Brandeis Magazine

Christine McDowell, a theater professor at Bates College in Maine for the last five years, was granted tenure. Her courses include introduction to design, scene design, costume design, pattern drafting and draping, dress and adornment in Western culture, urban design and renewal, scene painting, and portfolio development as part of thesis advising for advanced students in design. She also designs sets and costumes for college productions and works with student designers. Debby Chui was named vice president and branch manager at First Commons Bank’s new branch in Wellesley, Mass. Prior to joining First Commons, Debby was vice president and branch manager of two RBS Citizens Bank branches in Wellesley. First Commons opened in July 2009 and serves businesses and individuals in Newton, Wellesley, Waltham and eastern Massachusetts. Adam Mitzner’s first novel, “A Conflict of Interest,” was published in May. He writes, “It’s a legal thriller and has been compared to Scott Turow’s ‘Presumed Innocent.’ At this writing, it is the top-rated legal thriller on Amazon. If you read it, drop me a line and tell me what you thought of it. I’m reachable through my website — adammitzner.com.”