Life after GSE - Class Notes
We want to hear from YOU!

Class notes provide our alumni the opportunity for you to share unique occurrences and experiences that have helped to shape your personal or professional growth since your time at the Penn Graduate School of Education. Each note provides alumni the chance to share news, accomplishments, career transitions, family news, and more with fellow GSE alumni. If you have news to share, this is the forum in which to share it.

For example, did you know that Dale McCreedy GED 86 GR 02 was honored as recipient of the Maria Mitchell Award in Science Award; or Audrey Schewe GED 91 was named Senior Curriculum Development Manager for Turner Learning, Inc., a division of Turner Broadcasting Systems and CNN; and Theresa Savard GED 84 has been involved with CIOR(Conference of Interallied Officers of the Reserve), a NATO-sanctioned organization that institutes English as a foreign language courses for military officers of former Soviet Bloc nations?

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Office of Development and Alumni Relations
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Be sure to include your name, degree, and year of graduation.

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3.15.2006 Gloria J. McNeal, PhD http://www.umdnj.edu/home2web/mastereducators/index.htm#3 The link above will take you to the UMDNJ website showcasing Gloria's recent election to the Master Educator Guild and my being named a 2005 Master Educator Awardee Class of 1998

2.9.2006 Maria A. Prado-Mayor, MS Ed Operates a travel agency that provides villa rentals in Asturias, our hidden paradise in Northern Spain. Check our website at http://www.waytospain.com Class of 1996

11.5.2005 Amy Van Ham Hayes, MSEd Amy Van Ham Hayes, and husband John, announce the birth of their daughter, Caroline Alexis Tia, born July 1, 2005. She joins big brothers Everett (age 5) & Aidan (age 3). All are doing well & live near Rochester, New York. Class of 1993

9.25.2005 Arielle Emple, MS, TESOL I have been teaching ESL for four years now, and I am currently working for the Trumbull board of education in Trumbull, CT. I am pursuing a second Masters in bilingual special education at Fairfield university, and I recently became engaged! Class of 2001

9.12.2005 Susan Bartos Rocco, MSEd Susan (Bartos) Rocco, MSEd '91, and her husband, Pasquale, are pleased to announce the arrival of their daughter, Silvana Marie, August 22, 2005. Class of 1991

8.8.2005 Steven B. Taylor, Ph.D. I have been appointed to the position of Director of Teaching and Learning for Secondary Education for the Rose Tree Media School District. Class of 1995

6.14.2005 William J. Zee, Esq., M.S.Ed. Accepted a position as an Associate in the School Board Representation Department of the law firm of Cooper Levenson in Atlantic City, NJ. Class of 1998

5.16.2005 Elizabeth Dugan Wilber, MsEd TESOL Class of 1999

5.4.2005 Susan Reid, M.Ed.TESOL Class of 1994

10.15.2004 William Zee, M.S.Ed. My wife Seana and I celebrated the birth of our son, Liam McKendry Zee, on September 23, 2004. Class of 1998

4.24.2004 Gloria J. McNeal, PhD RESEARCH AWARD RECIPIENT Gloria J. McNeal, PhD, APRN, BC, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Nursing, was honored at the 2004 Annual Scholarship Luncheon of the National Black Nurse Association Concerned Black Nurses of Newark Chapter, as the recipient of the Research Award for her grant funded studies of critical care nursing practice, and the scholarly productivity of the African American professoriate at schools of nursing in the United States. Class of 1998

11.21.2003 Erika Ham, MS Ed I am now living in Hong Kong with my husband, Jimmy and son, Ethan. I am a part-time lecturer at City University of Hong Kong's Language Studies Division. Class of 2001

10.29.2003 Marcine Pickron-Davis, GR Marcine Pickron-Davis joins Widener University October 1 as the special assistant to the president for community engagement and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. By mobilizing members of the university community and coordinating outreach efforts for civic engagement and service learning, Dr. Pickron-Davis will optimize Widener’s partnerships with community members, business and civic leaders, faith-based organizations and local governmental agencies. Most recently a research associate with the Philadelphia-based nonprofit Research for Action (RFA), an organization engaged in educational research and reform, Pickron-Davis has worked on a range of projects focused on qualitative research to evaluate educational reform initiatives, particularly those that promote community and school partnerships, support teacher professional development and enhance student achievement. She completed her master of social work at Temple University’s School of Social Administration, and earned her Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania; her thesis, “Black Students in Community Service-Learning: Critical Reflections about Self and Identity.” Pickron-Davis has 14 years experience in the design and implementation of leadership training, conflict resolution, anti-racism/anti-bias training and organizational development. She has consulted on peer training programs for colleges and universities, including Swarthmore, University of Pennsylvania and The Pennsylvania State University (PSU). She has been a guest lecturer at Immaculata University and PSU, taught as an adjunct faculty member at Cabrini College, and since 1998 has been a member of the University of Pennsylvania’s adjunct faculty in the Graduate School of Education. Pickron-Davis is a cultural diversity trainer for the Anti-Defamation League’s World of Difference Institute, a certified outdoors “Challenge Course” trainer for youth and adult leaders, a board member for the Chestnut Hill based Need In Deed organization, and is a member of the American Anthropology Association, the National Association of Multicultural Education, the Association of Black Women in Higher Education and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Class of 1999

9.26.2003 Leslie Hughes Smith, GED received her MBA in 2002 from Wharton and joined Merck & Co. as a Marketing Management Associate. Currently based in San Francisco, Leslie serves on the board of Directors for a new KIPP school in San Francisco, KIPP SF Bay Academy. KIPP stands for Knowledge is Power Program and prepares underserved middle school students for college. Nationally, there are 34 KIPP schools, 18 of which just opened in 2003. For more information, please see sfbayacademy.org or kipp.org. Class of C93 GED95 WG02

9.19.2003 Judith Ann Hillard, writes that she and her daughter, Olivia, are now residing in Tempe, Arizona and recently were given a “second chance” in Judith’s daily challenge with MS. She writes, “A group of other single parents recently banded together to help me in a profound way- Dayspring United Methodist Church, spearheaded by the Single Parenting class, arranged a spaghetti dinner benefit for my daughter Olivia and me so that I could receive the expensive first month of Rebif (the latest interferon drug for multiple sclerosis patients to be approved by the FDA) therapy, followed by a free year of the medication. The committee of spaghetti makers raised more than enough money to pay for my first month of Rebif, and even asked me to mail in my other doctor bills so that they could help me cover some of those with the balance left over. Class of 2003

9.19.2003 Abraham Lo , In the fall, I will be a full-time biology and general science teacher at Freire Charter School, a progressive, urban high school located in Center City, and will be continuing my graduate studies in the Master of Chemistry Education program through the Department of Chemistry. In addition, I am a graduate associate in Hill College House and the David B. Brownlee Fellow for SAS Advising for Spruce College House, where I serve as the academic adviser for 10 students. I would love to hear from friends Class of C’02 GEd’03 G’05

9.19.2003 Khawar Ali Khan , is associate director of annual giving for the University of Pennsylvania Health System. He was recently elected president of the national board of trustees of NGA, Inc. He is also a member of the board of Pearl S. Buck International, Inc. Class of WEv’02 GEd’02

9.19.2003 Dan Carp , Dan and Courtney Hamill C’01, during a recent return visit to Penn, became engaged on the steps of College Hall. Although a date has not yet been set, both are thrilled to share yet another milestone in their relationship with their friends at Penn. Class of C’00 GEd’02

9.19.2003 Nelly Toll, recently conducted a special lecture at the Penn Graduate School of Education on “Teaching Tolerance in An Era of Discord.” Drawing on her personal experiences during the Holocaust, she shared a slide presentation and anecdotes from her book, Behind the Secret Window A Memoir of A Hidden Childhood During World War II, with GSE alumni and friends. She currently teaches at Drexel University and resides in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Class of GRD’00

9.19.2003 Rhea Frankel , I married Roy DeRousse on Aug. 31, 2002. I met him when I was a student at Penn. We live in the St. Louis suburbs, and I work as an estimator at Boeing. In our spare time, Roy and I help organize and attend concerts of progressive rock music. We planned our wedding around ProgDay, a festival we volunteer for in Chapel Hill, N.C., and got married with friends, family, and like-minded music fans from around the country Class of C’96 GEd’97

9.19.2003 Susan J. Tiedemann, has been teaching in Connecticut for the past several years at Westport Public Schools. In addition to her classroom work, she is involved with a non-profit organization with a focus on conserving biodiversity. They are in the process of working with ZooAtlanta to set up a sister school program with schools in Chengdu Province in China to discuss attitudes towards conservation. They have identified the schools in China and have classrooms willing to participate with the help of our ZooAtlanta liaison. They are currently in the process of identifying US schools. Susan invites any Penn alumni to contact her if there is any interest in participating in this innovative project. The web address is www.TIHerp.org to find out more information about the project. Class of GED’94

9.19.2003 Edith Borbon, is an Associate Professor at DeVry University’s Fremont campus in California. She teaches English Composition and Intercultural Communication. She teaches a special section on Cinderella, in her Advanced Composition class, that she partners with a unit on “family” – marriage, divorce, single parenting, blended families – she writes, “I do my part in educating today's youth not only on writing and speaking skills, but life lessons as well.” She recently coordinated the annual Culture Fair/International Day, her second year in a row. She is a single parent with a 14-year-old daughter. She spends any free time musically involved – taking voice lessons, playing the piano and occasionally singing with her church choir. Class of GED ’94

9.19.2003 William Henry Smith, currently working at Genentech, a biotechnology drug company located in South San Francisco, Ca. as a company liaison to the FDA. He facilitates meetings with the agency, and works with multidisciplinary project teams to provide information for the FDA to consider for new drug approvals, and new uses for approved drugs. Currently living in downtown SF, and recently attended a GSE event hosted by Dean Susan Fuhrman for San Francisco alumni. Class of GED’91 GR’94

9.19.2003 Amy Van Ham Hayes , husband, John, are happy to announce the birth of their second son on Jan. 17: “Aidan Patrick joins big brother, Everett, who’s 2 1/2 now. All are well and still live near Buffalo, N.Y Class of C’92 GEd’93

9.19.2003 Amy Beth Middleman, M’90 GED’91, I am still on faculty at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, Adolescent Medicine Section. I teach faculty, fellows, and residents "How to Teach" curricula, and in my current position as Director for the Pediatric Core Clerkship, I am currently in the process of revising the curriculum for the clerkship. In conjunction with other faculty, I have developed a national teaching conference (supported by the Nestle Nutrition Division) for pediatric chief residents who attend from all parts of the United States; our 4th conference will take place in September, 2003. I welcome any fellow grads who are visiting Houston! Class of M’90 GED’91

9.19.2003 Vicki Rothbardt Oswald, When I was a GSE grad student, my son was a toddler. He's now a freshman at Gwynedd-Mercy College in Gwynedd Valley. If you follow college soccer, look for him - Sean Carey. I'm a very proud mom, but it's shocking how much I feel saddened also by his going off to college. I returned to the Philadelphia Schools in September 2003, and instead of being assigned to one classroom I was used as a substitute teacher. I felt totally unprepared to teach a 7/8 grade science prep class; after a few weeks of that, and short of the System being willing to find me a better match, I quit for the second time. Disappointed!! I'm now working as a legal assistant (again) to a wonderful attorney in center city, who graduated from Penn Law School. She's my age, we have a zillion things in common and we're working together fantastically. I've applied to tutor at a Huntingdon Learning Center on Saturday mornings. Still in touch with Silvija Mezgailis, GED’89 and Ryda Rose, CW50 GRD71. I have very fond memories of the START program 1988-1990 and of my ten years of teaching in the city schools Class of GED’89

9.19.2003 Elizabeth D. Malissa, is the director of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School at Gratz College, a non-degree, two year course of study in adult Jewish literacy. She is also coordinator of adult Jewish studies at Gratz, and in that capacity, recently led Gratz' Jewish Heritage tour to Budapest, Vienna and Prague. She was the national chair of the Alliance for Adult Jewish Learning conference, held in Philadelphia this past June. In her previous educational life, she taught ESL at Gratz College, the American Language Academy at Arcadia University, and volunteered her ESL services at a school for disadvantaged children in Israel. Her son, Samuel, is a senior at Penn, and is the director of Mask and Wig's fall show, Nov 5-8, 2003. Class of GED'83

9.19.2003 Dr. Rorie Lee, My husband, Ross Goldberg, and I have relocated to Maine, where I am assistant director of the family-practice residency program at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of CW’72 GEd’72

9.19.2003 Diane Antonelli Herr, will be speaking at the University of Pennsylvania during Homecoming Weekend, November 8, 2003. She will be at the Penn Bookstore on Saturday for a special presentation of Shakespeare in the Schools for Penn alumni and their children. Herr is a teacher-in-residence at several area schools in the Philadelphia area and surrounding counties and conducts special classroom units on Shakespeare that is tailored to children with the understanding of learning focused on fun regarding the famous Bard and his works. Class of CW’67 GED’68

9.19.2003 Rev. Paul G. Humber , writes that he and his wife, Prudence String Humber Nu’66, traveled to Pointe Noire in the Democratic Republic of Congo to visit their missionary son, Paul D. Humber C’95, his wife, Kristin, and two of the grandchildren. Paul Sr. is executive director of Skilton House Ministries in Philadelphia. He was invited to join the Interfaith Partnership Advisory Council by the new head of the Philadelphia public-school system, and he has been helping city churches implement the state’s Released Time statute, which permits students to receive off-campus religious instruction during regular school hours. A faculty member of the Philadelphia campus of the University of Phoenix, he recently served as editor of an article, “Comparing Creation and Evolution,” which appeared in the March-April issue of Creation Matters. He may be contacted at . His mother, Evelyn A. Humber, served for many years as secretary to the coaches at Weightman Hall. “At age 94, she survived open-heart, valve-replacement surgery at HUP, and she’s doing well at 95. She still ‘praises the Lord.’” Class of C’64 GEd’65

9.19.2003 Marcia Longshore Angerman , was most recently spotted as a Sierra Club volunteer in the Southwest by fellow Penn alumnus, Dr. Dale L. Kemmerer C’55, who noted that the volunteers, “found common pleasure in working cooperatively to help restore our environment for the Fish and Wildlife Service.” Class of CW’64 GEd’65

9.19.2003 Jean M. Anyon, was recruited by the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, and is now Professor of Social and Educational Policy in their new Doctoral Program in Urban Education. Her new book, And We Are Not Yet Saved: Social Policy, Urban Education, and a New Civil Rights Movement, will be out soon. Class of CW’63 GED’64

9.19.2003 Joan Myerson Shrager, ED Was invited in April by Dean Susan Fuhrman to exhibit a body of her digital art work permanently at the Penn Graduate School of Education. The reception was held June 28, 2003 and the exhibit will be on permanent exhibition in the Penn GSE Student Lounge. On September 10, Joan will speak to a group of incoming GSE graduate students about the artwork, the subject of which is the life of her parents in the early part of the 20th century as students at Penn and later as teachers of education. The exhibition can be seen at www.gse.upenn.edu/alumni. Recently, Joan was invited to participate as an artist and in the planning of an art project about immigrants at the Temple Judea Museum and also invited to participate in the Print Center’s annual art auction. Currently, she is working on a history of ArtForms Gallery in Manayunk, where she served as both a founding member and director for 8 years. ArtForms will be celebrating its 10th anniversary as a leading non-profit artist-run cooperative. Class of 1960

9.19.2003 Nadine Landis, will receive special recognition during the University of Pennsylvania’s Homecoming Weekend. She received the Penn Alumni Award of Merit, the highest award presented by the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Society, given in recognition of outstanding service to the University of Pennsylvania. Nadine lives in West Philadelphia and has been busy volunteering her services and talents to the University of Pennsylvania. Most recently she has continued “educating” the community by creating “Our Legacy,” a video documentary of the history of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing and “Pictorial Treasures from Our Past”(1996), which captures the School of Nursing’s history for each decade from 1886 to 1978. Class of NHP’46 ED’50 GNU’65

9.19.2003 Walter M. Strine Sr. , ED Now residing in Media, PA and successful in real estate, and some years ago became the owner-operator of the Media Dinner Theater and Theater for the Performing Arts, a most successful entertainment venue for Delaware County and the surrounding area. Class of 1935

9.19.2003 Paul De Haas , ED Was recently inducted into the Penn Baseball Hall of Fame. He resides in New Egypt, NJ Class of 1935

8.26.2003 The Hon. Mark Ridner , C'71, GED'71 Has been an Alaska resident for 20 ¾ years, and has practiced law for 21 years. After completing his masters at Penn GSE, he worked as a guidance counselor for the Philadelphia School District from 1972-73, 1974-75. He graduated from the University of California with his J.D. at Berkeley in 1978. Before becoming a superior court judge, he was a Partner for Lane Powell Spears Lubersky specializing in defense litigation in Anchorage. He was nominated to the court in 2000 and serves as an Anchorage Superior Court Justice. Class of 1971

8.26.2003 Phyllis Murray, GED'61 President and Founder of One Love Tennis, Inc. received the USA Tennis National Junior Tennis League 2002 Section Program of the Year Award on January 18, 2003, at the USTA/Eastern Awards Luncheon in Westchester, NY. The prestigious award was given in recognition of “continued excellence in recreational tennis programming.” Murray founded One Love Tennis in 1994 to provide free tennis instruction for the underprivileged youth of White Plains, NY. This NJTL is also designed to instill the discipline and structure which this supervised sport affords Class of 1961

8.26.2003 Hope Fetterolf Godfrey, ED'37 Was featured in an article in the November-December issue of the magazine Woman Atlanta that recounted her experiences as a Red Cross Club director in India during the Second World War and after, 1943-46. Class of 1937

8.26.2003 Ruth Silverman, ED'57 Lives in New York, and remains active as a volunteer for several organizations. Helped start a children’s reading program at Sloan Kettering in New York. Volunteers regularly visit and read to pediatric patients, and give the child the book they have just read together. The program includes visits to isolation rooms for children receiving bone marrow transplants. Many of these children receive treatment for several years, and volunteers develop a deep bond with these children. Also a volunteer at the Met Museum of Art in the Patron Lounge, serve on the Board of the Onega Ensemble and on the Music Committee at Godderd Riverside. Will begin working as an Educational Therapist at the Storefront School in Harlem beginning this fall, and is currently taking a course in Global Politics at NYU. Class of 1957

8.26.2003 Janice Smith Bers, ED'39 Named Fundraising Volunteer of the Year for 2001 by the greater Philadelphia chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals; she was nominated for her work by Abington Memorial Hospital, Jenkintown Day Nursery, Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, the old camp council of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Penn. Class of 1939

8.26.2003 Jean S. Ginsburg, ED'32 Residing at Martins Run Retirement Community for almost three years, and keeping very active in its many programs and committees. Celebrated my 92nd birthday in December. My husband, Frank I. Ginsburg L’33, died June 27, 2000. I have a son, a daughter, five grandchildren, one great-grandson, and one on the way. Class of 1932