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Victoria Kokoras (CAS’55) recently became a board member of the American Beethoven Society (ABS), affiliated with the San Jose State University in California. She urges classical music lovers to visit the Beethoven Center (where a lock of Beethoven’s hair is on display). The ABS is helping to build the first study center in North America devoted solely to Beethoven’s life and music. Visit the center’s website at www.sjsu.edu/beethoven.

Norman Delaney (GRS’56) of Corpus Christi, Tex., received the Naval History Author of the Year Award from the U.S. Naval Institute on October 19, 2011, in Annapolis, MD. The magazine’s editorial staff cited two of Norman’s articles as the best pieces to appear in the magazine in the previous 12 months.

Mary Nyman (GRS’59) of Wareham, Mass., published High School Stories (iUniverse, 2010), a book of short stories for teens. Mary serves on BU’s alumni board of directors for Cape Cod and the Islands. She is also a painter and a jewelry maker. Learn more about her work at www.marynyman.com.

Richard Simeone (CAS’59) of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is working on the 21st edition of his book, The Insider’s Guide to San Miguel, to be published this fall. He invites any alumni interested in visiting this beautiful city to contact him at insiderguideofsma@gmail.com.

Joseph Doolin (DGE’58, CAS’60, GRS’88) of Osterville, Mass., published South Boston Boy (Bumps River Press, 2011), a story about a boy growing up in South Boston that ends with his admission to BU in 1956.

Mariel (Farre) Dumin (CAS’61) of Clemson, S.C., earned a master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology from Stanford University School of Medicine. Mariel worked at New York Medical Center in New York City and the Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, N.J., before becoming a public school speech therapist for various local schools. “My husband and I took up dancing a few years ago in retirement, and we are very enthusiastic,” she writes. “Good for the body, good for the brain, and lots of fun.” The couple recently saw Andrew Pierce (CAS’51) and Edith (Marotz) Pierce (CAS’51) at a dance.

Bonnie Kogos (CAS’61) of New York, N.Y., recently published Manhattan, Manitoulin (Scrivener Press, 2012), a love story that takes place between Manhattan and Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron. “Manitoulin is rugged, bucolic, and agricultural, while Manhattan bustles with life and business,” she writes. “The novel takes you over the swing bridge to discoveries of laughter, loss, and learning.”

B. Amore (CAS’64) of Benson, Vt., coordinated the exhibition Invisible Odysseys: Art by Mexican Farmworkers last winter at the Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury. She and two friends brought art materials to undocumented farmworkers in Vermont’s dairy industry to create the project. “Extraordinary works of art have emerged in the dioramas that they have created expressing their journeys,” she writes. “This is truly ‘work of the soul,’ both moving and powerful, and links their journeys to the larger history of immigration.” Learn more about her work at www.bamore.com.

Kathleen Spivack (GRS’65) of Watertown, Mass., will publish her memoir, With Robert Lowell and His Circle: Plath, Sexton, Bishop, Kunitz (University Press of New England, 2012) this fall. She studied with Lowell while at BU, along with fellow students Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. The memoir looks at personal friendships and work, she says. Kathleen teaches in Boston and Paris and has received numerous awards and nominations for her writing. Visit www.kathleenspivack.com.

Soterios Zoulas (CAS’65) co-edited a book called 100 Years in America, published by the University of the West of England, Bristol, U.K., in 2010. The book is the result of the “100 Years in America” conference held at Hellenic College, Brookline, Mass., in October 2008. The conference and the publication celebrate the centenary of the St. George Hellenic Benefit Society of Tsamantas in Worcester, Mass., and acknowledged the society’s philanthropic causes both in Europe and America. Soterios is associate professor and chair of the communications arts department at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Mass.

William Coughlan, Jr. (CAS’70) of South Euclid, Ohio, published WaWa-West Africa: A Coming of Age Memoir (Balboa Press, 2011). William is an adjunct faculty member at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio.

John Jacoby (CAS’70) of Ridgewood, N.J., was recently appointed Peace Corps country director of South Africa. John was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal from 1970 to 1972. After his service, he worked for the World Health Organization in Nepal and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Most recently, John was the general manager of Newark Liberty International and Teterboro Airports.

Richard Ricciardi (CAS’70) of Monmouth Beach, N.J., received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Monmouth University, where he is vice chair of the Business Council at the Leon Hess School of Business. Richard is also a Holiday Scholarship Ball Committee member and a participant in the Alumni Association Volunteer Mentor Program. He earned an MBA from Monmouth University. Email Richard at richardlricciardi@gmail.com.

Jeremy Soldevilla (DGE’68, CAS’70) of Belgrade, Mont., published Thief Creek (Christopher Matthews Publishing, 2011). Jeremy started two publishing operations last year: Christopher Matthews Publishing and Soul Fire Press. Visit www.christophermatthewspub.com and www.soulfirepress.com.

April Smith (CAS’71) of Santa Monica, Calif., recently published her fifth book, White Shotgun (Alfred A. Knopf, 2011), a novel featuring FBI special agent Ana Grey. Learn more about April at www.aprilsmith.net.

Daniel Tearno (CAS’71) recently was honored with a President’s Award by the Washington Government Relations Group (WGRG), a Washington, D.C.-based organization of over 200 African American lobbyists. The award was for leadership in corporate diversity. Dan recently retired from his position as senior vice president and chief corporate relations officer for Heineken USA after a career of 30 years in the U.S. beer business.

Flutist Peter H. Bloom (CAS’72) and pianist Mary Jane Rupert (the duo “2”) concertized in New Zealand and Australia this March, performing works by U.S. and New Zealand composers, including “Kleemation” by American composer Elizabeth Vercoe (CFA’78). The five-week tour included many appearances. In other recent concerts, Peter performed at the National Gallery in London on a U.K. tour with the baroque trio Ensemble Chaconne. He also toured the Midwest and Southeastern United States with mezzo-soprano D’Anna Fortunato, and performed in New York and New England with the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra (39th season) under director Mark Harvey (STH’71, GRS’83).

Tarynn Witten (CAS’72) just released her second nonfiction book, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Aging: Challenges in Research, Practice & Policy (Johns Hopkins University Press). This is a follow-on to her book The Tao of Gender. Her children’s book, I Love You a Circle, is soon to be published.

Jan Tramontano (CAS’73) of Albany, N.Y., published her first novel, Standing on the Corner of Lost and Found (JMT Writing Services, 2011). “I have been a secret writer for most of my life,” she writes. “I finally came out of the closet about 10 years ago. Through serendipity and the support of a writing group called WomanWords, everything changed. Sitting around my kitchen table with this group of talented writers, I began the writing life I always wanted and am working hard to make up for lost time.” Visit www.jantramontano.com, or email her at jan@jantramontano.com.

Arthur Carakatsane (CAS’74) of Lynnfield, Mass., has been a member of the Mock Trial Committee of the Massachusetts Bar Association for more than 10 years. The committee administers the annual high school mock trial competition for 120 Bay State teams. This year’s case focused on high school bullying; Arthur was responsible for the law section of the case. Arthur has a solo practice in Middleton, Mass., and lives with his wife, Judy. Email him at carakatsanelaw@comcast.net.

Bill Lebovich (GRS’74) of Chevy Chase, Md., writes that W. W. Norton recently published his book How to Photograph Historic Structures and Sites. Email Bill at architecturalphoto@mac.com.

Robert Kershner (CAS’75) of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., was awarded tenure as a full professor at Palm Beach State College last February. Robert is a board-certified ophthalmologist and has taught at the college for five years. He was recently appointed chair of the new department of ophthalmic medical technology and is responsible for the development of a two-year Associate in Science program that will train and certify ophthalmic assistants, technicians, and technologists.

Marty Schupak (CAS’75) of Valley Cottage, N.Y., published the e-book Baseball Coaching: A Guide for the Youth Coach and Parent (Youth Sports Club, Inc., 2011).

Thadious M. Davis (GRS’76) of Philadelphia, Pa., published Southscapes: Geographies of Race, Region, and Literature (University of North Carolina Press, 2011). Thadious is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and a professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania.

Gary Jones (CAS’76) of Gainesville, Fla., was appointed a United States magistrate judge for the Northern District of Florida. Previously, Gary was a magistrate judge for 10 years in Florida’s Middle District.

Susan Katz Richman (CAS’76) of Merrick, N.Y., was recently elected president of the Nassau County Bar Association in New York. Susan is also a director of the Nassau County Magistrates Association and an appointed member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Law, Youth & Citizenship and its Special Committee on Veterans. She and her husband, David Lieberman (CAS’76), have been married for 32 years and live with their two children, Paige and Asa.

Jane Berryman (CAS’84, COM’84) hosts a live weekly radio program on Philadelphia AM station WWDB 860 called The Money Mom on which she interviews finance experts and answers questions live on the air. A vice president at Raymond James & Associates’ Philadelphia office since May 2006, she also teaches financial planning at Temple University. Jane was inducted into the Million Dollar Roundtable for top global insurance producers in 2008 and is a member of her firm’s Leader’s Club.

Nadene B. Stein (CAS’84, SED’86) recently earned a PhD in Educational Studies from Lesley University. The title of her dissertation is “The Role of Elementary School Principals Supporting Teachers in the Instruction of Reading for English Language Learners.”

Joseph Basile (CAS’87) is now associate dean of liberal arts at Maryland Institute College of Art.

David Kelly (GRS’89) writes, “Random House will be releasing the next two books in my new Ballpark Mysteries series of chapter books for children. The first three came out in 2011 (The Fenway Foul-Up, The Pinstripe Ghost, and The L.A. Dodger). In 2012 books four and five were released: The Astro Outlaw and The All-Star Joker. The books follow cousins Kate and Mike as they visit different MLB ballparks and encounter a mystery. Perfect for elementary school children, ages 6–9 or second, third, and fourth grades.”

Judith Boss (CAS’92, GRS’90) writes, “My suspense novel Deception Island was published by PublishAmerica last summer. Please see my website (www.judyboss.com) for a summary of the novel.”

Monica Glina (CAS’92, GRS’96) of West Orange, N.J., was awarded a three-year postdoctoral fellowship with the University of Oslo in Norway. Monica will be part of a research group that focuses on different aspects of literacy, such as beginning reading skills and text comprehension among postsecondary students.

Joel Pool (GRS’92), a real estate developer, is restoring historic buildings on the Oakland, Calif., waterfront. Joel recently appeared on the game show Jeopardy!, winning six consecutive games to become the 28th highest-winning champion in the show’s history.

Michele Howe Clark (CAS’93) of West New York, N.J., published Face Forward: Meeting Challenges Head On in Times of Trouble (Morgan James Publishing, 2011).

Lisa Faille (CAS’93) gave birth to her handsome son, Nathaniel James Faille Sobel, on May 6, 2011. Weighing in at 8 lbs., 11 oz. and 20.5 inches, Nathaniel was welcomed by mom, dad, and beautiful big sister, Paulina (age two). Writes Lisa, “My career as a licensed psychologist is wonderful, but nothing compares to the joy and privilege of being a mom and of being fortunate enough to have such an amazing husband. Life has certainly brought much to be grateful for.”

Timothy Ketter (CAS’93) just finished his 19th year in the U.S. Navy and has been selected for promotion to the rank of captain next year. Timothy, his wife, Elisa, and daughter, Kaya, currently live in Seoul, South Korea. He writes, “After a year in Pebble Beach, Calif., studying the Korean language, I was assigned as the director of Navy and Marine Corps Security Assistance Programs at the Joint U.S. Military Affairs Group—Korea, attached to the United States Embassy, Seoul in August 2011.”

Alex Maitre (CAS’93) is a BU NROTC alumnus and an active duty U.S. Navy commander. Stationed in San Diego, Calif., Alex is a war planning and disaster response preparedness expert at U.S. THIRD Fleet. Outside of work, Alex is an avid road cyclist, riding on two different cycling teams.

Art Risavy (CGS’91, CAS’93) of Edwardsville, Ill., writes, “My company, Swing City Music, recently relocated to a new, 30,000-square-foot facility. Swing City sells all musical instruments, installs sound systems for churches and school gyms, and gives music lessons. This is our second location, and our family business has been around for more than 50 years.” Email Art at artrisavy@yahoo.com.

Marianna Lymberis Malaxos (CAS’95) of New York, N.Y., and her husband, Troy, welcomed their first child, Sofia Eleni, on March 22, 2012. Email her at mariannalymb@aol.com.

Phillip Spinks (CAS’95) of Boston, Mass., displayed his artwork in the South End Open Studios in September 2011 at Wilkes Passage Lobby Gallery in Boston and the Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum in Brighton Center, Mass. Visit www.phillipspinks.com.

Samir Desai (CAS’96) of Los Angeles, Calif., recently launched the production company Lost & Found Pictures with Van Ditthavong (SMG’96). The studio, in the Arts District near downtown Los Angeles, specializes in providing photography, video, and website services to actors, business professionals, and artists. Visit www.lfpictures.com. Samir would love to hear from any BU alumni in southern California. “Maybe we could get together at the studio, or in the LA area.” Email him at samir@lfpictures.com, or call the studio at 213-537-0760.

Joseph Gall (GSM’96) became the city manager for the City of Sherwood, Ore., earlier this year. Previously, Joseph served as the city administrator for the City of Fairview, Ore.

David Unger (CAS’96, GRS’01) of Plymouth, Minn., recently started a biotechnology company called Bulldog Bio Inc. He is happy to report that the company is growing fast and is on pace to double revenue again this year. Meanwhile, his bulldog, Ella, has thankfully stopped growing. Email David at unger_david@hotmail.com.

Chris Chanyasulkit (CAS’98, SPH’01) and husband, James, had a second son, Grayson James Bardin, on August 23, 2011. Grayson is much loved by older brother, Hunter Christopher Bardin, who is two. Chris was appointed by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to the Asian American Commission in January 2012 and reappointed to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. She co-chairs the Brookline Commission for Women and recently returned from Washington, D.C., where she serves on the Education Board and the Joint Policy Committee of the American Public Health Association. Chris is completing a PhD in political science at Northeastern University and continues to work at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Christina (Chang) Liew (CAS’98; COM’98, ’03) has been appointed to the Executive Committee for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), Singapore National Committee. Her work focuses on education, advocacy, and fundraising for underprivileged women and girls in Southeast Asia.

Michael Reynolds (CAS’98) of New York, N.Y., married Karoline Deferrari in Troy, N.Y., on May 14, 2011. The wedding party included best man Sean Reynolds (CAS’99) and groomsmen Claudio Gallucci (CAS’98), Anthony Auer (SMG’99), and Sean Gullen (CAS’00). Keith Gordon (COM’98), Edward Remache (CAS’99), Julie (Wilson) Remache (CAS’00, GRS’00), and Daniel Forman (CGS’97, COM’99) also attended. Email Michael at mikekreynolds@hotmail.com.

Alessandra Gelmi (GRS’99) recently interviewed the new foreign minister of Italy, Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, for the Epoch Times. She also was invited to speak at the home of the president of the Dartmouth Club of Washington, D.C., for Dartmouth alumni. Alessandra’s fiction recently was published in Amazing Graces: An Anthology of Washington Women Fiction Writers (Paycock Press).

Samuel Frederick (CAS’00) writes, “After teaching four years as an assistant professor of German at Clemson University, I will be starting a new position as an assistant professor of German at Penn State. My first academic monograph, ‘Narratives Unsettled: Digression in Robert Walser, Thomas Bernhard, and Adalbert Stifter,’ will be published by Northwestern University Press this year. I have also co-translated a volume of poetry by Ernst Meister called In Time’s Rift, which was published by Wave Books.”

Rachel Hull (CAS’01) and Jennifer Lowrance (SED’04) relocated to the Pacific Northwest in March and welcomed their newborn twins, Henry and Meg, on May 7.

Rebecca Senf (GRS’01, ’08) reports that her book, Reconstructing the View: The Grand Canyon Photographs of Mark Klett and Byron Wolfe, will be published this year by the University of California Press.

Kimberly Skiba (CAS’02) was the very first recipient of the Richmond Bar Association’s Young Lawyer of the Year Award. She was recognized at the March luncheon for “excelling in the practice of law to date . . . and showing the potential to become a leader in the legal profession.” Kimberly has practiced in the areas of family law; estate planning, administration, and litigation; and real estate in Richmond, Va., for six years.

Lee Niemeyer (CAS’06) of Las Vegas, Nev., married Matthew Sample on November 11, 2011, at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. Bridesmaids were Jenna Faron (SED’06), Johanna Gass (COM’06), and Alexis Maule (CAS’06, SPH’08). Nicole Dombrowski (COM’06) was also present along with family and friends. Lee is an ocular specialty representative for Bausch & Lomb. Matt is a sales training manager at Bayer Healthcare. Lee and Matt recently relocated to Sparta, N.J.

Hyan Kim (CAS’07) left AKQA San Francisco to start a new position as a marketing manager at Skype in Palo Alto, Calif.

Kasia (Katarzyna) Zabawa (CAS’08, COM’08) of New York, N.Y., was recently promoted to deputy director of communications at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Email Kasia at kzabawa@manhattan-institute.org.

Rachel Adler (CAS’09) of Miami Beach, Fla., is an account executive at the public relations and marketing firm Schwartz Media Strategies. Previously, Rachel worked at rbb Public Relations.

Georgina Fleming (CAS’09) recently resigned from an international corporate law firm to dedicate herself to running a small NGO, ZOF (www.zimbabweorphans.org), which funds projects at orphanages in Zimbabwe that promote intellectual, emotional, and social well-being for orphaned and vulnerable children. She spent three months in Zimbabwe this summer to develop a new project.