University announces Alumni Award winners

Six Boston University alumni were honored as Alumni Award winners for their career achievements and service to Boston University at Friday night’s kickoff dinner for the Winterfest weekend. All photos by Fred Sway.

Bruce Feirstein

Bruce Feirstein (COM’75) has written for film, television, books, newspapers and magazines. Feirstein wrote three James Bond films, which, in total, have grossed over $1 billon dollars. He has shared his keys to success with College of Communication students as speaker, facilitator, and sponsor of the West Coast Internship Program. Feirstein is also a founder of a scholarship for writing students.

John Howe III

John P. Howe, III, (MED’69), distinguished chair in health policy at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, is President & CEO of the international health foundation Project HOPE. Under his 15-year leadership, the University of Texas Health Science Center raised $250 million in contributions, quadrupled research funding, and increased the endowment eleven-fold. Howe earned a bachelor’s degree at Amherst College and his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine. He served two years in the Army Medical Corps and later completed the Health Systems Management Program at Harvard Business School. Howe also serves on the School of Public Health Board of Visitors.

Jeannine Rivet

Jeannine Rivet (SPH’81) is the executive vice president of UnitedHealth Group and Chief Executive Officer and President of Optum. Rivet currently serves as UnitedHealth Group’s executive liaison to the pharmaceutical industry, and in her role at Optum, she leads the company’s efforts to provide decision support services and care coordination. She is also a vice chair of the School of Public Health Board of Visitors.
 

Nina Tassler

Nina Tassler (CFA’79) is President of CBS Entertainment, where she oversees the Network’s entertainment programming for prime time, late night and daytime, as well as program development for all genres, including comedy, drama, reality, specials, movies and mini-series. Tassler also serves on the Boston University’s Board of Overseers.

Lawrence Yannuzzi

Lawrence Yannuzzi (MED’64) is a renowned retinal specialist whose research has saved eyesight that would otherwise have been lost to retinal disease. His pioneering use of angiography led to development of the test that is now central to the diagnosis and management of diabetic and related eye diseases. Yannuzzi received a B.A. from Harvard College and M.D. from Boston University School of Medicine. He is a Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical School, Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at New York University, and is the Director and Founder of the Vitreoretinal Fellowship, Head and Founder of the LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Center and The Macula Foundation, Inc. and the Vice-Chairman and Surgeon Director of Ophthalmology and Director of the Retinal Services at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital. Yannuzzi has supported the School of Medicine with research support, both financial and personal, participation in alumni events, and service on its Board of Visitors.

Oscar Wasserman

Oscar Wasserman (SMG’56) (LAW’59) (LAW’62) has had distinguished and overlapping careers in accounting, law, banking, real estate, hotel management, and consulting. Wasserman is a longtime volunteer in roles ranging from phonathon caller and class agent to member of the Board of Visitors and the Alumni Association Executive Committee. He led an effort that obtained the funding, planned, and oversaw construction of the Florence & Chafetz Hillel House.

Jacqueline Entenmann

2005 Young Alumni Award Winner Jacqueline Entenmann (COM’91) has worked in the press office of United States Senator Alfonse D’Amato, and as a special events coordinator for New York Governor George Pataki. She now runs a 200-acre winery, the Entenmann family’s Martha Clara Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island. Entenmann received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Boston University and Master of Arts degree in Marketing from Emerson College.