Class of 1966
Bob Acker is constructing a small compound in Luang Prabang, Laos. George Baral, who retired to the Philippines nearly four years ago, reports he is engaged “after avoiding marriage for 77 years.” His fiancee “comes with two daughters and five grandchildren, so I get the whole family.” Paul Bloom is lead designer in the development of the West River Peace Garden, in New Haven, Connecticut. He believes the project “will re-identify our humble city, and provide a beacon of local and international peace to shine for all.” Vicki Giella attended Brandeis as a first-year, then completed her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley and earned an MA in urban planning at UCLA. She reports her lifetime passion has been the study and practice of Shambhala Buddhism. She lives in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, where she enjoys gardening and living close to nature. Susie Kaufman and husband Frank Gioia have moved from the Berkshires. They now spend half the year near one son in Minnesota’s Twin Cities metro area and the other half in the Sierras with their other son. Four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren are also part of the picture. Composer and sound artist Richard Lerman, GSAS MFA’70, in October went to Norway for an artist’s residency on the Varanger Peninsula. He writes, “I used a self-built hydrophone to record sounds from the Barents Sea. The Arctic is being strongly affected by climate change, and my work explores aspects of this.” Elsa Lichman, who writes a monthly nature column, shares sad news: “I lost my life partner to congestive heart failure, a very difficult transition. He was vibrant, passionate, fun, generous, creative, and caring.” Marian Solomon Lubinsky writes she and husband Len ’63 are looking forward to his 60th Reunion in October. Marian is once again volunteering at the American Museum of Natural History after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Carla Singer is the executive producer of two films: “Four Winters: A Story of Jewish Partisan Resistance and Bravery in WWII” (in distribution now) and “Unexpected Grace” (for Hallmark Movies). Mary Stevenson is finishing up a memoir based on five years of correspondence between her and her mother, starting during her first year at Brandeis. If any classmates would like to learn more about the project or could give advice regarding publication, contact her at maryhuffstevenson@gmail.com.
ROAD TO DISCOVERY: The women in this 1966 photo — like countless Brandeisians before and since — enjoyed unparalleled opportunities to do meaningful scientific research in the university’s labs. Today, the university is ensuring its commitment to the sciences remains strong. Brandeis has announced that, in partnership with generous friends, it will be adding 100,000 square feet of new or renovated facilities, and creating new research fellowships and other academic opportunities to write the next chapter in its story of scientific exploration. (Photo courtesy Brandeis University Archives and Special Collections Department.)