Notes from the Cornell Class of 1991 - 2019 November/December

Class Notes, 2019 November/December

November/December 2019

Classmate Joe Marraccino here. Ithaca is top of mind these days. First, I celebrated the half-century mark on Cayuga Lake with a long weekend with fellow old-timers Chris Dugan, Jim Hamilton, and Greg Meier. Happy to have Dale Galvin ’92 and Glenn Haber ’92 join us as well. I can’t remember the weather ever being so nice in Ithaca! It was also nice to feel 20 again, if only for a short while (and with more aches and pains!). From our dock we could see Cornell and Ithaca College, both standing tall on opposite hills. What a view! And fitting, as my daughter begins her freshman year at Ithaca College. I’m happy that we’ll share an amazing college hometown.

It’s been a big year for birthday celebrations for Jim’s wife, Rebecca Warme Hamilton (Bethesda, MD), too. “I’m making the most of a milestone year, recently celebrating at Kate Snow’s birthday bash with fellow grads Monica Ruehli and Andrea Retzky.” Rebecca, a Policy Analysis major in Human Ecology on the Hill, is at the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown U., as the Michael G. and Robin Psaros Chair in Business Admin¬istration, professor of marketing, and marketing area coordinator. As a marketing professor, Rebecca studies consumer decision making. “I recently visited Cornell to present a research paper to the faculty at the Johnson Graduate School of Management. I often collaborate with faculty in the Johnson School as well as the School of Hotel Administration.” On a personal note, Rebecca loves getting together for a monthly book club with other Cornell grads Mindy Schrader Kim, Lori Giuffre, Christina Guerola Sarchio, Anjali Chaturvedi ’90, /b>Debbie Goldstock Ringel ’90, and Melissa Fast ’88. Ask Rebecca about her latest research or book selection: rebecca_w_hamilton@hotmail.com.

Dorothy Patton is an Arts & Sciences Government major who actually works for the government. Go figure. Dorothy, an international lawyer at the Dept. of State, is also a frst¬ time published author! She just published From Suffragists to Senators: A Century of Laws by Women Since 1920. Her inspiration? The 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, her exposure to other countries’ struggle with democracy, and thinking lately about our own democracy. In her booklet, Dorothy “remembers the sacrifices, celebrates the successes, and recommits to exercising the precious right to vote.” Dorothy and her husband live in Arlington, VA, and have raised two boys, one a senior at the U. of Virginia and the other a freshman at Temple U. Dorothy is enthusiastic for what she calls “Act III” as a blossoming empty nester. “I had to write this book about my passion. It took me nine months to write and deliver it—my new baby! I’m looking forward to my nest remaining full and exciting in different ways.” Dorothy would love to hear from you at jdplustwo@msn.com.

Morgan Rider, an environmental engineer while on the Hill, is the new business development director for the social impact branding agency Oliver Russell. Morgan will oversee its expansion into Portland, OR (her hometown). “Oliver Russell’s values align perfectly with mine and what I care about most—social enterprises, non-profts, and doing good in the world.” Morgan is a stalwart conser¬vationist, serving as board chair for the Climate Trust, as a board member for the Wetlands Conservancy, and as the community chair for the Portland Advertising Federation. Oliver Russell is a Certifed B Corp., part of a growing movement of companies that use the power of business to solve social and environmental issues. “My focus will be on cultivating new opportunities with businesses and non-profits that share our vision for positive world change.” Wish Morgan well in her mission at mrider@oliverrussell.com.

Thank you for sharing your motivating stories, a timely gift for my daughter’s send¬off! Now it’s your turn. What’s your “Mecca”? A career change, a child off to college, a gathering of classmates, moving to a new location? Text me, subject line “Mecca,” at (845) 548¬2564 and I’ll contact you a.s.a.p. to hear your story! Send your info via the online news form or contact one of us directly at: Joe Marraccino, Joe.Marraccino@wfafinet.com; Wendy Milks Coburn, wmilkscoburn@me.com; J. Tim Vanini, lavanooche@icloud.com; Lori Woodring, lori.woodring@yahoo.com.