”

On the afternoon of May 16, 2004,unable to attend GS Class Day commence-ment exercises, Bonnie Erickson (GS 2001)resorted to zeitgeist technology and fer-vently text-messaged her housemate, theluminous Mason Beard. “The Key is yours.It is your destiny. You are the next KeyMaster.”

Some hours later, Erickson’s phonebeeped to reveal the truly prophetic natureof her text: Beard had, in fact, been award-ed the Alumni Key Award, following in thesteps of, first, founding housemate EvelynKircher, and second, Erickson, makingBeard the third female denizen of apart-ment 6D to have the honor of the AlumniKey Award conferred upon her. The circlewas complete, the troika of power realized.

Awarding the Key to all three womenmay seem an uncanny coincidence, but infact they were destined — by their dedica-tion to academic distinction, by the disci-pline they had gained as professionaldancers, by the experiences they sought andenjoyed at Columbia, and, most specifically,by their contribution to life at the School ofGeneral Studies — destined to be the keyholders three.

The Alumni Key Award is given for thedouble threat of “academic excellence andservice to the school.” In discussing the sig-nificance of the honor, these key holders allagree that part of what made receiving itprofoundly rewarding was having theirefforts recognized by the administration —both their academic records and their con-tributions as GS citizens. Kircher feels theaward is “A significant recognition of ourpassionate commitment to the GS commu-nity,” an opinion each winner shares.

DON’T JOIN A BOOK GROUP!

Evelyn Kircher (GS 2001) is a classical-ly trained dancer who switched disciplinesfrom ballet to a career in competitive ball-

room dance. Although successful, shealways felt intellectually dissatisfied withher professional life. One evening whileteaching cha-cha to a retired Columbia pro-fessor, she asked if he knew of a good bookgroup. He replied, “Don’t join a bookgroup. Go to GS!”

Kircher matriculated in the fall of 1998,the same year fellow Key Award winnerBonnie Erickson enrolled.

Like Kircher, Erickson had been a pro-fessional dancer, though of the Jazz persua-sion. She was a member of several dancecompanies, taught extensively in southernCalifornia, and toured Europe. In addition,she supplemented her dancing with a careeras a restaurateur, which culminated in theopening of a restaurant in Kuwait in thesummer of 1998. The daughter of anEnglish teacher and a NASA astrophysicist,Erickson also found her career intellectual-ly unsatisfying. She yearned for a liberal artseducation as well as to live in New York

City. After some research, it became clearthat GS was the ideal locus for her studies.

Kircher and Erickson did not meet until1999, their second year at Columbia, butonce acquainted, they proceeded to makeup for lost time with a vengeance. Duringthat academic year, they had three classestogether, both served on the GeneralStudies Student Council (GSSC), andErickson assisted Kircher in teaching ball-room dance classes on campus.

Shortly after Erickson graduated in2001, the year she won the Alumni KeyAward, the two friends set up shop in abeautiful pre-war building on the UpperWest Side: apartment 6D.

CHANGE COMPANIES, CHANGECAREERS, CHANGE ATTITUDES

Fellow GS-er Mason Beard (GS 2004)left her home in St. Louis at age 16 to liveand study full-time at the esteemed

THREE KEYS FOR 6D

BY BONNIE ER ICKSON, GS 2001

The inhabitants of Apartment 6D holding an Alumni Key. From left to right: Mason Beard (GS2004), Bonnie Erickson (GS 2001), and Evelyn Kircher (GS 2001).

Senior Dinner, and each contributed toimproving GS students’ experience, chang-ing public attitude toward GS, and craftinga new GS identity within the University.

AUDITING THE POWERBecause of their dedication, enthusi-

asm, and discipline, upon graduationKircher, Erickson, and Beard each wereawarded the Alumni Key Award.

While they all strove to achieve aca-demically and found the academic curricu-lum to be rigorous and rewarding, whendiscussing their time at Columbia, the triofinds that the experiences that most res-onate and are most memorable are thoserelated to the friendships forged fromtheir participation in GS activities.

Specifically, they note their service onthe GSSC as a highlight of their studentlife, and one that provided some of themost pragmatic lessons of their collegiateexperience. From their participation in theCounsel, they learned firsthand how tonegotiate effectively within a team, how toresolve spirited disagreements betweencolleagues, and how to change the courseof established streams of challenging atti-tudes. They learned that their passion anddetermination would persist over what, attimes, could be great adversity.

In a way, possessing a key to apartment6D represents the spirit of GS — “Lux intenebris lucet” — In the darkness there islight — Because each holder came from aplace of career dissatisfaction, each had anenduring spirit, and each created remark-able success. Erickson, Kircher, and Beardemphatically concur, not only did theirefforts yield a world-class education, butthey also yielded scores of prized memo-ries, some life-long friends, and two keys— one to GS and one to a great New YorkCity apartment.

Pennsylvania Ballet Company. After per-forming with the company for four years,in January of 2000, she moved to NewYork seeking to either change companiesor change careers. Always a stellar stu-dent, she was attracted to GS for its com-munity of artists and professionals as wellas its academic flexibility. After her firstsemester of classes, Beard decided tofocus on her studies full-time. She leaptinto student life, and in 2003, Beardmoved in with the iconoclastic women ofapartment 6D.

Not only do Kircher, Erickson, andBeard have 6D and dance in common,they also share a passion for academics andan appreciation for the world-class educa-tion they received at Columbia. Duringtheir tenure at General Studies, these spir-ited, enthusiastic women all served on theGeneral Studies Student Council (GSSC)in various positions. Participating as keymembers, they contributed to the growthof the GSSC as it burgeoned into a majorundergraduate political force. Each onewas instrumental in the introduction ofevents such as the Spring Formal and

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One evening whileteaching cha-cha to a

retired Columbiaprofessor, she askedif he knew of a good

book group. He replied, “Don’tjoin a book group.

Go to GS!”

THE SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES ALUMNI KEY AWARD WINNERS

The School of General StudiesAlumni Key Award is presented eachyear at Class Day to a graduatingsenior who combines academicachievement with outstanding serviceto the School.

1985 KATHRYN MCREYNOLDS1986 SIGRID GOODMAN1987 SYLVIA GOLDEN1988 SUSAN JOERLING1989 RICHARD J. COX1990 NANCY SELLECK1991 ROBERT DE LUNA1992199319941995 LAURIE WILLIAMS1996199719981999 AVA ELIZABETH BARR2000 DAVID A.ACOSTA;

EVELYN MEGAN KIRCHER2001 BONNIE ERICKSON2002 AMY RODGERS2003 MARY CATHERINE DAILY2004 MASON BEARD2005 CLAUDIA BARRERA

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?In the next issue of The Owl, we’d like to profile the past Alumni KeyAward Winners and fill in the abovehistorical blanks.

Please send your information togsalumni@columbia.edu!

Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program

You want to go to medical school.You have your B.A.But the only science course you’ve taken was Physics for Poets.

We have a program for you.

Columbia University’s Postbaccalaureate Premedical Pre-health Program is America’s oldest and best.Discover why our graduates have an over 90% placement rate in American medical schools.

Call 888.853.6340 or email gs_premed@columbia.edu. Visit the website at www.columbia.edu/cu/gs/postbacc

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Like our alumni, current GS students are avibrant group of distinguished personalities froman array of backgrounds — all experiencing thepower of GS!

MATAN ARIEL, as the GSRepresentative to the University Senate,served as the project director for theNational Tuition Endowment Act of 2005campaign, spearheaded the re-designproject for Columbia University's diplo-mas, and helped draft the University'snew grievance procedures. This past aca-demic year, he co-chaired the SenateStudent Affairs Committee, and was amember of the Senate ExecutiveCommittee and the Senate UniversityHousing Committee. Before attendingColumbia, Ariel served three years as asinger in the Israeli Navy EntertainmentUnit. He produced and performed on sev-enteen CDs and in four videos of belovedIsraeli children’s music.

ABIGAIL BECKER is a GS seniormajoring in political science with a concen-tration in history. Since becoming a GS-er,she has acted as an orientation leader aswell as a peer mentor to new GS students.Becker is also the copyeditor for TheObserver, the literary, art, and features mag-azine of the School of General Studies. Sheis currently seeking an internship in thesocial justice field in New York City, andthis fall, plans to apply to law school.

JONATHAN BISS, an accomplishedconcert pianist who has performed withmost major U.S. orchestras, recentlyreleased a CD on EMI Classics featuringworks by Schumann and Beethoven.

SCOTT BRINKER is a Ward H.Dennis Scholar and the president andCTO of ion interactive, an e-business con-sulting firm that provides web solutions forcompanies such as Citrix, Office Depot,and Siemens. He graduated in Februarywith a 4.0 cumulative grade point averagein computer science, and in June, beganattending business school at the SloanFellows Program at MIT. This past May,

he delivered the Valedictory speech at GS’sClass Day ceremony. Brinker lives on theUpper West Side with his wife Jill, a cur-rent M.Ed. candidate at Columbia’sTeacher’s College. Together they own alarge black Labrador Retriever.

MATT DANIEL is a junior and theco-president of the Culinary Society ofColumbia University. At the ColumbiaSpectator, he is the Editor of the “Food andDrink” section and the Associate Editor forthe “Arts & Entertainment” section. Beforedouble majoring in English literature andpolitical science at Columbia, Daniel grad-uated in 2003 from the Culinary Instituteof America with an Associate ofOccupational Studies degree in the culinaryarts, concentrating in wine and beveragemanagement. He is currently developing anonline restaurant guide and a student cook-book by students for students.

This past school year, STEPHENDAVIS served as vice president internalfor the GS Student Council and secretaryfor Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, BetaChapter. In addition, he was the recipientof the Jewish Theological Seminary ofAmerica (JTS) Dean’s Award. A senior in

the joint program majoring in Jewish his-tory at JTS, he majors in American histo-ry at the School of General Studies.During the summer of 2004, Davisinterned as a Regional Director for theLeague of Conservation Voters inWashington D.C. on the EnvironmentalVictory Project, a grassroots political cam-paign which supported John Kerry. Heplans to attend law school.

OSCAR ESCANO, the recipient ofa Bronze Star Medal with Valor device forservice as an Army Ranger on a JointSpecial Operations Task Force inAfghanistan, will be featured on DatelineNBC in the months ahead. He applied toGS the day before he was deployed and isnow the president of U.S. MilitaryVeterans of Columbia University, a socialgroup that helps ease the transition ofrecent military veterans into theColumbia community. Escano is a junior

StudentNOTES

Above: Stephen DavisBelow: Concert pianist and current GS student,Jonathan Biss.

GS Valedictorian Scott Brinker addresses his classmates at Class Day ceremonies on May 17, 2005.

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majoring in pre-med with a concentrationin philosophy. He currently works as aresearch assistant with the Children’sHospital of New York’s PECARN Project,a nationwide-project geared to improvingemergency health care for children, andwants to become a physician so that he canhelp improve health services and educa-tion in the Latin-American community.

This past summer KATIA GAIKAparticipated in “Encouraging DynamicGlobal Entrepreneurs,” an eight-week pro-gram in Dunbartonshire, Scotland. EDGE,as it was called by the 48 student contribu-tors, gave students a chance to experiencethe workings of small business on an inter-national level.

In 2003, GLORIA GARDNER wasappointed Student Representative by theDean of Students Office to serve on theCommittee on Instruction where sheworked with a panel of deans and professorson GS academic programs and policies.Gardner returned to college after spendingthirty-five years as an advertising executivein film production. She is now a senior,majoring in English literature with a con-centration in art history. In 2002, sheinterned at the American Museum ofNatural History, working for GS alumnaeNancy Lynn, '96, whom she met through anetworking seminar. Last fall, she studied

art history at Reid Hall in Paris. After grad-uating from Columbia, Gardner hopes tocreate multi-media presentations andexhibits for art galleries and museums.

WESLEY GRIFFIN and his fellowinterns at the Royal Bank of Scotlandorganized a charity soccer match that raiseda total of £2,120 (approximately $3,800) forthe British Red Cross London BombingsRelief Charitable Fund.

Junior KATIE KOCZYNSKI wasrecently named to the US Skeleton WorldCup Team. A sociology major, Koczynskiwill lead the squad during competitions inLake Placid, New York as well as in Europe.Kocynski, a native of Nyack, New York, hasbeen a part-time student at GS since thesummer of 2003. She splits her timebetween her studies at Columbia and hertraining and competition commitments.Kocynski's dream is to compete in the 2006Olympics in Torino, Italy. Her best seasonyet was in 2003–2004 when she finished 4thin the World Cup race in Calgary, Canada.

Before attending GS, DANNYMAGARIEL worked as an assistant logisticscoordinator with American Catastrophe andEnvironment Services, Inc. a Florida organi-zation which provides hurricane disasterrelief. He is a junior hoping to major in urbanstudies and creative writing. Magariel is cur-

rently applying for human rights internshipsand a volunteer position as a student teacherwith the Read America Program.

GEORGE PAPPAS, who sufferedkidney failure after years of radiation andchemotherapy treatment, was honoredand supported with a benefit concert thatwas held on February 10th, 2005. Pappas,whose academic success was acknowl-edged in 2003 with the Jennifer A. PackPrize in psychology, found a kidney donor in long-time friend, ChrysoulaZikopoulos, whom he met years beforewhile he was receiving treatment at theSloan Kettering Cancer Center. The con-cert was organized by the Hellenic StudiesProgram of Columbia University, theHellenic Students’ Association of NewYork University, and Hope for Life, anon-profit organization that provides sup-port to Greek-Americans with seriousmedial conditions. To learn more infor-mation on Pappas’ condition or to donateplease visit www.columbia.edu/cuhel-lenic/fundraising.html.

VIKKY URENA attended the ScottishInstitute for Enterprise InternationalSummer School in Edinburgh this past July.The Institute gave participants the oppor-tunity to gain a broader understanding ofenterprise on an international level,enhance awareness of their own skills, andcreate international networks.

AKIVA ZABLOCKI served as JuniorClass President for the School of GeneralStudies last academic year. As a member ofthe GS Student Council, he organized classevents, and assisted in university-wide pro-gramming for all of the junior classes atColumbia. For the 2005–2006 academicyear, he will serve as Senior Class President.Zablocki is majoring in economics and phi-losophy, an interdisciplinary program.Before attending Columbia, he served as acommanding sergeant in the Israeli DefenseForce and worked as an associate produceron Reality Lost, an independent film direct-ed by his brother Yitzi Zablocki, a GS alum-nus. He is currently applying for internshipsat investment banking firms.

Contributed by Marguerite Daniels, AllisonScola, and Jennifer Vermillion.

Wesley Griffin (center) and fellow Columbians Andrew Liebowitz, CC '06 (left) and MatthewDinnuson, CC '06 (right) raised money with for the British Red Cross after the London bombings this summer.

In July of 1999, Claudia Barrera took asemester off from her studies in busi-ness administration at the Universidad

Católica Andrés Bello in Venezuela tostudy English at a language center in NewYork. Barrera had never spoken a word ofEnglish before arriving in Manhattan fiveand half years ago. She intended to stay inNew York for only a semester to becomecompetent in English for business purpos-es. Her short visit soon became a perma-nent stay. “Once I came to New York, I fellin love with it,” Barrera recalls. “I felt itwas my home.”

Within six months, Barrera had out-grown her English-language program andwas fluent in English. “I learned because Iwanted to learn. I watched TV in English.I would go to the movies in English. I did-n’t speak to anyone in Spanish except formy mother and my family,” says Barrera.

With this success, Barrera began look-ing for more educational options. Then afriend who was living in New Jersey sug-gested that she take classes at BergenCommunity College in Paramus, N.J..Realizing that living New Jersey was morecost-effective than New York, Barreraenrolled, and chose to study all of thecourses she studied in Venezuela.

“It was new to me because it was in adifferent language. I didn’t feel that I waswasting my time. I had very good grades,and I was very involved in student life,” shesays as she smiles coyly.

Indeed, Barrera had achieved a 4.0cumulative G.P.A, while she worked full-time at the Park Ridge, N.J. Marriot, as abanquet server. “It was a fancy name forwaitress! I worked double shifts, sometimes20 hours in a row.”

All of her hard work paid off. In 2002, shewas nominated by the president of BergenCommunity College, Dr. Judith K. Winn, forthe All-USA Academic Team. For Barrera thenomination was an honor itself, since she waschosen to represent Bergen’s 13,000 students.Then she became one of 20 students namedto the 12th annual All-USA Community andJunior College Academic First Team, USATODAY’s program honoring exceptionaltwo-year college students. Barrera received atrophy, and $2,500 in cash awards.

At Bergen Community College, Barreraserved on the Student GovernmentCouncil, was a finalist for the GuistwhiteScholarship, and was a member of the PhiTheta Kappa honor society. By the time shegraduated from Bergen in May 2002, shewas named the class valedictorian, and wasinvited to apply to Harvard University, theUniversity of Pennsylvania, Montclair StateUniversity, and Columbia University’sSchool of General Studies.

Having received her A.S. in businessadministration, Barrera was keenly aware ofthe value of money, so she initially chose toattend Montclair State in N.J. where shereceived a full scholarship that included liv-

ing expenses. Still, Barrera did not feel satis-fied academically.

“I didn’t belong there,” she says. “Eventhough it was beneficial to my pocket. I feltColumbia would challenge me, and I wantedto be challenged. But I thought I wouldn’t getin,” she humbly states.

Barrera was admitted to GS for thespring of 2003 semester.

She financed her Columbia education byworking as a tutor and translator at theColumbia Tutoring and Translating Agencyand the Academic Resource Center of theSchool of General Studies, additionally, shecredits her mother with providing both emo-tional and additional financial support.

“Throughout all the decisions I’ve madein my life my mother has always been therefor me. She is what motivates me.”

Barrera admits her first semester atColumbia was demanding, but she believedit was important to get involved in studentlife. In the fall of 2003, she became the Alumni Affairs and Career ServiceRepresentative, a position which allowed herto serve on the GS Student Council and planevents such as the Women of GS Reception.Last year she was elected and served asSenior Class President.

“At Columbia,” Barrera reflects, “I’velearned that it is important to build rela-tionships with people. All the classes Ihave taken, all the people I have met, havebuilt my confidence. I have discoveredthat once I put my heart into something, Ican be successful.”

Her hard work has paid off. Not only wasshe awarded the 2005 Alumni Key Award,but since graduating, she landed a positionwith ThinkEquity Partners, an investmentbanking firm in New York.

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New GraduatePROFILE

FROM CARACAS TO NEW YORK

MARGUERITE DANIELS , GS 2005

CLAUDIA BARRERA, CLASS OF 2005

Claudia Barrera (right) with her mother atClass Day, 2005.

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ALUMNI WINE TASTING:FEBRUARY 22, 2005

More than 40 alumni and friends joinedGS at the Recent Alumni Wine Tasting heldat the Morrell Tasting Room on Tuesday,February 22, 2005. The event, which sold-out within 2 weeks, brought together alum-ni from the class of 1991 all the way to GS’smost recent graduates. Marc Matyas (GS1996) owner of the restaurant Nolita House,catered the event and paired assortedcheeses and appetizers with the wines.Nolita House is located at 47 East HoustonStreet, between Mott & Mulberry Streets,and Marc Matyas encourages GS alumni tostop by and say hello.

BUSINESS NETWORKINGRECEPTION: MARCH 21, 2005

On March 21st, 2005 GS hosted aBusiness Reception featuring Roger Leeds(GS 1966) at the Columbia Club of NewYork. The evening opened with Dean PeterJ. Awn’s introduction of the featured speak-er, an introduction so rousing that Dr.Leeds commented how happy he was tohave his wife, Ellen, on hand to hear it. Hisonly wish was that his mother could haveheard it as well. Dr. Leeds began by describ-ing his enormous gratitude to GeneralStudies for the start it gave him. His careerin international business and finance spans30 years: As an investment banker and pri-vate equity investor structuring and valuingfinancial transactions in a range of indus-tries; as an advisor to governments, compa-nies and private investors on privatization,project finance and foreign investment(International Finance Corp.); and as anacademic, teaching, writing and advising onglobal investment issues, corporate gover-nance reform and private equity investing.Currently a Professor at Johns HopkinsUniversity (SAIS), he also serves as Directorof the Center for International Business andPublic Policy at Johns Hopkins.

DEANS DAY: APRIL 9, 2005

On Saturday, April 9th, GS alumni gath-ered with Columbia College alumni forDean’s Day. The alumni were able to attenda variety of class offerings throughout the dayand then gathered at the Faculty House forlunch with GS Dean Peter J. Awn.

GS FILM NETWORKINGRECEPTION: APRIL 12, 2005

Kristi Zea (GS 1974) was the featuredspeaker at the GS Film NetworkingReception on April 12th. The eveningincluded a brief video presentation show-casing some of the wonderful films Ms. Zeahelped produce and worked on as the set orcostume designer. Ms. Zea regaled theaudience with stories and shared her mind-set on what kept her going when at GS: “Iknew if I failed in film, well, I was really astudent, and if I didn’t do well in school,well, I worked in the film industry!” Afterher talk, Kristi Zea took questions from theaudience and tried her best to share person-al as well as practical stories about her workand the industry. She explained the reasonbehind placing Dr. Hannibal Lecter inSilence of the Lambs behind Plexiglas asopposed to bars, and shared her storiesabout working with Woddy Allen, JonathanDemme, and Martin Scorsese. Kriti Zea iscurrently teaching set design and produc-tion at NYU and working on the nextMartin Scorsese film, The Departed, expect-ed out in 2006.

POST BACC PREMED RECEPTION:APRIL 21, 2005

On April 21st, GS hosted the Post-bac-calaureate and Premedical (PBPM) AlumniReception in the Faculty House. The eventbrought together a wide-ranging group ofalumni to discuss their career paths andchoices in the field of medicine. The event,one of the PBPM program’s most popular,was over subscribed with more than 120current students in attendance.

CLASS DAY ANDCOMMENCEMENT 2005

On Tuesday, May 17th GS celebratedthe graduation of the class of 2005. MichaelMargitich (GS 1999), Senior DeputyDirector for External Affairs at the Museumof Modern Art, was the Class Day Speaker.He implored the class to persevere and nevergive up their goals or dreams.

Melissa Bell (GS 1993) was awarded theUniversity Alumni Medal at the 107thCommencement Day Luncheon held onMay 18th in the Rotunda of the LowMemorial Library. Ms. Bell is credited withinitiating a student-led orientation programfor incoming students, reviving the alumninewsletter, The Owl, and serving as its editorfor more than eight years. As a member ofthe GS Alumni Association, Ms. Bell lobbiedto create an endowment for the School,named the General Studies AlumniAssociation Scholarship Fund, and organizedthe Columbia Literary Society, a groupwhich has been under her leadership for 12years. The luncheon, held every year follow-ing the University’s Commencement exercis-es, was hosted by the Alumni Federation andthe Office of University Development andAlumni Relations.

CAREER DINNERS

GS alumni Marc Matyas (GS 1996),Simon Metz (GS 2002), and DianaRodriguez (GS 1997) gathered with a groupof 25 GS students on Monday, April 4, 2005to share their life stories and give studentsadvice on how to change careers. Theevening, sponsored by the School of GeneralStudies Student Council and the Office ofAlumni Affairs, was designed to bringtogether students and alumni.

On Thursday, April 7, 2005, JosephEhrlich (GS 1992) and Raymond Aab (GS1975) met with GS students interested inpursuing a career in law. Both gave the stu-dents honest and frank advice about what toexpect in the legal profession and what to doto enhance their chance of gaining admis-sion to law school.

GSEVENTS RECAP

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NEW SCHOLARSHIPS

GS is grateful to all our scholarship bene-factors for their extraordinary generosityto the School of General Studies. We aredelighted to announce the creation of fivenew scholarships:

Eli and Adam Casdin EndowedScholarship for general excellence andfinancial need

Harry G. DeMeo, M.D. Scholarship forgeneral excellence in the Sciences orPostbaccalaureate Premedical Program

Lucia DiNuzzo Scholarship for excel-lence in Music

Ford Motor Company/U.S. EqualEmployment OpportunityCommission Scholarship for underrep-resented minority students

Ida Mae Snyder Scholarship for excel-lence in Sociology

Judith Lee Stronach MemorialScholarship for general excellence

If you would like more information abouthow to create or endow a scholarship atGS, please contact Diane Carlyle at theGS Development Office at 212.854.9614or dc2125@columbia.edu.

PLANNED GIVING ATCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Are you interested in supporting financialaid at GS or other GS programs througha bequest or other planned gift? For infor-mation on planned giving opportunities atColumbia University, please contact theOffice of Planned Giving at (212)870.3100, (800) 338.3294 or via e-mail atgift.planning@columbia.edu.

BECOME A MEMBER OFCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY’S 1754 SOCIETY

The 1754 Society honors and acknowl-edges alumni and friends of Columbiawho have made plans for the Universitythrough trust, estate, or other future gifts.Named for the year in which King’s

College was established, the Society rec-ognizes the vital role benefactors haveplayed over the centuries in Columbia’semergence as the preeminent educationalinstitution and the role they play today inensuring its continued preeminence.

Qualifications for Membership

We invite you to become a member of the1754 Society if you have:

• Included Columbia in your estateplan through a will or living trust.

• Created a charitable remaindertrust, administered by eitherColumbia or another trustee,which names Columbia as theremainder beneficiary.

• Entered into a charitable giftannuity agreement withColumbia or invested in one ofColumbia’s pooled income funds.

• Named Columbia as the benefici-ary of a life insurance policy orretirement plan.

Membership Benefits

The most important benefit you willreceive from joining the 1754 Society is thesatisfaction derived from making a lastingcontribution to the University’s long-termprosperity. In addition, you will receive:

• Recognition, with your permis-sion, in honor rolls listing mem-bers of the 1754 Society. Thisrecognition will never specifythe details of your plan.

• Invitations to members onlyevents sponsored by the 1754Society as well as to Universityevents both on campus andaround the country.

For information on how to join the1754 Society, please contact:

Office of Gift PlanningColumbia University475 Riverside Drive, MC 7718New York, NY 10115(212) 870.3100(800) 338.3294e-mail: gift.planning@columbia.edu

GSDEVELOPMENT NEWS

Last year, GS was honored to receivea generous bequest from the estate of GSalumna, Judith Lee Stronach, Class of1967. Before she passed away onNovember 29, 2002, Stronach, a long-time contributor to the GS Annual Fund,made provisions for the School in her willalong with an equally generous gift toColumbia’s Art History department, fromwhich she received her M.A.

GS has received more than half a mil-lion dollars from Stronach’s estate, yet hergenerosity towards the School is only onepart of her remarkable legacy. “JudithStronach truly embodied the ideals of GS,”says Dean Peter Awn. “She never aban-doned her intellectual life, and, like somany GS alumni, made a difference in theworld and in the lives of other people.”

Stronach was a longtime advocate forhuman rights who worked independentlyas well as with numerous internationalhuman rights organizations. She servedon the Amnesty International ExecutiveBoard and was a supporter of the Centerfor Justice and Accountability, whichhelps survivors of torture and their fami-lies to hold their perpetrators account-able. Her commitment took her into thefield as an interpreter for the GuatemalanOffice of Human Rights as well as aworker at a respite camp for Bosnian chil-dren, among other projects.

Stronach’s active engagement with theworld also included her own community.Concerned about the growing plight ofthe homeless in Berkeley, California, shevolunteered at local evening drop-in cen-ters and later published a reader, Visibleand Vulnerable, The People We See onBerkeley’s Streets, a compilation of inter-views with people she met. The book wasan attempt to improve the public’s under-standing of homelessness. As she wrote in

its introduction her mission was: “tocounter the stereotypes, to enable the[reader] to see the homeless a bit moreclearly by listening to them tell of theirown experiences.”

In addition to her activism, Stronachwas a scholar who loved art and literature.She and her husband, Professor RaymondLifchez, supported programs at theMetropolitan Museum of Art, includingthe restoration of the Greek and Romangalleries in the museum; restoration andcataloguing of rare books; a full-timecuratorial internship; efforts to make themuseum’s holdings accessible through theinternet; and the museum’s program tosupport art education in the publicschools. A writer and a poet, she was a vol-unteer teacher through the “I Had aDream” program at the Prescott School inOakland and taught poetry to gifted stu-dents at both Berkeley’s Martin LutherKing Middle School and Willard School.

Befitting her life’s commitment toimproving and enriching the lives of oth-ers, GS will use her bequest for scholar-ships. According to Dean Awn, “JudithStronach’s generosity will help GS accom-plish what is absolutely essential — pre-serve the quality and diversity of its stu-dents. The only way to do that is to beable to offer financial aid to outstandingstudents who wouldn’t otherwise be ableto afford Columbia University tuition.”The gift is being used to support currentscholarships for economically disadvan-taged students. GS has established twoendowments in Stronach’s memory: Oneis for the Judith Lee Memorial Prize, to beawarded to a graduating senior, and theother is for the Judith Lee StronachMemorial Scholarship, which was firstawarded in the 2004 – 2005 academic year.

2004 – 2005 JUDITH LEESTRONACH MEMORIALSCHOLAR

Leeam Azulay-Yagev is a native ofIsrael where sheserved in an intel-ligence unit dur-ing her mandatorymilitary service.Since youth, shehas been interest-ed in international

relations and international law which shepursued at Columbia University throughthe study of history and human rights. AtColumbia, she has studied history fromthe Renaissance to modern times with aparticular interest in the history of ideas,global issues, and women’s rights. Herother interests include languages, transla-tion, and writing, and she speaks Hebrew,English, Finnish, Arabic, and French, withvarying degrees of fluency.

Azulay-Yagev began her studies at GSin 2000. She pursued her education most-ly on a part-time basis, while continuingto work extensively. She was an assistant atthe small academic book publisher OtherPress, and during a year off from GS, sheworked as an editor in the news depart-ment of Haaretz Daily in Israel whileengaging in humanitarian and politicalactivism there. On campus, she has beenactive in Israeli-Palestinian and Jewish-Arab dialogue and peace and advocacygroups. She aspires to work for interna-tional human rights organizations, studyinternational law, and raise awareness ofhuman rights issues.

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SCHOLARSHIP

Leeam Azulay-Yagev

Alumni NOTES

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1945DUNCAN SMITH thanks GS for his academicexperience and for the opportunities it providescurrent students. He notes that his professionalpath has been rich. Smith worked as a profes-sional for the Y.M.C.A. for 19 years in four citiesand three states, was the Director of PublicRelations, Publications, and Development atBlackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, andworked for a year as a vocational rehabilitationcounselor for the New Jersey Commission forthe Blind. The last 14 years of his career, Smithwas a counseling psychologist in the StudentServices Department at Nassau CommunityCollege, where he achieved full professorship.Smith and his wife married in 1950, and theyhave four daughters. He is proud to share thatone of his daughters is an assistant professor ofEnglish at Quinnipiac University.

1948CHRISTOPHER AND YOLANDA F. KENDRIS

generously donated to GS’s Academic ResourceCenter a number of French and Spanish books.Kendris is the author of 24 titles and has recent-ly appointed his son, Theodore, as co-author ofsome of his works. Kendris and his wife residein Albany, N.Y.

1951EUGENE A. DEFELICE, M.D., CSGS, is theauthor of a book entitled Web HealthInformation Resources, Second Edition(iUniverse Inc., 2004). The book provides a basiccompendium of key Web resources and strate-gies for obtaining health information from theinternet. DeFelice, author, educator, and retiredDistinguished Clinical Professor of Medicine(Robert Wood Johnson Medical School), is aFellow of the American Geriatric Society and aFellow of the Academy Psychosomatic Medicine.DeFelice is the author of 10 medical books andnumerous medical/scientific publications. His lat-est book can be found at the following website:http://www.iuniverse.com

1953L.D. CLARK published his 12th bookBittersweet Christmas, (Austin’s Plain ViewPress, 2004) a novella set in his native NorthTexas. Since last June, his book Moransaga hasappeared a chapter at a time and is being serial-ized on Readwest.com. Also his wife, LaVerneHarrell who attended John R. Humphrey’s writ-ing classes, was one of 21 Texas women select-

ed to include a short story in the anthology,Listen Up (Texas A&M University Press, 2004).

1956HAROLD MARCUS see article page 19

1957EDMUND W. PEASE, who is known interna-tionally as the artist Lancelott, created quitea stir in art circles in Thailand with his exhi-bition Area. Area comprised more than 20abstract and semi-abstract works in variousmediums inspired by Lancelott’s visits tolocations in Thailand, Europe, and theUnited States. The National Gallery ofThailand has selected The Fells Suite II

(Thelma) from the Area exhibition for itspermanent collection. The Fells Suite II

(Thelma) is a combination of enamel,acrylic with collage elements, on Kozo-shipaper, and mounted on canvas.

1960BILL GRUVER, who has taught at ASU and ASU-West for the past 12 years, is teaching a newcourse, “The History of Political Scandals inAmerica.” The course is offered through theCenter for Learning and next year at ASU’s LifeLong Learning Center. Gruver is also workingon a book, drawn from a magazine article hepenned, “The Political Transformation of RobertF. Kennedy.”

EDWARD KLEIN, author of The Kennedy Curse, Farewell Jackie, and other best sellers,recently released The Truth About Hillaryon Sentinel books.

1961R.W. (JOHNNY) APPLE JR. has authored a newbook, Apple’s America (North Point Press,2005). For more than thirty years, Apple hasroamed the United States as an eyewitness tohistory. His robust enthusiasm for the food andculture of New England, the South and West,the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and his nativeMiddle West carries him to forty great citieswhere he proves to be an ideal guide — amusedand amusing, knowledgeable, indefatigable, andendlessly curious. From Boston to Honolulu,from Montreal to Las Vegas, Cincinnati toSeattle, Apple explores the landmarks, architec-ture, business, culture, and, of course, the foodand beverages of his favorite urban communities.

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1962HAROLD L. CARTER authored a highschool/college text book, Comprehensive WorldHistory. The content for the textbook has beena research project since graduate school.

STEVE WHITTLESEY, who is head of theWoodwork and Furniture Design graduateprogram in the Artisanry Department atUMass Dartmouth in New Bedford,Massachusetts, was recently invited to partici-pate in an upcoming exhibition at The Societyof Arts and Crafts in Boston. The exhibition,which will run from May through July 2006, istitled, Old Friends, New Work: 25 Yearsof Studio Furniture at the Society ofArts and Crafts. This coming January hiswork will be displayed at the Copia Museum inNapa, California at an exhibition titled,Trashformations. Trashformations has beenshowing at the Fuller Museum in Brockton,Massachusetts since this past summer.

1963JUDITH GERBER is the president of her NewYork based career counseling service.

HELEN LEVIN was featured in a two-personshow, Gestural Abstraction in Paintingand Sculpture, with fellow artist Ed Davin.Levin’s work appeared from mid July thruAugust 2005 at art gallery 55 Mercer in Soho.She told The Owl, “My work is based onexpressionist traditions with its roots in thecompositional integrity of the masters. This ismy struggle. Expect joy!”

1965MALCOLM A. BORG, Chairman of the Board atNorth Jersey Media Group, was a 2005Commencement Honoree at FairleighDickinson University of New Jersey. Mr. Borgreceived a Doctor of Humane Letters for his

“prodigious contribution to and involvement incivic, educational, health and environmentalactivities. His work is a testament to his deepcommitment to New Jersey and the nation.”

1967JUDITH ABRAHAMSON received an M.A. inHebrew Letters and the title of Rabbi from theReconstructionist Rabbinical College in June2004. Judith works in the public schools in NewJersey as a consultant in special education. She hasprovided Jewish education for the special needspopulations for more than 20 years and is explor-ing new options for Jewish learning for adults withunique learning styles. Judith hopes to expand herwork in Jewish special education.

DINNAH G. PLADOTT, Ph.D.,R-ACSW, is aCertified Corporate Coach who wants toenhance and compliment the lives of Columbiaand GS alumni. She mused to The Owl, “The ideaof aiding and abetting alumni is very intriguing.”To learn more about Dr. Pladott’s coaching andconsultant practice, visit her website atwww.Leadership-skill.com.

1969SUSANNE BRAHAM’S (SHEIFER) daughter,Diana, entered her first year at ColumbiaCollege this past fall. Now there will be threeColumbians in the family: mother, son, anddaughter.

KEVIN SULLIVAN is the producer of the com-edy, First Time Caller written by his sons. Thestory follows an odd night on Dale Sweeney’slate-night radio show. The sports call-in show,employing the usual line up of oddball, con-spiracy-obsessed callers, is interrupted by apanicked phone call in an indecipherable lan-guage. When FBI agents arrive investigatingthe call, Dale enlists his friends help to uncov-er what he hopes is the amazing identity ofthis first time caller.

1956Harold MarcusIn 2004, Harold Marcus viewed a program onPBS Channel 13 on the history of ColumbiaUniversity in preparation for its 250th anniver-sary. It reminded him of his time as a studentat GS in 1954 when Columbia celebrated its200th anniversary.

In June 1953, Marcus was discharged fromthe US Army after serving for sixteen and ahalf months in South Korea. He enrolled inGS in September 1953 under the KoreanWar GI Bill. Tuition then was slightly lower:a semester of 15–19 credits cost $395. Hismonthly government check was for $110,$85 of which he paid the University bursar as

part of a monthly payment plan. Marcus grad-uated in three years with advanced standing.

A biology major, Marcus was terrified whenhe learned that he would be required to taketwo years of mathematics — a subject inwhich he had always done poorly. His firstcourse, “Elements of Algebra,” was led byProfessor Howard Levi who taught using anunconventional approach based on set theo-ry. The preface to the Levi’s textbookinspired Marcus’s academic experience: Leviinvited the student to “rejoice that he couldconfront, without arduous preliminaries,some of the richest and boldest intellectualachievements of the human race.”

Levi’s words put Marcus on the path to obtainAs and Bs in his four math courses at GS —success that Marcus accounts as theColumbia’s special gift to him.

In 1991, after twenty-four years of employment,Marcus retired in from the Albert EinsteinCollege of Medicine of Yeshiva University in theBronx. A physicist in the radiology departmentwith the faculty rank of Senior Associate, his prin-cipal duty was as a radiation safety officer for themedical school research laboratories as well asat the Albert Einstein College Hospital and itstwo affiliated city hospitals, Jacobi and VanEtten.Marcus enjoyed a successful career, one support-ed by the foundation of his education at GS andColumbia. Marcus resides in Butler, New Jersey.

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1973In 1972 NORMAN A. JOHANSON (PBPM) wasdirected by a medical school, whose wait list hewas on, to go to Columbia School of GeneralStudies to “get more A’s.” He writes, “This wasgood advice.” Johanson started at CornellUniversity Medical College in 1974 and ended upgoing into orthopaedic surgery. For the past 15years, he has been in Philadelphia and is currentlythe Chairman of Orthopaedics at DrexelUniversity College of Medicine. He was remind-

ed of his professional roots at Columbia when heushered his oldest daughter Kendra onto cam-pus fall 2004. She is a sophomore at ColumbiaCollege and rows for the Crew Team.

1974EDWARD GOLDSTEIN is a proud new grandfa-ther. And Bernard Goldstein ’01 is a proud uncle.

YUNGMEI TANG is teaching in China. She is affil-iated with several institutions: Xi’an ForeignLanguage University and Chengdu University.She teaches creative writing and oral English.

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1977Liane GutmanThe Making of a“Valid” Student

In the fall of 1972, LianeGutman (GS 1977),entered the hallowedhalls of the School ofGeneral Studies. Theforty-three year old

mother of two began her academic career as a“validation student,” a term used to describenew students who academically, were notquite ready for college level courses. Like hervalidation peers, Gutman was on probationand an uphill battle lay ahead.

Her acclimation to student culture took sometime. Gutman remembers her first day inEuropean Civilization 1500–1815, a requiredGS survey course, “The five-page syllabuslooked like a bad dream and made me breakinto a cold sweat!”

Success would not be far behind, however.Having grown up in France, French languagewas natural for her. She arrived in ProfressorDan Penham’s French honors class feverish.The required reading included Essais (1580) byMichel Montaigne, the eminent 16th centuryFrench literary figure who lived in Bordeaux.Gutman proudly recalls, “Professor Penhamdeclared, ‘Madame Gutman, the mayor ofBordeaux should bestow a medal upon you!’”

Glory was short lived, however, because whenGutman decided to major in art history, shecreated a minor storm. Upon reviewing herrecords in the department, the late HowardHibbard, professor of 17th century art history,exclaimed, “Liane Gutman, stay away from meand from art history!”

Of course Hibbard’s comment was a great dis-appointment, but actually, he did her a favor.The setback opened new doors for Gutman.

Art history quickly was displaced by anthropol-ogy, and with that, a relativistic world opened

up. Gutman discovered that simultaneous yetdissimilar phenomena could be happening invarious cultures. She became inspired by thesynchronic versus the diachronic and the hori-zontal versus the vertical. And she discoveredthat anthropology could be poetic!

Durning her studies in 1976, Gutman attend-ed a seminar on structuralism under the aegisof the late anthropologist Robert Murphy.During the seminar she “met” her lifelongmentor, Claude Lévi-Strauss. Often accusedof being an “armchair” anthropologist becausehe wrote his field notes some twenty yearsafter doing his research, Lévi-Strauss’ workinspired Gutman like nothing had before. Toher, his book Tristes Tropiques was a master-piece. His field notes accounting the lives ofindigenous peoples of Brazil were not merelynotes — they were poetry and philosophy.After this “introduction,” her life would neverbe the same.

Gutman was captivated by her study of TristesTropiques. She wanted to sharethis French text with the Englishspeaking world, but “Howwould Levi-Strauss’ TristesTropiques translate intoEnglish?” she mused, “Didtranslations already exist?”

After some research, Gutmanlearned the names of transla-tors who had already undertak-en this monumental task: JohnRussell in 1961 with A World onthe Wane and John and DoreenWeightman in 1973 whoretained the original title.

Gutman sought to purchaseher own copy of Russell’stranslation, but learned it was out of print.“Sitting in Butler Library for hours on end didnot seem feasible, and photocopying theentire book seemed impractical,” she recalls.

Then she conceived a much closer solution:Gutman’s next-door neighbor of many yearswas Ed Riegelhaupt, the husband of the lateJoyce Firstenberg Riegelhaupt, a cultural

anthropologist who received her doctoratefrom Columbia in 1964. FirstenbergRiegelhaupt performed fieldwork and wroteabout traditional peasant societies inPortugal and later in Brazil. Gutman thought,“She must have studied Lévi-Strauss with thetranslations available at the time! Was AWorld on the Wane on the shelf not fifty yards away?”

Seconds after inquiring, much to Gutman’sglee, Ed Riegelhaupt appeared on herdoorstep with the Russell translation in hand.

The opportunity cemented Gutman’s fascina-tion with anthropology and laid the ground-work for her future academic pursuits andsuccesses. Some time later, when reflectingupon the trio of books: FirstenbergRiegelhaupt’s copy of Russell’s A World on the Wane flanked by her own copies of theFrench Tristes Tropiques and the WeightmanEnglish translation of Tristes Tropiques,Gutman realized something interesting:

Her French edition of Levi-Strauss’ Tristes Tropiques had ayoung Nambikwara Indian onthe jacket, while the Englishpublication of Tristes Tropiqueswas illustrated with a CaduveoIndian pattern and an inset pho-tograph showing Caduveo peo-ple. Gutman considered, “Whyhas no one ever comparedbook jackets?”

This question inspired Gutman toexamine the two English transla-tions in detail and eventually writean essay juxtaposing them. In2003, the analysis was publishedas an article in University of

Texas’ Center for Translation Studies’Translation Review (No. 66. 2003, 27–29,University of Texas).

It is with this triumph Gutman that proudlyreflects on her modest beginnings as a validationstudent at the School of General Studies. It isclear that once she hit her stride, Gutman wasable to travel a long way.

Liane Gutman

1977LIANE GUTMAN: see article page 20

1979NANCY STERNFELD received the Chancellor’sAward from SUNY Cortland in May 2004.Sternfeld joined SUNY Cortland in 1996 as alecturer and in 1998 became an assistant pro-fessor in the Department of Sociology andAnthropology. She was recently promoted toAssociate Professor. Her field research hastaken her to Turkey, Armenia, Cyprus, Israel,and Jordan. Her studies have been supported bygrants including those from the NationalScience Foundation, the Foundation for theExploration and Research of Cultural Origins,and the Ancient History and MediterraneanArchaeology Group.

1982IRMGARD A. HUNT is the author of a newbook, On Hitler’s Mountain, Overcomingthe Legacy of a Nazi Childhood (WilliamMorrow/Harper Collings, 2005). Hunt sharesher perspective as a young girl who lost her sol-dier father at age 6, and was obligated to joinHitler’s Youth at age 10, and who nearlybetrayed her anti-Nazi grandfather. She statesthat the book is not meant as an apology onbehalf of Germany, but the story of an ordinaryfamily’s survival during insane times. times. It is aremembrance of an era when a civilized nation’smoral compass broke down, and a nation’s peo-ple went like sleepwalkers into disaster.

CECILIA SACOTO (now Ortiz) reported thather GS degree opened many doors. After work-ing for Jones N.Y. as a National Representative,Sacoto taught high school. She married OrlandoOrtiz, a Columbia alumnus, and together theyhave four children. Presently her focus is educat-ing her children, “Academically as well as aboutthe values needed for this next generation.” Shewrites, once her children “Have left the nest,”her goal is to achieve a masters or Ph.D. inSpanish Literature.

1985GHELAWDEWOS ARAIA recently founded theInstitute of Development and Education forAfrica, Inc. You are invited to visit the websiteto learn more: www.africanidea.org.

1986CRAIG WILSON won the the 2004 “RegularlyScheduled, Bulletin, or Breaking News Report”Writer’s Guild of America Award for his CBStelevision news broadcast Showdown withSaddam.

1989COLIN S. TURNNIDGE, II returned from aseven and a half month tour in the MiddleEast last summer. Turnnidge is a U.S. ArmyActive Duty Physician Assistant stationed atFt. Campbell, Kentucky. He has spent almost19 years in service.

1990BEN SAHL and his wife Jeni Mahoney Sahl cele-brated the birth of their first child, Noa VirginiaSahl, on February 9th. Ben received his J.D. fromthe U.C.L.A. School of Law in May 2005 andbegan his new career in the New York office ofLatham & Watkins this fall.

1991DEVONNE (BARNHISEL) JOHNSON movedfrom Manhattan to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn five andhalf years ago where she practices residentialand commercial real estate with PrudentialRealty. Her son, Derek, is starting his secondyear of college at University of Stony Brook.Johnson is also happily engaged to be married.

KATE MELLOR and her husband Rob Gibsonare celebrating their adoption of Caleb, 5, andSamuel, 2, in October 2004. Mellor and herfamily live in Poole, Dorset, England whereMellor and her husband own and run one ofthe UK’s largest sailing schools, Sail UKYachting and Racing.

SEND US YOUR NEWS!HAVE YOU TAKEN A NEW JOB? PUBLISHED A BOOK?

GOTTEN MARRIED? HAD A BABY? APPEARED ON BROADWAY? OR MOVED?

SHARE WITH FELLOW ALUMNI YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL NEWS IN THE ALUMNI

NOTES SECTION IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OWL.Send us your news by email to gsalumni@columbia.edu or by mail

c/o GS Alumni Office, 601 Lewisohn Hall, MC 4121, 2970 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 Photos of weddings, babies, paintings, head shots, and book jackets are welcome.

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1992ZACHARY COFFIN, CEO of Zachary CoffinProductions and General Partner of CoffinCapital, is to produce a feature film about the1984 Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal.Aishwary Rai, the executive producer of the filmand the queen of Indian film, is to star. Rai said,“The story of the disaster in Bhopal is all tootragic. But this film will be inspiring…And I hopethe films’ success will draw attention to theneeds of victims in Bhopal, and to those every-where who’ve suffered from injustice.” The ten-tative title is Windfall and filming is scheduled tobegin in fall 2005.

MARK ROTELLA published his travel memoir,Stolen Figs: And Other Adventures inCalabria (North Point Press, 2004). In it herecounts the discovery of his family in south-ern Italy. Rotella is an editor at PublishersWeekly magazine, and his writing has appearedin several publications, including the New YorkTimes. He and his wife Martha Bonta live inJersey City, N.J.

JASON SCHMIDT is a portrait, fashion, andarchitecture photographer. His portraits andfashion photography have appeared in VMagazine and Vanity Fair, and he is working ona book featuring artists in their studios. Hesaid, “I try to use their personal spaces andwork to get a context and understanding ofthe person.” Schmidt’s book, tentatively titledWork in Progress (Steidl, 2005), has been fiveyears in the making.

This summer JON F. SNYDER’S Il Laboratoriodel Gelato shared a sampling of its over 75flavors of gelato and sorbet with concertgoers at New York’s MOMA Summergarden2005 series.

1994KOHLE YOHANNAN, a former fashion model,an author of three books on fashion, and theowner of a castle in Yonkers, has opened thedoors to his “kingdom,” Greystone Court. In2001, Yohannan acquired his castle and thenspent the next several years meticulouslyrestoring it to its original splendor. He nowrents it out for fashion and movie shoots.Yohannan is currently pursuing a doctorate incultural history at Bard College.

MIYUKI M.YOSHIDA joined the law firm LanePowell as an associate in the Firm's immigrationpractice group where she will focus on advisingnational and international clientele on employ-ment-based and family-based immigrant andnonimmigrant law and procedures.

1996NANCY LYNN and her husband Mitchell joyful-ly announced the arrival of their daughter AnnaElizabeth on June 3, 2004.

WALTER SWEET returned to New York lastsummer to join Rockefeller PhilanthropyAdvisors. Sweet was in the D.C. area helping tostabilize a family-owned business.

1997STEPHEN M. PAGE’S poem “Building a BeachHouse” was published by Burnside Review(Volume 1, Number 2). For more information,visit: www.burnsidereview.com

1998HERMIA NELSON received her MBA fromFordham University. She currently runs a com-pany in real estate which owns a rental buildingin Washington Heights and is in contract to pur-chase another in Hamilton Heights.

1999FENIX ARIAS was mentioned in a New YorkTimes article, “On Education: Dominicans TakeTheir Place as an American Success Story,” bySamuel G. Freedman. Arias, as well as otherHostos Community College alumni, participatedin a reunion to thank Professor Kerr and a fac-ulty colleague, Lewis Levine for their supportand guidance. Arias is now the Director ofTesting for York College in Queens.

RON JOHNSON is a graduate from thewriting/literature department and a formerFinancial Aid Counselor (CC/SEAS 1993–2002).Johnson has self-published his novel, He and I:Anatomy of an Obsession. The novel pres-ents a view of the life of a black, gay collegeadministrator. More information about his bookcan be found at: www.heandi.net

JOEL N.H. STERN received the 2004 StudentPrize for Natural Science Award from theHarvard Extension School for his thesisAmelioration of PLP 139–151 Induced EAE bySynthetic Amino Acid Copolymers and ItsMechanisms. Stern’s research explored a moreeffective way to reduce the frequency of relaps-es that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients’ experi-ence. Using an animal model of MS (EAE mousemodel), he developed novel copolymers withmodified amino acid compositions and elegantlyshowed that these copolymers mediate protec-tion against the disease in his mouse model.

2000ERIK COURTNEY is living in LA and is writ-ing and directing films. He recently wrappedup post production on a short IMAX recre-ation of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Theshort stars Jeffrey DeMunn (Green Mile,Shawshank Redemption, and Our Town) andwas the first recreation to have permissionto shoot on location at Ford’s Theatre.

PHILIPPE REINES, the Press Secretary for USSenator Hillary Clinton, was featured in aNew York Times article on July 15, 2005.

CHRIS SMITH spent the past year travelingthrough Australia and New Zealand. Sincereturning to the Northern Hemisphere, he hasrelocated to Vancouver where he is working asa photojournalist for the Associated Press andlocal magazines. Smith has plans to return toperforming music and will record a CD of orig-inal songs to be released next summer. This fallhe will be releasing two books on GreenwoodPress: Rock Music in American Culture,1967–1973 and Rock Music in AmericanCulture, 1974–1980. In addition, he will beginwork on another music survey, this time focus-ing on the 100 most important albums of the20th Century. To see photos of his adventuresvisit www.hellskitchen.com.

2001VONNI GUTHRIE is a FACTS (Family AdvocacyCounseling Training Services) Coordinator forthe Brain Injury Association of NYS. The missionof the non-profit is to act as a mediator betweenconsumer and facility or state/federal agenciesto assure proper placement and treatment. Inaddition to educating laypersons and profession-als on the reality of brain injury and the optionsfor survivors and their families, Guthrie alsofacilitates college preparatory workshops anddoes public speaking on topics of self-esteemand effective decision-making for young adults.

IRA LIRAN is the co-founder of Vita Coco, anew, innovative beverage that’s dubbed, “the

most fascinating new health/sports drink onthe market.” Vita Coco is based in Brooklyn,NY. To learn more about Vita Coco, visitwww.vitacoco.com

JOANNA PEREZ MARTORELL AND STEVEN

said good-bye to Hong Kong and traveled theworld for a year. They've now landed inMadrid, Spain where they'll set up house andhome until the next adventure. Read allabout it at www.thirty-one.org.

MARK MORAN co-produced ChavezRavine: A Los Angeles Story, a 24 minutedocumentary narrated by Cheech Marin,scored by Ry Cooder, and written anddirected by Jordan Mechner. It has playedfestivals all over the country, winning 2004Florida Film Festival and the 2003International Documentary AssociationAward for Best Documentary Short. LastAugust and September the documentaryshort had a limited theatrical run in order toqualify for an Academy Award nomination.This year PBS will begin broadcasting itnationally on its Independent Lens program.

EYTAN SCHWARTZ is: The Ambassador. Out ofthousands of applicants, fourteen candidates,twelve missions, three judges, an average TV rat-ing of over 25% (more than 30% for the finalepisode), and three finalists, Eytan was declaredThe Ambassador, the winner of the most suc-cessful reality show in Israel.

2004Jamie Alliotts Jamie Alliotts (GS 2004) was selected as the 2005winner of the Tennessee Williams/New OrleansLiterary Festival One Act Play Competition. Hisplay, A Waltz Between, received a staged readingat this past spring’s festival.

The Tennessee Williams/New OrleansLiterary Festival is an annual five-day celebra-tion held in New Orleans, Louisiana eachMarch. It showcases national and regionalscholars, writers, and performing artists.Programs include panel discussions, theatricalperformances, a one-act play competition, lec-tures, literary walking tours, musical perform-ances, and a book fair. Perhaps the most pres-tigious competition of its kind, the one-actplay contest is sponsored by the Gertrude C.Ford Foundation and is coordinated andjudged by faculty at of the Creative WritingProgram at the University of New Orleans.

Alliotts’ play had its first reading at Columbiain St. Paul’s Chapel during November 2004’snight of short readings overseen by Gregory

Mosher, director of the new University ArtsInitiatives program.

“I owe so much of my good fortune to thefaculty and fellow students I learned from andwith while at Columbia,” said Alliotts, whosince leaving GS has fared well in the writingworld. “Some years ago, I was homeless hereon the streets of New York. I have since fin-ished Columbia with high honors, and hopethat my future is as colorful as my past!

“Without teachers like Caplin, Cress,Jefferson, Kendall, Manrique, and Wagenheim,without the General Studies Scholarship thatmade it possible for me to continue to finishschool, and without all that Columbia afford-ed me — intellectually, artistically, philosoph-ically, and personally, I would not [have gone]to New Orleans.”

A Waltz Between will be fully produced by theUniversity of New Orleans Department ofDrama and Communications for the 2006Tennessee Williams/New Orleans LiteraryFestival.

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2002MICHAEL NADLER just completed his studiesat the University of Florida Law School.

PAULINE AND GEOFF SAAVEDRA are proudnew parents to a baby girl. (Geoff is CC ’98)

STEVE HOFSTETTER was recognized by thestand-up comedy magazine, Two DrinkMinimum, as one of the two Best New Facesin 2004. The award was part of the first annual“Goddammies,” which were given in thirteencategories and decided by tabulating votesfrom subscribers to the magazine. Hofstetterappears on Sirius Satellite Radio hosting thecontroversial new show, 4 Quotas. Each week,the show features some of the business’ topcomedians discussing current events from adecidedly racial angle. More good news: Hisfirst book has been optioned for a possible TVseries. Hofstetter currently lives in LosAngeles, where he is pursuing a career instandup comedy, film, and television.

MICHAEL LAPIDUS has worked as a paralegaland high school math teacher in New York Citysince graduation. He is now a second year lawstudent at American University’s WashingtonCollege of Law in Washington, D.C. Lapidusplans to become a tax lawyer. For fun, herecently got involved in studying improvisations.Lapidus welcomes emails from old classmates:mgl15@columbia.edu.

MEGAN O’GRADY GREENE is attending theLondon School of Economics. She is completingher M.Sc. in Social and Public Communicationswithin the Social Psychology department. She isvery impressed with the professors in thedepartment. Although she states that a huge partof the learning and growth comes from herinteractions with other students in the program.Greene is one of three students from the UnitedStates who were accepted into the program.

NOLA AND TORRANCE KOPFER (a GS cou-ple) opened Cold Fusion Gelato, a gelate-ria, last summer in Newport, R.I. This sum-mer was their second season. They serveartisan-style (homemade by Torrance withfresh natural ingredients) ice-cream and sor-bet, plus espresso and other drinks. Theyhave received favorable reviews/mentions inthe Providence Journal, Newport Daily News,RI Monthly Bridal Issue, and Happy Belly Guideto East Coast Dessert Shops (to be publishedthis year). They welcome any GS visitorswho are visiting Newport, R.I. For directions,give them a call at 401.849.6777.

2003DEREK JOHNSON’S first feature length doc-umentary, A Home Still Stands, A GardenStill Grows, premiered as part of the NewYork International Independent Film Festivallast fall. Johnson documents a story of an

Italian family that has remained closely knitfor over a century. The story is guided byfamily member Anthony Diomede. This filmis about one man’s awakening and the familywho made it possible.

YITZI (ISAAC) ZABLOCKI’S film, Reality Lost,screened at Roone Arledge Cinema, Lerner Hall.Reality Lost tells the story of a world in whichfictional film no longer exists. It is a digital fea-ture film fictional film not yet in its final version.

2004JAMIE ALLIOTS see article page 23

KATKA MAXIANOVA and AARON HAGEDORN

(GS 2005) were married in Bratislava, Slovakiaon June 18, 2005. In attendance at the weddingwere Dave Metzler (GS 2004), Gil Shapire (GS2005), Nic Maisana (GS 2004), Ngoc Wasson(GS 2003), Whing Chiu (GS 2005), and ThomasReardon (current student).

In March CARLOS BARRUZUETA was awardedone of thirty Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships forNew Americans. Soros fellows, all new immi-grants or children of immigrants, are chosenfrom a pool of 1000 applications received fromstudents hailing from 336 undergraduate and156 graduate institutions. Honorees will receivefor two-years one half of tuition costs for grad-uate study at any institution of higher educationin the United States, as well as a maintenancegrant of $20,000 per year. Carlos was born inEcuador and is currently studying at Yale LawSchool.

JENNIFER FAL (PBPM) was married in July toDr. Aftab Kherani, a chief resident in generalsurgery at Duke University Medical Center inDurham, North Carolina. The wedding tookplace at the Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. Falis currently in her second year of medical schoolat Duke University.

SHANE HACHEY was quoted in a New YorkTimes article on May 1, 2005, “OfferingR.O.T.C. a Truce,” which discussed the optionsof current students at Columbia who belong toan ROTC unit.

DAWSON HER MANY HORSES is working atMerrill Lynch and is leading its AmericanIndian Business Development unit. Through itsMulticultural and Diversified BusinessDevelopment Group, Her Many Horses iscoordinating the firm’s efforts with NativeAmerican governments, their enterprises, andtheir members. He will manage Merrill Lynch’sretail, institutional, and asset managementstrategy and business efforts for initiatingservices for American Indians and work close-ly with the American Indian professionals andFinancial Advisors active in Indian Country.

GS siblings KATHRYN LANGHAM and JAMES

BIGHAM are the owners of the unique CritterCaravan, an educational experience that intro-duces children to insects and other “critters.”

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JOSH MOHRER, entrepreneur, is making hisinternet business a success. His online businesssells primarily Ralph Lauren Polo shirts andother designer clothes on eBay and its ownRationalfashion.com web site. He hasbecome an eBay gold power seller, a prestigiousrank among merchants who do high-volumebusiness and who receive overwhelmingly posi-tive feedback from customers. Mohrer wouldlike to expand his business and entice brick andmortar businesses to use him as a middleman tosell their goods online.

LEAH YANANTON worked as aCinematographer and Sound Recordist onCannibals for the History Channel and Conjoinedat the Head and Split Second:Arctic Void for theNational Geographic Channel.

BENJAMIN ZANIELLO (PBPM) married MarionRoach on July 16, 2005. The ceremony tookplace at the summer home of the bride's par-ents, Catherine and Thurston Roach, onSinclair Island in Washington State. Benjamin isa medical student at the University ofKentucky College of Medicine in Lexington andhis wife, Marion is a designer for NanetteLepore, a New York based women's dress andsportswear company.

2005MARGUERITE DANIELS is currently working onher MFA in Creative Writing at The NewSchool. This fall she moved into her first homelocated in Jersey City.

GABRIEL DIAZ enrolled at the NYU School ofLaw in this Fall.

LEAH FLEISCHNER (PBPM) married MatthewReimer on July 3rd at a ceremony held atHammond Museum in North Salem, N.Y.

In fall of 2005 ALISSA GAFFORD enrolled at theUniversity Of Pennsylvania Law School.

AARON HAGEDORN married Katka Maxianova(GS 2004). See Maxianova note under 2004.

DORON KENTER was awarded the Dean'sScholarship at the University of PennsylvaniaLaw School, where he began his studies in thefall of 2005.

RICHIE SPACE began working at Bear Sterns asan analyst in their investment banking divisionafter graduation.

2004Clarence C. Walton

In April 2004, Clarence C. Walton, Dean of theSchool of General Studies from 1963 to 1969,passed away at his Maryland home. He was 88years old. Not only was he responsible forestablishing the GS mathematics requirementand the Concepts of Science course for non-sci-ence majors, but Walton was also the champi-on of GS securing the authority to grant theBachelor of Arts degree, a controversial issueacross the University.

Walton left GS to become the first lay Presidentof Catholic University. In addition to his admin-istrative and faculty positions, he wrote or edit-ed 14 books and a number of articles. An experton business ethics, he consulted for major cor-porations including U.S. Steel, IBM, GeneralElectric, and Prudential.

In MemoriamJACK ARBOLINO

(former GS Associate Dean – 1946–1958)DAVID T. BAZELON (GS 1949)PETER BEDRICK (GS 1955)JOEL DEAN (GS 1978)VINCENT GRARVEY (GS 1960)LESLIE GOURSE (GS 1960)INGE D. HALPERT

(former member of GS Faculty)CAROLYN HEILBURN (GS 1959)J.R. HUMPHREYS

(founder GS Creative Writing Program)DONALD JUDD (GS 1953)JOHN (JACK) LAWSON (GS 1968)JOSEPHINE NEGLIA (GS 1953)MIRIAM MERRITT

(GS Creative Writing Program)LLOYD MOTZ (GS 1936)EFRAIN A RAMIREZ (GS 1975)WALTER RIKER (GS 1939)JUDITH LEE STRONACH (GS 1967)CLARENCE C.WALTON

(Dean of GS – 1963–1969)

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ANNOUNCING A NEW UNIVERSITYONLINE ALUMNI DIRECTORY

NOW CONNECTING.

Whether they live along a rural route or in a culturalmecca, Columbia alumni all over the globe now have newways to connect, communicate and contribute their ideas.

The newborn online alumni directory, launching inNovember, allows you to keep your contact informationfree of cobwebs. With a few clicks, you can update yourprofile with current whereabouts and passionate interestsbeginning November 15th. All alumni will be listed withthe latest information on file. To update information, addnotes or hide specific details, simply go to atalumni.columbia.edu/directory, create an active UNI andpassword, and start editing.

In January 2006, alumni can also search for and contactgrads across schools and years of graduation via the directo-ry. For instance, law school grads can find friends from theB-School or SOA. College grads can search for and contactalumni from the GSAS.

NOW COHERING

Behind the new directory is a more cohesive approachto alumni services across all Columbia schools — the pri-mary mission of the new Columbia Alumni Association(CAA). Until recently, Columbia’s alumni programs werelargely the purview of the individual schools. The CAA willsupport, enhance and connect these school efforts.

Headed by Trustee Stephen Case ‘64CC, ‘68LAW, theCAA is actively seeking alumni input. “Columbia alumniare helping us to develop a full continuum of services andactivities, relevant whether they graduated last May or 50years ago,” comments Vice President for Alumni RelationsEric J. Furda.

PORTABLE POTENTIAL

This fall, alumni also received the CAA’s first print pub-lication, the University-wide Alumni Resource Guide. It’s acolorful compendium of the University's wide-rangingalumni programs: online seminars, events on campus or inyour region, professional development, travel opportunities— you name it. NYC may be time zones away. But the ben-efits of being a Columbia graduate are 100% portable. Findout where they can take you. Read the book. Click on thedirectory. And stay connected.

FEBRUARY

2, THURSDAY6:00 – 8:00 p.m.GS Wine Tasting SeriesNew World NightMorrell Tasting Room729 7th Avenuebetween 48th & 49th, 15th Floor

Join fellow alumni in a series ofwine & cheese tastings. Wineexperts will steward you on aworld-wide journey featuringselections from Morrell’s vast cel-lar. Come meet old friends anddiscover new ones — not onlyfrom GS, but also from Morrell’scollection!

APRIL

1, SATURDAY9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Dean’s DayMorningside Heights Campus

Members of the Columbia familyenjoy the opportunity to partici-pate in a day of informative discus-sions with some of our finest facul-ty. More information to follow.

27, THURSDAY6:00 – 8:00 p.m.GS Wine Tasting SeriesOld World vs. New WorldMorrell Tasting Room729 7th Avenue, between 48th & 49th, 15th Floor

Join fellow alumni in a series ofwine & cheese tastings. Wineexperts will steward you on aworld-wide journey featuring selec-tions from Morrell’s vast cellar.Come meet old friends and discov-er new ones — not only from GS,but also from Morrell’s collection!

MAY

16, TUESDAY5:00 – 6:30 p.m.GS Class DayColumbia University Campus

Join us as we celebrate the class of2006!

DATES TO BEDETERMINED:GSSC Reunion, Part Duex

Did you serve on the GSSC or on astudent council while at GS? If youwould like to be invited to theSecond GS Student CouncilReunion, please e-mail the Alumnioffice at gsalumni@columbia.edu tobe added to the alumni list. Thereunion offers students and alumnithe opportunity to meet, networkand share ideas.

GS Networking NightMark G. Rotella (GS 1991) Stolen Figs and Other Adventuresin Calabria

Join Mark Rotella as he discusseshis adventures in Calabria, Italy —the foods he discovered and thejourney to discover his heritage.The evening will feature readingsfrom his book, opportunities todiscuss the challenges on gettingpublished, and an opportunity totaste some of the foods highlightedin Mr. Rotella’s book.

GS Networking NightPhilippe I. Reines (GS 2000)Press Secretary, Senator HillaryRodham Clinton (D-NY)

Join GS as we meet with Mr.Reines and discuss life under theCapitol dome while working forNew York’s junior senator and for-mer First Lady Hillary Clinton.Discover the path Mr. Reines fol-lowed before and after GS whichlead him to his current role.

REGIONAL EVENTS:Do you live outside of the NY-NJ-CT Tri-state area? Please visitwww.alumni.columbia.edu for infor-mation on clubs in your local areaand how to join.

Meet Dean Awn on the Road

Winter 2006 in London and Paris

To learn more details about theabove events and to register, visitwww.alumni.gs.columbia.edu.

All events require registration. Forevent information and updates,please visit OwlNet at www.alum-ni.gs.columnia.edu or call212.854.8498.

EventsCALENDAR

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