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CLASS OF 1979


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This page is an archive of news and events, in reverse chronological order (newest at the top).
Check the dates before you attempt to sign up for something which already took place!
Event -- February 28, 2024

Donald Seitz -- TigerTalks: Search Fund: An Alternative Path to Entrepreneurship
Moderator: Don Seitz, ’79. A search fund is an investment vehicle in which the entrepreneur (or team) initially raises a small pool of capital from several investors to fund a search (of up to 24 months) for a suitable small business to acquire. Typically, these are usually a family business without a clear succession plan and/or in need of fresh capital and leadership to take the company to the next level. Upon identifying the best opportunity, the search fund entrepreneur returns to the original group of investors to raise additional capital to acquire the business and subsequently lead it as the CEO. Unlike traditional private equity, the search fund entrepreneur focuses all efforts on operating this single business, working with its employees, customers, and suppliers to create organic growth and improve the efficiency of internal operations. The higher the return for the investors, the greater the ownership the search fund entrepreneur earns in the shares of the acquired company, aligning incentives between investors and operators better than traditional venture capital or private equity.

[Link]Link

Entered: February 21, 2024

Event

Jeffrey Fuhrer -- Book Talk and Q&A with Simone Schloss '79 and Jeff Fuhrer '79
Join New York Public Library Business Librarian Simone Schloss '79 online Wednesday February 7 at 12-1:30PM as she hosts a Book Talk and Q&A with classmate Jeff Fuhrer '79, author of 'The Myth That Made Us,' on how false narratives about post-racism and meritocracy have broken our economy, and what we can do to fix the system and provide greater economic equality and improved economic opportunity for all. Jeff is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Foundation Fellow at the Eastern Bank Foundation. He was previously Executive Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Registration required.

[Link]Link

Entered: January 26, 2024

Event

Philip Hueber -- Class President Phil Hueber Hosts the Class of '52 Seminar -- on Maria Ressa's Book How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future
Watch Phil, along with classmate Steve Matthews and Bob Jiranek '52, host the Class of '52 Seminar. This is the second time Phil has hosted, and he is now an Honorary Class of '52 Member! Watch the full hour long video at the link listed here.

[Link]Link

Entered: October 25, 2023

Event

Irene Pasternack -- A Backcountry Trip in the Cascade Mountains -- using Pack Llamas to carry gear
A special Offer from Classmate Irene Pasternack, who will be one of the guides on these trips. Tents, Sleeping Pads, Camp Chairs, Food & Cooking are provided. No worries! No stress!
There are two suggested trips: 1) Lewis River, July 17-19, 2023: Perfect to introduce a grandkid to backpacking. Ages 6 and up. (Will be a 6 person group.)
2) July 31 - August 3, 2023: Challenging hiking with spectacular views. Ages 14 and up. (Will be a 4 person group.)
OR Choose a trip from their website: Get a group of 4 people together and it's yours!

[Link]Link

Entered: March 8, 2023

Event

Announcing 3 Proposed Class Trips -- Europe River Cruise, Alaska & Chile/Argentina
We have hinted we will be announcing upcoming class trips to follow-up on the very successful trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos in May 2022 (that trip sold out in three weeks!).

We are very fortunate that classmate Karen Jones Gregory, owner of Premier Travel, will plan, promote and manage our Class of 79 Trips! Karen

Entered: December 26, 2021

Event -- February 19, 2022

Alumni Day 2022
Alumni Day 2022 is Saturday, February 19.

Reconnect with friends and fellow alumni on campus on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Hear from the recipients of the Woodrow Wilson Award and James Madison Medal, attend the Service of Remembrance, and more.

This year, Princeton University will present its top awards for alumni to Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa

[Link]Link

Entered: December 13, 2021

Event -- January 9, 2022

Kanaval Ball: Haitian Rhythms & the Music of New Orleans -- Featuring RAM, with our own Richard Morse
Join Richard Morse '79 and his band RAM at The Filmore in Philadelphia for the Kanaval Ball (Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms & the Music of New Orleans). Also performing: The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Boukman Eksperyans.

Details & free Tickets at xpnkanaval.org

[Link]Link

Entered: December 13, 2021

Event -- December 12, 2016

Three Eighths Of A Century -- 37 1/2 Years Since Graduation
The Princeton Class of

Entered: December 12, 2016

Princeton to host Women's Conference, April 28-May 1

All undergraduate and graduate alumnae are invited back to campus this spring for "She Roars: Celebrating Women at Princeton," a gathering in celebration of and for Princeton's undergraduate and graduate alumnae, Thursday through Sunday, April 28-May 1. Hear from President Shirley M. Tilghman and keynote speakers Andrea Jung '79, Lisa Jackson *86, Sonia Sotomayor '76 and Wendy Kopp '89. Participate in lively discussions with women spanning the generations. Before the conference, join the conversations on Facebook, LinkedIn and the Women-Connect Discussion Group on TigerNet to let your friends and classmates know that you plan to attend. The latest information on the conference, including registration and social media links, is available now here.

Terry Silverlight to perform May 18

Join Terry for his band's latest performance at 8:00 PM at The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker Street, New York City. Along with Terry on drums, the band includes Will Lee on bass (Late Show with David Letterman orchestra), and Barry Miles '69 on piano. Maybe it's time for another class field trip? Last time was a lot of fun. For more details, and to RSVP, click here.

Alumnus Powers To Speak On Capital Markets

Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010, 8 p.m. � Computer Science Building, Room 104

Investor and philanthropist William C. Powers, a 1979 Princeton University alumnus, will share his insights in "A Tiger's Journey Through the Capital Markets 1983-2010," this year's G. S. Beckwith Gilbert '63 Lecture, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in the Computer Science Building, Room 104. A reception will follow.

Ethan Coen's A Serious Man nominated for 2010 Oscar

The 2009 film by Joel and Ethan Coen was nominated for 2 Oscars (Best Motion Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen), as well as a slew of other awards. Check Ethan's Film Biography here. Google the film for lots of links, trailers, photos, reviews, etc.

Naomi Schalit Named Executive Director
of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence

The Maine Coaliton to End Domestic Violence is pleased to announce that Naomi Schalit has been hired as Executive Director. Laurie Folgelman, Board Chair and Executive Director of The Next Step in Hancock and Washington Counties, said, "The Executive Director Search Committee and the Board of Directors join me in welcoming Naomi Schalit as the new MCEDV Executive Director. Ms. Schalit is an articulate and experienced professional who brings a remarkable history of collaboration and leadership to her new position. Building on the substantial momentum that MCEDV has gained from Julia Colpitts as interim director, Naomi will guide the Coalition with intelligence and creativity into the next decade. We are excited to have this vibrant leader as our new executive director."

Naomi Schalit has spent the last 15 years deeply engaged with public affairs in Maine. As a writer and columnist for the Maine Times, a reporter and producer for Maine Public Radio, an environmental advocate at Maine Rivers and as the Opinion Page Editor for the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel, she has dug into the issues and problems facing the state and its residents.

Schalit joined the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel as Opinion page editor in April 2005. After only a year on the job, she won first place in the New England AP News Editors� competition for editorial writing. She was the recipient of a 2007 Publick Occurrences Award from the New England Newspaper Association, Honorable Mention in the Anna Quindlen Award for 2007, Runner-up in the 2007 Casey Journalism Awards and First Place for editorial writing in the 2007 National Sigma Delta Chi Awards, all for her multi-part editorial series on hunger in Maine, "For I Was Hungry." That series also earned her the first �Force for Good� award given by Portland non-profit Preble Street. Her essay about domestic violence, "Difficult to stop abuse -- I know," just won first place in the Maine Press Association's annual competition and while at the newspapers, she produced two full op-ed pages devoted to the problem of domestic violence in Maine.

"I am honored to have been selected by the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence as their new executive director," Schalit said. "As a survivor of domestic violence, I am intimately aware of how terrible and destructive it is. I look forward to working with the board, staff and volunteers across the state, as well as with lawmakers and agency staff, to help those brutalized by domestic violence and do all we can to prevent it from happening in the first place."

The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence includes nine member projects across the state. The Coalition welcomes Schalit in mid-November, at a new office in Augusta. For more information about the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, please visit www.mcedv.org. For more information, please contact: Naomi Schalit, Executive Director, 207-720-1643 or Laurie Fogelman, Board Chair, 207-667-0176

Terry Silverlight Releases A New CD
Diamond In The Riff

Drummer/composer TERRY SILVERLIGHT re-unites with great pianist/composer BARRY MILES '69, bassist extraordinaire Will Lee, and David Mann, Aaron Heick, Glenn Alexander, Tabitha Fair, Lew Soloff, Bob Malach, Larry Farrell, and Allan Molnar on this new CD. Available from terrysilverlight.com, CDBaby, iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, myspace, or check him out on youtube.

Separately, Terry will perform with his band, including Barry Miles '69 and Will Lee, at The Cutting Room on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at 7:30 PM. Location: 19 West 24th Street, NY, NY 10010. Phone 212-691-1900. Tickets: TheCuttingRoomNYC.com.

'79 Gift to Jazz Program

A $4 million gift from Anthony H. P. Lee to Princeton's jazz program will strengthen and enhance the study and performance of jazz at Princeton, providing resources for undergraduate and graduate research, coursework and visiting faculty in the Department of Music and the Center for African American Studies. For more details, click here.

Princeton '79 in Southern California

Although Reunions are coming up, not all of us out here (about 50 total) can go back to Princeton in June to participate in class activities. So we have decided to organize a few activities of our own here in Southern California so we can get reacquainted as Class of 1979 members.

Don't use your family as an excuse for not participating since we plan to have family friendly events as well. Beside the JPL event below, other upcoming events in the works are a visit to the Getty Villa and/or the Griffith Observatory and a mini reunion on December 1st, during Princeton�s Los Angeles Regional Conference. If you have any other ideas for events or want to help out, feel free to contact me at TigerClass79 at yahoo.com.

--Norma Iris Garcia �79, Class of 79 Southern California Regional Vice-President


If you are in Southern California, or would like to be, on May 20th, join the gang at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory:

Jet Propulsion Laboratory Open House
4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena
Sun, May 20th- 9:00am-5:00pm

Join me, other classmates and their families for this special once a year event. Not a class reunions, but fun still. Send me an e-mail at TigerClass79 at yahoo.com with your name and contact information to let me know you are coming, so we can set up a rendezvous at the open house. --Norma

******

Come celebrate JPL�s accomplishments with exhibits and demonstrations about the Laboratory's ongoing research and space exploration. Many of the Lab's scientists and engineers will be on hand to answer questions about how spacecraft are sent to other planets, how scientists utilize space technologies to explore Earth and how researchers are now searching for planets beyond the solar system. Visitors will see exhibits, displays, demonstrations and presentations about new technologies, solar system exploration, spacecraft communication and much more.

The Open House is a fun and educational experience for children too, with special hands-on activities designed for kids. Food and beverages will be available, along with space souvenirs and NASA and JPL merchandise. Buses will move people between several locations around the facility. Walking is required to some locations. So make plans now to visit JPL and experience the thrill of space exploration!

Free Admission & Parking. JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Drive in Pasadena, off the 210 (Foothill) Freeway at the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit. Parking is available near the Oak Grove main gate and the eastern boundary of JPL, accessible from Windsor Avenue via the Arroyo Boulevard exit off the 210 Freeway.

Note: Visitors, vehicles and personal belongings are subject to inspection. No backpacks or ice chests are allowed, with the exception of small purses and diaper bags. Food will be available for purchase (cash only). ATMs will be available. For more information, about the JPL open house, call directly at JPL at (818) 354-0112.

Terry Silverlight's Band Performs, April 26, 2007

The Terry Silverlight Band will be performing two shows on Thursday, April 26, 2007, at The Cutting Room, 19 West 24th Street, Manhattan (212-691-1900). The shows are at 7:30 and 9:30 PM. Terry's band includes his brother, Barry Miles '69, on piano, Will Lee (from the Late Night with David Letterman band) on bass, and others. Those who attended a performance of Terry's band in 2005 had a great time. It would be great if the class had a presence at this show as well. Anyone interested in a field trip?

Terry also has a new drum instruction book out, THE STICK BAG BOOK OF JAZZ, FUNK, FUSION published by Music Sales. Along with Terry's other book, THE FEATURED DRUMMER, it's available at Barnes & Noble, Borders and all stores brick and mortar or online that sell music books. If they're not on the shelf, the store should be able to order them. My son has used Terry's earlier book and really liked it.

A Note From Tom Olausson

Please, reserve Monday February 12, 2007 for the first-ever All Ivy get-together in Sweden. We'll meet for an informal gathering at 7 pm; Operabaren, Karl XII:s Torg in Stockholm.
Kind regards,
Tom
Contact Info: Mr. Thomas Olausson �79
Chair, AAP of Sweden
Artemisgatan 4
115 42 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel +46 (0)730 39 20 70
+46 (0) 8 39 36 72


I V Y      C H A M P S ! ! !

Football is Ivy Champs and Undefeated on 'Billy Turf'

Princeton football today (November 18) beat Dartmoouth to finish the season 9-1 and win a share of the Ivy Championship. Yale, who we beat last week, beat Harvard to share the title with us. Perhaps more notable, today's game left the Princeton Football team undefeated on "Billy Turf." At halftime, the crowd was informed that the field inside Princeton Stadium will now be known as Powers Field. Bill and Carolyn Powers were there to celebrate, and to announce the major gift of the Powers Family to Princeton Athletics.

Click here to check the final league standings, and Princeton Statistics.


Christine Brady and The Americas Foundation in PAW

In case you missed it, the September 27, 2006 PAW had an Alumni Spotlight on our own Christine Brady and her work in Tijuana. The Americas Foundation has been a class service project since our 15th Reunion; quite a few classmates have contributed money, supplies and sweat equity to help build Christine's schools. She was the recipient of the United Nations Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award in October 2005. You can read the article from PAW or find out more about The Americas Foundation or email Christine.

Fisher Hall to Join Whitman College

The Fisher family has announced that it will fund a new dormitory in the Whitman College complex, to be named Fisher Hall, as well as three classrooms, in honor of Robert '76, William '79 and John '83. Read all the details here. Way to go Bill!

FieldTurf Artificial Surface Debuts in Princeton Stadium

Princeton Football defeated Lafayette 26-14 on September 23. Now most of you wouldn't care about that. But what makes it special is that this was the first game played on the new FieldTurf artificial surface installed during the off-season. And what makes that worth noting is that it was provided through the generosity of football alum and classmate Bill Powers. An ardent supported of Princeton Football over the years, Bill has outdone himself here. But perhaps this is because he felt a special connection with the grass in the old Palmer Stadium. (Footballers will understand.) So if you run into Bill, give him a big locomotive for the entire class!

Terry Silverlight in Japan and New York

From late June until early July, Terry Silverlight was in Japan with the Manhattan Jazz Orchestra, a 16-piece big band. He is next playing two sets in New York City, on July 11, at 10 PM, at the Metropolitan Cafe, 959 First Avenue (between 52nd and 53rd Streets). Their phone is 212-759-5600. Terry will be playing with his brother, Barry Miles '69, on keyboards and with Will Lee on bass. Also, David Mann on sax and Tony Kadleck on trumpet. The promo says 'No Cover -- No Charge' and the kitchen is open until midnight! Any classmates in the are are invited to drop in. See Terry's website for details.

Bash for the Bayou - February 28

Please see the following message re an event in NYC sponsored by Princeton Alumni, Class of 2005, to help rebuild areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Dear Princeton Alums of Connecticut,

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, I have been wondering what I can do to help and how the Princeton community can help. As Alums in the Tri-State area, I wanted to let you know about an event that has been organized by a group of alumni from Princeton's Class of 2005 to help raise funds for the continued effort to rebuild the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Along with several of my Princeton '05 classmates, we decided to organize a series of fundraising events to collect donations, which we will then forward to organizations providing short- and long-term assistance in the affected regions. We had an incredibly successful and enjoyable event in September at the French Quarter, a New Orleans-themed restaurant and bar in Manhattan, where we held a Cocktail reception and Silent Auction. About 60 alums attended, allowing us to donate over $2,000 to Habitat for Humanity.

Based on the success of our first event, we have high hopes that our second event will be even more successful! The details are below. I also invite you to visit our website (Bash for the Bayou) for additional information and to reserve tickets as well.

Mardi Gras Bash for the Bayou

Feb. 28, 2006, 7 - 9:30PM
at the Princeton Club of New York
15 W. 43rd Street, between 5th and 6th Aves.
Featuring live jazz, a silent auction, and New Orleans buffet

This event is being sponsored by the Princeton Association of New York City, the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni, the Association of Black Princeton Alumni, and the Princeton Women's Network of New York City. All proceeds from our second event will go to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)'s Hurricane Recovery and Rebuilding Fund, an organization we feel has played and will continue to play a large and effective role in the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast communities.

I hope that many of you will consider attending this event and encouraging any of your colleagues in the area to attend as well! It should be a wonderful evening to benefit an important cause.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Regards,
Casey Degen

Laura Munzer's New Album

Laura Munzer and her husband, Dennis Kruithof, have released their first album, Riches and Pleasures, on their Heartwood label. Go to their website and check it out, listen to some tunes, and order your copy.

Somers Randolph Sculpture

Somers Randolph: Somers Randolph Sculpture � Santa Fe Hosts Santa Fe, NM (505) 986-0288 Visit the sculpture and jewelry studios of Somers and Hillary Randolph. This creative duo lives just two miles from the Santa Fe Plaza on Museum Hill. Meet the artists, witness large scale stone carving firsthand, tour their sculpture garden and see some of the best views in Santa Fe. A winner of the coveted Santa Fe Host Award, Somers� and Hillary Randolph�s friendly and informative studio tour is an art collector�s Santa Fe dream come true. By appointment: (505) 986-0288.
By the way, the sculpture to the right is called Large Orange Alabaster on White Colorado Yule Marble and is 38" x 29" x 10". It can be yours for a mere $28,000.

Class of 1979 Amends the US Constitution?!


Lissa with Arnold and
husband David Jones

Mimi Chen
Rediculous you say! Maybe not, if you talk to two of our classmates, Lissa Morgenthaler-Jones and Mimi Chen, who have started AmendUS.org (also known as Amend for Arnold), the campaign to amend Article 2 of the US Constitution to allow naturalized citizens (i.e. Arnold Schwarzenegger) to be eligible to run for President. They have been picking up endorsements and support, now with activists in all 50 states. The Mercury News wrote that they are "a pair of Princeton-educated women who can write Web copy with sass." Read about them in The Mercury News. Check out the comments on CNN's Inside Politics, or an interview (and a good photo) with Lissa on Sacbee Press Club. I recommend watching their first tv commercial.

PAW must read this site! Check out the Profile in the Class Notes section of the March 9, 2005 PAW (page 45) or online. (See also Rick Curtis on the last page [online].)

Terry Silverlight Performs at Birdland
Terry Silverlight and his band (including famed bassist Will Lee) performed for four nights in August 2005 at the famous Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. We made a class trip to hear him on Friday, August 5, 2005. The small group in attendance had a great time, listening to the band perform Terry's original compositions. For photos, see the Terry Silverlight page.
Valerie Erwin Opens New Philadelphia Restaurant
Classmate Valerie Erwin opens a new restaurant in Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood. The Geechee Girl Rice Cafe is located at 5946 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA and on the web at www.GeecheeGirlRiceCafe.com. Read about it in the Class Notes section of the March 21, 2005 PAW.

Bob Ehrlich honored at Ivy Football Dinner

On Thursday night, January 27th, 2005, classmate and Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich was honored as the Princeton representative at the 3rd annual Ivy League Football Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. There was a distinguished panel of honorees from each of the Ivy schools, including Jeffrey Immelt, Dartmouth '78, CEO of General Electric and William Campbell, Columbia '62, Chairman of Intuit. Classmates in attendance included Greg Bauman, Gary Demas, Jack Freker, Steve Garza, Mark Goldstrom, Bob Kautzmann, Hank Lubin, Tim Manahan, Paul Patrello, Bill Powers, Steve Tishman, Kevin Weiss (all the way from London) and the ever elusive John Wilson. (If you were there and I forgot you, my apologies. Send me an email and I'll add you.) Also attending were current Head Football Coach Roger Hughes, Head Coach during most of our years Bob Casciola, recently-retired equipment manager and everybody's mentor Hank Towns, an occasional wife (Phyllis Ann Freker, Ann Marie Kautzman, Erica Tishman), Bob's parents and wife Kendal, and almost 1200 of the honoree's best friends. Also NY Governor Pataki and a select group of retired NFL players (Ivy alumns all)

Kathy Reimann guests at Dean's Roundtable at NYU Law School

From the NYU Law School website: Regularly during the school year, the Dean hosts roundtable discussions with prominent guests who have utilized their law degrees in a variety of nontraditional ways. Over lunch with a small group of students, guests speak autobiographically about their work experiences, sharing valuable advice and insight about how they found their chosen path. Kathryn S. Reimann (�82) will be the guest at the Dean�s Roundtable on Thursday, February 3, 2005. Ms. Reimann is the Chief Compliance Officer and a Senior Vice President of American Express Company. In this role, she oversees compliance for the company�s global credit and charge cards, banking and travel related businesses, and international financial services. She joined the company as Chief Compliance Officer for American Express Bank in September 1998, and also continues to hold this position. Before joining American Express Bank, Ms. Reimann spent nine years at Lehman Brothers, which she joined as a litigator in 1989. Prior to that, she was a senior attorney at Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.; a litigation associate at Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle; and a law clerk for the Honorable Stewart G. Pollack of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Ms. Reimann graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University with a B.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. She received a J.D. degree from New York University School of Law. Ms. Reimann is a member of the New York Bar. The Dean�s roundtables are open to all interested NYU Law students on a first-come, first-served basis, with attendance limited to 18. The roundtables will begin at 12:30 p.m. in Snow Dining Room on the fourth floor of Vanderbilt Hall. Lunch will be served. If you would like to attend a roundtable, please sign up in advance by calling Karen Mengers-O�Brien at (212) 998-6003 or by emailing her at mengersk@juris.law.nyu.edu. Please indicate whether you have any dietary restrictions.

Sharify Wins Emmys

Shahab (John) Sharify won 6 Northwest Regional Emmy Awards recently. John reports for KOMO/4 in Seattle, Washington. He won the following awards:

  • Achievement in a General News Story: KOMO/4, "Homefront", John Sharify, Reporter/Writer
  • Achievement in a Feature News Story: KOMO/4, "Amy's Story", Amy Svitak, Reporter/Photographer, John Sharify, Reporter/Producer, Tim Griffis, Editor
  • Achievement in a Same Day News Story: KOMO/4, "Did You Feel It?" John Sharify, Reporter/Writer, Scott Hopson, Photographer/Editor
  • Achievement in News Series: KOMO/4, "Homefront", John Sharify, Writer/Reporter, Chad Ross, Editor, Tri Ngo, Editor
  • Achievement in an Informational Special or Series: KOMO/4, "Helping the Homeless", John Sharify, Reporter/Writer, Darrin Tegman, Editor, Alissa Teel, Producer
  • Best News Writer: John Sharify, KOMO/4, "Sharify's Stories"

Read more about John at http://komo1000news.com/people/john_sharify.asp, http://www.komotv.com/news/story.asp?ID=25596, and http://natas-seattle.org/people/.

Jim Sturm Honored

Jim Sturm, Professor of Electrical Engineering and director of the Center for Photonics and Opto-Electronic Materials, was named as one of four faculty members to receive The President's Award for Distinguished Teaching at Commencement ceremonies on June 1. Here is some text from the press release:

The awards were established in 1991 through gifts by Princeton alumni Lloyd Cotsen '50 and John Sherrerd '52 to recognize excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching by Princeton faculty members. Each winner receives a cash prize of $5,000, and his or her department receives $3,000 for the purchase of new books.

A committee of faculty, undergraduate and graduate students and academic administrators selected the winners from nominations by current students, faculty colleagues and alumni.

Sturm, who earned his B.S.E. degree from Princeton in 1979, joined the faculty in 1986. His teaching and research interests range from advanced materials and nanostructures for integrated circuits and large-area displays to the interface of nanotechnology and biology. He has revamped or created new courses and laboratories for engineering students as well as for non-engineering students. In 1993-94, he led the complete overhaul of the electrical engineering undergraduate curriculum. He was named director of the new Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials in 2003.

"Jim has enriched the educational experience of many students at Princeton, both directly through his teaching and mentoring and indirectly through his curriculum and laboratory innovations," wrote one colleague. He previously has won numerous awards for teaching excellence from the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Keck Foundation.

"In one of my early electronic device courses with him, I remember the first few lectures were so shockingly lucid that it was like being hit on the head with a hammer," wrote one former student. "Jim has a way of explaining things to students that makes us wonder why in the world we hadn't understood this before."

Other students wrote of the positive impact Sturm has had on their career choices and their lives. "Professor Sturm has been one of the most important influences on my career," wrote another former student. "In many cases, he made comments and suggestions which directed me in my career, many of which I still reflect upon."

Maryland's New Governor

In dramatic fashion, classmate Bob Ehrlich came from almost 30 points behind in the polls to defeat incumbent Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in the race for Governor of Maryland! He was inaugurated on January 15, 2003. In doing so, he becomes the first Republican Governor in the State of Maryland since Spiro Agnew. (Let's hope history is kinder to Bob!) Go to the Maryland Governor's site or Bob's Campaign Website for more information.
Chrisine Brady and The Little Prince

Christine Brady's school (Colegio la Esperanza) in Tijuana, Mexico, presented the Little Prince Ballet on July 7th, 2002. They have provided some photos on their website www.americasfoundation.net. You can access the photo collection from the home page by clicking View our first pictures ! (thanks Marv Lyons) under the Little Prince or by clicking here. Click on the thumbnail version (small picture) to see a larger version of each photograph.
23rd Reunion -- 2002

Click on Reunions to the left or here to get all the details on this year's festivities.
Bill Ford On The Cover

Check out the PAW for March 27, 2002. Bill Ford made the cover. Click here for the full text of the PAW article.
Sturm was Interim Dean

Jim Sturm, professor of electrical engineering and director of the Center for Photonics and Opto-Electronic Materials, served as interim dean through December, 2002, when he was replaced by Maria Klawe, a computer scientist and dean of science at the University of British Columbia. This was announced by President Tilghman in June.
New Online Publication for Princeton Alumni/Students

There's a new publication by a Princeton alum, Eric Lubell '76. You can find it at The Independent. I've checked it out; it's pretty interesting.


Chris Retrievi Honored by Generous Gift

Classmate Chris Retrievi and Princeton Wrestling were the recipients recently of a generous gift from sister Kim '80. A long-time wrestling fan herself, Kim donated $250,000 to Princeton Wrestling in both of their names, to honor Chris, who wrestled for four years. Read the whole story here from the Princeton Varsity Club Newsletter.

Also in the same issue, David E. Kelley is mentioned. Abbey Fox, '01, a psychology major, and the third leading scorer on the Princeton Women's Hockey Team this year, mentioned to Bo Torrey, '78, who coaches hockey with her father in Michigan, that she was interested in Hollywood. Torrey played hockey at Princeton with Kelley, who captained the 1978-79 team. A few phone calls later Abbey had an interview with David E. Kelley Productions, where she has worked the past two summers. Read the whole story from the Princeton Varsity Club Newsletter here. And come back soon for a compendium of links to follow our classmate's amazing career.