Alumni Advisory Committee
Craig Wesley Abbey '94 Barbara Berg '65 David Berry '67 Madeline Blackburn '19 Dana Bradley '83 James Capua '71 Barry Cohen '66 Joy Getnick '06 Jon Getz '89 Carl Grant '90 | Sarah Michelle Iler ‘04 Adam Konowe '90 Jeffrey S. Leonard '67 David T. Liebers '09 Marion Maneker '86 Cindy Molina '18 David Monde '81 Craig Nakashian PhD '10 Brandon Pachman '20, MA '21 Jeffrey Reznick '92 |
Nancy Rice '58 Bill Robinson '72 James Shedel PhD '78 Peter S. Szabo '85 Curtis Vock '86 Randall B. Whitestone '83 Ben Yousey-Hindes '01 Mark Zaid '89 Arthur Zapesochny '05 Mitchell Zuckerman '68
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Committee Spotlights
Dana Burr Bradley
BA, History and Biology, 1983
Current Position
Dean, Erickson School of Aging Studies, Professor of Social Gerontology and Affiliate Professor Computer Science
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
Ph.D., Carnegie-Mellon University, Applied History, and Public Policy
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
Foremost, it taught me never to be afraid of huge and challenging questions. Secondly, I learned to seek out colleagues from different disciplinary training and viewpoints to get the "best" answers. Lastly, I developed a deep appreciation for the power of a good narrative.
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
Because this is the best major and discipline on campus.
To reach this person, contact the Department of History at bradleyd@umbc.edu.
Barry Cohen
BA, History, 1966
Current Position
CEO Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School (Retired)
Vice President for Finance and CFO, Centenary College, NJ (Retired)
Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration Westchester Community College, NY
President, Parkland Community Library Board of Directors, PA
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
MBA, Columbia University EdD, Teachers College, Columbia University
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
It gave me a life long interest in education. The liberal arts and history fostered an interest in the big picture, curiosity, and actively seeking alternatives.
To reach this person, contact the Department of History at history@ur.rochester.edu.
Joy Getnick
BA, History, 2006
Current Position
Executive Director, Hillel at the University of Rochester
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
PhD History, Grad-level certificates in public health and not-for-profit management
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
My studies informed how I approach my work. I always first seek to understand what came before, and the historical context for the environment in which we are operating today. I desire to understand how and why things came to be before rushing to make change. In my current role I also love learning our supporters' own histories, particularly about their time on campus.
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
I feel so grateful to have received such a strong undergraduate education, with personalized mentorship, and many opportunities for high-level research and seminar-style discussions. It is my honor to support the continued good and important work of the History Department, and pay it forward in this way.
To reach this person, contact at joygetnick@gmail.com.
Carl M. Grant
BA, History, 1990
Current Position
Senior Claim Counsel at T ravelers Property and Casualty Corporation
To reach this person, contact at cmgran9@gmail.com.
Adam Konowe
BA, History and Political Science, 1990
Current Position
Senior vice president at Edelman, also adjunct professor at American University
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
MA, Public Communication, American University
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
It honed my research, writing and presentation skills, all of which I use daily, along with providing a more nuanced global perspective that is also highly valued.
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
I welcome the opportunity to stay in close contact with the history department to learn about recent developments and provide my perspective where it could be beneficial.
To reach this person, contact the Department of History at history@ur.rochester.edu.
Jeffery S. Leonard
A.B., History, 1967
Current Position
Attorney, Sacks Tierney P.A., Phoenix, Arizona.
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
J.D., University of Arizona College of Law, 1974
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
I am a strong believer in the value of a liberal arts education in general. Skills of critical thinking and analysis, and clear and effective writing, are skills that are invaluable in any field, and are particularly so in the law. My study of history at UR provided me not only with insight into the development of the law, but also helped train me in the art of research, analysis, and communication.
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
Today, excellent quality private education is extremely expensive, and intense pressure exists to study purportedly practical skills. I would like to assist the Department to flourish, and to help students recognize the value of the study of history.
To reach this person, contact at either leonard@sackstierney.com or jslphx@cox.net.
David T. Liebers
BA and BS, Biology and History, 2009
Current Position
Psychiatry Resident, NYU Langone/NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
MD (Harvard Medical School, 2020), MPP (Harvard Kennedy School, 2020), M.Phil (History and Philosophy of Science, Trinity College, University of Cambridge)
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
My training in the Department of History at Rochester taught me to read texts with a critical perspective and turned me into a proficient writer. These tools have served me well in science and medicine. Additionally, it was Ted Brown who first introduced me to the history of psychiatry with Freud's introductory lectures, and various seminars during my four years.
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
To support and advocate for the kinds of intellectual experiences that I benefited from during my time in the Dept. of History.
To reach this person, contact the Department of History at history@ur.rochester.edu.
David M Monde
BA, History, 1981
Current Position
Partner at Jones Day
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
Interdisciplinary Degree at UR in Community Medicine (1981); JD, Georgetown University (1987)
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
My history degree from UR trained me to think in an analytical, methodical, and evidence-based manner--training that directly helped prepare me for law school and that I apply to this day as a lawyer. But that is just one example. An undergraduate degree in history will prepare students for future careers in business, journalism, medicine, and many other fields.
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
If I had it to do all over again, I would have probably pursued an advanced degree in history and gone into teaching, so being a member of the HAAC is the next best thing!
To reach this person, contact at dmmonde26@gmail.com.
Craig Nakashian PhD
PhD, History, 2010
Current Position
Department Chair, Department of History and Political Science, Texas A&M University-Texarkana
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
MA in Medieval History (Durham University), BA in History (Western New England University), BA in Government (Western New England University)
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
My PhD not only gave me the opportunity to become a professor, it also gave me the expertise and pedagogical experience necessary to be effective.
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
I joined HAAC to do what I can to help the UR History department continue to excel and to give graduates from the department what assistance I can to help them achieve their goals.
To reach this person, contact at ferg@mapinternet.com.
Nancy Rice
BA, History, 1958
Current Position
Social Work Clinical Manager, Strong Memorial Hospital
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
MSW, Syracuse U. 1967
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
History major informs my appreciation for the history of everything, including personal histories and current world events.
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
I joined the HAAC to be of assistance in any way I can to promote the department and the subject!
To reach this person, contact the Department of History at history@ur.rochester.edu.
William Robinson
BA, History, 1972
Current Position
Retired Director, Senior Counsel for Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
JD, Boston University School of Law, 1975
Member, Massachusetts Bar, 1975-Present and New York Bar, 2016-Present
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
The discipline of the history program, the individual excellence of the professors, and the richness of the course content prepared me superbly for law school and a continuing 40+ year practice.
Contact:wgrshout127@aol.com
Peter S. Szabo
BA, History, 1985
Current Position
Founder and Principal, Bloomingdale Management Advisors, LLC
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
At U of R I was a double major with Political Science. Later: Yale School of Management, M.P.P.M., 1990, Yale University Graduate School, M.A. in International Relations, 1990
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
- Improved my writing skills
- History trains you to put things into context. Anything, including management situations, business analyses, etc.
- History trains you to formulate understanding and meaning. Extremely valuable. Whether it’s a decision maker or a member of the public, people will often ask, “Why should I care?” or “What does this mean?” or “What are the implications?” History training is outstanding for developing these valuable aspects of your mind.
- History has helped foster lifelong curiosity in, among other things, history!
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
Because my experience studying History at the U of R was formative and life-changing. I want to give back in the way that I can.
To reach this person, contact at pszabo@bloomadv.com.
Curtis Vock
MS, Optics, 1987
BA, History and BS in Optics, 1986
Current Position
Partner at Lathrop & Gage, LLP
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
JD, New England School of Law, 1992
MBA, University of Denver, 2000
To reach this person, contact the Department of History at history@ur.rochester.edu.
Randall B. Whitestone
BA, History and English, 1983
Current Position
Head of Communications & Public Affairs, The D. E. Shaw Group
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
MBA in Finance, University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
A history student’s ability to absorb and synthesize complex information and draw salient conclusions is fundamental to success in any profession – and especially so in communications-related fields. Additionally, historians must demonstrate critical thinking and a commitment to ideas – two attributes that have proved important in my career, whether in publishing a news story or in advising senior corporate executives.
To reach this person, contact the Department of History at history@ur.rochester.edu.
Mark Zaid
BA, History and Political Science, 1989
Current Position
Managing Partner, Mark S. Zaid, PC
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
JD, 1992
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
I use my history degree literally every single day in my job. My UR background has played an essential role in my professional life.
Why did you become a member of the HAAC? To stay connected to both UR and history.
To reach this person, contact at Mark@MarkZaid.com.
Arthur Zapesochny
BA, History, 2005
Current Position
Financial Consultant, AXA Advisors
Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
Certification in the Retirement Planning Program, University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
Building a clientele is based on creating an emotional connection. People are often impressed when I can discuss the history (trials and tribulations) of my potential prospects' native country.
To reach this person, contact the Department of History at history@ur.rochester.edu.