Mar/Apr 2005

Thanks to all of you who responded to our desperate requests for news to fill this column. Erica and I have received some great updates. If you don't see your news in this column, be sure to check back in future issues!

2004 was another year of higher education for many of our classmates. Michael Mischna (mischna@earthlink.net) writes that he graduated this past July with a PhD in geophysics from UCLA. Since graduating he has been working as a research scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA.Way to go,Michael! He also has kept in touch with David Frank, who is now living in Texas and a father. Another graduate is Drew Keister (medstar2@yahoo.com), who completed his family medicine residency at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland last year. He is currently practicing as a faculty member at the U. of Nebraska military/civilian residency program and living at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha. Recent PhD Dania Braunstein (djb42@aol.com) completed her degree in clinical psychology and an internship at the Yale Child Study Center last spring. Despite the busy schedule, Dania had time to visit San Diego and Joann Stanford, who is currently working for a start-up cell phone gaming company.

Eric Uyguanco (ericuyguanco@yahoo.com) sent news that he is enjoying himself as a first-year cardiology fellow at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in my old borough, Brooklyn, NY. Say "Hi!" to the folks at Caputo's Deli on Court Street for me! Working to save the lives of our furry friends is MelissaMartinchick (melzilly@yahoo.com), who is working as a small animal veterinarian in Dartmouth, MA.Melissa graduated from Tufts U. School of Veterinary Medicine in May 2004. She has also been a busy wedding guest, attending the nuptials of many Cornellians, including classmate Margaret Safford, who married Christopher Cullinan in September 2004. Our last graduate is Richard Baecher (rabaecher01@aol.com), who completed his MBA at Fordham in 2004. Richard has since been working at a medical diagnostics company that is about to begin overseas operations in China. Sounds like there might be some trips to the People's Republic in your future, Richard. Congrats to all our grads and best of luck with your new careers!

I received an update via e-mail from Roger Norum '96, BA '97 (rogernorum@yahoo.com). Roger writes that he is currently working as a writer and editor of travel guidebooks for Rough Guides after giving up freelance translation work. His new job is probably also useful for his new status as graduate student in social and cultural anthropology at Oxford U. Roger seems to be enjoying himself and his new status as a "30-something." Another classmate undergoing a career shift is Grace Kang (gracekang@verizon.net). Grace left her job at Bloomingdales after seven years and has joined the team at Saks Fifth Avenue as a buyer for handbags and shoes in their ecommerce division. Grace also took on the role of bridesmaid for Jennifer Grant '96 at her wedding in October 2004.

Just when you think that it is too late to change careers, Giovanni Revedin di San Martino proves otherwise. Giovanni (revedin@earthlink.net) has shifted from the Internet world during the dot-com boom to finance, first at Citigroup Private Bank and now at Brown Brothers Harriman as a vice president in their investment management division, and seems to be enjoying his new career. He is able to travel to Europe for business and often runs into classmates Celia Koukouli, Nathalie Picquot, Idil Ustun, and Karl Hakime, ME ORIE '97. While in New York, Giovanni writes that he is able to keep in touch with Anne-Cecilie Engell, Michael Bisordi, Arthur Bruhmuller, Robert Berstein, Nicole Pappas-Drallios, and Sammy Rodriguez.We'd love to hear more about what all these people are up to, so send us details!

Of course, no column would be complete without updates on the Class of 2022--our kids! Eun Carl Cook (eunnycook@finsvcs.com) gave birth to a baby girl, Kaelan Elizabeth Lani Cook, on August 13, 2004. Eun and husband Geoff are living in Hawaii, and Kaelan was born at Maui Memorial Hospital. Patara Yongvanich, MBA '00 (yongvanich@yahoo.com) became the father of a baby girl, Amanda, on May 17, 2004. Amanda was born in San Jose, CA. Patara saw classmates at the recent wedding of Jason McKee, including Marc Duquella '98, El-Shaffei Dada, Derek Deich, and Tom Harp.

Another new mother is France-Marie Exantus Jordan (fexantus@bellsouth.net). France-Marie got married in April 2003 to classmate Sheldon and gave birth to a baby boy, Dante, on June 25, 2004. Robert Pattison (pattison_r@yahoo.com) and Beth Kellerman welcomed their first child, Alexander Kellen Pattison, in September 2003. Robert spends his time out of the house as an associate for UBS Financial Services in Albany, NY. Last but not least (in my biased opinion),my husband Josh Carter and I welcomed our baby girl,Madeline Louise, into the world on November 4, 2004.Maddie is keeping both of us busy and already looking forward to her first visit to Ithaca.

Fret not if you don't see your news here. There is more where this came from. Please keep sending in updates via mail or the class website (http://classof97.alumni.cornell.edu), or email Erica or me directly using the addresses below.We want to hear what makes your day. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn! -- Sarah Deardorff Carter, sjd5@cornell.edu; Erica Broennle Nelson, ejb4@cornell.edu.