Sunday, May 19, 2024
fOr DevelOpment anD alumni affairs
May 19, 2024
Dear Class of 1974:
DRAFT
On behalf of Hofstra University President Susan Poser and the Office for Development and Alumni Affairs, we take great pleasure in welcoming you to your 50th reunion. We are grateful to be able to celebrate together.
This is a wonderful opportunity to observe firsthand the dramatic changes that have taken place at Hofstra University. Please take some time to reminisce and connect with classmates and friends –and appreciate how you and every member of your class are links in a very strong chain.
Thank you for participating in this yearbook. It contains biographical information taken from the forms that you and your classmates provided up to the time of printing.
Keep in touch! Get involved! Enjoy!
Alan J. Kelly Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs
Amy Reich Executive Director for Alumni Affairs and Special Events
Libby and Joseph G. Shapiro Alumni House | 150 Hofstra University | Hempstead, New York 11549-1500 Phone: 516-463-6636 | Fax: 516-463-5897 | Email: alumni@hofstra.edu
Office
STUDENT LIFE
Class of 1974
Julia (Dody) Barker
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA and went on to earn an MS in 1976. I have been married to Barry since 1998. I spent my career as a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing for 32 years, and am now a volunteer for nonprofit organizations
Roxanne Bergman
I graduated from Hofstra with a BS in Music Education. I went on to earn a Master of Music in Violin Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. I am married to Leo Huppert. As a violinist, I have played with organizations from th e Metropolitan Opera to The New York Pops, as concertmaster for Whitney Houston, Kristin Chenoweth, Smokey Robinson, Björk, among others, and with artists such as Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello, P. Diddy, Tony Bennett, and others. I have played on Broadway; recorded for television, film, radio, and CDs; and can be heard as a soloist on soundtracks for films by award-winning filmmakers Ric Burns (PBS) and Fritz Mitchell (ESPN).
Bill Bleyer
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Economics and a minor in communications. I went on to earn an MA in Urban Studies from Queens College. Upon graduation, I was editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian for a year, was a reporter and editor for The Courier-News in New Jersey for six years, and then spent 33 years as a reporter at Newsday. In 2014, I began to freelance for the paper and magazines, and wrote five books on Long Island history and co-authored a sixth. I have taught maritime history at Webb Institute, the naval architecture college in Glen Cove, and journalism and economics at Hofstra. I am also president of “Friends of the Bay,” the Oyster Bay environmental group. I am past president and still a board member of the Press Club of Long Island and board secretary of Hofstra’s George M. Estabrook Awards Committee
Daniel John Breslin
I graduated from Hofstra with a BBA in Accounting
Robert Alan Burd
I graduated from Hofstra with a BBA in Management. I went on to earn an MBA in Public Accounting from Baruch College. Helene Michele Ostheimer (Hofstra Class of 1975) and I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary this year. We have two sons, Joshua (married to Jessica) and Randy, and two grandsons, Jacob and Jonah. My work experience runs the gamut from Miami CPA to Broadway usher.
Alicia Ann Chomo
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Art History and a minor in theater art s performance. With the training I received from the Drama Department, I have been able to participate in local theater for more than 40 years. My art histor y classes helped me land my first museum job as well as win a trivia contest on Carnival Cruises!
Class of 1974
Dr. Elizabeth Theresa Coyle
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Biology and went on to earn an MD. I have been married to Yair Grinberg since 1976. After graduating from Hofstra, I worked as a lab technician at Nassau County Medical Center in order to help fund medical school, having been the first in my family to graduate college. I applied and was accepted to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, completing my degree in three years. Working in the Research Hospital of Brookhaven National Labs was my first job after medical school, after which I completed my internship at Danbury Hospital. I then ran the outpatient medical clinic at Saint Clare’s Hospital in New York City. This was followed by joining a medical practice on the coast of Oregon as my husband was completing his medical internship, after which we both trained in anesthesiology at Yale New Haven Hospital. I left after one year to pursue a career in emergency medicine, becoming board certified and practicing until my second son was born. I put down my stethoscope for full-time motherhood and over the past 10 years have focused my attention on becoming a visual artist. I was lucky to have had many opportunities in my life and one of the best was being able to attend Hofstra, which offered such a warm, supportive environment for its students
Edith Dankowitz
I graduated from Hofstra with a BS in Music Education. I am the owner of Edith Estate Jewelry on Etsy
Class of 1974
Sheldon M. Finkelstein
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in American Studies. I went on to earn a JD from Columbia University Law School
William Scott Galasso
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in English. I have been married to Vicki Ann since 1989. I am an award-winning poet/editor of 18 books. I received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who.
Dr. Barnett Paul Geller
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Biology. I went on to earn a DDS in 1977. I have been married to Monika since 2017. We live in New York City.
Dr. Iva Ellen Deutchman
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Political Science. I went on to earn a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania
Susan Rita Grosdov
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Psychology. I retired after a fulfilling 40-year administrative career at Harvard University. Now I enjoy pursuing hobbies, particularly traveling, art, and reading with my partner, David White
Robert Michael Ey
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Drama. I went on to earn an MLS in 1976 from Southern Connecticut State University and a JD from the University of Denver in 1979. I have been married to Irene Marie since 1978. I am retired from a career in law publishing, journalism, and librarianship.
Jules Martin Haas
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Social Science. I am an attorney with my own practice in Manhattan. You can view all my info at juleshaasattorney.co m.
Barry Felder
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Social Science
Patricia (Blawn) Inman
I graduated from Hofstra with a BS in Economics. I went on to earn a n MBA from Pepperdine University. I have been married to Thomas sinc e 1982. We have danced in a form entitled “choreographed ballroom” for more than 10 years. Prior to this, we square-danced for more tha n 20 years .
Class of 1974
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Thomas Andrew Kapusta
I graduated from Hofstra with a BBA in Banking and Finance. I joine d the U.S. Postal Service after graduation and worked as a sales associate at the Albertson, NY, office for 40 years. I have always loved playing basketball but am now devoted to golf. I currently reside in my hometown of Stamford, CT
Kenneth H. Kelly
I graduated from Hofstra with a BS in Economics .
Sheri (Sheldon) Kesten
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA. I am the presiden t of Sheri Kesten Design Inc
Ronnie Elaine (Freedman) Levine
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Speech-Language Pathology and an MA in Speech Pathology in 1976. I earned various certifications to keep me connected to my chosen profession of speech pathology as a speech-language specialist. I was a sister of DXD Sorority and enjoyed Greek life. I remember ”Tower D” dorm living, early morning “Tower C” dorm drug bust, the Unispan, sorority charity fundraising at the Unispan, the Rathskeller, student teaching, Roosevelt Hall, studying, degrees, career choices, and Hofstra’s overall social atmosphere. I have been married to Jerry since 1977. I am retired after 32 year s as a public school speech-language specialist and special education teacher Prior to the public school, I worked as a speech therapist in nursing homes, home visits, and in private schools for the disabled. Now I am enjoying life with family, including two granddaughters, ages 8 and 5
Valerie (Arnone) Liese
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in History and then an MSEd i n Secondary Education. I am married to Michael
Deborah Susan Lullo
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA. During my career with the U.S Postal Service, I supplied equipment for all of the post offices in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. I retired in 2010, after 30 years of service, an d currently enjoy traveling with my boyfriend. I love exploring Long Island , especially the East End. I have many fond memories of meeting m y friends in the Rathskeller, which I cherish to this day
Class of 1974
Laurie Meltzer
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA and went on to earn an MSEd in 1976
Joan (Opalenchuk) Morrison
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Social Science. I went on to ear n an MSEd in Counseling at CW Post/LIU in 1976. I enjoyed a long caree r in human services. I live in rural upstate New York near Berkshire County, MA, with my husband and 34-year old son. We have all spent many years rescuing dogs and cats
Indarjeet Sahadeo
I graduated from Hofstra with a BBA in Finance. I have been marrie d to Deborah for 49 years. We enjoy traveling around the world
Jay Schauben, PharmD, DABAT, FAACT
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Biology. Following Hofstra, I pursued a BS from The Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and a Doctorate in Pharmacy from St. John’s University College of Pharmacy with specialization/board certification in clinical toxicology. In 1981, I was hired as faculty in the College of Pharmacy at St. John’s University to teach traditional classes and small student groups at my hospital-based practice site. I served as director for the Doctor of Pharmacy Program and consultant to the NYC and Long Island Poison Control Centers. By 1984, I was recruited by University of Florida/UF Health Jacksonville Medical Center in Jacksonville, FL, to work in emergency medicine with the main goal to build/initiate the second of three statewide poison centers in Florida, continuing my teaching and patient care roles within the Emergency Department. In 1992, the Florida Poison Information Center - Jacksonville was activated, followed by the Florida Poison Information Center Network Data Center, for which I acted as dual director until 2021. Likewise, I held the rank of professor within both the Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine and the University of Florida College of Pharmacy during this time Acting as division director for the Poison Center and Surveillance Services since 2021, I semiretired in January 2024, remaining as a clinical toxicology and surveillance data systems consultant for both the Poison Center and Poison Data Center. I have been married to Pamela since 1991.
Dr. David Robert Shumway
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Biology. I went on to earn a n MA and PhD from Indiana University. I have been marrie d to Heather Arnet since 2001
1974
Class of 1974
Mallory J. Stevens
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Spanish. After a long career as a n international banker with a focus on Latin America, I was given th e opportunity to become IDB Bank’s head of corporate communications , a role I held for six years. In 2011, I earned an MS in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University, and established a priva te practice in mediation and conflict resolution services. I am also th e author of the children’s picture book series , The Adventures of Clive & Sydney, the Dancing Armadillos , published by Missy Cat LLC, th e company my wonderful life partner, Jesús García, and I cofounded i n 2020. Clive and Sydney’s theme song, “Beetles and Worms,” for whic h I’m the lyricist, was released in May 2023
Rev. Dr. Ann (Abbate) Van Cleef
I graduated from Hofstra with a BS in Music Education with high honors . I taught music for 33 years in three different school districts on th e South Fork of Long Island. Halfway through my teaching career, I starte d attending seminary part time, and earned my Master of Divinity degre e from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 2004. I earned my Doctor of Ministry degree from Hartford Seminary in 2015. I served as pasto r of the Orient Congregational Church (UCC) for 18 years. After a shor t retirement, I am now serving the Greenlawn Presbyterian Church, wher e I have been since 2020. I was married, had a son (Philip Sutton, now 42), divorced, raised Philip alone, and then married Robert (Bob) Van Cleef i n 2004. Together, Bob and I served two churches and traveled the world Sadly, Bob died of dementia in November 2023. I play with several community bands, conduct my church choir, am active in a clergy group, and serve the United Church of Christ on a denominational level. I als o keep busy making my home comfortable for friends who visit. I loo k forward to reconnecting with Hofstra classmates
Charles Varca
I graduated from Hofstra with a BA in Psychology. I have been marrie d to Carol for 55 years. Hofstra helped me understand myself and th e world. I spent several years talking and listening to hospice patients. I t made me see how similar we all are when faced with our mortality
Stanley Weinrib
I graduated from Hofstra with a BS. I am happily married to Sandra , and we are proud parents and grandparents
Class of 1974 Contact Information
Name Address Email Address Phone
Julia B. (Dody) Barker signjulia@gmail.com
Roxanne Bergman 185 Prospect Avenue, #9F Hackensack, NJ 07601 roxberg@optonline.net 201-487-1855
Bill Bleyer billbleyer@gmail.com
Robert Alan Burd 3118 Northeast 210th Terrace Aventura, FL 33180-3910 happyt761@aol.com 305-466-2810
Alicia Ann Chomo 315 Georgetown Avenue Wilmington, DE 19809 aachomo@mail-central.com 302-442-3995
Dr. Elizabeth Theresa Coyle voyagers4@charter.net
Edith Dankowit z edgems@aol.com
Dr. Iva Ellen Deutchman deuthman@hws.edu
Robert Michael Ey 24 Hart Avenue Hopewell, NJ 08525
Sheldon M. Finkelstein
William Scott Galasso 518 Calle Aragon, Unit B Laguna Woods, CA 92637 scottgalasso@yahoo.com
Dr. Barnett Paul Geller
215 East 68th Street, Apt. 19J New York, NY 10065 gellerdds@aol.com 516-987-3420
Susan Rita Grosdov 107 Lewis O. Gray Drive Saugus, MA 01906 srgrosdov@comcast.net 781-632-3968
Jules Martin Haas jules.haas@verizon.net
Patricia (Blawn) Inman 20753 Snowpine Place Ashburn, VA 20147 tpinman@verizon.net 703-409-4848
Class of 1974 Contact Information
Thomas Andrew Kapusta 330 Weed Avenue Stamford, CT 06902 tommyk52@gmail.com
Kenneth H. Kelly kennethhkelly@hotmail.com
516-554-2022
Ronnie Elaine (Freedman) Levine arjlevi@gmail.com 732-312-8899
Valerie (Arnone) Liese 19 Quincy Street Merrick, NY 11566
Deborah Susan Lullo nibsy613@optonline.net
Laurie Meltzer ljmeltzerphd@gmail.com
Joan (Opalenchuk) Morrison joanmorrison4694@gmail.com
Indarjeet Sahadeo 1 Maria Court Manorville, NY 11949
Dr. Jay L. Schauben schauben@poison.ufl.edu
516-379-2754
Dr. David Robert Shumway 4 Valley Lane Huntington, NY 11743 shumway@cmu.edu 412-251-7454
Mallory J. Stevens mallorystevens16@gmail.com 917-716-6654
Rev. Dr. Ann M. (Abbate) Van Cleef 200 Maple Lane Greenport, NY 11944 pastorannsutton@yahoo.com
Charles Varca 4238 64th Drive Eas t Sarasota, FL 34243
Office for Development and Alumni Affairs
Libby and Joseph G. Shapiro Alumni House
150 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY 11549-1500
Phone: 516-463-6636
Fax: 516-463-5897
hofstra.edu/alumni