Perspective Fall 2015 by University Liggett School

The Magazine for University Liggett School

Fall 2015

Happily Ever After MANY ALUMNI HAVE FOUND TRUE LOVE AT SCHOOL

HEAD OF SCHOOL Joseph P. Healey, Ph.D.

OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT UNIVERSITY LIGGETT SCHOOL 1045 Cook Road Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236-2509 313.884.4444 www.uls.org facebook.com/universityliggett

ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR ADVANCEMENT Kelley Hamilton DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Sarah Gaines ALUMNI RELATIONS MANAGER Katie Durno ANNUAL GIVING MANAGER Trisha Shapiro ADVANCEMENT SERVICES MANAGER Genevieve Valiot SPECIAL EVENTS AND PARENT RELATIONS MANAGER Shaye Campbell

PERSPECTIVE – FALL 2015 DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Michelle Franzen Martin COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Rebecca Wall GRAPHIC ARTS DESIGNER Lee Ann Gusmano PERSPECTIVE DESIGN SERVICES Costello Design Group

University Liggett School is Michigan’s oldest, co-educational, pre-K through grade 12, independent day school. University Liggett School does not unlawfully discriminate against any person on the basis of religion, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or any other protected class as provided by applicable law.

Alumni Weekend 2016 Save the Date! May 13 & 14, 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award reception, All-Alumni Cocktail reception, Ladies Luncheon and more! Watch for more details in Knightline News, our monthly e-newsletter, and in the next issue of Perspective magazine. For more details, contact Katie Durno at 313.884.4444, Ext. 414 or kdurno@uls.org.

Epicurus the philosopher noted that “of all the things that conspire for a blessed life far the greatest is friendship.” In this issue of Perspective, we are exploring love and friendship in a school. These are stories of young boys and girls who met, became friends and in these cases married. Schools are natural meeting places for young people. It is a time in their lives when they are just beginning to explore who they are and looking for friendship and companionship outside the circle of their immediate family.

“Enjoy these wonderful

So love blossoms in this spring of their lives. Here are the stories of boys and girls who found partners for their life journey among the people that they studied and played with in school.

not to be strangers to this

When the staff began looking at the records we have of these relationships in our community, they were struck by the large number of alumni who have become life partners with each other. When we speak of the culture in a school we are talking about just such friendships and relationships. They happen at all schools, but here it seems to be a particular character of our life. It is a wonderful quality and it helps to define the relationship that we find between our students and their school. It is more than a space or a building or a program. It is a sense of community that embraces more than just being part of a group; it embraces a sense of belonging to something that is bigger than each of us and creates a bond that can never be entirely lost. So enjoy these wonderful stories and see your own here as well. And remember not to be strangers to this school that has been an important part of all of your lives. Come back often and share our life because, in a real sense, it is your life, too.

Joseph P. Healey, Ph.D. Head of School

stories and see your own here as well. And remember school that has been an important part of all of your lives.” – Joseph P. Healey, Ph.D. Head of School

12 Fall 2015

Contents Features

12 24 26 36

Happily Ever After Together We Are Detroit Discovering Their Passions A Special Opportunity

In Every Issue 36

4 25 35 45 47 55 76

Around Campus Perspective: Student Perspective: Advancement Perspective: Parent Perspective: Alumni Class Notes Perspective: Lens

The Magazine for University Liggett School

l uls.org

Commencement 2015 On a beautiful day in June, the senior class and the Liggett community came together to share in the excitement and celebrate the academic accomplishments of the graduates of the Class of 2015.

Conferences Inspire

Confidence, Leadership Liggett’s Middle School has taken a unique approach to traditional parent-teacher conferences by letting students lead the conference. The student-led conferences inspire confidence and encourage students to become active participants in the learning process. During the 20- to 30-minute conference, students present to their parents and their advisor, evaluating their successes and challenges in school. “The student-led conferences allow students to take ownership of their work – not only academically, but also socially and emotionally,” says Middle School Head Jim Brewer. “The project looks at the whole student.” Some students put together a multimedia or digital presentation while others use reflection journals as a guide. During the process, the students evaluate what they’ve done well and what areas they could improve upon. Some parents have compared the conferences to self-generated employment reviews that are done in many workplaces. “Our common motto is to let students lead,” Brewer says. “These reviews are very honest and very transparent, and they celebrate the great work that our students are doing in Middle School.”

Liggett’s Communications Program Wins Prestigious Award University Liggett School received a silver award for Communications Program Improvement from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education as part of the organization’s Circle of Excellence awards program. The Circle of Excellence awards program is open to all schools, colleges, universities and nonprofits around the world. Liggett was the only independent school in Michigan to receive a CASE award this year and one of only a handful worldwide. Liggett’s communications program was recognized for a “big change” and “great improvement,” according to a judge’s report. “The school introduced a big change in their communications’ look and style across many platforms both online and print,” the report stated. “The changes created a consistent look for all communications coming from Univer-

sity Liggett School, which the judges felt was a great improvement.” Only two awards were given in the Communications Program Improvement category – a silver award to Liggett, and a bronze award to the University of Notre Dame. For the awards program, more than 3,200 entries were received from over 720 independent schools, colleges, universities and nonprofits. “The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education is one of the largest international associations of education institutions, and its Circle of Excellence awards program is highly regarded,” says Michelle Franzen Martin, Liggett’s director of marketing and communications. “We are honored that Liggett has been recognized with some of the best independent schools, universities and nonprofits in the world.”

Perspective Wins Journalism Awards In a separate awards contest, Perspective magazine also was honored. Perspective received two awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit chapter in April. The magazine received a first-place award for photography and an honorable mention for feature reporting. 4

PERSPECTIVE

AROUND CAMPUS

Liggett is Designated a Confucius Classroom University Liggett School has been designated a Confucius Classroom by China’s Confucius Institute to further support the school’s Chinese language and culture offerings and activities. The partnership was made possible through the Confucius Institute at Wayne State University. Liggett is one of only five schools statewide to be named a Confucius Classroom by WSU’s Confucius Institute. The partnership includes a $10,000 grant to further enhance

Liggett’s Chinese courses and activities and allow students access to apply for exclusive summer travel programs through the Confucius Institute headquarters, or Hanban, the Chinese government’s non-profit entity for developing and promoting Chinese language and culture worldwide. Hanban also supports WSU’s Confucius Institute and similar collegiate programs across the country. “We are thrilled to be involved with the Confucius Institute through this partnership,” says Bart Bronk, associate head of school for academics. “The Confucius Institute recognized

the strength of Liggett’s existing Chinese language and culture offerings, and this grant gives us an opportunity to build upon our Chinese curriculum.” Liggett offers Chinese classes for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in Middle School. Chinese instruction continues in Upper School with Mandarin Chinese, along with the opportunity to take a Chinese Culture & Civilization class. The Hanban Confucius Classroom designation is impressive, as there are fewer than 400 such Confucius Classrooms nationwide.

Annual Fund Reaches New Record Liggett’s Annual Fund raised a record $1.4 million during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. “Every gift to the Annual Fund makes an impact on our school,” says Kelley Hamilton, associate head of school for advancement. “The Annual Fund gifts we receive help to support academic and extracurricular activities and enhance the learning and teaching experience for our students and faculty. We are grateful

to our donors who are investing so strongly in our school.” At any independent or private school, tuition only covers a portion of the operating costs. Liggett’s Annual Fund helps to bridge the gap between the cost of tuition and the actual cost of operating the school. The school’s fundraising accomplishment also included Annual Fund participation from 100 percent of Liggett faculty and staff as well as

the school’s Board of Trustees. “Liggett’s faculty, staff and Board of Trustees are committed to making sure our students continue to excel academically, athletically and artistically,” Hamilton says. “Their support of the Annual Fund demonstrates how strongly they believe in the ways that Liggett’s curriculum is transforming education and allowing students an opportunity to discover their passions and engage in in-depth learning.”

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The Cycle of Life Eighth-graders learned about the life cycle of salmon in a hands-on way – by putting salmon eggs into a tank and raising the salmon until they were ready to be released into the river. The students received salmon eggs from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in early November and raised Chinook (king) salmon in their classroom. In May, they released approximately 70 salmon into the Clinton River in Rochester to introduce the fish to the wild. “The students have really taken ownership of this project,” says Paul Rossi, Liggett’s Middle School Learning Support Specialist who spearheaded the project. “It has taught them about ecosystems, invasive species and life cycles, and the eighth-graders also have learned how to test and compare water quality, understand the biological processes that take place in the aquatic environment and the requirements for salmon to live.” The students were responsible for feeding the fish and testing their water each day. “It was really their project,” Rossi says.

“This project gives us a chance to go into the greater community and see the impact of our project on the region and where we live.” – Middle School Learning Support Specialist Paul Rossi

The project was part of the Department of Natural Resources Salmon in the Classroom Program, a yearlong project in which teachers receive fertilized eggs from a DNR fish hatchery in the fall, hatch them out, feed and raise the fry through spring and then release the young salmon into a local river. The young salmon were about 3 to 3 1/2 inches in length when they were released. They will stay

in the stream until they’re ready to move downstream to Lake Erie, where they’ll remain for two or three years until they’re ready to return to their native stream and spawn. “The students learned about how many fish will make it back to their native stream,” Rossi says. “Some will be eaten right away by predators, some will die from pollution and others will be caught by fishermen. The trip back upstream is very challenging.” Eighth-grader Shannon May says she learned a great deal from the project. “My favorite part has been watching them grow,” says May, who wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. “We have done a lot of testing and we’ve learned how important their environment is. It was sad to watch them leave, but this has been an amazing learning opportunity.” Although the project was focused on the eighth grade, students from other areas of the school also watched it evolve. Students from Liggett’s Lower School science classes, for example, visited the science lab to watch the fish grow and discover more about their life cycle. At the river site, the students tested and sampled the water and compared it to the tank environment. They also recorded their discoveries in journals. “This project gave us a chance to go into the greater community and see the impact of our project on the region and where we live,” Rossi says. – Michelle Franzen Martin

AROUND CAMPUS

“The ThinkGive Challenge taught students about kindness through their own actions. We hope this has inspired the students to give in ways they may never have considered.” – Assistant Head of Lower School Drew Mackay

The Power of Kindness Fifth-graders participated in a special 14-day challenge that encouraged kindness and giving. The ThinkGive Challenge taught students about the power of kindness by experiencing it directly. For 14 days, the students were challenged to perform a daily act of kindness – for instance, reading to a younger sibling, planting a tree to help the environment or volunteering in the community. Each day, the students logged in to a special ThinkGive website to

chronicle their experiences and read what their classmates were doing. The online journals promoted peerto-peer learning. A bulletin board in the school also featured the students’ acts of kindness, so their experiences could be shared with the Liggett community. The challenge tied in with the Lower School’s year-long Kindness theme. “The ThinkGive Challenge taught students about kindness through their own actions,” says Assistant Head of Lower School Drew

Hockey Team Raises Money for

Breast Cancer Research

The girls’ hockey team raised more than $2,600 to go toward breast cancer research at the Van Elslander Cancer Center. The girls raised the money during a bake sale and fundraiser held at their final home hockey game in March. The bake sale raised $400, and lobby donations at the rink raised $930. An anonymous donor matched the amount with an additional $1,300. The total donation of $2,630 will go toward breast cancer research at the Van Elslander Cancer Center, part of St. John Providence Health System. The fundraiser wasn’t the girls’ only success that night – they also won their game 3-1 against Grosse Pointe South.

Mackay. “Every day there was something different, and the teachers integrated the challenge into the curriculum. We hope this has inspired the students to give in ways they may never have considered.” Mackay says the challenge inspired excitement, ownership, pride and empowerment among the students. “They were learning how they are helping the greater community through their actions,” he says. “The acts themselves can be tiny, but the impact can be huge.”

The total donation of $2,630 will go toward breast cancer research at the Van Elslander Cancer Center, part of St. John Providence Health System.

Spring Concerts 2015 Lower, Middle and Upper School students performed in several concerts in the spring that showcased their vocal and instrumental talents.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Did You Know?

The fields are available for rental. For details, contact Athletic Director Michelle Hicks at 313.884.4444, Ext. 370.

Field Days The athletics fields are finished, and Liggett looks forward to the next step of a two-phase construction project. Liggett has enjoyed many athletic achievements in recent years, but last spring the school celebrated something completely new. The 2015 spring athletics season was the first time – perhaps, ever – that the teams didn’t miss a game or practice due to wet or flooded fields. That achievement, of course, is thanks to the school’s new state-of-the-art athletics fields, which were completed in spring.

converting them from grass to artificial turf. The project involved installing a substructure and drainage system to address drainage and water runoff – something that has helped to solve longtime flooding issues. “The only ones disappointed with the improvements are the ducks and geese that enjoyed their annual visits to ‘Lake Liggett,’” jokes Athletic Director Michelle Hicks. The fields project is the first of a two-phase athletics and classroom facilities project that will culminate with the construction of the new John A. and Marlene L. Boll Campus Center adjacent to McCann Ice Arena. The 46,000-square-foot center will serve as a school welcome center and provide additional classroom space, a conference room, state-of-the-art gym and fitness center. The fields were made possible through the generosity of donors to the Sure Foundations campaign. Watch for more details about the new Boll Campus Center in upcoming issues of Perspective. – Michelle Franzen Martin

The eight fields were completely realigned and rebuilt, ULS.ORG

Girls’ Softball: Earns 3rd straight regional championship The softball team defeated Westland Huron Valley Lutheran 5-2 in the Division 4 regional championship. On a Roll: This is the third consecutive regional championship for the Knights.

Standout Players: Emily Kanakry, who drove in three runs in the first inning off a home run, and Maddie Hamilton, who added two RBIs in the fifth inning of the regional championship. Season Record: 21-11

Boys’ Baseball: District Champions! The Liggett varsity baseball team won its 11th district championship in 12 years with an 11-0 victory over Harper Woods.

Spring Teams Earn

District, Regional and State Honors

Winning Streak: The Knights won 18 playoff games in a row – dating back to 2012. Season Record: 22-10. Finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in Division 3 by the Michigan High School Coaches Association.

Most Exciting Win: Eliminating Bishop Foley in the playoffs opener with 3-1 predistrict victory. Favorite Memory: “The Florida trip was a huge success with everyone getting to know a lot about each other and having a blast playing baseball in Disney. It was a wonderful group effort and a moment that I will always remember as a coach … a great beginning highlight to the season,” says Coach Dan Cimini.

Boys’ Golf: Won all 3 MIAC tournaments The golf team was undefeated for the season in dual and tri-matches and won all three Michigan Independent Athletic Conference tournaments.

districts by 50 strokes and won regionals by 17.

Lowest Score Wins: The team shot a school record low of -307 at the Shorian tournament.

Standout Brothers: Mason and Stephen Campau were the most awarded players and were first and second in the MIAC.

Strokes Count: The team won

Best Finish in School History: The team finished second at the state tournament.

Girls’ Lacrosse: Continues to improve The team finished the regular season with a 7-7-0 record, which was an improvement from the 2013-2014 season. The team benefited from the leadership of senior captains – Meg Shannon, Jacqueline Kopicki and Olivia Wujek – and also

from the five other seniors whose contributions and experience were incredibly valuable. Highlights from the season were a toughfought 10-8 win over rival Grosse Pointe North and a convincing win against Bedford High School by a score of 17-11, after having lost to Bedford early in the season.

ATHLETICS

Tennis: 9th at the state tournament

Liggett’s tennis team placed ninth out of the 21 teams at the MHSAA state tournament, scoring team points in six of the eight flights for 10 team points. Most Improved: The finish is a significant jump from last year’s state tournament, in which Liggett scored five team points and finished 14th. Standout at State: Maddie Fozo won her first two matches to face eventual state champion Amanda Bandrowski in the semi-finals. Fozo finished her freshman year 18-2, earning a state medal. Remarkable Rackets at State: Sabrina Ajjour, Sara Anthony, Hannah Homsy, and the doubles teams of Jo Hummel/ Gaby Cavataio and Tamara Ajjour/Ariana Jan also scored team points for the Knights. Season Record: 4-2-1

Boys’ Lacrosse: Finished the season 8-6 The team won a playoff game for the first time in three years. On offense, juniors Harrison Wujek and Alexander Minanov were the leading scorers. Both improved considerably from their performances as sophomores, with Wujek scoring 39 goals and 26 assists, and Minanov scoring 25 goals and five assists. Liggett will return six of its top scorers next season, as well as an experienced goalie in Jon Elmer.

Track and Field: Competes in state finals

The Liggett track and field team took a huge leap forward during the spring season, with eight athletes qualifying to compete in the state finals. Drought is Broken: It was the first appearance for the girls’ team in 15 years, and the first appearance for the boys’ team since 2002. Top 25 Finish: Out of 54 scoring teams, the boys’ team finished 24th with 10 points. Top of the Class: Mason Demsey’s second place finish in the boys’ 800m is the highest any Liggett individual has placed at the state meet since 1990, when Mike Barnes won the 800. Record Setting: The boys’ 4x800 team of Nick Brusilow, Andrew Lohman, William Loner and Mason Demsey broke the 25-year-old school record in the 4X800, setting a new school record of 8:30.39 at the state meet and earning AllState honors with a seventh-place finish.

Girls’

Soccer:

Relies on youth for regional title The freshmen and sophomores proved to be the difference for the Knights in the regional final game. Back on Top: Liggett earned its first regional title in 10 years. Breakout Stars: Maddie Wu, Delaney Bandos and Alexis Wenger Season Record: 13-6

The girls’ 4x800 team also set a new school record at the state meet. The team of Megan DesMadryl, Paris Burton, Alex Diggs and Julia Zehetmair ran to a time of 10:49.22, breaking a 21-year-old record. Megan DesMadryl set a second school record in the girls’ 800m, with a time of 2:30.55. Proud Coach: “What I am most proud of is the manner in which our team conducted itself at each of these events. Prior to leaving both meets, I was stopped by officials and coaches who wished to pass along their compliments and appreciation to our team for the class, character, sportsmanship and kindness they displayed,” Head Coach Lindsey Bachman says. ULS.ORG

Happily

Ellie Ford Cobb and Joe Cobb â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;04 just celebrated their second wedding anniversary. The couple were married July 13, 2013.

Ever After By Claire Charlton

For some couples, love began to bloom in the Lower School. For others, it happened well into their teenage years. And for one couple, it was a chance reunion some 25 years later that brought them together. Our school has inspired many love stories over the years. Here are just a few of them.

PERSPECTIVE

Young love for Ellie “I have a lot of journal entries dedicated to Joey. It was common knowledge that I had a big crush on him. It’s kind of embarrassing in retrospect, and my little brothers made sure to remind us of that when we started dating.” In each other’s thoughts Ellie’s family moved to Ann Arbor after eighth grade and Ellie attended Greenhills School. But Joey sent Ellie a note each year on her birthday. After graduation in 2004, Ellie attended Princeton and Joey went to Wayne State University. Sparks fly again Thanksgiving Eve 2009 Joey and Ellie, each with a group of friends, arrived at a party at precisely the same time, and that was that. “Yeah, we didn’t talk to anyone else all night,” says Ellie. “She did 999 hair flips that night. Just one shy of 1,000,” Joey says. 2,397 miles, four time zones Ellie lived in San Francisco, while Joey lived in Detroit. Eventually, Ellie moved back to Detroit for six months before they both moved west. “We drove across the country, which was a big highlight,” says Joey. “We got to see what is between Michigan and California, like towns with a population of 47 and tourist attractions like Wall Drug. It’s famous.”

First-grade Crush,

Sealing the deal Joey proposed in Napa Valley in May 2012, just before the couple moved to New York City. They married on July 13, 2013, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit and celebrated with guests from around the country at Ellie’s family home in Ann Arbor.

Sparks fly at Liggett for Joey Cobb ’04 and Ellie Ford Cobb.

Today, Ellie is working toward her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Joey, a classically trained musician, is managing partner with Stone Group Holdings. As a hip hop artist known as J. Cobb, Joey recently released his EP, “Untitled.” Joey and Ellie love to rock climb, cycle, play tennis and golf and attend music festivals.

Mrs. Reid’s first grade class was “epic,” says Joey Cobb. “Mrs. Reid really piqued our sense of adventure and her class was the place I tried so many new things, like sardines and seaweed.”

Liggett Memories

Lifelong Love

Joey vividly remembers the day Ellie Ford joined Mrs. Reid’s class. “I had already staked out my territory at Liggett, having been there since Pre-K,” he says. “Ellie and her friend Emery were the new girls, bright-eyed and full of energy.” But does Ellie remember? Oh, yes, she does. “I loved it!” she shares. “I distinctly remember Liggett being really fun. We always played soccer at recess and I played with the boys. We just had a blast.”

• Third grade and music education: Joey chose drums and Ellie, the flute, which translated into minimal missed recess time together each week. • Spirit Week in middle school! • School trips, teamwork and bonding. “We both had awesome experiences and learned by doing fun things as a class,” recalls Joey.

ULS.ORG

It All Began in the

Manoogian Arts Wing Arjune Rama ’99 and Kira Hinds Rama ‘99 celebrated their wedding in the place they met. Kira Hinds and Arjune Rama, both ’99, kindled a fondness that began in University Liggett School’s Manoogian Arts Wing, so it just makes sense that they would return to that spot to celebrate their marriage.

PERSPECTIVE

First Liggett memory Kira: We both forgot our ice skates the same day, so we had to sit out and watch. Arjune: I remember hanging out in the classroom making each other laugh while everyone else went to the rink. That reminds me, that whatever is going on in our lives, stress or unhappiness, we can always find something to make each other laugh. Something special Kira: He’s really creative and smart and I remember at school thinking he was really sensitive. Arjune: She was always someone who was receptive to me trying to express myself in different ways. What I love about Kira is she gives everything a fair shake, she won’t write anyone off, and that’s quite incredible to me. I’m amazed at how she is open to hearing people out. Senior year Kira: I really enjoyed senior year. We had a lot of free periods and shared the same classes. We’d go outside and collect leaves near the tennis courts, and hang out in the Manoogian Arts Wing. Arjune: We were exploring the space at 16 and 17 that we knew when we were five or six, but through new eyes. She’d let me give her my coat and be romantic and chivalrous in a way. It’s cool to criticize your high school, but Liggett really solidified that part of who we are, for good and bad. Graduation, breakups Kira: Arjune went to Tufts in Boston and I went to Syracuse, so we did long distance for a time. Then he went to med school in the Caribbean and I went to grad school at Harvard.

Arjune: I wasn’t getting into the med school I wanted and St. Maarten was a great adventure. I had a realization over the course of a year what I had given up. It was like a light went off, the ship was about to sail and it was the most idiotic thing I have ever done. I called her, which was hard to do internationally at the time, and the reconnection was instantaneous. Proposal Kira: We had taken time apart from each other and he wrote an email and said he was coming home for a week and that he was going to ask me to marry him. It was totally bizarre. Like, “I’m telling you now that I want you to think about this.” The romantic part of me couldn’t believe it. But the practical part made me realize he really knew me. I really did have to think about it. Arjune: She’s a better historian than I am! I remember the feeling part and she remembers the logistics. When I decided that was what I had to do, it was the most automatic thing. It was perfect. I felt adrift and when I locked in on my life, I breathed a sigh of relief. Wedding Kira: Oct. 9, 2010. We were married at Cranbrook around a fountain. Afterward, we had a reception at Liggett in the Manoogian Arts Wing. It’s where we met, and there are lots of happy memories there, a personal space for us. In June, Arjune completed his residency. He and Kira, together with their 4-year-old daughter, Zadie, moved to Madison, Wis., where Arjune works at a staff psychiatrist and assistant clinical professor at the University of Wisconsin. Kira owns ZDough, an Etsy store that sells handmade scented play dough. ULS.ORG

Lifelong Devotion Bette-Burr Meader ’48 CDS and Greene Fenley III DUS found love during WWII. Bette-Burr and Greene Fenley III enjoy an easygoing comfort that only a couple married 65 years could share. They finish one another’s sentences and laugh as they recall memories from their high school days in Grosse Pointe. “I thought he was really cute and handsome. Very blonde and blue-eyed,” says Bette-Burr. “Well, if it was true, it never did me any good!” counters Greene. “Of course, I thought Bette-Burr was very pretty.” In so many ways, their story is not so different from others who found love in the schools that eventually became University Liggett School.

Debutante balls and big bands In the 1940s, Detroit seemed like the only city in the world to Bette-Burr Meader and Greene Fenley. There were parties and big band concerts, drive-in movies and dances at Country Club of Detroit in Grosse Pointe. And everyone loved boating. Bette-Burr attended Grosse Pointe Country Day School and graduated in 1948, while Greene went to Detroit University School until 10th grade, but graduated from Asheville School in North Carolina in 1947. The two met during spring break of Bette-Burr’s junior year. “I think we hit if off right away,” says Greene. Victory gardens and ration books were part of the landscape of World War II America, but the Fenleys say the war felt very far away when they were growing up. “It didn’t really affect us, but we heard about it every day,” Greene remembers.

for J. Walter Thompson and Campbell-Ewald in Detroit until 1956, when Greene and Bette-Burr moved to New York City and Greene worked for Dancer Fitzgerald Sample on Madison Avenue. Greene and Bette-Burr settled in Connecticut with their two children, Bill and Sally. “We thought we’d have 10 or 12 kids, but whittled it down to six. Then we decided two was a good number,” says Bette-Burr with a laugh. Enduring affection Throughout the years, Greene and Bette-Burr have enjoyed the shared interests that brought them together long ago. “We both like food a lot, and music, too,” Greene says. They admire each other for their intellectual curiosity and love for sports. And they appreciate their respective schools for the social experiences and friendships, some of which are strong even today.

College years After high school, they went East for college. BetteBurr attended Smith College in Massachusetts and Greene went to Hamilton College in New York, each studying liberal arts.

“In my class there were only 24 of us, and even then there were gals going with guys from Detroit University School who ended up getting married and stayed married for as long as we have,” says Bette-Burr. “We still hear regularly from them.”

Bette-Burr left Smith after two years and the couple were married at Christ Church in Grosse Pointe in 1950 and returned to New York, where Greene finished his degree. He pursued a career in advertising, working

Today, Greene is 85 and Bette-Burr is 84. They live in Chapel Hill, N.C., and visit regularly with their son, who lives in Mississippi, and daughter, who lives in New York.

PERSPECTIVE

A Single Rose,

a Lifetime of Love Carey Ford Mammen ’77 and Jens Mammen ‘77 got together 25 years after Liggett.

“At school, we were just friends. No sparks or anything,” says Carey A. Ford about her high school relationship with husband Jens Mammen, both ’77, who joined University Liggett School in ninth grade. They shared hallways, classrooms and an interest in the performing arts, but little did Carey know that Jens secretly carried a torch for her. He even anonymously graced her car’s windshield with a single red rose one evening after a performance. They graduated and went their separate ways. After college, Carey founded Ford Marketing Group in Michigan and Jens traveled the country as an architect.

Still on each other’s mind

Then, out of the blue, 25 years after graduating from high school, Carey received a phone call from a mutual friend, who was at a downtown Birmingham bar with Jens, in town briefly on business. He encouraged the two to chat. “Jens said, ‘Let’s get together for dinner,’” recalls Carey. During their first date, Jens fessed up: The rose was his gift. “I was just way too shy,” says Jens about his high school crush on Carey. “But I had to express myself in some fashion, even if she didn’t know it was me who left the rose.” And yet, somehow, Carey suspected. “It’s something that meant a lot to me, so much so that I remembered it 25 years later,” Carey says.

Yellow polo, khaki shorts Jens and Carey were engaged on July 2, 2006, and soon after introduced their parents for the first time. “My dad opened the door and realized that he and my future father-in-law were wearing exactly the same outfit!” says Carey. “We just laughed and laughed.”

Oct. 7, 2006, Harbor Springs Carey and Jens were married on the eve of Carey’s 47th birthday. They honeymooned at the Wickaninnish Inn, just off the Pacific Rim Highway near Vancouver, which offers a view of spectacular storms as they roll in from the ocean.

“You are what you were when” The couple’s pet phrase that describes the deep mutual understanding at the foundation of their relationship, and reflects the connection that began in high school. “We are a product of all we have experienced across our lives,” explains Jens. “We were interested in similar things at Liggett, and in the end it was just a very long time coming, but absolutely the right thing.”

Today, the couple lives in Empire, Mich., near Traverse City and the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, in a home where they can view storms over Lake Michigan. They share a love of the outdoors. Many roses “Jens is really good at bringing me roses, either for some reason, or for no reason,” Carey says. “We feel very blessed to have found each other.”

It’s about family. Carey’s parents also attended University Liggett School. Her mother, Anne Woodruff, graduated in 1955 from Grosse Pointe University School, and her father, Horace (Bob) Caulkins Ford, attended Detroit University School but graduated from Taft High School around 1948. ULS.ORG

Loved Who They Were

and Who They’ve Become David Niccolini ’92 and Beth Mozena Niccolini ‘93 stayed together after attending separate colleges. David Niccolini admits that persistence pays off. When he asked Beth Mozena to prom in May 1990, he was sure she was letting him down gently when she said she planned to be out of town that weekend. Only when he pressed her did he learn she was telling the truth.

sion that strengthened their relationship, Beth says. In addition to spending a summer apart early on, Beth and David, both Liggett lifers, attended separate colleges. David ’92 studied at Duke, and Beth ’93 at Washington and Lee University in Virginia.

While prom didn’t work out, they shared dinner at Eastside Charlie’s soon after, and, 25 years later, are happily married with two children.

“At that age, you need to allow for change and space for growth,” says Beth, explaining that college is a time to meet a lot of people and have life experiences. They didn’t date other people in college, but did make a lot of friends. “We both changed but we happened to be lucky and we liked who we turned into. Space was good.”

But it’s not as if Beth and David were together every minute for two and a half decades, a conscious deci-

Wedding highlights Beth and David were married June 16, 2001, at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, and then partied with 220 friends and family at the Detroit Golf Club. About a dozen high school classmates attended their wedding, plus 20 or so other University Liggett School connections, because Beth’s dad, John Mozena, graduated from Grosse Pointe University School in 1963. Fun memories from Liggett One day, Beth and David were sitting together in a commons area at school. A teacher walked by and said sweetly, “You two would make the cutest babies, which is a crazy thing to say to teenagers,” recalls Beth. “But she was right,” says David. Liggett history teacher Mickey Blashfield, during a magic show at an assembly, levitated Beth on stage. 18

PERSPECTIVE

“We have such good memories of Liggett,” David says. Beth played three sports at the varsity level all four years at Liggett and holds 11 letters. She went on to play soccer at Washington and Lee, and coached field hockey at Liggett for a few years. What we really like about each other Beth: “It’s so hard to pick one, but I love David’s desire to always be a great person.” David: “Two things come to mind. Beth has always been a person of substance, even at 15 when we started dating. Also, she’s an incredible mother.” Today Beth is a stay-at-home mom to their children, Lauren, 11, and Johnny, 8, and previously worked as a kitchen designer in her family business. David is a partner in a private security and defense company. The Niccolini family lives in Maryland.

Love at First Sight, Maybe Michael Niccolini ’89 and Cristina Guastello ’90 bonded at Liggett and at law school. Was it love on the first date for Cristina Guastello ’90 and Michael Niccolini ’89? Maybe. The couple shares some special moments with Perspective.

First time we saw each other Cristina: In eighth grade, I was at Liggett for my interview. I didn’t notice Mike, but he noticed me. Apparently he asked my guide if I was going to start attending Liggett. Michael: She was very pretty and confident and not paying any attention to me. First flirt Cristina: Sophomore year, I volunteered at an ice cream social. Mike flirted with me like crazy and asked me on a date. Michael: I figured it might be another two years before I had another chance to ask her out. First date Oct. 2, 1987 (it was Cristina’s very first date ever) Cristina: He was wearing a red and white button down, jeans and a gray sweater vest. He wanted a particular Smiths song to be playing when he pulled up.

Michigan for law school. Michael: We were both growing up, and even though we didn’t date the whole time, we were always in each other’s lives. The proposal Cristina: It was my second year of law school, and Mike suggested we go to Mackinac Island. He proposed to me there. Michael: We were in the rose garden at the Grand Hotel. I was very nervous and just went for it. Thankfully, she said yes. The wedding Cristina: Law school finals finished on Dec. 18 and we were married at St. Paul on the Lake in Grosse Pointe on Dec. 20, 1997. Our reception was at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, and it was so pretty and festive. Michael: I remember how crazy it was that every single one of our friends made it to Michigan in the middle of winter.

Michael: I kept rewinding the tape so it would be starting right as I picked her up. I can’t remember which song, but it was very cool, at the time.

Honeymoon! Cristina: We went to St. Bart’s. It was so special to have our first Christmas and New Year’s together, just the two of us.

That sweater vest Cristina: He never wore it again.

Michael: We promised each other we would travel together every year for tradition. We are still waiting for the second time.

Michael: I’m not a sweater vest guy. But that night I was. Cristina’s dad! Cristina: My dad made Mike come in the house when he dropped me off after our date. He wanted to grill him, and Mike just kept looking down at his shoes.

If someone had told you on your first date that you’d eventually marry... Cristina: In the back of my head, I knew we would get married … maybe not from the first date. But we were immediately together. I think we just knew we found our person.

Michael: He was very tough and I couldn’t wait to get out of there!

Michael: I should be so lucky!

College Cristina: We broke up here and there, but we were never really out of touch. He graduated and went to Cornell. My mom and I were on a college visit at Cornell and I really liked it there and decided to apply. Then we both went to

What I love… Cristina: His sense of humor. He’s very kind and super smart. A great dad, and a great guy. Michael: She is smart and funny and driven and the most wonderful mother in the world!

Cristina and Michael live in Maryland, where Michael founded MCM Capital, a private equity fund, and Cristina cares for their three children: Charlie, 13, Caroline, 10, and James, 5.

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Shared History, Strong Bond Friendship led to romance for Kristen Feemster ’91 and James Kim ’91. Kristen Feemster and James Kim, both ’91, didn’t really date in school, but they were part of each other’s lives. Here is how they became a couple.

Sixth-grade homeroom Kristen: I don’t remember the very moment I first met James. But I do remember seeing him and talking to him in homeroom. I remember him being a smiling person, always laughing a lot.

James: I had long hair. Not shoulder length, but more slicked back.

James: I don’t remember the first time I saw Kristen, but, she was definitely among the more intelligent people I had known at school. She had longer hair and braces, I remember.

James: In New York City, you just keep going!

Dinner parties and dances Kristen: I started having a crush on James in 11th grade. I took him to the Sadie Hawkins dance. I wore a black dress and a chunky necklace. James: I remember Kristen had a dinner party at her house. We’d talk on the phone occasionally, and she told me she listened to classical music when she studied. I thought who does that? [laughs].

Tell us your story! Did you meet at school? Email your love story to Katie Durno at kdurno@uls.org.

College … and Liz Smith Kristen: He went to Michigan and I went to Yale. We sent each other letters. Email was new then and we emailed here and there. I graduated, worked for a youth program and started medical school. After my third year at Columbia, I heard that James was in New York through a mutual friend, Liz Smith. James: I sent Kristen an email during my junior year and she didn’t reply for a long time. She was on an exchange program abroad. I moved to New York City right after college and was considering a move to the West Coast. Liz told me Kristen was in New York. Reconnected … at last! Kristen: I got his email address from Liz and we made plans for brunch. He lived in West Village at the time. He looked different! Not as preppy as in high school.

PERSPECTIVE

Kristen: I invited him to dinner that next weekend and we stayed out all night, bar hopping, dancing. That would have been 2000.

Vacation engagement Kristen: In spring 2004, we vacationed in Mexico and he proposed at the top of a pyramid. I was surprised when he asked. James: Men like to offer a bit of a surprise, so we talked about getting married but I brushed it off a bit. I got a ring when we planned our vacation. We were at the end of a hike in the ruins of the Mayan Rivera near Cancun. It seemed like a nice view. On connecting … reconnecting … Kristen: We picked right up from where we were in our friendship at Liggett. There’s something about being with someone who knows who you were in high school and sees what you have become. You don’t have to explain any of that. It’s formative. James: Over time, you have friends that come and go. With Kristen, we decided that our lives should continue together. There is a shared history of being friends and that’s a nice thing to know. It’s comforting and part of home and upbringing. I think about it quite a bit. Kristen and James were married on June 25, 2005, at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and many Liggett friends attended. Today, Kristen is a pediatric infectious disease physician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and James is a consultant with IBB Consulting Group. They have two children, ages 7 and 5.

A Chance Meeting Becomes

a Very Happy Accident Flying the friendly skies led to love for David Watkins ’75 and Maureen Kennary ’76. It didn’t make a lick of difference that Maureen Kennary ’76 was not available to attend the prom with David Watkins ’75 when she was a freshman at University Liggett School. They each went to the prom, with other dates, were active in school and extra-curricular activities, smiled for their respective graduation photos and went on to successful college careers, she at Boston College and he at the University of Michigan. All that matters is what happened when Maureen and David, travelling independently between North Carolina and Michigan, crossed paths at the airport years later. They were in their late 20s by then. They shared a drink, kept in touch, and eventually had their first date months later to watch Michigan play Notre Dame. “We didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to the game,” laughs David. Here’s the rest of their story.

Our happy life David: We got married in 1989 in Grosse Pointe and our reception was at Country Club of Detroit. We had a great time. Several people in our wedding party were classmates from University Liggett School, and it was like a reunion for my parents – in all, my family had five generations at Liggett or DUS. Maureen: We’ve been married for 26 years now and we have three wonderful kids. Our twin girls are 22 and our son is 20. Right after college, David bought an old farm house in the northernmost part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and we still have it. We spend every summer there, but we live in North Carolina where David owns a manufacturing business. Rekindling David: We like to tell people we met in the airport, because that surprises them. But it’s a very small

world. Reunions at Liggett are wonderful and it’s often that we meet people that my parents knew. Grosse Pointe is like that — you know everybody. That always made me feel very grounded.

was never much pairing up in high school.

Maureen: I’m not surprised I married one of my classmates. In meeting him again, I knew who he was; I knew his character.

Who we were at Liggett Maureen: I wasn’t as involved as much as David was, but I would say I was probably more of a leader than the average student. Liggett was a great school. I really enjoyed it.

Remembering back when David: We were in beginning French class together, and I knew her older sister a bit better. Maureen captured my interest. Maureen: I always did think David was pretty cute and I always knew he was a really nice guy. On dating/not dating David: I never dated in high school and most of my friends didn’t date. We went places together, had parties together, but there

Maureen: I’m glad we didn’t date in high school. It might not have worked out!

David: I was very involved. I was class president for three of four years and on yearbook staff from seventh grade. I was co-chair for the carnival and raised a lot of money for the school. I played hockey and soccer. It was a wonderful school in that everyone knew everyone and supported all the teams. We went to all the games. Really, we socialized in big groups. ULS.ORG

Love After GPUS Romance blossoms in college between James Stewart ’57 DUS and Katie Williams Stewart ’58 DUS. By James Stewart ‘57

In the school year 1954-1955, Detroit University School and Grosse Pointe Country Day School merged to become Grosse Pointe University School. For the first time the Upper School was co-ed. Katie was a freshman that year and I was a sophomore. I didn’t know any of the girls. We were both on the student council and that’s how we met. I’d be lying if I said a romance was sparked at the time. After that one year in school together, Katie transferred to Kingswood/Cranbrook as a boarder just about the time I had gotten my nerve up to ask girls on dates. I dated a number of Katie’s old GPUS classmates but to the best of my memory, she and I didn’t cross paths again in our pre-college years. We knew each other but not well. After Kingswood, Katie spent two years in Boston attending Garland Junior College while I was disappointing everyone, especially my parents, by flunking out of the chemical engineering school at Cornell (twice). Katie transferred to University of Michigan after a year at Garland and enrolled in the education school. After a couple years of business courses in Detroit I was finally accepted in the business school at U of M. I was living in a house near the stadium with a couple of other guys. They had an old upright piano that someone had bought for about 50 bucks. Katie’s roommate at Kingswood, Julie Gildersleeve, was now at Michigan and engaged to one of the guys I lived with. One night Julie, the matchmaker, called Katie to say that I was playing the piano and that she should come over and keep me company. Thankfully our year on the student council must have left an OK impression because she came. I guess she has been keeping me company ever since. By 1963, our last year at Michigan, we were in love and planning to be married. I got a job at the Irving Trust Company in New York and after six months with the National Guard we were married on June 27, 1964, at Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe. As we were sitting down to dinner at the reception at Country Club of Detroit, the sprinkler system came on and drenched the wedding party. We honeymooned on Nantucket. A year ago we celebrated our 50th anniversary there with our three daugh-

PERSPECTIVE

ters and their husbands and our seven grandchildren. An anniversary picture appeared in Perspective a few issues back. We lived in Brooklyn Heights for our first two years, then in Rumson, N.J., for 11. Daughter Laurie (Crimmins) was born on New Year’s Day 1966 in New York and Wendy (Mount) and Katie (Signer) arrived in 1968 and 1970, respectively, when we lived in New Jersey. We were transferred to London for four years in 1977 and then returned to the U.S. and New Canaan, Conn., in 1981. We’ve been here ever since. Our children and grandchildren all live within a half hour of us. Haley Crimmins, our oldest granddaughter, will be a junior at Connecticut College next fall. She is on the lacrosse team and is spending a semester in Copenhagen, Denmark. Tommy, her brother, will be a senior at Wilton High School. He plays the drums in a jazz band and is on the travel baseball team. Phoebe Mount will be a sophomore at Fairfield High School and is on the tennis team. Her brother Charlie is 13 and was the homerun leader on the Fairfield American Little League this year. Skylar is 11 and is interested in acting and gymnastics. Finley Signer is 14, and attends Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn., where his mom is the head of the lower school. Fin plays lacrosse and football and was the quarterback on one of the Greenwich Youth Football League teams. His brother Reed, who is 12, also plays football and lacrosse and attends Brunswick in the seventh grade. You have asked what my favorite thing about Katie is. Pretty much everything would be an honest response but if you want to narrow it down let’s just say her smile and her positive attitude for life. Katie’s main passion has been working in various roles with the Garden Club of America and our local garden club in New Canaan. My time has been spent with the United States Seniors’ Golf Association and several other clubs and not for profit organizations. We have a great marriage and wonderful children and grandchildren and we met 61 years ago at GPUS, now University Liggett School.

Oh, what a Plan to

Attend! NOVEMBER 13, 2015 6 P.M. @ THE DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB

Plan to attend Liggett Knight, University Liggett Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fall fundraising gala that raises money for things such as technology and academic initiatives, building improvements, athletic equipment and more. This fun-filled evening will feature the always popular live and silent auctions and the fishbowl drawings! For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Shaye Campbell at scampbell@uls.org or 313.884.4444, Ext. 418 or visit www.uls.org/liggettknight.

LIGGETT

To watch Channel 7 coverage of the cleanup, visit www.uls.org/pensler.

Together We Are Detroit

Photos courtesy of Robert Guttersohn/EAA

Jonathan Pensler ’16 makes it his mission to clean up Detroit. In May, Jonathan Pensler ’16 brought together a group of students from Liggett and Denby High School to clean up several vacant lots in Detroit. In early 2015, Pensler founded Together We Are Detroit, a nonprofit that helps to clean up the city’s East Side. “The point of the project isn’t just to clean up the lots, but it’s to get the kids from Denby and Liggett to work together,” Pensler says. “The goal is to unify Detroit, because it’s going to be our generation that’s going to revive Detroit.

PERSPECTIVE

“The whole idea started because when you go down Jefferson from the Park in Grosse Pointe, there’s a line where you can tell where Grosse Pointe starts and where Detroit ends. You want to be able to break that.” After Pensler created his nonprofit, he found a number of donors to underwrite the mission of buying nine lots on Detroit’s East Side. His hope is to buy more than 200 lots in the next year and rally more than 500 students from urban and suburban communities to help clean up these lots. – Rebecca Wall

PERSPECTIVE: STUDENT

Championship Swimmer Alexis Wenger ‘18 is a championship swimmer who came in first in the 50-yard breaststoke with a time of 31.71 at the Irish Open Championships. You can watch a video of her race at www.uls.org/wenger.

My Love for Liggett For Alexis Wenger ‘18, Liggett is a place for great opportunities. By Alexis Wenger ‘18

I’ve attended Liggett since preschool. I’m always asked the question, “Why have you been at Liggett so long?” My answer is always the same. I love Liggett because of the people and the environment at school. Even from a young age, I knew that attending Liggett would help me thrive and teach me to be the best I could be. One of the most important lessons I learn every day at school is how to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to me. Being a freshman last year, I was new to the high school experience. But I can tell you my first year in the Upper School has been one of my best and favorite years at Liggett. I was able to really bond with the other students in my grade on the freshman retreat to Camp Tamarack last September, and I’ve gotten to know students in the other grades through playing sports. I had the chance to play three sports this year: volleyball in the fall, swimming in the winter and soccer in the spring. Participating in three sports last year taught me things you might not learn in the classroom. Each team was different and taught me different things. There was never negativity on the teams I was on. Our teams were always acknowledged for great sportsmanship. In the spring, the girls’ varsity soccer team made it to the state playoffs for the first time in 10 years – an accomplishment

that shows how hard we worked together as a team. Aside from the great experiences I’ve had on the athletic fields and swimming pool, I’ve had great experiences in the classroom as well. Through the Academic Research Program, I’ve taken the first steps toward learning how to research a topic and ask questions. The lessons I’ve learned, so far, through the ARP have helped immensely with projects, papers and even tests in my other classes. I’m only beginning my ARP journey, but I’ve learned to apply lessons from my ARP to my other classes. I think that the skills and lessons from doing an ARP will stay with me long after I leave Liggett. The ARP teaches us how to take more efficient and detailed notes and how to ask more complex questions. The Upper School teachers at Liggett also made an impact on me during my freshman year. They were always open and available if I needed extra help. I was never afraid to ask a teacher for extra help because of how much they supported and encouraged us to ask for help if we needed it. Liggett has provided me with a warm and secure community. It has helped me grow into a well-rounded individual. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities Liggett has offered me.

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The Academic Research Program is the cornerstone of Liggett’s Curriculum for Understanding. For their senior-year project, students think about their own interests, then pose and answer a relevant academic question.

Discovering their

Passions The Academic Research Project expands beyond the boundaries of the school. By Michelle Franzen Martin

During the Academic Research Program’s Celebration of Research event in May, Shadath Chowdhury ’15 led a Detroit Free Press photographer outside and explained to him the intricacies of pneumatic-hybrid engines. Standing next to the pneumatic-hybrid go-kart he designed and built, Chowdhury shared how his interest in cars inspired his Academic Research Project, which initially looked at alternative propulsion systems. After doing some research, however, he soon realized that there were flaws with many propulsion systems. Internal combustion was the most effective – but it wasn’t energyefficient. “So I kept looking for better solutions,” says Chowdhury, who will begin to study engineering at Tufts University in Massachusetts this fall.

PERSPECTIVE

Like many students who unveiled their Academic Research Projects during the Celebration of Research, Shadath’s project evolved. Students’ initial research topics from the second semester of their 11th-grade year to the time they present at the end of their senior year often take shape in ways they never thought possible. “The Academic Research Project is an 18-month journey during which students grow to be true experts in a topics of their choosing,” says Bart Bronk, associate head of school for academics.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH PROJECT

The Academic Research Program is the cornerstone of Liggett’s Curriculum for Understanding. For their senioryear project, students think about their own interests, then pose and answer a relevant academic question. For Chowdhury, that meant drawing upon his knowledge of using compressed air as energy from his experiences with Liggett’s robotics team. Would it be possible, he challenged himself, to run a vehicle using compressed air? “After realizing that this is a practical form of propulsion and that the internal combustion engine is the most effective propulsion system, I decided to research the effects of using them in unison,” he explains. The Academic Research Project often expands beyond the boundaries of the school as some students go off site to work with mentors at area universities, health systems and other organizations. Chowdhury met Dr. Jayant Trewn, a retired industrial engineer, who mentored him throughout his experience. He also visited the Society of Automotive Engineers World Summit, where he asked leading engineers questions about the feasibility of his project. “After they confirmed the project was very feasible, they gave me some tips,” he says. He also found the school’s unused go-kart, which he

soon rebuilt with his pneumatic-hybrid engine. And in May, he unveiled his work, which he also took for a spin down Cook Road. “I’ve discovered [the pneumatic-hybrid engine] would be the most practical for frequent start-and-stop operation vehicles and bigger vehicles,” he explains. “The system can be applied to any car to increase fuel efficiency up to 124 miles per gallon. The beauty of this system is that it can be implemented in any vehicle. So that could mean mail delivery trucks, package delivery vehicles and general SUVs. This allows these vehicles to increase fuel efficiency drastically.” He also won a third-place award in the Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit and will apply for a patent for the design. Chowdhury credits the Academic Research Project for giving him many unique opportunities he wouldn’t have at other high schools. “I had the opportunity to meet extraordinary people, create a revolutionary propulsion system and do meaningful research,” he says. “I know the ARP will give me an edge over my classmates in college. It is very uncommon for students my age to do amazing work of this nature.”

Meeting a Mentor Bennet Sakelaris ’15 spent a part of his senior year learning about the stock market with the help of a mentor. Sakelaris, whose Academic Research Project looked at the best mathematical model for forecasting the price of stock, worked with mentor Jeff Huebner ‘94 at Pointe Capital Management to learn more about financial advising. “It gave me a good feel for what people did at the firm, and it helped me with my ARP project,” says Sakelaris, who is attending the University of Michigan this fall to major in math. “A lot of high schools don’t offer a unique program like the ARP. I have been able to do research in a field that I am interested in.”

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Discovering their Passions

Paris Burton Paris Burton ‘15 was featured on the new documentary series “Digging Detroit,” where she discussed her Academic Research Project on Detroit’s historic theaters. For her Academic Research Project, Burton spent more than a year researching two of Detroit’s historic theaters – The Alger Theater on the city’s East Side and the Fox Theatre. She wanted to learn how other historic Detroit theaters could be restored and reimagined in the same way that the Fox Theatre was revitalized in the 1980s. In addition to appearing on “Digging Detroit,” she posted a series of blogs on the series’ website, diggingdetroit.com, and worked in collaboration with the team to create her own documentary. “I had never realized how much history is behind these theaters,” Burton says. “I have been lucky enough to be given personal tours of both the Alger and Fox theaters, which were just magnificent, as well as the chance to create my own documentary in collaboration with ‘Digging Detroit.’ I am very excited for this unique and fun opportunity and I think it is a great way to showcase my research from the past year and a half.” The 1930s-built Alger Theater, located on East Warren Avenue, is in the process of being renovated by a nonprofit organization called Friends of the Alger Theater. Burton has been working closely with the organization to share her expertise to transform the theater into what both parties hope will help to revitalize and re-stabilize the East Side neighborhood. Tom Reed, the producer and host of “Digging Detroit,” says he has been excited to work with Burton and learn more about her theater expertise.

“I had never realized how much history is behind these theaters. I have been lucky enough to be given personal tours of both the Alger and Fox theaters, which were just magnificent, as well as the chance to create my own documentary in collaboration with ‘Digging Detroit.’ I am very excited for this unique and fun opportunity and I think it is a great way to showcase my research from the past year and a half.” – Paris Burton ‘15

“Our hook [of the show] is Detroit history, and it seems that all anyone ever knows about Detroit is cars and Motown music,” he says. “We’re striving to expose a lot more, and the perfect thing to talk about is the art and culture of Detroit.” Burton first visited The Alger Theater during a junioryear Urban Studies class. “I was intrigued that such a rundown theater is in the process of being renovated and I wanted to learn more,” she says. This fall, she is attending Lake Forest College, where she plans to study business/theater or arts management.

Discovering their Passions

Isabelle Sakelaris Several years ago, when senior Isabelle Sakelaris ‘15 studied Hieronymus Bosch’s 14th century oil painting The Garden of Earthy Delights, she immediately thought of Aldous Huxley’s book Brave New World. She found the triptych (three-panel painting) fascinating and wanted to learn more. So when it was time to select a topic for her Academic Research Project, she remembered her interest in the triptych. As a result, Sakelaris spent a year and a half comparing the philosophical world views of Huxley and Bosch in the context of Garden of Earthly Delights and Brave New World, and in May she shared her findings outside of the Liggett community.

in the process of developing school curricula on the connections between literature and the arts.”

Sakelaris presented her work to a group of teachers at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

“Aldous Huxley’s essays are fascinating,” she says. “Some of them discussed art and symbolism, though not Bosch’s. I loved reading one of my favorite author’s analysis of some of my favorite paintings. His prose is beautiful as well. Hieronymus Bosch was also interesting. There is a lot of controversy surrounding his personal life and the meaning of his work. Some people believed he was a messenger from heaven, but others believed he was truly a demon. This is because he practiced witchcraft and alchemy. Some sources say that these actions were heretical, while others insist that they were common and acceptable ways for people to worship at the time.”

It’s not often that students have an opportunity teach teachers, but Sakelaris was grateful for the experience. “I am glad to be able to present to such knowledgeable people,” she says. “Their feedback was invaluable, and I [learned] a lot from them, too.” Maria Ketcham, the director of the DIA’s research library, says the museum looked forward to welcoming Sakelaris. “We are so happy to be part of Isabelle’s research project,” Ketcham says. “In addition to being able to work with her in the museum’s research library, we were also able to connect her with our learning and interpretation department, where our gallery teachers are

The triptych, which dates between 1490 and 1510, is Bosch’s best-known and most highly regarded work. Brave New World, Huxley’s best-known work, was published in 1932.

Sakelaris hopes to continue her research after she graduates. This fall, she is attending Davidson College in North Carolina to double major in art history and English.

Watch our ARP video! Want to learn more about this year’s Academic Research Projects? Watch our new ARP video at www.uls.org/videos.

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Discovering their Passions

Jane Ninivaggi For her Academic Research Project, Jane Ninivaggi ’15 spent a year and a half researching militant Islamic extremist groups and their activity on social media. She wanted to prove that extremist groups are capable of creating a recruitment system in the United States through the use of today’s most powerful tools available to young people: Twitter, Instagram and other social media. Her research found many examples of jihadist radicalization in all 50 states, and her findings are so impressive that her work was published in Digital America, an online journal supported by the American Studies program at the University of Richmond. The journal focuses on digitization and digital culture with an emphasis on American life. Ninivaggi’s first article was published in April, and she since has published three additional articles. “Social media is the most efficient system of communication the world has ever seen, and I’ve learned that its ability to disseminate information so directly makes it a valuable weapon in the War on Terror,” says Ninivaggi, who started at Barnard College this fall to study human rights and eventually go to law school. “In many ways, extremist Islamics are fighting Western marketing with Western marketing, but it is similarly as effective for the U.S. to use social media as a tool for de-radicalization to combat terrorism.”

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One of the most surprising discoveries of her research, Ninivaggi says, is that women are being lured with a romantic narrative to join ISIS despite appalling reports of rape, abuse and enslavement. Ninivaggi’s faculty advisor, Andy Knote, says the project was particularly challenging because of the wealth of information on the topic. “Every day there is something new relating to it, and she had to make the tough choice when to stop her research,” Knote says. “She’s very focused and did an extraordinary job riding through the research.” Like many of the Academic Research Projects at Liggett, Ninivaggi’s project evolved. Ninivaggi began developing her research question during her sophomore year when she began writing a paper on President Carter’s response to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and its impact on terrorism and radical Islamic groups in the Middle East. When she proposed her research question

during her junior year, she set out to study the British Jihadi Network and the potential for a similar radicalization in the United States. But the project began to take shape even further when ISIS began to infiltrate Western media. “It wasn’t long before the videos of beheadings and stories of seemingly unassociated American youths being lured to Syria went viral on social networks,” she explains. “Now you can find examples of jihadist radicalization in all 50 states, a development that has been imperative to the relevance of my project.” In addition to studying the social media of extremist groups, she also consulted journals and editorial pieces. “[I wondered] throughout my research process if I would be put on a ‘no-fly list’ because of how often I used Twitter to track jihadist activity,” she says. “I frequently would

check hashtags linked to terror groups in order to characterize who their following was. I thought it particularly interesting when coming across a Twitter page run by ISIS, entitled Islamic State of Cat, that seemed to be an attempt to normalize their radical behavior while also using kittens to offer a more vulnerable persona.” She says the project taught her a lot – both as a researcher and as someone with a strong interest in human rights and cultural revolutions. “Going into this process, I was simply excited to gain extensive knowledge on a single subject and to feel like an expert on something meaningful,” she says. “Yet, it has developed into something more than that. I have not only gained a wealth of knowledge, but also gained experiences that have highlighted the value in challenging myself academically.”

“Going into this process, I was simply excited to gain extensive knowledge on a single subject and to feel like an expert on something meaningful. Yet, it has developed into something more than that. I have not only gained a wealth of knowledge, but also gained experiences that have highlighted the value in challenging myself academically. – Jane Ninivaggi ‘15

Looking Forward: Become an ARP mentor What is the Class of 2016 doing for their Academic Research Projects? Here are a few of the things students are working on. If you have expertise in that area and would like to be an ARP mentor, please contact Katie Durno at kdurno@uls.org. Differences in Global Grocery Stores and Correlation to Health Eleanor Withers

Social-Emotional Traits of Female First Responders Megan DesMadryl

Superheroes in Fiction as Reflections of Morality and Outlook Carissa Knickerbocker

Sustainable Life on Other Planets Nathan Manalo

Dogs’ Role in Animal Assisted Therapy for Mental Disorders Madison Jerome

Franchise Players’ Impact on Winning Alexander Bowman

Hawk-bill Turtle Preservation in Belize Isaiah Hines-Bailey Chemical Waste from Fish Hatcheries in the Midwest Jeffrey Lieder

Villains in American Film Samantha Allen

Issues Around Alcohol Sales at Ski Resorts Alexis Kmak

Influence of Geography in Rap Robert Whitaker

Yoga and Durability of Cross-Country Runners Julia Zehetmair

Refurbishing Abandoned Detroit School Buildings Jonathan Elmer Planning for Belle Isle Alexander Minanov Post-9/11 Response to Al Qaeda Hannah Homsy

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Getting

Published

Sharing Their Stories “I am not asking for a plethora of ethnic dolls; I am merely asking for an expansion of Mattel’s Barbie line to include a wider range of browns in order to include more ethnicities, and for Mattel to make them more available for purchase.”

Students in the Academic Research Program are sharing their findings in a variety of ways – and one of those ways is by publishing their research. Jane Ninivaggi’s article in a University of Richmond journal is one example of this. Paris Burton’s blog for diggingdetroit.com is another. But other students have been published in other media as well. In 2014, Caitlin deRuiter had her research about the National Women’s Soccer League published in The Seattle Times. In her article, she outlined five steps the league could take. “The league has a good business plan, based on little moments, that, if followed carefully, can create a permanent place for women’s professional soccer in America,” she wrote last year. To read the article, visit uls.org/media. Other students have been quoted as sources by national publications. Tessa Verbal ’15 was quoted in a Takepart. com blog post about her petition on Change.org asking Mattel to market their independent African-American doll lines more and to feature a wider range of ethnicities in their Barbie line. Verbal’s ARP topic focused on the ethnicity of Barbie dolls.

Tessa Verbal ‘15

– Tessa Verbal ’15, from “Color Me Mattel: The Need for More Inclusion in the Barbie Doll Line” on Change.org

Caitlin DeRuiter ‘14

“Beyond learning from and correcting the mistakes of previous leagues, the NWSL could take several more steps to ensure lasting success. These lessons come from the sporting world at large, and, in particular, from the premier women’s professional sports league, the WNBA, which is approaching 20 years of successful operation in basketball.” – Caitlin deRuiter ’14, from “Seattle Reign FC: 5 Lessons to Save U.S. Women’s Pro Soccer” in the Seattle Times (April 11, 2014)

Paris Burton ‘15

“The journey has allowed me to explore the history of both theaters, the renovation processes, and future plans. Did you know that at one time the Fox Theater held acid rock concerts in order to make enough money just to keep it open? Or that the Alger Theater caught fire during the showing of a horror movie?” – Paris Burton ’15, from “Inside a Student Documentary,” a blog post on DiggingDetroit.com

Jane Ninivaggi ‘15

“Part of what makes American and British Muslim youth so vulnerable to terrorist recruitment are the polarizing effects of an innate obligation to choose between a strict devotion to religion and a permissive surrounding culture. Yet, the alienating nature of Prevent’s Islamiccentric programs only illuminated a good vs. bad Muslim binary.” – Jane Ninivaggi ’15, from “Anti-Social Media: The Failure of Government Counter-Radicalization Programs,” published in the University of Richmond journal Digital America

PERSPECTIVE

Celebration

of Research May 26, 2015

CY CIRC GA

Legacy Circle

“After graduating from college and deciding not to attend medical school, I took a completely different career path and entered Macy’s New York Executive Training Program. Two years later, I was a buyer for women’s contemporary clothing and was given the opportunity to travel around the world on a research buying trip. This trip prompted a lot of preparation, which included my decision to start my estate planning. I was 25, unmarried and had no children. My family and friends were well and comfortable. So I decided to leave money then to the Liggett and Grosse Pointe University Schools, both of which I had attended. These schools helped me to become the person I was then and am now today. They gave me the skills which I have used throughout my life and different careers. I always think of them fondly and with great appreciation. I hope that by including these now combined institutions in my estate planning, that this will help the school to continue to provide these skills to future generations.” - BB Friedberg Reis ‘69

www.uls.org/plannedgiving

We are thankful to the many alumni who have made a gift to University Liggett School in their will.

The Legacy Circle at University Liggett School represents a group of generous alumni, parents and friends who have made a gift in their estate plan. These gifts, large and small, help to shape superior academic experiences, nurture outstanding teachers, and enable talented and motivated students to attend our school. University Liggett School today has a foundation built on a history and tradition of excellence established by the faculty and students of The Liggett School, Detroit University School, Grosse Pointe Country Day School and Grosse Pointe University School. If you have any questions, or are interested in becoming a member of the Legacy Circle at University Liggett School, please contact Sarah Gaines, Director of Development, at 313.884.4444, Ext. 413, or sgaines@uls.org.

PERSPECTIVE: OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT

Love of Learning “A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart.”

“There is a special sense of community at Liggett that I love. I see it every day, not only in the classrooms, but also on the athletic fields and at school events. ” – Kelley Hamilton Associate Head of School for Advancement

I’m often reminded of this quote when I walk across Liggett’s campus. As I walk by each classroom, I can see a love of learning that continues to blossom between students and teachers. In the classroom, as our students discover what they are passionate about, our teachers help them explore and grow. Through their love of learning, students are able to connect with and nurture their passions, whether it is academically, athletically or artistically. All of this is a special, enduring love – a love from students who love to learn and the teachers who love to teach. There is a special sense of community at Liggett. I see it every day, not only in the classrooms, but also on the athletic fields and at school events. There is a mutual respect among students, faculty and staff at Liggett, and each of us looks forward every day to being here. Every school year brings many new memories – ones that our students remember and cherish long after graduation. My daughter Amanda ’15 often talks about her memories of Liggett. She started this fall at Western Michigan University, where she is studying education. Her experiences at Liggett in many ways influenced her decision to become an elementary school teacher. At Liggett, she had an opportunity to explore her passion for education, and in four years, she will have a chance to shape many young lives, just as her teachers at Liggett have shaped hers. For Amanda and many other young, aspiring teachers, she will have an opportunity to take a hand, open a mind and touch a heart. Best,

Kelley Hamilton Associate Head of School for Advancement

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A Special

Opportunity The Liggett Merit Scholars program offers the educational opportunity of a lifetime. By Michelle Franzen Martin

The Liggett Merit Scholars program gives some of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best and brightest students the chance to receive a Liggett education. In this issue of Perspective, we profile alumni and students who have had the incredible opportunity to be a Liggett Merit Scholar. 36

PERSPECTIVE

“It has been an incredible opportunity ... there’s a greater responsibility and a reason to take your education seriously.” – Kacie Wuthrich ‘15

Kacie Wuthrich ‘15 Kacie Wuthrich knew she liked Liggett the moment she stepped into the school. At that time she was in fifth grade, visiting with her older sister Tori ’13, who was considering Liggett for Upper School. “We walked into Liggett and I really liked it,” Wuthrich remembers. “I decided on it even before she did. It wasn’t until seventh or eighth grade that I realized what a good reputation Liggett has for its curriculum and the small class sizes. I wanted to be a part of it.” Wuthrich got that chance in ninth grade when she earned a Liggett Merit Scholarship. “It has been an incredible opportunity,” she says. “It means so much and comes with a lot of responsibility. There are so many people who are giving so much of their time and money for you to receive an education at this great school. It really puts everything into perspective – there’s a greater responsibility and a reason to take your education seriously.” Wuthrich, who is majoring in international studies

at Johns Hopkins this fall, says the Academic Research Program allowed her to choose a topic that matched her interests – she looked at the circumstances under which the United States should intervene into the affairs of other nations, and when should it use diplomacy, sanctions or force. The school’s college guidance program also had a great impact on her. “The amount of attention I got from the school’s guidance counselor was incredible,” says Wuthrich, who plans to be a diplomat. “The support they gave me was needed and much appreciated.” Now at Johns Hopkins, Wuthrich fondly looks back on her experience as a Liggett Merit Scholar. “It was an incredible opportunity,” she says. “I am so glad I had this experience.”

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Aaron

Robertson ‘13 As editor in chief of Princeton University’s oldest student publication, The Nassau Literary Review, Aaron Robertson is used to writing long articles and papers. It’s a skill that he honed when he worked on his Academic Research Project at Liggett. “The project prepared me for research-intensive college papers,” says Robertson, who is majoring in French and Italian at Princeton. “Princeton makes their freshmen take a writing seminar whose final project requires students to formulate their own topic and write intelligently about it. I think I wrote more for ARP than I did for the seminar paper.” Robertson came to Liggett in ninth grade after attending a charter school in Southfield. “I knew that people in my life were expecting good things to come out of the Merit Scholarship,” he says. “I’m primarily self-motivated, but when educators that you respect and relatives that you love want to see you succeed, you tend to act more honorably.” His hard work both in and out of the classroom earned him a place in Princeton’s class of 2017. And though it’s been a few years since he walked the halls of Liggett, he still speaks fondly of his alma mater.

“I knew that people in my life were expecting good things to come out of the Merit Scholarship. I’m primarily self-motivated, but when educators that you respect and relatives that you love want to see you succeed, you tend to act more honorably.” – Aaron Robertson ‘13

“There are so many seemingly small experiences that I had at Liggett that I was actually privileged to have,” he says. “For example, playing lacrosse is something many people don’t have. Having interesting speakers address the school during community time, going on a freshman retreat … all of these things add up.” One of his most memorable experiences was with the Liggett Players. “Dr. [Phillip] Moss, a great man, can find a way to take a student who never would’ve imagined himself acting and place him on a stage at the Michigan Thespian Festival. Pretty incredible.”

What is the Liggett Merit Scholars program? Launched in 2007, the Liggett Merit Scholars program provides scholarships to the best and brightest students in the region. In addition to providing an exceptional education for incredible students, the program has expanded our applicant pool, increased paid enrollment, and raised the academic achievement of the student body. It has made a difference in the lives of individual students, and in the caliber of the school for all students. The Liggett Merit Scholars program is an endowed scholarship initiative, and our school, our students and 38

PERSPECTIVE

the region will continue to reap the benefits of this program in perpetuity. We are grateful for the donors who have made this program possible with more than $3 million donated. We are especially grateful to our lead donors to the initiative: Ms. Lisa D. Black ’77, Mrs. Vivian W. Day ’75 & Mr. John W. Stroh III ’78, Mr. James A. Fitzgerald ’56 GPUS & Mrs. Patricia Langs Fitzgerald ’58 LIG, Mr. & Mrs. Edsel B. Ford II ’66 GPUS, and Mr. & Mrs. Matthew T. Moroun ’91.

“When I got official word of the scholarship, I couldn’t have been happier to hear that I would have a chance to further my education at Liggett for another four years.” – Megan DesMadryl ‘16

Megan DesMadryl ‘16 Being a Liggett Merit Scholar has challenged Megan DesMadryl in ways she wouldn’t have experienced at any other high school. “Being a three-sport varsity athlete in field hockey, basketball and track would definitely be among them,” says DesMadryl, who commutes to Liggett from Algonac. “Liggett offers a small community aspect that can be so rare in the high school experience.” In addition to her varsity athlete responsibilities, DesMadryl is a member of the Student Commission (she served as junior class president) and the Student Diversity Leadership Council and Women’s Awareness Club. She counts her leadership experiences, both in and out of the classroom, as invaluable. “Being captain of the track team has been very meaningful for me because it has really helped me hone my leadership skills,” she says. “Track is such a mental sport, so being there for my team and supporting them in any way I can is something that is important to me.” The daughter of a retired firefighter, DesMadryl has been interested in fire science since she was very young. That passion influenced her Academic Research Project. She will be researching the social-emotional and psychological traits or dispositions that impact the job-related success and well-being of female first responders. “I always admired the courage that they have to do

their jobs so well,” DesMadryl says of firefighters and other first responders. “At a young age, I too intended to be one. As I got older my perspective on the maledominated field changed, and along with it my hopes of one day being a firefighter also changed. It occurred to me that female firefighters and first responders are a truly a rare breed within the field, and I decided I want to investigate why that is.” DesMadryl remembers the day she was offered the Liggett Merit Scholarship. “When I got official word of the scholarship, I couldn’t have been happier to hear that I would have a chance to further my education at Liggett for another four years,” says DesMadryl, who transferred to Liggett in seventh grade after attending Immaculate Conception School in Anchorville. “Being a Liggett Merit Scholar gave me the opportunity to attend a school where I feel challenged academically and held to high standards in and out of the classroom, and for that I am very grateful.”

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“Everyone I’ve met has been kind, caring and supportive. The connections I’ve made as a result of the students and teachers here are quite valuable as well.” – Joe Pas ‘15

Make a Difference

Joe Pas ‘15

Help us continue to ensure that the best and brightest students have access to a Liggett education.

Flip through the 2015 yearbook or take a look at the photos on Facebook from the most recent academic year. You’ll certainly see Joe Pas – and his saxophone. Pas, who is now majoring in jazz studies at the University of Michigan, says he was especially thankful for the opportunity to attend Liggett and participate in band.

Support the endowment that provides funding for the Liggett Merit Scholars program. To learn more, contact Kelley Hamilton at 313.884.4444, Ext. 410 or khamilton@uls.org.

“I can’t think of a single time I didn’t enjoy myself in band,” he says. “That’s largely as a result of my directors, especially during my senior year. … I love playing the saxophone, I love playing with others and I love our director.” Pas came to Liggett from a middle school in Clinton Township. When he arrived in ninth grade, he immediately found a place within the close-knit Liggett community. “My first love was, of course, the band, and I participated in the pit band for our spring musicals every year of my time at Liggett. I began acting in the fall plays my sophomore year, and I joined the extracurricular choir The Knights my junior year.” He had an opportunity on numerous occasions to lead the band, and he directed the Upper School pit band and Middle School musical with friend and fellow ’15 alum Jonathan Valente. He also was president of the Liggett Players during his senior year. The most important part about being a Liggett Merit Scholar, he says, is having an opportunity to attend Liggett. “Everyone I’ve met has been kind, caring and supportive,” he says. “The connections I’ve made as a result of the students and teachers here are quite valuable as well.”

PERSPECTIVE

“It makes me so proud and honored to be recognized as a scholar at one of the best independent schools in the state. It shows others and reminds me of the diligence it took to get into the school as well as the effort that I will continue to give.” – Amani Tolin ‘17

Amani Tolin ‘17 Amani Tolin looked at high schools throughout Michigan and across the country before applying to be a Liggett Merit Scholar. He’s thankful he was offered the chance to attend Liggett, his first choice. “When I learned that I was being invited into the Liggett Merit Scholars program, I felt fortunate because it was the top school on my list,” he says. “It makes me so proud and honored to be recognized as a scholar at one of the best independent schools in the state. It shows others and reminds me of the diligence it took to get into the school as well as the effort that I will continue to give.” Tolin, who attended Laurus Academy in Southfield from kindergarten until eighth grade, says Liggett has allowed him to discover the things that interest him. “Since the school is smaller, I can join the sports teams and classes that I would like to. I probably couldn’t do that at other schools.”

At Liggett, Tolin plays on the soccer, basketball, lacrosse and track teams. He fondly recalls trips that he has taken for 10th-grade U.S. history, a class that recently was revamped to study history through the lens of Detroit and the region. He also enjoys being able to take art classes. “My favorite subject is probably art,” he says. “I never really had a chance to be a part of a good art program, which is one of the reasons I came to Liggett.” And his positive experiences at Liggett have influenced his sister, Katriel, who is attending Liggett this fall as a Liggett Merit Scholar.

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Sarah Galbenski ‘17 Although she already has many great memories at Liggett, Sarah Galbenski counts some of her experiences off campus among her most memorable. Some of her favorites include the 10th-grade trip to Washington, D.C., and visits to parts of Michigan for her U.S. history class. “In D.C., it was a blast to be able to actually experience what we were learning about instead of just reading out of a textbook,” says Galbenski, who came to Liggett in ninth grade after being in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools. “I absolutely love the integration of ARP into U.S. history this year because we have been able to learn more about America’s past through the history of Detroit. We have traveled to the Sanilac Petroglyphs, River Raisin Battlefield, the DIA and more.” Being a Liggett Merit Scholar is not something that she takes lightly. “As a Liggett Merit Scholar, I feel incredibly honored to be able to represent the Liggett community not only in scholarly pursuits, but also on the field, on stage and in leadership roles,” she says. “I love being a positive influence in the greater Liggett community and I take great pride in my role as an ambassador. Also, I feel that I have a duty as a Liggett Merit Scholar to bring enthusiasm to each of my classes and raise the level of discussion.” She also likes the strong sense of community that Liggett offers. “I absolutely adore the community atmosphere that we have at Liggett,” she says. “It truly is such a close-knit family and I love seeing kids of all ages throughout my days.”

“As a Liggett Merit Scholar, I feel incredibly honored to be able to represent the Liggett community not only in scholarly pursuits, but also on the field, on stage and in leadership roles.” – Sarah Galbenski ‘17

PERSPECTIVE

Mostafa Shanta ‘14 Mostafa Shanta ‘14, now at Yale on Questbridge Scholarship, looks back on his experience as a Liggett Merit Scholar. By Mostafa Shanta ‘14

It’s true of any student awarded a scholarship that it’s one of the most gratifying (and admittedly terrifying in some regards) moments of your life. The scholarship is someone investing in you, acknowledging all you’ve accomplished thus far and believing you have even more left to do. It gives a nice jolt to your confidence, but, more importantly, it makes you aware that people are watching so your successes and your failures carrying some weight. The Liggett Merit Scholars program was the first accomplishment of this kind for me, and I’m beyond grateful for having received this opportunity. My Liggett story really begins with my older brother, a Liggett graduate of 2012. When he began his sophomore year in the Upper School, I began my eighth-grade year at the Middle School. From there, I learned of the scholarship program. [After being chosen for the scholarship], I remember receiving the phone call one evening and just the rush of relief, excitement and disbelief. I think the best thing Liggett has given to me, and that only Liggett could have given to me, is the people and the environment. Liggett’s teachers and students create this personal environment that truly makes you feel like you get to know people. Because of that, the support for your education and interests feels authentic and no conversation is ever dull. At Liggett, I was part of the robotics team, leading it with two good friends our senior year. Liggett Robotics has cultivated a culture of unfaltering optimism in the face of greatest challenges. As anyone who has used any machine can tell you, technology is difficult. Add in high school kids, a challenge, six weeks and lots of pop, you get just a taste of the entirety of the experience. That said, the moment the robotic takes the field and you accomplish all you set out before yourself six weeks ago is pure joy.

”Because of my Liggett experience, I was able to become a Questbridge scholar attending Yale University. I never expected an outcome like that, but the Liggett Merit Scholars program made it a reality.” – Mostafa Shanta ‘14

I have to thank the Liggett Merit Scholars program for giving me the opportunity to experience all of this. Being a Liggett Merit Scholar played a significant role in my growth as a student and as a person. Because of my Liggett experience, I was able to become a Questbridge scholar attending Yale University. I never expected an outcome like that, but the Liggett Merit Scholars program made it a reality.

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Congratulations Class of 2015

The Class of 2015 went to the following colleges and universities this fall. University of Alabama Barnard College Boston College Boston University Capital University Carleton College Univ. of Colorado (Denver) Davidson College University of Delaware University of Detroit Mercy Ferris State University George Washington University Grand Valley State University Hillsdale College Hofstra University Howard University Johns Hopkins University

Kalamazoo College Knox College Lake Forest College Lehigh University Loyola University Chicago Miami University Michigan State University University of Michigan New York University Northwestern University University of Notre Dame Oakland University Ohio Northern University Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins Univ. University of Pennsylvania Purdue University

Reed College Rhodes College University of Richmond Rochester Institute of Technology Rollins College Savannah College of Art and Design St. Lawrence University University of Texas (Austin) University of Toledo Tufts University Vanderbilt University Wayne State University Western Michigan University University of Wisconsin (Stevens Point) College of Wooster

PERSPECTIVE: PARENT

We Chose

University Liggett School

By Mandy and Brandon Johnson, parents of Andrew ’25 and Morgan ‘27

My name is Mandy Johnson and my husband, Brandon, and I have two children who attend University Liggett School. Our son Andrew is in third grade and our daughter Morgan is a first-grader. Both of our children have attended University Liggett since Pre-K3 and they look forward to being part of an esteemed group called the “Liggett Lifers” in 2025 and 2027. The path that led us to Liggett started back when Brandon and I met while attending Grand Valley State University. Brandon’s mom worked for Liggett around the time I was studying to obtain my teaching degree. She took me on a tour of Liggett and I was amazed by how it exemplified many of my own philosophies of education. I went on to teach at a local public elementary school after graduating, but I never forgot how impressed I was with Liggett. I left teaching after six years to stay home with our two children. Before long, it was time to choose where our son Andrew would go to preschool. The first tour we set up was with Liggett and it ended up being our only tour. Andrew was welcomed into the preschool classroom and was immediately engaged in the discussion going on. My husband and I had tears in our eyes as we watched him fit in seamlessly, and we knew that Liggett was where he belonged. We are now five years into our Liggett journey and we couldn’t be happier. Our children are excited to go to school each and every day. Andrew and Morgan love their teachers and have made many life-long friends. Our children have a passion for learning because they are taught using the Reggio Emilia method. This method encourages them to explore what interests them most and to take charge of their own learning experience. They are exposed to a multitude of arts, cultures, music, sports and technology that gives them a level of education that is superior to anything my husband or I have ever experienced. Through my work on the Liggett Annual Fund and the opportunities that Brandon and I have had volunteering in our children’s classrooms, it is evident that everyone involved in the Liggett community is invested in provid-

“We know that by sending our children to Liggett, we are giving them the opportunity to realize that their potential. They are pushed to go beyond their strengths and discover a world of opportunity that will allow them to become major contributors to the world they live in.” - Mandy Johnson

ing our children a superior education. We know that by sending our children to Liggett, we are giving them the opportunity to realize their potential. They are pushed to go beyond their strengths and discover a world of opportunity that will allow them to become major contributors to the world they live in. There is no question in our minds. We made the right choice.

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Homecoming 2015 Under the Lights

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Join us for Homecoming when we shine a spotlight â&#x20AC;&#x201C; literally â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on one of the new fields. The Homecoming football game will be played in the evening under lights. Festivities will include bounce houses, face painting, a parade, tug-of-war, the alumni cook tent and much, much more. Make plans to attend. Find out more about Homecoming at www.uls.org/homecoming.

PERSPECTIVE: ALUMNI

Looking Ahead This Fall September is always a fun and exciting time to be at University Liggett School, and I encourage all alumni to stop by for a visit any time. You can call ahead for the “white glove” tour with me, or just pop in and take a look around. You’re always welcome here and it’s always nice to have visitors!

“Things around here are as busy as always and we have many fun alumni events lined up.” - Katie Durno Alumni Relations Manager

Our new sports fields are spectacular and we’re looking forward to seeing our fantastic teams play, and hopefully win, on them this fall. We encourage you to please attend our home games – football, men’s soccer, women’s field hockey, cross-country will all be competing on these new fields, and it’s always nice to have a packed gallery of fans. Be sure to check out men’s tennis and women’s volleyball, too, as they will be working to win on our tennis courts and in the gym. For complete sports schedules, please visit www.uls.org and click on the Athletics tab. Of course, things around here are as busy as always and we have many fun alumni events lined up. Here are a few of the highlights: Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Ceremony: Friday, Oct. 2, at 5:30 p.m. in the Manoogian Arts Wing. Join us for this annual event where we will honor this group of superb alumni student-athletes: Jack Foster ’48 DUS Peter Monroe ’61 GPUS William Hummel ‘78 Paula Mighion Cornwall ‘84 Homecoming 2015: Saturday, Oct. 3, here on our Cook Road fields. The usual fun will ensue and we’ll have an alumni football game, bouncy houses, arts and crafts, spirit signs, red vs. blue tug-of-war, the Alumni Cook Tent, Logo Store items for sale and much more. Please make plans to join us and cheer on our teams and the school. Liggett Knight 2015: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the Detroit Athletic Club. This is our annual fall fundraising dinner and it features live, silent and fishbowl auctions. It is always a terrific evening and we hope to see you there. Alumni Hockey Game: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at McCann Ice Arena. All you alumni hockey players are invited to play. Keep your eyes peeled for an invitation to this event sometime in the next few weeks. In the meantime, get those skates sharpened and aerate your gear bag! Of course, there are more events, too – like local and regional gatherings in New York City, San Francisco, Florida and more. For specific dates, locations and other information, please check University Liggett School website and our alumni e-newsletter, Knightline News. Meanwhile, call or email me if you have questions, need information or want to fill us in about what you’ve been up to. Hope all is well, and Go Knights! Sincerely,

Katie Durno Alumni Relations Manager

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Alumni

Weekend May 14-15, 2015

All-Alumni Cocktail Party

1 5

Alumni and friends reconnected in May during Alumni Weekend. 1. Joseph P. Healey, Ph.D, Head of School, and faculty emeritus David Backhurst; 2. Elaine Backhurst and Anne Birgbauer ’62 GPUS; 3. Bonnie Skoryanc ’60 LIG, Tom Molesky and Peter Gaines; 4. Vivian Day Stroh ‘75 and John Stroh III ‘78, president of the Board of Trustees; 5. Ned Lambrecht and Dan Dyer; 6. George Jerome ’56 GPUS, Ann Jerome and Doug Wood ‘90; 7. Mary Anne Zinn, Ruth Glancy ’58 LIG and Eleanor Durno GPUS ‘55; 8. Chrissy Mylarnek ’05, Erin Crisan ’05 and Gene Overton; 9. Lynn Scoville ’55 GPUS, Dan Dyer, Mimi Kenower Dyer ‘55 GPUS, Larry Scoville; 10. David Backhurst talking to Mary Jane and Frank Heaney 11. John Mabley ‘65 GPUS and Anne Mabley and Art Getz ’67 GPUS; 12. Susan Walker ‘85; 13. Samina Qureshi ’91 and Pahl Zinn ‘87 6

Alumni

Weekend May 14-15, 2015

Ladies

Luncheon

Ladies enjoyed lots of hugs, lunch, reminiscing and a song or two at our annual Ladies Luncheon.

1. Elizabeth Wooley ‘65 LIG and Janie Reuther ‘55 GPUS; 2. Speaker Pamela Ahee-Thomas and Katie Durno; 3. Mary Ferguson ‘60 LIG and Ingrid Sandecki 60 LIG; 4. Gay Budinger ‘55 GPUS, Lynn Scoville ‘55 GPUS and Mary Schrope ‘65 LIG; 5. Joe Healey and Helene Schneider Bailey ‘57 LIG; 6. Katie Durno, Janet Davidson, Helene Schneider Bailey ’57 LIG and Alice Baetz ’64 LIG; 7. Lynne Miller ’65 LIG; 8. Eleanor Durno ’55 GPUS and Susan Snow ’55 GPUS 3

‘A Warm and Inviting Place’ Growing up in Detroit’s western suburbs before I-696 was built, Denise Ilitch took an unlikely path to University Liggett School. Her dad drove her to school every morning until she was able to drive herself, passing by other schools that would have been closer. In a heartfelt acceptance speech during Alumni Weekend, where Ilitch was honored with the school’s highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award, she told a packed house that she realized that her friends at her west side high school were headed for trouble. “I approached my parents and told them, ‘You’ve got to get me out of here,’” says Ilitch, the oldest of seven children. “I didn’t want to go down the path that most of my friends were on.” After touring several other schools in the area, Ilitch says she knew her search had ended the moment she walked into Liggett. “I knew I had found the right school in Liggett. The school had such a warm and inviting atmosphere,” she says. “It was such a close-knit group; it felt like family. After visiting Liggett we didn’t look at another school. I knew I had to come here.” Ilitch was recognized for her positive influence that has left indelible mark on the region. “Denise’s widespread positive influence has left a mark on our city,” says Head of School Joseph P. Healey. “Her longtime commitment to Detroit and the region, as well as her steadfast and impressive ability to generate positive change, makes her the ideal choice for this important award.”

Denise Ilitch, Esq. ’73: 2015 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Among other things, Ilitch is the owner of Denise Ilitch Designs, co-owner and publisher of Ambassador Magazine, and is the current President of Ilitch Enterprises, LLC as well as the past President of Ilitch Holdings Inc. and Olympia Development LLC. Most recently, Ilitch purchased 220 Merrill in Birmingham, gave the restaurant a facelift and reopened the dining establishment last summer. The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented each year to an alum for his or her leadership, professional achievements, civic contributions, service to University Liggett School and/ or other qualities that elicit pride from the University Liggett School community. – Rebecca Wall

Patty and Atanas Ilitch attend the All-Alumni Cocktail Party during Alumni Weekend in May to support Atanas’s sister who was the Distinguished Alumni Honoree. At the ceremony, Atanas gave a heartfelt speech about Denise.

Alumni

Weekend May 14-15, 2015

Campus Tours

1. Ruth Glancy ’58 LIG and former trustee with Kelley Hamilton; 2. Dr. Phill Moss and Dustin Meldrum ‘05; 3. Hannah Homsy ’16 and Heather Diehl ‘87. 4. Tony Barr ’55 GPUS and Reade Ryan ’55 GPUS

May 15, 2015

Golf Outing

1. From left, Joel Caskey ’73, Jeff Bauer ’70 GPUS, Larry Scoville, John Danaher ’70 GPUS, Jim Perry ’70, Chuck Shreve ’70, John Durno, Booth Platt ’96 and Macgruder “Mac” Jones ’55; 2. Booth Platt ’96

May 14, 2015

Annual Arts Exhibition and Theater Awards and Inaugural Arts Hall of Fame Induction of Julie Harris ’44 CDS

1. Alumni were treated to an art exhibition at the Arts Awards; 2. T.J. Wolfgram and Tony Barr ’55 GPUS; 3. Margaret Harris with Dr. Phill Moss

Class Reunions

Class Cup Winners

Class of 1985

Class of 1955 GPUS In a close finish, the Class of 1955 GPUS edged past the Class of 1940 LIG, with 34 percent participation in the Annual Fund. Congratulations to the Class of 1955 GPUS!

Class of 2010

Knights Circle Award Winners Class of 1975 Class of 1955 GPUS

Class of 1970 GPUS

The Class of 1975 won the school’s first-ever Knights Circle Award for being this year’s reunion class with the highest dollar amount of donations to the Annual Fund.

Class of 2005

Loyalty Award Winners Class of 1990

Class of 1960 LIG

From left, Pahl Zinn ’87, John Renaud ’70, Priscilla Mead ’70, Eleanor Hawkins Durno ’55 GPUS and Samina Qureshi ‘91 For a list of complete Loyalty Award Winners visit www.uls.org/loyalty

Leadership Circle

Reception

May 19, 2015 Country Club of Detroit University Liggett School’s annual Leadership Circle reception thanks and recognizes members of the school’s Leadership Circle, a group of supporters whose leadership giving reflects an extraordinary commitment to the students and faculty of University Liggett School. The evening included 75 guests and a special performance by the Upper School Jazz Band. 6 1. Libby Candler ’75 and Georges Ghafari; 2. Lynn and David Galbenski; 3. Jane Dow ’51 CDS and Peter Dow; 4. Mary and Patrick Mansfield; 5. Anne Birgbauer ’61 GPUS and Bruce Birgbauer ’60 GPUS; 6. Huong Reilly, Karen and Van Fox and Gina and Doug Stapleton; 7. Jonathan Valente ‘15; 8. Gina and Doug Stapleton; 9. Louana and Georges Ghafari 10. Paul and Mary Ellen Meyering and Kerri Gustafson 9

CLASS NOTES

Class

Notes 1947

CDS Class Representative: Shirley Jerome McKee 9820 Oakhurst Holly, MI 48442-8610 Shirley wants to hear from all of you! Please send paper/mail updates to her at her home in Holly. Or, if you want to send electronic updates, and photos, you can forward that information to her son, Bill Underdown, at bill@shorelinerealtors.com.

1948

Liggett Class Representative: Norah Moncrieff Williams 502 Glen Arbor Lane Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236-1506 JackandNorah@wowway.com Norah Moncrieff Williams: Jack and I escaped winter’s blast in March by flying off to Cayman Island for the last two weeks of the month. Mike and Meipo Martin (my children) made all the arrangements and accompanied us. We stayed on the quiet side of the Island in a lovely condominium with a small pool, which was just perfect for doing water aerobics. Walking in the sand and swimming in the ocean are a thing of the past, since my stroke five years ago gave me limited use of my left side and leg. A cane is my constant companion and is quite useful for getting people out of the way. Our extended family expanded by two great grandsons during the past two years. Blake Martin (Norah’s family) was born March 23, 2014, and Joshua Craft (Jack’s family) was born April 24, 2015. We now have six great grandchildren. We are both alive and kicking, and would love to hear from the rest of the class. Send me an email at JackandNorah@wowway.com or if you haven’t joined the computer age, 502 Glen Arbor Lane, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48246. CDS Class Representative: Constance Woodall Fisher 1485 Kingswood Terrace Harborsprings, MI 49740 confish@charter.net

Norah Williams ‘48 welcomed grandsons Blake Martin (left) and Joshua Craft (right).

1949

Liggett Class Representative: Ann Bolton Opperthauser 41140 Fox Run Road #610 Novi, MI 48377-4845 Mary Johnson Adams fell and broke her other hip. She had a hip replacement, was in rehab and was expected to go home in June. She was doing much better than when she broke her other hip a year ago. All her children now live in Palm Springs and are nearby. Ann Bolton Opperthauser: I am having a knee replacement in July. I’m not looking forward to it, as I had one about 11 years ago, so I know what to expect.

1951 65th Reunion! Liggett Class Representative: Barbara Allen Esler P.O. Box 1552 Troy, MI 48099-1552 Barbara@autumnwinds.com

CDS Class Representative: Jane Ottaway Dow 191 Ridge Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3554 janeodow@gmail.com Gail Stroh Marentette and David “Derb” Johnson called the Dows to remind Jane that our 65th class reunion is coming up in May 2016. So put that on your calendar and make plans to attend.

Mary Lou Johnston: David and I recently returned from a wonderful three-week trip to England. We travelled with our son for two weeks and with friends the remaining time, which allowed us to customize the trip and visit exactly what we wanted to see. Although we had lived in Europe for 10 years in the 1960s and ‘70s, we never spent much time in England. I

Want to send us a photo? We will publish, on a spaceavailable basis, pictures of alumni weddings, civil unions, gatherings, promotions, birth announcements and other activities. What we need: Images must be 300 dpi/jpeg format and must be accompanied by caption information: who (left to right), what, where, when. Note: We cannot accept photos pulled from the Internet or social media and reserve the right to reject images for any reason. Email photos to Katie Durno at kdurno@uls.org.

ULS.ORG

guess the unspoken theory was that we could always go to England, so let’s go to Hungary or Egypt. Thus, it was a trip long overdue. When we arrived home, David summed it up, “We saw a lot of things we’d never seen, did a lot of things we’d never done and had a lot of fun.” So, I think we can count it as a success. In the fall, we’re scheduled for a Mississippi River boat trip with three days in New Orleans. Right now, I’m thinking about travel for the upcoming 65th reunion of the DUS class of 1951. Gail Marentette is already planning that the three of us will attend. It seems impossible that five years has elapsed since the last reunion! Time flies these days! Dick Sutherland went back to Brown this year for his 60th reunion there and had a wonderful time. Jane Ottaway Dow: I accompanied Pete to his 65th at Lawrenceville and had a wonderful time. Pete was surprised when he was given a medal from the Lawrenceville Alumni Association, which recognizes one alumnus each year with the Distinguished Alumni Award. I was so proud. Our upcoming 65th class reunion may be our last time to celebrate our school days together and remember fallen classmates. It is always a beautiful time in Michigan, and the transformation of the University Liggett School campus will please and amaze you. So stay well and please make an effort to come back. DUS Class Representative: Edmund R. Sutherland 216 Ridge Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3538

DON’T SEE YOUR CLASS LISTED? BECOME A CLASS REPRESENTIVE. CONTACT KATIE DURNO AT KDURNO@ULS.ORG

1954

Liggett Class Representative: Valerie Oppenheim Hart 6849 S Clayton Street Mount Dora, FL 32757-7024 vhartcook@comcast.net Valerie Oppenheim Hart: I have not been able to touch base with 56

PERSPECTIVE

some of you for this issue. Please email me at Vhartcook@comcast.net or call 352-735-1608 to be included in the next publication. We need to share our good as well as sad news and milestones that have changed our lives. We need to remember our yesterdays at Liggett and look forward to our tomorrows wherever we are. With hugs to you all, Val! We are saddened to record the death of Coe Cookson Kraus on Jan. 12, 2015. Coe graduated from the University of Michigan as a Regent Scholar. She moved to Maine in 1989 where she was active in the Ogunquit Women’s Club and the York Senior Center. Our deepest condolences to her husband of 53 years, Jack, her son, Scott, daughter, Elisabeth, five grandchildren and great grandson. Joyce Lovisa Rogers: I am recuperating from knee replacement surgery as I write. In addition to age, I think Liggett field hockey is also a culprit!! I am doing fine, although not quite ready to dance yet. The highlight of our year was a memorable four generation family reunion in Traverse City last July. It was our first time we had five of our six great grandchildren present. It was such fun to have little ones around. Seattle grandson, Josh, and his family were not able to be with us at that time but are presently here for sister, Mikaela’s graduation – No. 2 daughter of Michael and Teri. Although it is a milestone for her, it is bittersweet for us as she is our last grandchild in high school. On another happy note, Bruce and I will be celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary June 12. We are still catching up with many of you who have enjoyed 50 years or more, but for us the blessing of a second love. With wonderful memories of good times shared and class of 1954 friendships, my warm regards to everyone. From Val: If any of you need to make your day brighter, call Joyce to have her happy voice lift your spirits! Carol Larsen Marantic sounds chipper and is she is managing beautifully with the strength and courage she has had since school days at Liggett even though her husband, Robert, is not doing well. She is grateful for her son, John, who is supportive and loving. Mystery novels are a good diversion from the stress as caregiver.

Valerie Oppenheim Hart: I am having fun with my latest book. My Best Life is the autobiography of Sakie, an 18-year-old historian, philosopher, dreamer and food aficionado, who just happens to be a cat. With details of her present life, she shares adventures of her three other lives and the lives of cats she meets that tell their stories as protagonists that changed history. Each chapter is followed by recipes that create a combined novel and cookbook. On a personal note, our granddaughter, Blair Bosshardt, is making us proud as the third generation at Cornell whose high academic achievement in Design & Environmental Analysis has earned her recognition on the Dean’s List. Her mother is our daughter, Alexa, MPS, RDN, Corporate Research Chef American Sugar Refining (Domino Sugar). Our youngest daughter, Katherine (Katie) continues to train service dogs and adopt the unadoptable to protect at her Hart’s Last Chance Ranch cat rescue.” Martha Mack March-Day: As of Jan. 17, 2015, I became Martha M. Day. Charles Day and I were married at The George C. Marshall House on Officers’ Row, near Ft. Vancouver, in Vancouver, Wash. We had a small wedding with 28 people in attendance – family and just a few friends. The setting was wonderful – an 1886 Queen Victoria house. Everything went off without a hitch, with exception of the weather that poured its good wishes. Out here in the Pacific Northwest or “Northwet“ as my son, Jeff, calls it, we refer January’s weather as liquid sunshine. The newlyweds honeymooned in Arkansas and Texas. I send you all my best regards. Lynn Markus White: We have lived in Sarasota for almost 20 years. When we first visited it in 1975, we immediately fell in love. We eventually built a home in 1996. Last year, we decided that it was time to think about moving to a retirement community. We are now enjoying life at The Glenridge. We have made many friends here, the food is delicious and there are a multitude of activities to keep us busy. They even allow cats and dogs. Our daughters, Windy and Shelley, live in Chicago. Windy is in Lincoln Park and Shelley and her husband, Tim, and their children live in the suburbs. We have two grandchildren. Fifteen-yearold Riley, is an avid lacrosse player. Her 17-year-old brother John is

CLASS NOTES

looking at colleges. I still love to paint and do needlework. We had a wonderful time visiting University Liggett School for our reunion. It was so nice to reconnect with some classmates at the luncheon. Let’s try to get a larger group together next time. The school looks great. It was a treat to be there again and see all the good things that are happening. It is an excellent place of learning, and we can all be proud to say that we graduated from there. The best to all of you! Julie Michel Schlanger: Warren and I are both fine. We enjoyed a wonderful couple of weeks in the Grand Tetons and the northern end of Yellowstone – favorite places of ours. Our daughters, Laura and Joanne, and our granddaughter Charlotte, 9, joined us in the Tetons. Our oldest grandson is a high school senior, preparing applications to colleges. We are watchfully waiting to see where he will go next year. Sue Schumacher Eilertsen: Louise Livingood, although Weezie moved back to Texas before graduation, we still consider her a Liggett girl, had lunch with Sue a year ago. She shared that Sue was her usual bubbly self while recovering from an illness. Our prayers are with you, Sue! Carol Silverman: Although only three of us showed for our 60th reunion, Carol Marantic, Lynn White and I enjoyed the festivities. Lynn’s daughter, who lives in the Chicago area, and is in public relations management, joined us. We shared a table with four women from Grosse Pointe Country Day, who were also celebrating their 50th reunion – they were the women who received acknowledgement for raising the greatest amount of funds among the alumni. Having retired from veterinary medical sales, I now have the time I need as president of the Sportsmen’s Dog Training Club. It is the oldest and largest performance-training club in Michigan. I am also vice president of the Doberman Pinscher Club and Maumee Doberman Pinscher Club in north Ohio. Working with these magnificent animals in obedience and agility is a full-time job. Sue Straith Kellegher: Christmas letter enclosure to Joyce Lovisa Rogers: I moved back to Pennsylvania and love being near our

children, grandchildren and friends again. At the same time, I miss Florida friends and good times with them. Sue included their recent family picture - what a handsome group! They have six grandchildren, ages 28 – 13. Joyce’s personal comment: Sue looks just like her senior picture. Like good wine, she has aged well – still the pretty smile. Sue and I have not missed corresponding at Christmas since graduating from college – 60 years or so.

1955

Liggett Class Representative: Gael Webster McFarland 212 20th Avenue Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785-3840 gaelstan@gmail.com GPUS Class Representative: Jane Weaver Reuther 81 Lewiston Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 jnb7@comcast.net The best news we have to report is that the GPUS Class of 1955 had a truly spectacular reunion in May. Tony Barr, Joan LeGro Bushnell, Gay Mercer Budinger, Eleanor Hawkins Durno, Mimi Kenower Dyer, Ann Hartzell, Muir Graf, David Hafford, Martha Sattley Henkel, Ed Howbert, Mac Jones, Wendy Good Kindred, Fred Ollison, Don Rentschler, Jane Weaver Reuther, Reade Ryan, Lynn Johnston Scoville, Dibby Pearce Smith, Susan Gillis Snow, Sandy Wiener and Connie Degnan Von Bernthal came from near and far to share two days of catching up, fun and laughter. Our thanks go to Joan whose hospitality, creativity and thoughtfulness were on display as she hosted the class dinner party on Saturday evening. A few particulars about the class dinner: GPUS logo placemats, party favor address books, centerpieces in school colors, a talented piano player and an absolutely delicious dinner. We toasted the six wonderful classmates whom we have lost: Ray Biggs, Daniel Boone, Jock Hoey, Sue Johnson, Walter Simmons and Ellie Stalker Foster. We also missed our classmates who were unable to attend this reunion, but we are hoping that we will see you soon or at our 65th! Some good news: The GPUS Class of 1955 was awarded the Class Cup for the highest percentage of donors to the University Liggett Annual Fund for

Vicki Vidal ‘55 GPUS and Anne Murphy Schaaf ‘54 GPUS in California.

2015. Thanks go to Ellie Durno who sent out an email in April reminding the class of the opportunity to donate to the Annual Fund. As we look forward to meeting again, do keep us posted on any news you would like to share with fellow alumni in Perspective.

1957

Liggett Class Representative: Diane Bedford Svenonius 736 Silver Spring Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910-4661 dbsvenonius@msn.com Julia: Our sympathy to Millie about her broken rib. I had several falls this winter and spring – no broken bones, thank goodness, but am now wearing a lifeline tag and stumping around in a walker. Sympathy also to Judie; I’ll add my prayers to all of yours. As Mark Twain said, “It’s a pity to fall apart like this, but we all have to do it.” Oh, wee – we’ve had a good run, haven’t we? Best to all of ‘57. Ann Travis got in touch to say that she is very happy with her move to Cordia at Grand Traverse Commons, a senior residential club in Traverse City. It is part of the renewal of a 19thcentury state hospital and grounds, and includes other historic Victorian buildings and many acres of grounds that are available to the residents. The renovation was completed last November, and Ann moved into her new apartment in February of this year. The amenities include movies four times a week, a gym and a wellness center. Of the many activities ULS.ORG

that are offered, Ann is taking yoga and has joined the garden club. She’s finding many things to do and making new friends, as always. And the food is good! Judie Schneider Bailey: Judie attended the Alumni Weekend 2015 Ladies Luncheon and before everything began, she and I went to the piano in the adjoining room. Judie played the piano and we both sang the Liggett School song. – Reported by Anne Wrigley Molesky GPUS Class Representative: Wendy Krag 170 Merriweather Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 gigipab@comcast.net John Scherer: Not much to report except that Melodie and I started a new cosmetic and skin care business two years ago. I sold my former business and decided to get back into the fray. We have some great partners and sell exclusively to salon professionals. Melodie has turned into a marketing marvel! She can sell to anybody and has great fashion sense – unlike me! We just got into some salons in Lord & Taylor and Macy’s so we’re having fun as a startup. One granddaughter just graduated from U of M and another is at Michigan State. My, how time flies! Seems like yesterday that I was attending classes in Ann Arbor. I hope that all of our classmates are happy, healthy and enjoying life. There are many fond memories to cherish, and hold dear to our hearts.

1958

Liggett Class Representative: Lois Dickinson Hutchison 135 Cochise Drive Sedona, AZ 86351-7928 hutchlovl@earthlink.net Sandy Roney-Hays: Hi, Everyone! We are still doing many of the same things – teaching, social change, programs at American House and occasionally other senior venues! Sam is still involved with the Quaker meeting in Detroit. They are deciding where to relocate as the new bridge to Canada becomes a reality. The only difference is that poor old Sam spends more time trying to keep me up on two feet, breathing, and doing my thing! Between knee injuries, a rotary cuff injury and emphysema, I 58

PERSPECTIVE

look like a basket case going in to work!!! But the kids are great about it and continue to work with the old girl! For the past three months, the city has been redoing our streets. Our block has been worn out, torn out, and is now about becoming a new reality – a drivable street again. The huge machines and the many workers have become a fascinating part of our daily lives. Like little kids, we watch them in awe! In the center of these old folk always lurks the child! Cheers to all! Carol Nagel Lanz: We’ve been busy, our grandsons Kyle, 13, and Collin, 11, have been visiting us for the last few weeks from Florida. They have been busy swimming, running, playing basketball, we now have a net in our driveway, and fishing, Kyle as caught at least 350 silver bass – thank goodness its catch and release. Larry and I are exhausted. Today they leave on a bike ride called The Mitten. They will ride 50 miles a day across the state from Bridgeport to Sterling State Park, from Lake Michigan to Lake Erie in one week. It should be interesting. There’s nothing else new to report. We’re just trying to age gracefully! Having grandkids around helps. Sue Kreis Champine: I was going to put this in a poem but thought Miss Craig would roll over in her grave! We’re doing fine, family great, nothing new, hello to all. Allison Friedman: I think I will enjoy reading this in fall when the next Perspective comes out, as I am writing this from a horse farm in northern Virginia’s Fauquier County. Gorgeous rolling Virginia Piedmont hills, international Equestrian teams competing in dressage and eventing just down the road at Great Meadows. There are wonderful tiny, small and medium towns with great restaurants and shopping. If can’t find what I want from the vegetable garden here, the farm-to-market shopping is fabulous. I’ll be remembering fresh-picked lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, spinach, cilantro and a huge variety of other herbs, as the days get shorter and the night temps drop in Birmingham, not to mention three kinds of raspberries: black, red, and gold! I also won’t forget the humidity – one of the weather sites said the temperature was 83 today with a “feels like” temperature of 95. Not like Arizona, that’s for sure. I continue with piano lessons and collecting elements for

making jewelry. Sandy is one of my best customers and models! The process of thinning out at the house continues but no huge holes made – just more space in the cupboards and closets. Health continues well, as does mobility. Back to Traverse City, Charlevoix. and Les Cheneaux Islands in August. Daughter Amy and husband Mike are in Germany now, and then will be in Italy doing Rome, Sorrento and Capri this time. My best to all and hope to see more of you. Martha Friedricks-Glass in New York: I’m so fortunate that I have my good health and high energy. I am still working full-time selling apartments and town houses here in New York to an insatiable and great group of people. For those of you who enjoy Million Dollar Listing New York on Bravo, I will be on the season finale with Fredrik Ecklund, one of the stars of the show. In mid-July, I’m off to Sicily with my daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren. The rest of the summer will be work, weekends in the Hamptons and visits to my husband who is in a memory-care facility in Connecticut near one of his daughters. Of course, Mike’s condition keeps deteriorating; but he still knows me, plays the piano for the residents and is quite cheerful. Dementia is a heartbreak – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Are we really in our 70s? When did that happen? Hope everyone is well and thriving! Martha Sanford: I love my multicultural complex apartment. That comes as no surprise to you. My sons are great and their sons are greater than great! Best wishes for a wonderful summer. Linda W. Roth: The California kids are coming a week from this note. Painting is pushed to the side for readying the homestead to receive these VIPs. There’s Häagen-Dazs® and toaster waffles to buy, bikes to take out of storage and tires to pump, windows to be washed inside and out. The garden needs tidying up, the silver polished, the baths stocked with shampoos, body lotions, shower caps – and bedding to be inspected; the pillows must be plump, the blankets cozy. Most importantly, the oven, the frig and the seasoning pantry need scouring; my daughter in-love likes to cook. Best put onions on the marketing list. Ordinarily, housekeeping isn’t a priority to this painter. Painting is. Drawing is.

CLASS NOTES

Computer photography, reading and scrounging around for tasty recipes that take less than fifteen minutes to throw together occupy my day to days. All such passions must be put aside – even my obsession with XBox solitaire with the lovely jingle of coins awarded upon every win. My time, our time, won’t be our own. It will belong to the VIPs. They don’t come that often. The last time they were here was three years ago. Who knows when they will pass this way again? Who knows if we’ll recognize them? And they have to be entertained! Put down the book. Turn off the TV. On the itinerary is the NASCAR races, Greenfield Village, a tour of the Ford River Rough Plant, fishing and picnicking on the lake with rafting and a swim or five, Belle Isle, the zoo, the river walk and a grand finale Father’s Day celebration with our other most adored VIPs coming in from the state capital. Ellis and I are exhausted just thinking about tripping all over the city, our home brimming over with youthful exuberance. We’re also as overjoyed as parents could be to have most of our family under the same roof, a rare treat that will leave us high the rest of the summer. Birgit and Hank Hopkes: Hello all! Birgit continues to have her good and bad times in her continuous struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. Sometimes short-term memory is a problem, but generally, she retains a great deal of lifetime memories. Her bad back and legs bother her a lot but those are separate medical conditions. I’ve spent the last six months being treated for small cell lung cancer, the result of almost 65 years of heavy smoking. In some ways, I was fortunate to have it discovered very early as a result of a voluntary annual CT Scan done in lieu of the old standard chest x-ray. Then a bronchoscopy to allow the pathologists to grab a chunk to identify and then the great fun of combined chemo and concurrent radiation. Twelve chemo and 33 radiation treatments. Now I wait for the retained radiation in my chest to fade so they can do a PET Scan in early August. We do know that the tumor has shrunk by 50 percent as of two months ago. We’ll see more accurately in August. Diane Hubert: Greetings from Aix-enProvence! Richard and I are here for the month of June doing a language immersion adventure. We have just finished our first week and love it.

We are here with 32 grads from either U of M, Northwestern or MIT. We attend class at an international language school three hours a day, Tuesday through Friday. The rest of the time, we have excursions to small villages around Provence, lectures, museums and lots of free time, as well. It is a great program! All the best! Bob and Donna Carl celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in February. Mary Warren Eick: A picture of Mary in her Liggett graduation cap and gown was posted on her Facebook page for May birthday. Dr. Warren and brother Pete are also in the picture. It was great to see those pictures. Lois Hutchison: We are still living, working and having fun in Sedona, Ariz. We had another wonderful trip to Chicago in June. The occasion was the first high school graduation in Denis’ son’s family. There were 1,000 plus graduates in her class. The weather was fantastic and we had fun visiting more museums and walking around different parts of the city. Now we have to wait until 2017 for the next graduation. We’ll be back visiting in Chicago before then. Thanks for all your responses. Best wishes to all those among us dealing with health issues, thank you for sharing. GPUS Class Representative: Suzie Sisman Decker 77 Muskoka Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3009 SUZIESIS@AOL.COM

1960

Liggett Class Representative: Anne Wrigley Molesky 6649 Hawaiian Avenue Boynton Beach, FL 33437 561-413-3744 248-225-8922 tomjmolesky@gmail.com Mary Alice Clarke Ferguson: She and John are doing very well. It was great that she could attend our 55th class reunion. She was so excited to receive the Liggett photos that I had brought, especially since she had lost all of her Rivestas in a flood years ago. Natalie Deloe Riewe: Unfortunately, Natalie was not able to attend our 55th class reunion. Gordie had triple bypass surgery on April 29th. I talked

Jim and Gwendy Gugino ‘60 LIG.

with Natalie at the end of May and she said Gordie’s surgery went very well. She now has a gentleman doing the yard work. Tom and Gordie had a great conversation about antique car shows. I also spoke with Gordie and told him that we light a candle and say prayers for him each week when we go to church. Karin Ryding: Unfortunately, Karin was not able to be with us for our 55th class reunion – there are limitations on her traveling. She said she gets tired easily. Fortunately, she is stabilized right now. She is renting her home in northern Michigan to her cousins in the summer and she has a plumber come to turn off the plumbing in the winter. She will be selling her home next year to one of her two cousins. She is still writing journals and editing a journal – so she is busy. I told her that she’s in our prayers and each week when we go to church, we light a candle for her. Ingrid Sandecki: Ingrid did attend our 55th class reunion and is feeling fine and looks just great. She also enjoyed the Liggett photos that I brought. She really enjoyed having Mary Alice as her houseguest. Bonnie Wilson Skoryanc: Much to our delight Bonnie decided to stay at the Courtyard Marriott in Southfield during our 55th class reunion. She drove to Charleston, N.C. in June. She will be able to see her new grandson, 5-month old, Emmett Doug, and 6-year-old granddaughter, who is attending a private school where she wears a uniform to school. ULS.ORG

Anne Molesky ‘60 LIG and Alice Wrigley Baetz ‘64 LIG. Anne Molesky ‘60 LIG, Bonnie Skoryanc ‘60 LIG, Mary Alice Ferguson ‘60 LIG and Ingrid Sandecki ‘60 LIG.

Anne Molesky ‘60 LIG and Judie Bailey ‘57 LIG.

Tom and Anne Molesky ‘60 LIG.

Anne Wrigley Molesky: Tom and I arrived back in Michigan on Thursday, May 14 for Alumni Weekend. We checked in at the Courtyard Marriott in Southfield and I saw Bonnie right by the fireplace. We went over and greeted Bonnie. After we had unpacked, we went to Bonnie’s room and she joined us for dinner. The next day Bonnie and I drove 8 Mile to Grosse Pointe. Bonnie pointed out where she had lived – it was a drive down memory lane. We were the first to arrive at the Little Club for the 2015 Ladies Luncheon, so we had time to relax until others arrived. The luncheon was very good and the conversation was constant. Before we left the Little Club, we took photos. That evening we drove to Grosse Pointe for the AllAlumni Cocktail Party. What fun it was! Saturday was a day when we just 60

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relaxed until we went to Peabody’s for dinner and watched the Tigers win and watched the Preakness. Sunday, Tom and I went to church, visited St. Anne’s Mead and visited Fran Krug ’94, and Fr. Baldwin – both good friends of ours who are doing very well. Then we stopped at Westborn Market to buy flowers for the cemetery. We then went to Woodlawn Cemetery to visit the Erickson family plot and place the flowers. Off to Grosse Pointe to see Alice, Andy and Chris. Tom and I had a great visit with Alice, Andy and Chris. We went to the Ford Mansion on Lakeshore in Grosse Pointe Shores for a delicious luncheon. After that, we returned to their home. Alice and I enjoyed seeing photo albums that I had brought with me. Tom, Andy and Chris enjoyed being on their porch talking about sports and looking at their beautiful garden and different bird feeders for different types of birds. GPUS Class Representative: Alice Gage Schultes 722 Sunningdale Dr. Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 alice1gs@hotmail.com Editor’s Note: Alice would like to step down from her Class Representative post. Please contact Katie Durno at kdurno@uls.org if you’d like to volunteer for the job. Gay Finch: Sorry, I was not able to attend Alumni Weekend. I live in Aptos, Calif. and was hosting a grandmothers tennis tournament for 56 grannies in May with all the proceeds going to cancer research. I usually visit Michigan near the end of

July and beginning of August. I am a USPTA tennis pro and coach at a high school and run a summer camp. Yes, my husband and I recently received a Nor Cal award from USPTA for service to tennis. I took my 65’s USTA team to nationals in Arizona in March. And we won the whole tournament! And most of us were over 70. There were 15 other teams entered from all over the country! I was also named player 2014 by USTA for 65’s for doubles. I also just won a silver ball in a National Hardcourt tourney in Carmel.

1962

GPUS Class Representative: Susan Adams White 58 Waterway Court The Woodlands, TX 77380-2641 suwhite11@aol.com Susan Adams White: Seems like just yesterday that I was gathering info for the last issue of Perspective. Time truly does go by so quickly now, and it is great to be able to hear from you all and catch up on what everyone is doing. Again we have some sad news to report, Liz Leach Smith ’62 GPUS passed away at her home in January. It is so difficult to lose a friend and classmate and we all send her family our prayers and sympathy. Heard from Bill Stockard who says all is good with him and Bev. His son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Ann just had their second baby, Jake. Bill’s fifth grandchild and very first boy! Yea! Bev and Bill were going to visit them and Bill said “please tell my classmates we are very thankful every day for God’s gifts. We wish them the best of the best.”

CLASS NOTES

Bliss Caulkins Clark: Spent her winter traveling to many flower shows and she was about to leave for a house party in Italy for several weeks. She also mentioned that she is always willing to house anyone needing a bed in Grosse Pointe. Thanks, Bliss, you are the best! Brooke Harrington: Is going to participate in September in a Restorative Camp in Albania as part of the Fulbright Alumni Service Corps project. The project is in conjunction with the Cultural Heritage without Borders Organization. He and Judith will be working alongside Albanian Craftsmen restoring an Ottoman period dwelling in Gjirokastra. Great work and God speed, you two! Heard from Betsy Semple Knight and she was with Bicky for her 70th birthday in New York! They had a wonderful time. They also may be going back to Spain in September for more hiking. Incredible and inspiring for sure! Patty Walbridge Ahlbrandt, Judy Lomax and Susan Adams White were supposed to meet in Dallas in May. My son Chuck was graduating from St. Thomas that weekend so I wasn’t able to go, but Patty and Judy had a great time catching up and sightseeing – with Judy as a guide. Patty’s daughter, Julie, had just had her third baby, a girl, and Patty had been in California visiting and helping out with her two older brothers. Congratulations on such a happy time. Patty and I did finally get together in June in Pittsburgh and had a great lunch at the Café at the Frick museum. It was a really special time for us, but way to short! Let’s all take every opportunity to see each other whenever possible and I am hoping to hear from each and every one of you!

1963

Liggett Class Representatives: Sharon Litsky 2000 California Street #402 San Francisco, CA 94109-4302 sharonlitsky@sbcglobal.net Gail Sake Niskar 30030 High Valley Road Farmington Hills, MI 48331-2143 galeml@aol.com As many of us in the class of 1963 have turned, or will turn, 70 this year,

I’ve asked everyone to complete the following sentence: “Turning 70 is a significant passage of age. To me the most meaningful aspect of this passage is…..” Gail Sake Niskar: The realization of celebrating every single day with love and happiness. Karen Jones Stutz: It’s simply “grand” in every way! Joan Willens Abraham: Reflecting on my place in the world: it has really caused me to measure where I am, what I’ve accomplished with my family, friends, career and what I still want to do before it’s too late.

Carol Johnson Carlson ‘62 GPUS, Judy Lennox ‘62 GPUS and Susan White ‘62 GPUS, with Carol’s dog Tinker in September 1962.

Carla Hoffman Levin: The luxury of savoring time with friends and family! Ada Jo Sokolov Mann: A time in my life when I can enjoy family which will soon include my fourth grandchild and fill my days with mostly activities which bring me joy, fun and pleasure such as reading, traveling, classes at the local bookstore, yoga, volunteering and mentoring, and swimming in our pool or water aerobics at the nearby health club. Ahhhh, life is good.

Cynthia Osgood O’Hare ‘62 LIG and family.

Joan Caplan Simon: Feeling enormous gratitude and appreciating family, friends and good health. Marianne Moran Eddy: My utter astonishment that I’m no longer in my 30s. Sharon Litsky: Being thankful for good health and good friends. I suppose I also should be thankful that people now relinquish their seats to me on the bus. Though I usually take them up on the offer, it does make me feel a bit more senior than I feel. And have you noticed that people are now calling you ma’am?” Suzanne Kogut Phillips: I feel blessed every single day to be here. Still in good health, still able to treasure every moment with my, especially every moment with our granddaughter who keeps me/us young! And I’m looking forward to, hopefully, another 15 or 20 years. P.S. Most days I feel younger than 70. The older I get the faster the “years” fly by!

Bill Randall ‘63 GPUS at the Corvette Capital.

Tess Friedenberg Tessler: Turning 70, first off is a number that is beyond my comprehension to hear, since I feel like I’m truly ageless. However, I have realized that this age means NOTHING, nothing at all because for me, it’s an INSIDE JOB. By this, I mean that when I get closer to myself within, I find that I am ageless in the eyes of spirit. We are all ageless, and it’s our conditioning, and our thinking that makes us OLD. I recently heard on Oprah a doctor share that instead ULS.ORG

of celebrating our ages, we need to share the achievements, and the challenges that we have accomplished throughout the year. I liked that a lot. She also said that when we tell others our age, they will put us in a box, and treat us accordingly. So, from now on guys, keep them guessing, and live as though you were a young kid with your spirit open, and your joy pouring out just like a child. Renata Schmidt Latimer: I was in Detroit in March for my mother’s 90th birthday. I too drove by the old Liggett School with my daughter and it seemed a lifetime ago that we learned French and Latin and history behind those walls. Last October, I became a grandmother and in a few years, I may even take my grandson to have a look at that historic place! Happy summer days and hi from Manhattan. Ellen Kuschinski Castleman: How do I sum up so many years in such a short time? I moved to Los Angeles in 1969 and have been here since. So many years have flown by. I have two children and three little grandsons. I have traveled all over the world by camel and jeep and camped out under mosquito netting on the Sahara Desert. Art is still my passion and I am now the president of a support group that raises money for scholarships for art students at Otis College of Art and Design. I may not be an artist myself but I can at least help it to continue to thrive after I am gone. So hard to believe how many years it has been. We are all now chronologically superior and I hope will all continue for many more of these reports. An additional note from Sharon: I was saddened to hear from Michael Shelton Tornow and Candy Shelton Reed that their sister and our classmate, Lynne Shelton, had passed away a little over a year ago. I remember how much Liggett meant to Lynne and I have vivid memories of Lynne playing field hockey with us. My classmates join me in extending our condolences to Lynne’s family. Michael relayed the following: Lynn had been living in an assisted living home for many years, with very good care. She so looked forward to receiving the Liggett Perspective. She read it cover to cover and if it didn’t arrive, I had to make a call to make sure she got her copy. Liggett was a big part of her life. Lynne loved to read, mostly historical 62

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biographies especially about the England hierarchy. Her biggest treat was to get books. Her interest span ran the gamut – she read about past presidents and generals and even some sports figures. Her other love was horses – she watched every Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont on TV. She never missed a horse race. She was pretty much bed ridden the last five years of her life. Whenever I would visit, I would bring my dog for a visit. She really loved seeing him. Alice Wrigley Baetz: Alice attended the Alumni Weekend 2015 Ladies Luncheon at the Little club on Friday and joined us at our table, which was great. Alice and Andy were not able to attend the All-Alumni Cocktail Party because the Archbishop of Canterbury was in town and they were at the Detroit Athletic Club for dinner with St. John’s Episcopal Church. – Reported by Anne Wrigley Molesky GPUS Class Representatives: Sandy Georgeson Moisides 17 Colonial Road Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236-1719 sanmoi@comcast.net Bill Randall 503 Devonshire Ln Aurora, OH 44202-8594 wrrandall@windstream.net Alan Hartwick: As seniors awaiting graduation, I doubt if we spent any time wondering what we’d be doing 50 plus years hence. However, in 1963 there were certain paths identified for us to follow. Looking back, I could guess many of us would be surprised at the turns that our paths have taken. Two years ago, I returned for the 50th reunion of the GPUS class of 1963. Years brought changes to us all, but I enjoyed the fact that we still retained the pleasure of our high school experiences. While I was aware or could guess the direction most of us would take over that time I was surprised by a few. I particularly enjoyed my dinner conversation with classmate Linda Heller. I joked that I probably talked more with her than I remembered doing during high school. Yesterday, I opened a local paper and found an article about Linda’s present activity. I doubt if I ever could have guessed what Linda would be doing 50 plus years after graduation, but fly-fishing wouldn’t be at the top of my list. It was good to see she is doing something she

clearly enjoys. I particularly enjoyed the title of the article about throwing in a male dominated sport. Good for her! I’m sure back in 1963 we were all making plans for the future and couldn’t be aware of what changes were in store for us. It’s good to make plans, but today more than in the past, opportunities exist at different times in our lives that we should miss. I’ve learned that being open to changes keeps one young and I bet Linda would agree. Bill Randall: Hello everyone, I’m still enjoying retirement. Continue to take piano lessons and loving it. Found a company on Internet called Great Courses, and have filled parts of my days learning or re-learning subjects from nutrition to star gazing with their DVDs. On the really fun side, Shirley and I bought a new Corvette Stingray this year and both of us went to the Ron Fellow Performance Driving School outside of Las Vegas. The object was to learn how to drive on road course at above 55 mph – much above. Good news is we have a road course to drive on just 30 minutes from our house and only 1 ½ hours from the Mid-Ohio Race Course. Family is doing well, my son, Brendon, just took a job working for Shell Oil on the MIT campus and his wife, Kim, just started her own event planning company in the Boston area. This is something she has been doing for several years with another company in Boston, she was event coordinator for Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. They just moved from Boston to Salem, Mass., and purchased their first house – built in 1630, addition added 1880 – so I think we have a road trip for the ‘Vette. My daughter, Lindsay, continues to be an educator at Phillips Academy Andover working as an Archaeologist for the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology on campus and as lecturer for Salem State College. Lindsay is also a trustee for the Massachusetts Archaeological Society. Shirley is stilling working and took a new global position within EY, so she will be spending time in Europe and India over the next several years. My plan is to convince her that I should travel with her – think I need to work on that skill set. Sandy Moisides: Happy Birthday, everyone! I can’t believe we will be 70 this year! Hope you have a wonderful birthday. Mine was April 23, but we spent it early in St. Petersburg, Fla., at my cousin Mike’s hotel, The Hollander.

CLASS NOTES

1968

Liggett Class Representative: Joni Welch Hollinger 229 South Quincy Street Hinsdale, IL 60521-3949 tfvinc@aol.com

Sandy Moisides: I’m seated between my husband Nick and my mom Fran, 93! Behind me is my brother Monty Georgeson ‘64 GPUS, and my son Tom and his family. The picture was set up by my son Christos, standing on the right with his wife, Ellena ’95. On the floor are grandsons Theo ‘27, Nicky and granddaughter Malena ‘29.

Joni Welch Holinger: Hello to all classmates and Liggett friends. I have fun reports from Linda Gehrke and Carol Dunitz to share with you. As for moi, with our son having flown the coop – it is time to downsize. Thus, our Hinsdale, Ill. home is for sale as we renovate a 1953 ranch house in Wayne. We love nature and are looking forward to trading size for acreage. The move will make commuting to downtown a bit more challenging but, having already rented out the barn on our property, I can attest to the immediate wave of relaxation, which comes over us when looking out the window at horses grazing in the paddock.

Alice Wrigley Baetz and the Liggett Class of 1964 50th Class Reunion.

Linda Gehrke direct from the fun city of Toronto, Canada: We are a bit behind you and your husband in the downsizing business – our two young adults continue to float in and out of the house. I am working as lobbyist registrar for Toronto, hoping to retire at least partially by 2016. Mark and I enjoy weekends at our cottage on a small lake with lots of wildlife – loons, hummingbirds, warblers, deer, etc. We are expanding our vegetable and flower garden, and hope to be spending more time gardening in the near future. Visitors are welcome, so let me know if any of you are planning to come to Toronto!

the right with his wife, Ellena ’95. On the floor are grandsons Nicky, Theo ‘27 and granddaughter Malena ‘29.

1966 50th Reunion! Liggett Class Representative: Dr. Susan Stuckey Thoms 4937 Fairway Ridge Circle West Bloomfield, MI 48323-3321 sthoms@umich.edu

Andy, Chris and Alice Wrigley Baetz ‘64 LIG with Tom Molesky.

Lots of aunts and uncles, cousins and sons and their families joined us. Cousin Mike’s family is on the left of the picture. I’m seated between my husband Nick and my mom Fran, 93! Behind me is my brother Monty Georgeson ‘64 GPUS, and my son Tom and his family. The picture was set up by my son Christos, standing on

Susan Stuckey Thoms: Greetings to all my Liggett classmates of 1966. It was such a treat to hear from so many of you last spring. It is hard to believe, but next spring will be our 50th reunion. I am asking all of you to contact me by email, sthoms@umich. edu, if you have interest in attending a reunion, and tell me what sort of activities would interest you. My only news is that I’ll be officially retiring on October 1. I might actually have time to plan something!

Carol Dunitz (cdunitz@ BernhardtOnBroadway.com): I live in Ann Arbor, the city where I raised my four daughters, often referred to as ‘The Gotlib Girls,’ – Helen, Dorothy, Risa and Jocelyn. Helen is a fine artist and lives in Dexter with her significant other, Dylan Strzynzki, who is also an artist. Dorothy is a psychiatrist and lives in Ann Arbor with her husband, Jacob Kurlander who is a G.I. doctor. Risa lives in Ann Arbor, has a yoga studio, Tiny Buddha Yoga, and is opening Tiny Buddha Boutique on State Street in August. Jocelyn, my baby, is a graphic designer and works at the University of Michigan — where the girls and I all completed undergraduate studies. I am following my lifelong dream of writing, composing, producing and ULS.ORG

The Liggett Ladies of 1970 enjoy their 45th reunion get-together. Back row: Leslie Caplan Kuerbitz, Kathleen Carroll Wicklund, Joanie Merdler Basloe, Renee R. McDuffee Middle row: Francesca Cinelli Stratton, Joan Boddy Matson, Karen Smith, Lydia Stoiden Zinkhan, Martha Klingbeil Coates, Dianne Seeber Front row: Joanne Collin Scissors, Judy Bruno Idris

1970 GPUS 45th reunion Top row: Jim Perry, Kathy Curry Robinson, Sara Sweeny, John Renaud and Chuck Shreve Bottom: Priscilla Mead, Sally Pittman Wright, Annie Donelly Widlak, Betsy Thomkinson Getz, Gary Burke, and Hadley Mack French. Mike Drysdale shot the photo for us at the Country Club of Detroit.

creating and working on these shows. Ongoing information about both musicals will soon be available at www. BestMusicalOnBroadway.com. I will have a daily blog once I arrive in NYC this September.

Robin and Les Wrigley ‘70 GPUS.

Colleagues, please keep sharing your updates with me as we all enjoy hearing from you. With good memories and much fondness! - Joni Welch Holinger, tfvinc@aol.com

1970 Jim Perry ‘70 GPUS, Sally Pittman Wright ‘70 GPUS and Sara Sweeny ‘70 GPUS.

performing in musicals. I have toured around the country for the last several years in Bernhardt On Broadway, the one-woman musical about Sarah Bernhardt, the French actress who 100 years ago was the most famous woman in the world. You can read more about musical at www.BernhardtOnBroadway.com. My new musical, Mrs. President Lincoln will premiere later this year in New York – www.MrsPresidentLincoln. com. I am having the time of my life 64

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Liggett Class Representative: Renee R. McDuffee 480 Lodge Drive Detroit, MI 48214 rrmkpk@earthlink.net GPUS Class Representative: Priscilla Mead 750 S. Race St. Denver, Co. 80209-2724 ulsclass1970@gmail.com Priscilla Mead: Thanks to Katie Durno again for helping us out and to making our 45th reunion so memorable. Sometimes with these small classes, it’s hard to get participation, but we had some fun out-of- towners join us who haven’t been with us since our 20th and that made this special. Also, this year, Tawn Ulbrich Otrhalek ‘71 and a few of her ’71 classmates joined us: Mike Drysdale, Eric Shreeman,

Susie Griffth Royer, Anne Aaronson Scmidt. Fun chatting with you at the school. Enjoy your summer! Priscilla Mead had a mini-reunion of her own on the Cape mid-June. First, she visited with Pamela Truesdale and Maria Croul Bush at Pamela’s lovely Cape Cod Home in Falmouth, Mass. Pamela’s husband, Jim, cooked up a fabulous seafood dinner, while the rest of us enjoyed margaritas and lively conversation in her beautiful garden. Maria had just finished up her school year as a nursery school teacher, and we both arrived to make an early toast to Pamela and her retirement the end of June. We toured Woods Hole and her quaint New England town. Priscilla then met up with another girlfriend in Provencetown, staying at The Aerie House and Beach Club, a fabulous B&B owned and hosted by Steve Tait ‘71. We enjoyed some great breakfasts, art galleries, shopping and, finally, a beach day. We even had our own tiny cottage on the Bay. I highly recommend his fine hospitality in his dog-friendly inn. Even his two labs are gracious hosts! Pamela Truesdale: I retired from Massachusetts state service on June 30th, after 23 years – 17 years working at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and a previous six years working for the Town of Falmouth, Mass., Conservation Commission. It all came together rather quickly,

CLASS NOTES

Class of 1970 45th reunion.

once the new governor offered an early retirement incentive to help try and balance the state budget. I am excited to be retiring at 62. I spent my entire DEP career in the State Revolving Fund, which offered low interest loans to municipalities to fund major wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars. My proudest personal accomplishment for the department was coordinating the region’s Community Septic Management Program. During my tenure, my program loaned more than $71.1 million in betterments directly to homeowners through their communities to repair or replace more than 6,400-failed septic systems. However, I realize that all of one’s life experiences sum up and reflect just who you are as a person. Towards that end, I thought my classmates might enjoy hearing a bit about my littleknown previous career work. Here’s some of the highlights: I was the first female intern photographer for the Detroit News; a traveling musician and entertainer performing assembly programs for schoolchildren; first female DPW supervisor in charge of solid waste collection and recycling program for Brunswick, Maine; park naturalist for Wolfe Neck Woods State Park and the Maine State Parks system; lived in Greece for nine months and did a trans-Atlantic crossing from Gibraltar to Bermuda on a 90 foot motor-sailing yacht; and was a member of the scientific crew aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution vessel Atlantis II – the ship that houses the submersible ALVIN –

Steve Tait ‘71.

studying black smokers and thermal vents on the East Pacific Rise. It’s quite amazing to think back on all of it. My only post-retirement commitment is to continue my work as a hospice volunteer. As a four-year cancer survivor, this work is extremely meaningful to me as a way to give back in gratitude; I understand what it is to face one’s mortality. I also look forward to a vacation in Glacier National Park, Mont., in September. I want to see and touch a continental glacier before they are all gone. Predictions are that all the glaciers in Glacier National Park will be melted by 2020. Leslie G. Wrigley ’70 GPUS: Les and Robin just returned from two different hiking trips. Santa Fe, N.M. was the first trip. They had done this once before for their anniversary many years ago. The second one was to Flagstaff, Ariz. The temperature was in the 60s and 70s, with its beautiful pine trees. In July, they went to New York City for five days. Friends of theirs from hiking trips invited them to attend the wedding of their son. While in New York, they attended several plays and visited with Les’ cousin’s son David Ebershoff Jr. – Reported by Anne Wrigley Molesky

1971 45th Reunion! Class Representative: Shanda Rumble 851 Westchester Way Birmingham, MI 48009-2917 shanshome@yahoo.com

Chris Hughes: It’s been a good year for the Hughes family. I’m sending this from Santa Cruz, Galapagos as we celebrate son Weston’s graduation from high school and matriculation at UC Berkeley in math and computer science, rendering Nancy and I as empty nesters. Nancy’s fighting back by getting a masters in nonprofit management, which she could probably be teaching given her experience. Daughter, Julia Hughes Maddox presented us with grandchild number one – Sam Maddox. And daughter Holly, a visiting nurse, gets married in Boston in September. When I get back from this cruise, I’m off to teach strategy and leadership in the Netherlands.

1976 40th Reunion! Class Representative: Rev. Carol Gregg Stratton 605 Marshall Way Durham, NC 27705 greggandstratton@gmail.com

Carol Gregg and Anneke de la Beij enjoyed a day together in the Netherlands. Anneke was an AFS exchange student who attended University Liggett School during the 1975-76 class year and lived with the Gregg family. Anneke and her family are doing well. Carol also visited with her brother, Hugh Gregg ‘74, in the Netherlands. Hugh is a chemist who works with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. ULS.ORG

David McCoy ‘77, Michael Cobane ‘77, Miles O`Brien ‘77 and Jim Jarosik ‘77 gather in May to celebrate Joe Cobanes life.

Ethel Burwell Dowling ’78 was the editor on this book on GM. The book chronicles the ups and downs of auto giant.

for Magnolia and travels to Europe four times a year, and once even to Vietnam which he loved.

environment, Jean also travels to the Keys to salvage and clean up the mangroves there. Jean is hoping to get to Michigan to visit her family and friends this summer. I noted that she had no plans to visit us in the winter.

Carol Gregg ‘76 and Anneke de la Beij.

1978

Class Representative: Thomas Graves 24 Harbor Hill Rd. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 tggravesmd@gmail.com Greetings to our beloved Class of 1978! It has been joyful to make contact with so many of you. And honestly, when I speak with you, it feels like yesterday that we walked the halls of Liggett entering classrooms with Mr. Norris, Señor Gomez, Mr. Trofi, and Mr. Overton. Liggett continues to thrive, I believe partially from our own great contributions and the love its former students have for our amazing educational home. If you return to Grosse Pointe, make sure to visit the new athletic facilities. Wow! We could have beaten Country Day a few extra times on these fabulous new fields! While contacting you all, I discovered many 1978’s live down South, far away from the recent Polar Vortices (and the “all time” cold and snow records). According to my iPhone weather app, it was colder in Grosse Pointe than the North Pole much of this winter (and I wish I was kidding)!

Bill Beardslee, for example, lives in Coral Gables, Fla. Bill has three kids and takes them boating, fishing, and in his words, “generally doing ANYTHING outdoors.” Bill works 66

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Cindy (Kling) Holmes also avoided this year’s big chill in Michigan, choosing to live and work in Raleigh, N.C. While those of us in Michigan froze, Cindy enjoyed sunshine and warmth. Her daughter is a rising junior at Washington and Lee. Her son will be joining his sister at W & L next fall. Both are swimmers and will compete for W & L next year. Ethel (Burwell) Dowling lives in Lexington, Va, a little closer to Michigan, but still far warmer. She is married to Ben who is a pastor at a Presbyterian church. Their son attends Ole Miss. He is an engineering major in the “Center for Manufacturing Excellence” program. He is interested in Auto Engineering like Ethel’s dad. Their daughter will be a high school senior and her top college choice is Wheaton College in Illinois. Ethel recently completed a job as editor for a book authored by her GP childhood neighbor. The title is GM: Paint It Red. She got the job because “her parents had paid for her to be well educated!” Ethel said that attending classes with Jeff Eugenides and Kevin Conley helped her writing. Jean Kennary is now working at Ulta Beauty, in Boca Raton, Fla., where she defines cold as any day when the temperature is less than 75. She has been there since June 2014. She lives in Pompano Beach, Fla. and travels to the Florida Keys every chance she gets to kayak. With a heart for the

Ingrid Koebel Mosher returned to Michigan and exited just before the frigid weather. She wrote, after moving back to New Mexico last November, I have been exploring New Mexico and spending time with Mom, Sigrid Koebel ‘50 at her home in Carlsbad, Calif. Dr. Chuck Vincent was working as an ear, nose and throat surgeon in San Francisco. San Francisco is not south, but its climate is more temperate than the Great Lakes State. Sadly, Chuck developed back and neck problems which resulted in his retirement from surgery. Chuck has been studying full time at the Sadie Valerie Atelier and Justin Hess Studios developing his skill in painting and drawing. He just returned from Florence where he studied at the Florence Academy for a couple months. Another classmate who lives in California is Michael Bradford. Michael has enjoyed a long career in music. He is currently working on a movie musical with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, and developing an album based on the music of composer Bernard Herrmann. Michael is married, and writes that he has a family that won’t stop growing, “Now that my kids are becoming parents.” Michael also plays bass in the band at his church – every Sunday!

CLASS NOTES

We do have a few of us who still live in Michigan! Bill Harness lives in Brighton now. He moved there moved two years ago from Grosse Pointe. Bill and his lovely wife Katie say it is very peaceful. “We live on a 1 1/2 acre lot so our dog, Chili, loves all the freedom to run around!” Bravo to you, Bill, for the courage to move even further north during the coldest winter in Michigan, ever. Lisa Kennedy reports that she is living in Ann Arbor. Lisa stays in contact with Liza Robertson and shared that Liza and her husband, Richard Lawler, celebrated 25 years of marriage this year and are the proud parents of Marshall, now entering his junior year at Wesleyan. Last year they sold their gorgeous 1922 home in San Francisco and relocated to a bucolic home in Sebastopol, Calif. where Liza tends to her organic garden where she grows a variety of heirloom vegetables and plants. Elaine Tuscany lives in Metamora, Mich. Elaine mentioned that she met her friend, Joel McHale recently at the Book Cadillac Hotel. He was in Detroit for the Michigan Opera Theatre fundraiser. He was hired to be the entertainment for the fundraiser as a stand-up comedian. He also hosts a show called The Soup on E! and was in a sitcom called Community on NBC. He also has been in many movies like Ted. Tom Graves traveled to Haiti in June to lead a team of doctors, nurses and dentists to provide care to people in the mountains, Southeast of Port Au Prince. Part of a group he co-founded in 2010 called HART, this was their sixth trip to Haiti. Tom’s daughter, Sarah, went for her fourth trip. The poverty in Haiti is staggering – but the hope and joy of the people is inspiring. You can watch a video of HART’s mission on their website: www.h-a-r-t.org. James Catchings is a Referee in Wayne County Court - Juvenile Division. James has remained friends with David McKinney ’77, who lives in Chicago. James is trying to get there in August so they can watch the Tigers beat up on the Cubs. James has two daughters keeping him busy, aged 13 and 9.

Liz Gilbert ‘87 with her niece, who is the daughter of Lynne Gilbert Braden ‘91.

Andrew MacLeod’s ’87 twins, Drew MacLeod and Kaley MacLeod, just graduated from high school. Drew will attend the University of Michigan in the fall, and Kaley will attend Washington University in St. Louis.

Wendy-Chris Butler ‘87. Chris Butler ‘87 with his kids.

1987

Class Representative: Eva Dodds 6196 Eastmoor Rd. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301-1440 evamdodds@aol.com Bobby Jewett is back! I moved back to Michigan, Labor Day weekend. I couldn’t be happier to be back home! Liz Gilbert lives the life in Taos! It has been another great year enjoying all Taos, N.M., has to offer. I am still a massage therapist in private practice – 23 years now! – and I love it. In addition, I provide therapeutic massage through Golden Willow a local in house treatment center specializing in working with those recovering from grief and loss. The team there is exceptional and it is very rewarding work. Charlie and I had a nice visit this winter from my sister Lynne Braden ‘91, her husband Sean, and their daughter Samantha. Two-year-old Samantha got her first introduction to Taos Ski Valley sledding on the bunny hill with her dad and watching Auntie Liz ski.

Danne (Bullock) Johnson ‘87 with her husband and kids, Layla and Ahmad.

Bobby Jewett ‘87. ULS.ORG

More than 20 alumni soccer players gathered for a friendly game of soccer to honor Coach David Backhurst’s retirement after 43 years of teaching at Liggett.

Nicole Cogan recently returned with her husband Anthony from a Disney Cruise to Alaska! She shared: This was my second trip to Alaska, albeit a different part of Alaska. The first time was with Mr. Schmidt as the female counselor on one of his summer science trips in 1992! Eric and Kim Owens Wise are back in their home! Kim and I recently moved into our rebuilt home in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Hurricane Sandy did a number on our house in 2012, and 868 days –who was counting – we finally moved into completely reconstructed house on our same lot, eight feet higher than the last one. All is well with us. We just passed our 18th wedding anniversary, and our five children appear to be more normal than their parents. This fall, our oldest, John, 16, will be a junior at The Harvey School. Isabelle, 14, will be a prep at Phillips Exeter Academy. Ursula, 12, and Annika, 8, will be at Sacred Heart Greenwich. And Henry, 6, will be entering the first grade at Greenwich Country Day. Andrew MacLeod has exciting college news! My twins, Drew MacLeod and Kaley MacLeod, just graduated from high school and my son Drew will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall, and Kaley will be attending Washington University in St. Louis. Chris Butler catches up in his own words! I’m founding a startup in video and artificial intelligence, Visdom, with two MIT Media Lab classmates. I worked at Wired magazine in 1995, did a few CTO roles, but this is the 68

PERSPECTIVE

first idea so good I had to pursue it myself. Our first demo was to the X-Prize/Singularity University folks who said ‘we want this now.’ We’re not public yet due to patent work, but are demoing to seed investors. Post-Liggett for me: Moved to Louisville, Ky., in ‘84 for dad’s job, graduated MIT in ‘91, first job was a startup with IPO in ‘93, Wired magazine end of ‘95, Internet boom in San Francisco through ‘90s, married in Big Sur ‘99, Milan/London for creative explorations, Jan ‘02 in Brookyln, NYC, until ‘05 we moved to Stamford, Conn. Throughout, I played in indie pop bands and Wendy did fashion photography. One funny bit: We got invited to play a magazine launch show in London, and Wendy and I had never performed together. She learned to play bass in just a month or so. My kids, Josie, 11, and Nick, 9, both attend a school similar to Liggett. Josie spoke at 5th grade graduation and ended with Yoda’s “Luminous beings are we” quote. Nick and Josie both love tech; they’re writing Minecraft mods for friends and building websites and apps, even though we limit screen time and won’t give them a phone or device until high school. My wife, Wendy, is president of the League of Women Voters here, and she’s working with CT and Stamford to promote Open Data in town. She teaches youth programming classes and has a mobile app class at King this summer. Myself, I have been doing software consulting from home since 1999 and make concrete time for family. I still have a real fondness for Liggett memories and friends and occasionally pitch a move back to Michigan,

but we’re probably here in Fairfield County until the kids graduate. I’m hoping we can visit one summer soon. Anyone who wants to reach me can email at chris@chrisbutler.com, we’re close to NYC – visitors are welcomed! Andrea Piotrowski Larson is busy! I worked in corporate brand management for about a decade but wanted better work-life balance, so I switched careers to public librarianship. It’s been a perfect fit. I recently was promoted to the job of fiction, movies and music manager at my public library in Libertyville, Ill. and I’m working on my master’s in library and information science at the University of Wisconsin. Danne (Bullock) Johnson has spent some quality time in the kitchen with her kids, Layla and Ahmad. They duplicated a dumpling recipe from China made a Tres Leche cake, made a rainbow bundt cake, and tried Blue Apron and tried HelloFresh. All of this has been with great success. They will travel to Cancun, visiting the Mayan Ruins and the ocean, Nashville and Memphis before the summer ends.

1989

Class Representatives: Dike Ajiri 3031 Old Glenview Road Wilmette, IL 60091-2908 dajiri@yahoo.com Elizabeth Sieber Garant 1300 S Dahlia St Denver, CO 80222-3414 lanar45@gmail.com

CLASS NOTES

Callie Blatt Lewicki and Ryan Lewicki ‘02 became parents this past December with the birth of their daughter, Pacey Elizabeth Lewicki.

The Class of 2010 gathered for their five year reunion in May.

Erika Decker Christenson ‘03 son, Liam James Christenson, was born in May 2015.

Patrick Schafer ‘03 and family.

John C. Mozena: Began the year with a new job at Franco Public Relations Group, a Detroit-based public relations agency. John was hired as an account director. In his new position, Mozena will lead automotive and B2B accounts for Franco. He will also serve as a member of the agency’s Leadership Team and support business development. Prior to joining Franco, Mozena led teams of public relations, social media, interactive development and video production professionals and third-party vendors at several metro Detroit-area public relations and integrated communications agencies. His clients have included General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, eBay, Carhartt, Johnson Controls, SAIC, the American Red Cross and a variety of other public, private, nonprofit and governmental organizations.

Los Angeles, CA 90046-3299 celesteyhubbard@yahoo.com

2000

Class Representative: Celeste Hubbard 1611 N. Formosa Avenue, Apt. 414

Stacie Hadgikosti Mitchell made her directorial debut on a heartwarming new play about family and strength. It’s called, ‘grow a pair of... wings’ written by Amelia Phillips. It was presented at the Lounge Theater in April and May in Los Angeles, Calif.

2003

Class Representative: Brandon Celestin 615 Griswold Street Detroit, MI 48226 Brandon.celestin@gmail.com Callie Blatt Lewicki and Ryan Lewicki ‘02 became parents this past December with the birth of their daughter, Pacey Elizabeth Lewicki. Latia Howard YoungFountain relocated from Chicago across the

Head of School Joseph P. Healey, Ph.D. and Mark Ghafari ‘10.

pond to London, England in February 2015, with husband Brandon and 15-month-old daughter Lylah! Latia will start a new job in the as a senior account manager at LinkedIn. Erika Decker Christenson and Richard Christenson are proud to announce the birth of their first child, Liam James Christenson, born on Erika’s birthday – May 7th, 2015! Patrick Schafer and wife Kate Gales Schafer welcomed baby James in May 2015! Elisabeth D’Arcy was recognized in May 2015 by Crain’s Detroit Business ‘Twenty in their 20s’ as an up-andcoming corporate executive who is impressive in her achievement and ULS.ORG

2013

Class Representative: Armaity Minwalla arminwal@umich.edu

Dominic Jamett ‘11 is a catcher on the U of M baseball team.

bringing her passion to metro Detroit. Elisabeth is a manager of revenue cycle generation at growing firm Healthrise Solutions after previously starting her own health care IT firm.

2006 10th Reunion! Class Representative: Alyssa Bronikowski 1221 N. Dearborn #211N Chicago, IL 60610-8376 Alyssa.bronikowski@gmail.com Lindsey Brownell finished her master’s degree in science writing from MIT in the fall of 2014, and is currently living in Boston working as a science editor at a biotech/pharma hedge fund downtown. She is looking forward to traveling to Japan with her family in September after a whole nine months of staying within the United States!

2011 Nate Weiss: Hiram College senior pitcher Nate Weiss was named to the D3baseball.com Team of the Week in April. He was also named as an honorable mention division III player of the week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. 70

PERSPECTIVE

Kevin Allen: Kevin has been busy taking the first steps toward his newly minted goal of having a career in the music industry. As a sophomore at the University of Michigan, he became co-president of Empty Mug Records, a student-run record label that aims to promote student artists by recording music, distributing records, filming live “Empty Mug Sessions,” curating shows and events, and more. Kevin also books shows for other U of M student organizations, and he has begun working at Ann Arbor’s most famous venue, the Blind Pig, where he prepares manager contracts and acts as a local music consultant. He is also playing bass in his band My Girlfriend Beru, who will be releasing a few singles or an EP in the near future. He has two more years of study at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, where he is concentrating in accounting. He stays sane by minoring in Music and taking late night bike rides with Alex Holmes ’12. Robert Babcock: Robert spent his summer on the lighting staff at the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah, for their 54th summer season. He is entering his junior year at the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University, pursuing a BFA in Lighting Design. Amber Baldwin: Amber concluded her second year at Oakland University as a pre-physical therapy major, exercise science minor, and student in the honors college with being elected president of the pre-physical therapy club. She is excited to move on to summer vacation. Her summer will not be very relaxing, but it will be enjoyable! Amber will be working as a physical therapy technician at TheraMatrix Physical Therapy as well as a physical/occupational therapy technician at Beaumont Hospital in Troy. Also, she will be taking three classes during the summer classes. Amber plans on attending several country music concerts and going on vacations with her family and friends. This summer will be stuffed to the brim with work, school, and plans, but she would not have it any other way! In the next school semester, Amber will be heading volunteer events and

activities with the pre-physical therapy club, working, and diving into her studies. She cannot wait for what the future holds! Connor Borrego: Connor Borrego is a junior at The University of Michigan, after jumping around from neuroscience to computer programming, he’s settled on studying political science and entrepreneurship. This comes as a result of Connor’s efforts to create a marketing platform for student artists, which he has aptly named EMERGEnT. EMERGEnT is a web platform that spotlights artists through a biographical piece, and by featuring a sampling of their portfolio on the website, in exchange for providing a piece of their work to repurpose and sell. For artists working in pen, pencil, paint, or graphic design, EMERGEnT turns their art into graphic T-Shirts, where the artists can earn 15% of profits on the sale of their shirt. Writers may contribute short stories, poems, and opinion pieces, and Musicians can share their motivation behind the music, as well as their music on the site as well. EMERGEnT is always looking for more artists to participate. Visit the website at www.emergentartist.com, like the Facebook Page, and contact Connor at 313-354-3004 to express interest in getting involved or with questions. Ariana Castillo: This past May, Ariana was fortunate enough to travel to the community Chacraseca in Nicaragua for a month long service trip through the organization FNE International. During the months, leading up to her departure, she and 15 other University of Michigan students raised more than $3,300 through bucketing on campus, holding late-night bake sales and restaurant fundraisers. All the money raised was strictly used for projects in Chacraseca. The main focus of the trip was to aid the community. As soon as they arrived in Nicaragua, they were put to work building stoves and began the foundation for the houses. The appreciation shown by the homeowners was beyond gratifying. The importance of the stoves that they built is that they had chimneys, an important feature because smoke can be directed out of the house instead of inhaled by the occupants. People in the community often suffer from COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, due to the immense inhalation of dust and smoke, so in addition to providing a household amenity

CLASS NOTES

Ariana Castilo ‘13 traveled to Nicaragua for a month long service trip.

they tried to prevent future extreme health complications. Aside from construction, the students also had the opportunity to work with children in school and in an after school program held at their library. While in Chacraseca, the group was given the opportunity to beautify the center of the community. They had garnered enough funds to plant a garden, cement and mosaic a pavilion, and paint a mural. Although the trip was full of hard work, Ariana was able to experience the beauty of Nicaragua through erupting volcanoes, hiking a canyon, and swimming in a lagoon. She also loved being able to build a relationship with the people in the community. Ariana is a junior majoring in international studies with a focus on global health and environment at the University of Michigan. Julia Grimm: After completing her sophomore year at Denison University, Julia is excited to study abroad this fall in Prague, Czech Republic. At Denison, Julia is a member of Pi Beta Phi where she is on the communications committee and tutors at a local elementary school. Julia continues to pursue a degree in communication and history and hopes to graduate from Denison in 2017. This summer, Julia is busy working in downtown Detroit at her internship with Rock Ventures, LLC. At Rock Ventures, Julia is a communications intern for the M-1 Rail project, which is constructing a streetcar along Woodward Avenue. Peter Hopkins: This past spring, Peter interned at a public relations and marketing firm in the Cleveland area as well as attended classes at John Carroll University. The firm is called The Owens Group and

Ariana Castilo and the class of 2013 gather for a reunion in May.

some of its clients are movie studios such as Warner Brothers and Sony Pictures. Their job is to promote movies by initiating marketing campaigns and hosting events to showcase the film made by the studio in the Cleveland area. Coming up this fall, Peter is studying abroad in London, England for four months – fall semester 2015 – at Regents University in the heart of London. There he will be taking classes for his major, as and will be able to travel across Europe. Alec Josaitis: Alec is continuing his experimental cosmology research through a fellowship provided by the Honors Program at the University of Michigan. This Honors Summer Fellowship allows him to begin writing his senior thesis as a rising junior. Alec will explore a different field of experimental physics this upcoming Winter Semester by conducting research at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland. Undoubtedly, he will live a loose, misguided life in Europe. When Alec is not attempting to be a cosmologist, or realizing how badly he needs to visit a cosmetologist, Alec currently enjoys singing with the Michigan Men’s Glee Club, taking photos during road trips, and vagabonding in the shadows of Ann Arbor. Armaity Minwalla: Armaity is on a pre-medical track with a women’s studies major focusing on women’s health. She will be working as the diversity peer educator for Couzens Hall Residence Building for the next two years. In this position, she will facilitate discussions regarding social issues and lead the dorm’s multicultural council, which will plan events surrounding diversity and

Hannah Hodges ‘14 and Mallory Jamett ‘13 University of Michigan Crew Team.

inclusion. She will be responsible for facilitating solutions to any incidents regarding race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, etc., while empowering other residence with the tools to step in if they see an incident that targets another student. Armaity continues to cultivate her love of music by performing with the University of Michigan Women’s Glee Club. The Glee Club went on an international tour to Brazil where they performed around Rio and participated in the first annual festival of Women’s Voices in Curitiba. Internationally renowned conductor and Grammy Award nominee, Maria Guinand, conducted the Festival. With the goal of giving back to the Glee Club, an organization that has given Armaity so many unforgettable experiences and incredible friendships, Armaity was elected the Club’s vice president for the 2015-2016 school year. Armaity eagerly anticipates the many new adventures and experiences junior year will provide. She is extremely grateful for the values and love of learning that Liggett instilled in her. ULS.ORG

Aaron Robertson: Aaron is enjoying time spent among friends at Princeton University. He declared as a major in the Department of French and Italian, with a concentration in Italian literature and a certificate in African-American studies. His favorite pastime is serving as editor in chief of Princeton’s principal literary magazine, The Nassau Literary Review. Aaron received a generous grant to write and travel in Europe during the summer of 2015. He knows these opportunities won’t always present themselves and means to take advantage of them all. Kiristin Schick: Kiristin has been thriving in Grand Rapids, Mich. at Cornerstone University. Her most recent opportunity was studying abroad in Paris, France for a twoweek intensive class this May. This trip fulfilled her global studies requirement through the university as well as an art history class. Her French language studies with Madame Karolak while attending Liggett prepared her well for this voyage. By experiencing the art and life of this vibrant city, Kiristin came away from this trip with a greater understanding of Art History and French Culture than what could have been taught in a traditional classroom. Her trip to Europe also affirmed her

Memoriam Josephine R. Karmazin ’39 LIG, age 93, of Grosse Ile. Josephine was born Feb. 9, 1922, in New York, New York and died May 9, 2015 at the Oakwood Southshore Medical Center in Trenton, Mich. Beloved daughter of the late John, Sr. and the late Rose (Mares) Karmazin. Dearest sister of Ted (Nancy) Karmazin and the late John, Jr. (Sandy) Karmazin. She was the dearest aunt of Anne Marie Schoonhoven, Julie Karmazin and Gregory (Nicole) Karmazin. She is also survived by other loving family and friends. Sarah Kanter Dick ’42 LIG, age 90, of Port Charlotte, Fla., Garden City, Mich. and Bayfield, Ontario, Canada

PERSPECTIVE

desire to teach internationally when she graduates with her K-12 vocal and instrumental music education degree in spring of 2017. Libby Stallings: Elizabeth Stallings is going into her third year at the University of Michigan double majoring in environmental engineering through the College of Engineering and integrated sciences in secondary education through the School of Education. She is on the executive board of Alpha Delta Pi sorority with three positions: membership education vice president, recruitment Information Manager, and Music Chair. She is also in a professional fraternity on campus, Kappa Delta Pi, an Honors Society for Future Educators. Every other Sunday she comes back to Grosse Pointe to sing with the Christ Church Grosse Pointe Choirs and during the week enjoys working at the Law Library on campus as the Reading Room Desk Assistant. She took classes this summer and attended her sorority’s Grand Convention at the end of June. Chandler Warren: Chandler is attending Hope College in Holland, Mich., after transferring from the University of Michigan. This year, she

died in August 2014 after battling pancreatic cancer for a year. Sarah was a lifelong educator and world traveler, who brought her enthusiasm and knowledge of the world to her students while at an American school in France and in the U.S. She taught every grade except kindergarten. She also trained teachers at Eastern Michigan University. Sarah and her husband, Richard, traveled to more than 150 countries during their 66year marriage. For 32 years, they ran the Village Guild, a seasonal gift shop in Bayfield. Sarah is survived by her husband, Richard, many nieces and nephews and countless friends. Ann Young Robinson ’43 CDS, age 87, died Tuesday April 9, 2013, after a short illness, at Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe, Mich. She was born on September 21, 1925, in Kansas City, Mo., to Ben and Madelyn Young. When she was seven,

declared a double major in economics and management and plans to declare a Chinese minor when it becomes available in the fall. She joined Alpha Gamma Phi sorority and loves her new sisters. This past spring, Chandler competed with the Flying Dutchman’s division III lacrosse team. The team qualified for playoffs for the first year in their history and had a fantastic 2nd season in the NCAA. This summer, Chandler is interning with Meridian Health Plan in downtown Detroit and is loving every minute of it! Alexa Yates: Two years ago, Alexa made the difficult decision to leave Butler University and attend Oakland University to be closer to home. This past year she worked hard and achieved her best GPA. She was able to visit old and new friends frequently, and felt much more comfortable being close to home. After a year at home, Alexa decided it would be an awesome experience to go to California for the summer and work. She worked for her Aunt Sarah’s two companies Puella and Goldentote in downtown Los Angeles. She worked as a stylist and a photoshoot assistant. California was an amazing experience and Alexa is excited for what’s to come.

the family moved to Grosse Pointe, where her father helped establish the new National Bank of Detroit. She graduated from Grosse Pointe Country Day School, Smith College and Wayne State University School of Law. In 1948, she married Howard Robinson, and for the 63 years of their marriage, the Robinsons lived in the City of Grosse Pointe. She adored her years at CDS and ensured that all of her five children attended its successor schools. Ann is survived by four children: Ben (Joanne) ’68 GPUS; Howard (Kathy) III ’70 GPUS; Jean (Dawn) ‘74; Tom (Laura) ’80; eight grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Joan Young Edwards, ’47 CDS, of Madison, Va. She was predeceased by her husband and her son Steve ’77. Ann lived a rich and multifaceted life. During and right after college, she volunteered with Frontier Nursing, bringing supplies on

CLASS NOTES

horseback to Appalachian midwives. She then married and raised her children, and during this time was an active volunteer with Sigma Gamma Association and its related charity, the Detroit Institute for Children, Family Services of Detroit, the Junior League of Detroit, and the Grosse Pointe Garden Club. When her youngest was in high school, she decided to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer. She earned her J.D. at age 57, and took great pride in practicing law, first at Dykema and then in her own family law practice, until she was 82. Towards the end of her legal career, she took up watercolor painting. She became an accomplished watercolor artist, and loved painting landscapes at the family farm in St. Clair, Mich., and in the winter at Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs, Calif. Coe W. Kraus ’54 LIG, age 77, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at home. She was born Feb. 20, 1937, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of the late Samuel Graham and Mary “Polly” R. (Walker) Cookson. Coe graduated from the University of Michigan as a Regent Scholar and attended Wayne State University. She and her husband Jack, of 53 years, moved permanently to Maine in 1989. For the last 25 years, Coe has been active in the Ogunquit Women’s Club and the York Senior Center. Coe is survived by her husband, Jack Kraus; her son, Scott D. Kraus; her daughter, Elisabeth G. Kraus; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a brother, Graham “Chip” W. Cookson, of Ogunquit. Pamela Trafton Keena Bell ’55 LIG, beloved wife of the late George Rowan Bell Jr. Devoted mother of Suzanne (Ron) Bell O’Hara, George (Julia) Rowan Bell III, Kathleen (Rex) Bell Curtis, James (Christine) Knowlton Bell, and Thomas O’Neil Bell, departed on March 6, 2015, at the age of 78 while under the care of Hospice. She is survived by 13 grandchildren, a niece and great niece and nephew. She was preceded in death by her sister Diane Keena Riggs. Eleanore Stalker Foster ’55 GPUS: Ellie died on April 1, 2015, at age 77, after a long illness. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, David Foster, two sons and their wives and children,

David Jr., Niki, Laurel and Riley; Rob, Michelle, Chad and Jack, and her brother, Peter Stalker. Ellie was born in Grosse Pointe, Mich. on Feb. 25, 1938, the third child of Dr. Hugh Stalker and Hester Everard Stalker. Ellie graduated from Grosse Pointe University School in 1955, Tau Beta and Junior League and Smith College in 1959 with her bachelors of arts degree and 1960 with her masters of arts in teaching. She married David Foster in 1959. Ellie was a prolific reader. She loved crossword puzzles. She was fluent in French and picked up other languages quickly. Ellie travelled the world from an early age, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and South and Central America. Art was extremely important to Ellie. Her mother painted. Both her parents were collectors. Ellie took lessons in painting, drawing and sculpture, which provided background for her 42 years as a docent. A docent is a teacher-guide. As a docent, Ellie took classes, attended lectures, went on walk-throughs, studied, wrote papers, arranged for speakers, and trained new docents. She gave regular tours, special exhibition tours, children’s tours, special needs tours, and tours in French. Ellie was also a docent for several years at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, a National Historic Landmark. Paula Walker Wigton ’57, age 75, passed away in St. John’s Hospital in January. She had been battling cancer. She was the daughter of Ruth VerLinden Walker and Otis Upton Walker and a life-long resident of the Grosse Pointes. After graduating GPUS, she attend Kalamazoo College. She was a member of Sigma Gamma Association, The Grosse Pointe Historical Society and the Grand Marais Garden Club. She is survived by her daughter Dana VerLinden Wigton of Fenton, Mich., son David L. Wington of Traverse City, Mich., grandson Thomas Wigton and sister Rosemary A. Touscany ’54 GPUS. Elisabeth K. Smith ’62 GPUS: Former Grosse Pointe Woods resident Elisabeth K. Smith, of Thompsonville, died peacefully at home Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. She was 70. She was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, in May 1944, to

Dr. David Leach and Marjorie Schoultz Leach. After World War II, the family settled in the metro Detroit area. She attended Grosse Pointe University School and graduated from Garland Junior College in Boston. She earned bachelors and master’s degrees from Wayne State University, as well as certificates in early childhood education, infant mental health, and special education. Over 20 years, Elisabeth taught pre-primary impaired children in the Warren Consolidated Schools, developmental pre-kindergarten students at University Liggett School and the cognitively impaired at Howe Elementary School in the Detroit Public Schools. Elisabeth was an unswerving, liberal Democratic whose passions included lifelong learning, advocacy for children and their education and giving back to her community. She and her husband moved up north in 2002 and organized the annual Betsie Valley Run to benefit the Betsie Valley District Library in Thompsonville. She was a driving force in the fundraising, design, and construction of the new state-of-theart library, which opened in 2014. She coordinated adult and youth outreach programs for the library, served as a council member of Project Read Northwest for Manistee and Benzie counties and served on the board of directors of the Michigan Legacy Art Park. Elisabeth enjoyed music, theater and the arts. In retirement, she spent winter months in Mexico and explored international destinations to experience art and culture. She was a gardener whose personal landscape was dotted with whimsical art, bottle trees and flora. Other pastimes included woodworking, knitting, entertaining friends and family, reading and investing in the stock market. Elisabeth is survived by her husband of 45 years, Russell Smith; children, Amy Elisabeth Smith and David Russell Smith (Tiffany); sisters, Susan McLaughlin (Phillip), Anne Webster (John) and Sara Amy Leach (Gary Mason); and many nieces and nephews. Michael Shelton Tornow ’64 LIG and Candy Shelton Reed ’66 LIG sent us a note to tell us that their sister Lynne Shelton ’63 LIG recently passed away.

ULS.ORG

Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t See Your Class Listed?

Waterville, ME 04901-5442 m1tonge@gmail.com

Mary Wood Schrope schropem@gmail.com

1943

GPUS Class Representatives: Lylas Good Mogk, MD 1000 Yorkshire Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230-1432 lmogk@aol.com

Send your updates to your representative listed below.

DUS Class Representative: William Wilson 6257 Telegraph Rd., Apt. 235 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301-1649 wwwilson2@aol.com

1938

1944

Liggett Class Representative: Jean Downer Hodges 429 Barclay Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-2813 trhjdh@sbcglobal.net

1939 Liggett Class Representative: Mary Louise Goodson Drennen 106 Merriweather Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3623 mldrennen@comcast.net

1940 Liggett Class Representative: Constance Haberkorn Nichols 336 Kendal Drive Kennett Square, PA 19348-2337 nichols17@verizon.net DUS Class Representative: William Klingbeil P.O. Box 1406 Mt. Dora, FL 32756-1406

1941 75th Reunion! Liggett Class Representative: Jane Kilner Denny 125 E. Gilman Street Madison, WI 53703-1407 Hawkhill@comcast.net

1942 DUS Class Representative: Robert M. Tonge 5 Greylock Rd.

PERSPECTIVE

Liggett Class Representative: Roberta Mackey Rigger 830 West 40th Street, Apt. 304 Baltimore, MD 21211-2125 rmrigger@aol.com CDS Class Representative: Lydia Kerr Lee 1030 Arbor Lane, Apt. 103 Northfield, IL 60093-3356 jlee2424@gmail.com

1946 70th Reunion! Liggett Class Representative: Betsy Stanton 1570 East Ave., Apt. 112 Rochester, NY 14610 585-244-8134 bstanton@rochester.rr.com

1950 DUS Class Representative: William J. Cudlip II 284 McKinley Avenue Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3460 wcudlip@sbcglobal.net

1952 Liggett Class Representative: Kay Jordan Phillips 14421 N. Ibsen Drive, Apt. A Fountain Hills, AZ 85268-2102

1956 60th Reunion! Liggett Class Representative: Lana Ackenhusen Litwin lanar45@gmail.com

George Jerome 40 Edgemere Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3709 ggjsr@aol.com

1959 GPUS Class Representative: Robin Duke Harris Russell 2 Flagler Drive Rye, NY 10580-1848 rdhr@fivewindsworkshop.com

1961 55th Reunion! GPUS Class Representative: Marion Polizzi Shanle 21 North Duval Road Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236-1108 mjshanle@gmail.com

1964 Liggett Class Representative: Karolyn A. Krieghoff Sewell 2046 Camino de los Robles Menlo Park, CA 94025-5917 ksewell7@comcast.net GPUS Class Representative: William B. Canfield III 1334 Merrie Ridge Road McLean, VA 22101-1827 canfieldwilliam@gmail.com

1965 Liggett Class Representatives: Lana Rae Ackenhusen Litwin lanar45@gmail.com Mary Wood Schrope schropem@gmail.com

1967 GPUS Class Representative: Jani DuCharme Gunsaulus 74 Essex Road Ipswich, MA 01938-2548 Janniguns2@gmail.com

Liggett Class Representative: Mikee Brown 73144 Carrizo, Palm Desert, CA 92260 mikee.brown@verizon.net

1969 GPUS Class Representative: Rev. Meredith B. Jackson 500 Deepwoods Drive Valley Grande, AL 36701-0404 jaypbsig@sprintmail.com

1972 Class Representative: Kevin Granger 943 Hidden Lane Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236-1522 mikevric@comcast.net

1973 Class Representative: Steve Rosati 5937 South Glencoeway Centennial, CO 80121 srosati54@hotmail.com

1974 Class Representative: Sara Hendrie Sessions 972 N. Brys Drive Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236-1670 sessions9@comcast.net

1975 Class Representative: Claudia Kuhnlein Eaton 19 Ocean View Drive Hingham, MA 02043-1224 claudiaisin@gmail.com

1979 Class Representative: Catherine Sphire Shell 185 Ridge Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3554 jwshell185@me.com

1980 Class Representative: Roxane Lie P.O. Box 130 Wilsonville, Oregon

CLASS NOTES

97070-0130 rml2vizsla2002@yahoo.com

1982 Class Representative: Michael Ottaway 252 Cloverly Road Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3304 Michael_Ottaway@ml.com

1984 Class Representative: Lawrence Paolucci 1898 Kenmore Drive Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236-1982 lpaolucci@wcpc.us

1985 Acting Class Representative: (until the reunion) Kate French Peabody 251 Kenwood Ct. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 missk8@sbcglobal.net

1988 Class Representative: Joy Brzuchowski Nichols 2688 Amberley Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301-2655 umpilots@aol.com

1990 Class Representatives: Brooke Hohmeyer Kemler 621 Arlene Court Fowlerville, MI 48836-9356 brookemler@hotmail.com Dr. Sreedhar “Steve” Samudrala 9143 Concord Hunt Circle Brentwood, TN 37027-8762 DrSam@AFDclinics.com

1991 25th Reunion! Class Representatives: Natasha Moulton-Levy 13595 Julia Manor Way Westfriendship, MD 21794-9220 teklaml@aol.com Katy Campbell

3257 Cummings Berkley, MI 48072-1154 mkpodolan@gmail.com

1992 Class Representatives: Lila LaHood 1624 Vallejo Street, Apt. 2 San Francisco, CA 94123-5115 lilalahood@gmail.com Anne Hildebrandt Tranchida 521 Lakeland Grosse Pointe, MI 48230 arh1214@aol.com

1993 Class Representative: Amy Shanle 12E. 86th Street Apt. 826 New York, NY 10028-0513 amy.shanle@gmail.com

1994 Class Representative: Peter Brown 5605 Trousdale Drive Brentwood, TN 37027-4308 pbrown@gpjco.com

1995 Class Representative: Julie Smith Jahn 431 W. Oakdale Ave., Apt. 6C Chicago, IL 60657-5957

1996 20th Reunion! Class Representatives: Jennifer Silverton 445 West Baraga Avenue, #4 Marquette, MI 49855-4558 jsilvers@nmu.edu Rachel Calderon Young 2217 Flint Ridge Road Edmond, OK 73003 rachel_calderon@ hotmail.com

1997 Class Representative: Peter Birgbauer 124 East 85th, Apartment 5F New York City, NY 10028 pbirgbauer@gmail.com

2001

2010

Class Representative: Jessica Cobb Hall hall2343@gmail.com

Class Representative: Mary Grech marygrech22@gmail.com

2004

2012

Class Representatives: Rachel Costello 2 M Street, NE, Apt. 623 Washington DC, 20003 rachelncostello@gmail.com Carly Croskey 180 Country Club Drive Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-2902 cacroskey@gmail.com

Class Representative: Katherine Parthum parthumk@msu.edu

2014 Class Representative: Margot Alpert mealpert@gmail.com

Meghan Doletzky 1111 Beech Street Wilmington, DE 19805-4207 m.t.doletzky@gmail.com

2005 Class Representatives: Caitlin Costello 800 Cadieux Road Grosse Pointe, MI 48230-1232 caitlinbcostello@gmail.com Kimberly M. Dickinson 2809 Boston Street, Apt. 337 Baltimore, MD 21224-4849 kmdickinson87@gmail.com

2007 Class Representatives: Catherine Watson Catherine.V.Watson@ gmail.com Sabra Morman Sabramorman@yahoo.com

2008 Class Representatives: Maria Russo mariarusso90@comcast.net Laura Hicks laura.hicks10@gmail.com

2009 Class Representative: Bianca Aviolo 4884 Kensington Detroit, MI 48224 Bianca@thesecondguess.com

Answer The Call: Be A Class Representative! Don’t see your class listed? Become a class representive. Contact Katie Durno at kdurno@uls.org. It’s easy, All you have to do is: - Email your class two times a year - Wait for interesting updates to roll in - Pass along this news to us! Don’t see your class listed? Now is your chance to jump in and take over! These classes need reps: 1945: CDS, DUS, LIG; 1953: CDS, DUS, LIG; 1960: GPUS; 1965: GPUS; 1977; 1981; 1986; 1998; 1999; 2002; 2007; 2009; 2011

ULS.ORG

PERSPECTIVE: LENS

The passions and discoveries of Liggett 12th-graders came together in May at the Celebration of Research when students unveiled their Academic Research Projects to the public. The Academic Research Project is the cornerstone of Liggettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Curriculum for Understanding and the culmination of a year and a half of research on a chosen topic. In this photo, Jonathan Valente â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15 showcases an original composition he wrote after researching the techniques of a select group of 20th century composers.

University Liggett School 2015-2016 Board of Trustees Connie Ahee

Jason Patrick Hall

Sanford N. Pensler ‘74

Beth Van Elslander Wood ‘89

Charles E. Becker

Joseph P. Healey

Scott A. Reilly, Treasurer

Anne Widlak ‘70

Gloria Butler Miller

Atanas Ilitch

Thomas Robinson ‘80

William R. Chapin

Gretchen Knoell

A. Paul Schaap

David M. Wu ’83 Vice President

Shauna Ryder Diggs

Lila LaHood ‘92

Joseph J. Shannon

Henry Ford III ‘98

Tomasine Marx, ‘78

Jeffrey Smith

Kenneth A. Fruehauf ‘85

James T. Mestdagh

Reeshemash Spivey

Louana Ghafari Secretary

Matthew Moroun ‘91

John W. Stroh III ’78 President

David A. Nicholson

Cynthia Ford Honorary Trustee Ruth R. Glancy Honorary Trustee

William W. Shelden, Jr. Honorary Trustee

2015-2016 Alumni Board of Governors Carrie Birgbauer ‘93 *

Ellen Renick Durand ‘79

Muffy Boomer Milligan ‘73

Elizabeth Renick Bracher ‘87*

John “Chip” Fowler ‘00

Lynn Carruthers Park ‘73

Anne Hildebrandt Tranchida’92 Secretary

William Canfield ‘64*

Michael Fozo ‘87

Joseph Cobb ‘04*

Jessica Hall ‘01*

Samina Qureshi ‘91 President

Dana Warnez ‘89 Vice President

Paula Cornwall ‘84

Thomas Henry ‘61 GPUS*

Robin Harris Russell ‘59*

Beth Van Elslander Wood ‘89

Jean Doelle ‘55 LIG

Abigail McIntyre ‘91

Christopher Stroh ‘12

*Regional representative

Alumni Regional Event Chicago June 30, 2015 at The Dawson

1. Katie Rose, Raymond Cantrell ’06, Mandy Nieman ’93 and Bart Bronk; 2. Jim Barnes ’81, Kristine Mighion ’82 and Dave Parker ‘80; 3. Ahley Steitz ’04 and Kelley Hamilton; 4. Josh Moulton ’96, Kara Feemster ’96, John Nieman and Alicia Dempz ‘98; 5. Jack Elsey ’00 and Andrew Watkins ‘00

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