Class Notes
You are writing books, advocating for children, dealing antiques, traveling the world, painting, practicing law, hosting podcasts, and having babies….See what’s happening in the lives of CGS alums, and submit your class note here.
1960s
Owen Doonan (’61) of Duxbury, Mass., retired as secretary of the Massachusetts State Vocational Rehabilitation Council, which oversees the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission for the governor and the federal government. He continues to serve on the Massachusetts Assistive Technology Council as one of the few specialists in business development, reconfiguration, and professional practice in the world. With other leaders, he formed Rehability, Inc., a Massachusetts-chartered nonprofit that fills the gaps in the federal and state service delivery systems and works on issues of poverty, homelessness, unemployment, underemployment, health, wellness, and fitness. The organization is focused on helping people with disabilities and seniors aging into disabling conditions to establish independence and improve quality of life. Owen writes that in the 1980s his consulting team, Bakst Doonan Consultancy, owned Boston’s Citgo Building. Owen writes, “We ran our consulting firm from our top-floor offices and faced a notice from the sign manager that Citgo wanted to take the sign down. We gathered the community together and approached the Boston Landmarks Commission and the sign manager with a petition to save the sign. As a result, Citgo agreed to upgrade and computerize the sign. We turned over the Citgo Building to BU.” The group’s objective was to stabilize Kenmore Square’s image as a safe family and college community area. This work led to the team’s involvement in helping war-torn Bosnia’s recovery, using a heavily disabled workforce to reopen industries and create small businesses to service the needs of the citizenry for retail stores.
John Stevens (’61) of Haverhill, Mass., writes, “From the days of Copley Square, Boston Library, Exeter Street Theater, Green Line to family and work—with the two years at (CBS) CGS, a life well spent without regrets. May those who travel the road ahead with studies from CGS keep true to your goals.”
Samuel Chesler (’63, Questrom’65) of Cape Cod, Mass., is professor emeritus at University of Massachusetts and welcomes friends and former classmates to email him at greengeegroup@yahoo.com.
Steve Kimball (’63, CAS’65) of Framingham, Mass., earned a master’s degree in philosophy at Tufts University with a full scholarship, and writes, “Thank you CGS for the foundation you gave me!” In 1967, Steve joined the Boston branch of Readak Educational Services, a private company that taught advanced learning skills programs in private schools worldwide. In 1968, he became area manager in New Orleans, where he lived for six years and bought out the parent company with two other employees. In 1983, Steve bought the whole company and served as CEO until he sold Readak to an Australian investor in 2010. He remained with the company in sales and consulting until 2013. Steve started a wedding photography business in 2004. He writes, “Always grateful for the education I received at Boston University. It prepared me to be self-reliant and confident in my abilities to problem-solve and lead people in a common goal.”
Allen Katzen (’66, Wheelock’68) of Cape Cod, Mass., owns Soft as a Grape sports apparel company with licenses for Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Minor League Baseball, and the National Hockey League. There are nine stores on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.
Jim Manganiello (’66, CAS’68, Wheelock’74) of Groveland, Mass., a depth psychologist, published his second book, Your Creative Imagination UNLOCKED: Become Who You Truly Are (Ashford Books, 2016), in collaboration with celebrated abstract figurative artist Frank Arnold. He writes that Thomas Putnam, a Jungian analyst with the Boston Psychoanalytic Society & Institute and three-time president of the New England Society of Jungian Psychoanalysts, reviewed the book on Amazon: “This lucidly written, genuinely thoughtful and heartfelt book is a must read for all Depth Psychologists or those seeking to deepen their own awareness and connection to the psyche.”
Neal J. Schneider (’66) moved from Florida to Visalia, Calif., in September 2016 and announces the birth of his third grandchild, Lucas, on December 13, 2015. His granddaughter, Ashely E. Hall, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee with a BSN in Nursing. Neal’s grandson, Alex J. Hall, graduated from Overton High School—the same high school from which the Red Sox’s Mookie Betts graduated—and was named outstanding senior baseball player, an award Betts also received. Alex now attends University of Alabama at Birmingham on scholarship.
Tim Miles (’67) of Mount Airy, N.C., is a guardian ad litem advocate for abused and neglected children in Surry County.
Robert Schumann (Charlie Roberts) (’67) of Eatontown, N.J., writes that he would have preferred to enroll in BU’s Society, Politics & Culture Workshop rather than the College of Basic Studies. He began his career in communications with an across-the-board shift at WTBU, an internship at WBZ, an on-air gig at WLLH in Lowell, Mass., and radio jobs at WMEX, WRKO, and WEEI. He went on to a career in broadcasting—including founding a nationwide radio network with more than 350 affiliates and 7 employees. He writes, “BU put a roadblock in my way but I got around it. Would have rather done it the ‘right way,’ but life doesn’t wait for the academic heads of state to decide my fate. Great memories of BU, Boston, and New England nonetheless.”
James Hagler (’69, CAS’71,’83) practices law in Chicago, Ill., and welcomes hearing from former classmates at jimchi@ameritech.net.
Michael Jacobi (’69, COM’71) of Plymouth, Mass., and Delray Beach, Fla., has had two careers since BU: he ran nonprofit health care organizations, and has worked as a human resources executive for 30 years. He has two grown children.
Kathy Tarr (Ross) (’69, Wheelock’71) of Melbourne, Fla., taught elementary school in New South Wales, Australia, from 1975 to 1980. She has been married to Ray for 30 years, and they spend summers at their home in Wenham, Mass. In 1992, Kathy realized a lifelong dream and became a full-time antiques dealer specializing in the fine porcelains of the Victorian era. Her business is called The Victorian Rose and Kathy sets up at antique shows from Maine to West Palm Beach, Fla.
1970s
Chris Rector (’71) of Thomastown, Maine, is a regional representative for Senator Angus King, Jr., of Maine; he previously served 10 years as a representative and senator in the Maine legislature.
Gordon Isakson (’72) of Sacramento, Calif., writes that he retired two years ago after a fulfilling 29-year career as a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, where he also served for 20 years as chief of pediatrics. He is now involved in various volunteer activities and enjoying hiking, sailing, and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren (and dogs).
William Carl Thomas (’72, COM’85) of Middletown, N.J., has been an Episcopal priest since 1989. In June 2013, he successfully defended his thesis, entitled “Intrapersonal Intelligence Mediated By Self-Reflective Adaptive Practice That Manages Anxiety: Learning To Lead By Giving Space”; in May 2014, he was awarded a Doctor of Ministry by the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va. His website, www.balconyperspective.com, features videos of his sermons, as well as other teachings. Building on his doctorate, he offers a workshop entitled “Adaptive Practice in Conversation with the Enneagram.” William writes that he and his wife, Edna Marie, were married in Marsh Chapel on October 13, 1973, during his senior year.
Gershon Blumstein (’74, CAS’76) of West Bloomfield, Mich., a data scientist, builds prediction models to determine the reliability of electrical infrastructure. He also mentors interns and co-op students and writes, “I enjoy interacting with the students. They keep me active.” Gershon spends time with his five grandchildren and four children and says, “When my children were growing up, I had global positions in which I was constantly out of the country. It is nice I am awarded the time to be a grandparent.” Gershon plans to work for another eight years “if my health lasts,” and enjoys kayaking, hiking, fishing, gardening, and exercising, though adds, “At almost 62, I love my afternoon naps.” He writes, “I have seen the world and I like where I live. Travel at the moment is not in the cards.” He invites former classmates to email him at Gershblumstein@gmail.com.
Thomas McDonough (’75, Wheelock’78) of Andover, Mass., is retired from Gillette Co.
Janet Lesniak (Perlmutter) (’76, SAR’78) of Wellfleet, Mass., writes that she moved back east with her husband to be closer to children and grandchildren, after 20 years of living in Big Sur, Calif. Janet is the executive director of Wellfleet Preservation Hall, a community cultural center. She is also a painter and is currently showing her work at the Frying Pan Gallery in Wellfleet. She writes, “It’s been a lot of fun running into old friends from BU in Wellfleet” and invites others to stop in at the hall and say hello.
Ginny Sandler (’76) of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., has been working as a speech-language pathologist for the past 19 years at Crestwood Middle School. She writes, “I attribute my ability to work as a team member to my experiences at the College of Basic Studies, where I learned to work in a diverse group of individuals on a Capstone project.”
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1980s
Katherine Crehan Sharp (’80) of West Palm Beach, Fla., graduated from the University of Colorado after CGS and has lived in many places throughout the years, from New York to Hawaii to Arkansas—and now Florida. She writes, “Each place holds a bundle of great memories and experiences.” Katherine and her husband Brian Sharp have two children: Julia and Nicholas. Katherine works with Brian at Therma Seal Insulation Systems, an insulation and fireproofing business serving Florida.
Mark Myette (’81, COM’83) of Atlanta, Ga., is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and recently launched www.WhatAreYourGifts.com.
Anita O’Malley (Bardwil) (’81, COM’83) of Colts Neck, N.J., received her MA in corporate and public communication from Monmouth University in August 2016. She is CEO of Leadarati, LLC, a digital marketing and communications firm serving clients in the information technology industry. She is still best friends with her West Campus freshman roommate, Leanne Schaefer (Peckham) (’81, CAS’83), and they see each other once a year.
Brenda Skelley Straker (’81, COM’81,’83) of South Glastonbury, Conn., has been coaching college swimming for 18 years: two years at Clarkson University, five at University of New Hampshire, seven at Wesleyan University, one at Trinity College, and three at University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Conn., where she currently coaches and teaches.
Elissa Altman (’83, CAS’85) of Newtown, Conn., wrote a new memoir, Treyf: My Life as an Unorthodox Outlaw, published in September 2016 by NAL, a division of Penguin Random House. Her next book, Motherland, is forthcoming from Ballantine Books in fall 2018.
Lise Gorden (’84, CAS’86) of Wilmington, N.C., writes that she is a human resources business partner, serves as a board member for a local theater company, and is sending her daughter to college next year, “Maybe at BU!”
Christopher Lalor (’88, Questrom’90) of Paoli, Pa., has been a life insurance broker since 1992 and invites former classmates to visit his website for a quote.
Jen Walker (Stang) (’88, COM’90) of Hilliard, Ohio, made a career change in spring 2016, from client-side marketing, where she’d worked for 17 years, to media director for Columbus advertising agency Conrad, Phillips, Vutech. In her new position, she works with a multitude of clients, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Goodwill Columbus, among many others. She writes, “I’m really excited about this new position and look forward to helping the agency grow our media business!”
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1990s
Paola M. Ferrer (’92, CAS’94, MET’97) of Allston, Mass., recently accepted the appointment of chief of staff to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, where she will oversee legislative work, the ombudsman, public relations, and communications. She writes that she is eager for this new professional challenge and thrilled for the opportunity to continue serving the community.
Peter Shankman (’92, COM’94) of New York, N.Y., writes that he hosts Faster Than Normal, a top-rated iTunes podcast on the concept of ADHD as a gift, rather than a curse. The more than 30 episodes feature celebrities, CEOs, politicians, and regular people, and Faster Than Normal: The Book has been picked up for publication in October of 2017 by TarcherPerigee.
Talia Fried (’93, UNI’96) of Tel Aviv, Israel, writes that she is the mom of two inspiring kids. She is a waste researcher and consultant, and is finishing her PhD in science and technology studies. Talia says, “Still have great memories of CGS, personally and academically.”
Kevin Sanderson (’94, CAS’96) of Sarasota, Fla., and his wife, Caitlyn, announce the birth of their first child, Elizabeth Frances. Kevin practices law.
Adam Leibovitz (’95, CAS’97) of Laguna, Calif., is a record promoter who has been married 17 years and has four children. He writes, “Wonderful memories of my days at BU!”
Britt Hoglund (’98, CAS’00) of Irvine, Calif., accepted a permanent position in Verizon Network Real Estate in September 2016. She writes that she is “loving Southern California” and often travels to Washington State to visit friends and family. She is still involved with the Orange County BU alumni group and enjoys her role as a national officer for Sigma Kappa as the district coordinator for D7, a region that includes Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona. She writes that she loves her annual pass to Disneyland, which she visits as often as she can “to enjoy the magic.” Britt invites classmates to email her at bhoglund@hotmail.com when visiting Southern California.
Carrie Eichenholz Rose (’98, COM’00) of New Rochelle, N.Y., joined Marina Maher Communications as a vice president in September 2016.
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2000s
Margaret Moore Glenn (’00, COM’02) of Atlanta, Ga., lives with her husband and two children, and manages a boutique law firm specializing in individual and small business bankruptcy and litigation services. Margaret is active in various philanthropic groups in Atlanta and writes that she has enjoyed using her photojournalism degree to help these organizations document and promote their vision. Margaret recently visited Boston to catch up with John Griffin (’00, CAS’02) and attend the wedding of Svetlana Eltsin (Questrom’02).
Kendrick Watson (’02, COM’04) of San Marino, Calif., was promoted to academic programs director of the Dornsife Spatial Sciences Institute at University of Southern California. He is responsible for recruiting and admissions, academic advisement, degree progress, curriculum creation and coordination, data management and analysis, student engagement, and alumni outreach across 10 online and residential academic programs for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. He and his wife Kelly have three sons: Thomas, Christopher, and Jonathan.
Shoshona “Shoni” Pilip-Florea (’03, COM’05) of Chesapeake, Va., was named Government Communicator of the Year by PR News, a leading public relations publication and training tool. She is the director of communications & community engagement for the US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region in Portland, Ore. Her staff coordinates media, legislative affairs, graphic design, social and digital media strategies, corporate and nonprofit partnerships, and conservation education, as well as youth and service programs.
James Johnson (’04, MET’06) of Zurich, Switzerland, was appointed FIFA’s Head of Professional Football in January 2016. In July 2016, he was shortlisted for the Leaders Under 40 award in the leadership category.
S. Adanta Ahanonu (’08, Questrom’10) of Tucson, Ariz., is the associate director of outreach & recruitment at Year Up Boston, a national nonprofit that empowers low-income young adults to go from poverty to professional careers in a single year after attending a free, intensive training program.
Jordan Callais (’09, SHA’11) of Brooklyn, N.Y., was part of the launch team for the first North American office of Ctrip.com in New York City. Ctrip is the largest online travel platform in China, with more than 250 million loyalty members, and the third largest in the world behind Expedia and Booking.com. As a market manager overseeing much of the East Coast, Jordan has helped build the site’s hotel supply for inbound Chinese travelers to the US.
Domenic Filingeri (’09, CAS’11, MED’15) of Voorhees, N.J., worked in the vascular biology department of Boston Children’s Hospital for two years after graduation, after which he earned an MS in Medical Sciences through Boston University School of Medicine’s MAMS program. He is now an OMS-II second-year medical student at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, N.J. He writes, “I’ll never forget how helpful the CGS administration was in helping me rework the structured curriculum to help me stay on track and graduate on time with my ambitious biochemistry/molecular biology premed degree!”
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2010s
Radu Cioata (’10, CAS’12) of Timisoara, Romania, is a project manager for Cisco.
Ritika Shah (’13, COM’15, CAS’15) of Mumbai, India, completed a master’s in neuroscience from City University of London.
Timothy Spezia (’13, CAS’16) of Trenton, Mich., is the assistant curator and a trustee of the Flat Rock Historical Museum in southeast Michigan. In these roles, he catalogues and maintains the museum’s collections, organizes and hosts events and programs, develops new exhibitions and displays, and manages the museum by serving on its executive board. Next year, he hopes to return to Boston, where he will pursue a graduate degree in museum studies.
Amanda Alvarez (’14, COM’16) of Medford, Mass., worked for Aramark after graduation while searching for jobs related to her planned career in public relations. She writes that she landed a job at the Massachusetts State House in September 2016.
Kyle Cowper (’14, Questrom’16) of Portland, Ore., worked as a client services assistant at the Boston Consulting Group after graduation, supporting two senior finance executives with strategic initiatives. He lives in Boston’s South End, and writes, “So far it’s been a smooth but weird transition to ‘adult life,’ especially since most of my family is in Oregon. In my spare time I make music, run, and frequently re-read The Soviet Colossus to relive my SS201 days (just kidding).”
Avion Cummings (’14, SAR’16) of New York. N.Y., traveled through several states after graduation, visiting friends and family in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, and cruised to Bermuda in a Norwegian ship. She writes that she started an amazing job in market research and is now a health care market researcher for Healthcare Research Worldwide, working with well-known pharmaceutical companies to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze concepts and products. She writes, “It’s a great challenge, but one that I feel extremely lucky to have. I hope to do more traveling before the year is up and learn more about my new field!”
Nialah Ferrer (’14, CAS’16) of Bronx, N.Y., attends Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C.
Henry Fong (’14, Questrom’16) of Brookline, Mass., works at Henderson Global Investors in London.
Jonathan Huang (’14, Questrom’16) of Boston, Mass., writes that he works in downtown Boston, “finally adjusting to life post-graduation. CGS really prepares you for any school that you decide to go into after your first two years. The teamwork experience (i.e., Capstone) has relayed to the real world, as I collaborate efficiently with my coworkers on a daily basis. I can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store for me!”
Heskel Kahen-Kashi (’14, Questrom’16) of Great Neck, N.Y., is pursuing a JD at New York Law School and plans to specialize in real estate or international business law.
Hannah Mehlman (’14, CAS’16) of Canyon Country, Calif., is working with a team, formed at BU in a class with Noora Lori, BU assistant professor of international relations, to develop Urban Refuge, a mobile app to help integrate refugees and migrants into new cities, “putting aid on the map” so any at-risk individual can find the nearest available aid. The app will be open-source to adapt to any city; it will pilot in Amman, Jordan.
Victoria Pierce (’14, COM’16) of Washington, D.C., performs communications for the British Embassy. She writes, “Never a dull day in digital diplomacy!”
Margaret Su (’14, SAR’16) of Auburndale, Mass., works closely with patients and medical professionals as a medical assistant in the Pain Management Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
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