Brandeis Magazine

Are you looking to grow your professional network, connect with fellow alumni who work in your field or find Brandeisians who share your interests?

The new Brandeis Shared-Interest Group program allows alumni to connect with fellow graduates regardless of when they graduated or where they live. The university’s inaugural shared-interest groups are the Alumni of Color Network, the Arts Network, the International Alumni Network and the Lawyers Network.

“We are excited to offer our alumni around the world the opportunity to engage with one another on the basis of their mutual interests,” says Patsy Fisher, vice president of alumni relations. “These groups will allow alumni to strengthen their connections with one another through both in-person and virtual programming.”

The Shared-Interest Group program was developed by members of the Alumni Association board to connect alumni in different ways.

“We are always on the lookout for programs that can strengthen ties among alumni,” says Trustee Mark Surchin ’78, the Alumni Association president. “We hope alumni will spread the word about shared-interest groups, and encourage their classmates and friends to sign up.”

For more information about the Shared-Interest Group program, visit alumni.brandeis.edu/sigs, or email alumnisigs@brandeis.edu.

Last fall, more than 50 alumni and friends gathered in New York for a panel discussion with four area judges. Pictured: New York Lawyers Network chair David Shapiro ’85 (second from left) with panelists Michael Katz ’89; Naomi Buchwald ’65; Melissa Crane ’86; and Fred Kessler ’75, P’10.

We recently established the Shared-Interest Group program for Brandeis alumni — and some of its first beneficiaries were Brandeis students.

Shortly after launching the Lawyers Network, the Arts Network, the International Alumni Network and the Alumni of Color Network this winter, we sent an email to the Lawyers Network seeking assistance for international students potentially impacted by President Donald Trump’s executive order on travel.

In true Brandeis fashion, more than 75 alumni lawyers responded, volunteering their advice, legal services and expertise on a pro bono basis. Many respondents worked in immigration or international law; others wrote just to offer whatever support they could to these vulnerable students.

The reaction was gratifying for me and also underscored one of the Shared-Interest Group program’s prime goals — to better connect our alumni and students. These networks will also make it easier for alumni to help students seeking career guidance.

Of course, the new groups allow alumni to engage with one another as well. You can use them to share best practices, provide mentorship or career advice in a particular field, expand your professional network, or simply socialize. To find out more, visit alumni.brandeis.edu/sigs, or email alumnisigs@ brandeis.edu.

This initiative, like many others over the years that improved the alumni experience, would not have been possible without Nancy Winship, P’10, P’13, the university’s senior vice president of institutional advancement.

Since arriving at Brandeis in October 1994, Nancy has dedicated significant resources to help us better connect with one another and the institution. Under her leadership, the Office of Alumni Relations has enhanced programming both on and off campus, increased support for the Brandeis Alumni Association and developed new platforms to bring alumni together.

On July 1, Nancy will transition into a new role as President Ron Liebowitz’s chief philanthropic adviser. On behalf of alumni around the world, I want to thank her for her many contributions to Brandeis.

Best,

Mark Surchin ’78
President, Brandeis Alumni Association

The Brandeis Travelers program lets alumni and friends experience a region rather than simply visit it.

Each journey is led by a renowned Brandeis faculty member with deep knowledge of the region’s history and culture. Fellow travelers tend to be engaged, adventurous and well-informed, bringing an intellectual curiosity to the journey that is uniquely Brandeisian.

“We are thrilled to expand the program to allow more alumni and friends to join these trips to some of the world’s most exciting destinations,” says Patsy Fisher, vice president of alumni relations.

For more information, visit alumni.brandeis.edu/ travel, or email Alyson Saykin, director of special programs, at asaykin@brandeis.edu.

2017 Trips

• Galápagos: Jan. 27-Feb. 5

• Cuba Through the Eyes of the People: March 4-11

• Dutch Waterways: Holland and Belgium River Cruise: April 26-May 4

• Southern Africa Odyssey: May 18-June 4

• Canadian Rockies: Aug. 3-9

• Italian Riviera and Chianti: Oct. 22-31

• Paradores and Pousadas: Historic Lodgings of Spain and Portugal: Nov. 6-20

Alumni and friends of all ages enjoyed the Brandeis Travelers trip to the Galapagos Islands with biologist Dan Perlman (far left).

For the first time in its history, Brandeis will host 13 classes at Reunion.

This year’s weekend event, which runs from June 9-11, will feature the university’s first 65th Reunion, as the Class of 1952 celebrates its milestone, along with the other Reunion classes, from years ending with a 2 or a 7. More than 1,000 alumni, family and friends are expected back on campus.

Reunion kicks off on Friday with Alumni College, a daylong series of courses taught by leading faculty, which allows alumni to relive their Brandeis classroom experience. On Friday night, Trucks and Tunes returns, featuring some of the Boston area’s finest food trucks and musical entertainment.

Saturday’s programming includes the Ralph Norman Barbecue on the Great Lawn at noon, followed by a variety of family-friendly afternoon activities, such as the Ice Cream Social, Ollie’s Family Fun, and Kegs and Kickball. A conversation with President Ron Liebowitz will be held from 4-5 p.m. Later that night, individual class dinners will offer classmates a chance to further reconnect.

On Sunday morning, a memorial gathering will honor members of the Reunion classes, faculty and staff who have passed away. Reunion weekend concludes with the Farewell Champagne Brunch.

For more information about Reunion 2017 or to register, visit alumni.brandeis. edu/reunion.

Hundreds of alumni and friends gathered at events in Tel Aviv, Israel; Los Angeles; London; Washington, D.C.; and San Francisco to welcome President Ron Liebowitz to Brandeis.

In Tel Aviv:

Johanna Silverio ’07, IBS MA’08, MBA’11; Eva Rybar ’07; and Nuia Mana ’04.

In Los Angeles:

Liebowitz with Trustee Leslie Aronzon ’84 and Amy Cohen ’85, president of the Alumni Club of Southern California.

Richie Silverman ’54, Evelyn Sheffres ’55 and Mark Aronson ’55.

April Silton, P’17, and Susan Steinberg, P’18.

In London:

Jeminatu Alabi-Isama ’10 and Carissa Ramkissoon, IBS MBA’09.

Juan Custodio, IBS MSF’11, and Lara Custodio.

In Washington, D.C.:

Liebowitz with Jackie Zais ’13.

Seth Coburn, Ria Roberts, Lital Shair Nada and Garrett Nada, all ’10.

In San Francisco:

Ian Christie, Tove Freeman, Elizabeth Villano, Rebecca Balk and Grady Ward, all ’16.

Daisy Dong ’14, David Garson, Shuo Diao ’12, Hao Le and Debbie Adler ’99.