“The Rock” returns

Save the date for Homecoming 2008

2008-2009 Board of Directors and Officers

Published exclusively for members of the uconn Alumni AssociAtion sPrinG 2012

connectinG Alumni. suPPortinG students. strenGtheninG uconn.

memberneWs

the creative Arts at uconn

delighting in being “Wicked”:Alum Jackie burns stars as elphaba on broadway

how the fine Arts Influence Wally lamb’s novels

new digital media center offers 3-d look at life

New Digital Media Center Offers 3-D Look at Life

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Life would not be as stimulating without the pleasure of music, theater, paintings, sculptures, and books. Through your connection to UConn, the creative arts have probably touched your life in some way—perhaps through a concert at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, an exhibit at the William Benton Museum of Art, a stage performance by the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, or an a cappella presentation at von der Mehden Recital Hall.

This issue of Member News showcases the creative arts and the people who bring them to us. Our alumni have contributed substantially to the performing arts, music, visual arts, and more, and we’re proud to introduce you to some of them.

Meet Jackie Burns, whose fine arts degree at UConn has led her to the Land of Oz on the Broadway stage. Wally Lamb is the author of acclaimed novels that have touched our hearts and minds; he talks about how the arts influence his writing.

Learn about the fascinating new Digital Media Center on the Storrs campus, which is teaching students to bring three-dimensional images and models to life. The possibilities of this technology are endless and touch the fields of entertainment, engineering, business, medicine, and much more.

The University of Connecticut also has impressive public art on display. Read how you can find these remarkable pieces on the main campus, the regional campuses, the Health Center, and the Law School.

We also ask that you take a moment to read about the candidates for election to the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. Alumni on our board serve as ambassadors and lead the direction of our association. You can learn more about the candidates on our website at UConnAlumni.com/candidates. Then please fill out the ballot on the inside back cover of this newsletter to cast your vote.

All friends of UConn are invited to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities on our campuses throughout the state to explore, enjoy, and appreciate the creative arts. As Wally Lamb so aptly puts it, the arts add color to our lives.

Warm regards,

lisa r. lewisExecutive Director and Life Member

2011 – 2012 Alumni AssociAtion boArd of directors

President Dennis Cavanaugh ’78 (CLAS)

President-electEric Judge ’87, (BUS), ’92 M.B.A.

immediate Past PresidentFrank Milone ’92 (BUS)

secretaryLaura Cahill ’84 J.D.

treasurerLori Riiska ’84 (BUS)

directorsAdam Apicella ’12 (ED)Francis Archambault, Jr. ’68 M.A., ’69 Ph.D. Doug Barry ’83 (BUS), ’85 M.B.A.Steve Blovish ’80 (ENG), ’84 M.B.A.Rick Carbray ’75 Pharm.D. Sara-Beth Donovan ’97 (CLAS)Liana Fresher ’85 (CANR)J. Robert Hopson ’84 (CLAS)Robert Johnson ’69 (CLAS), ’79 6th Year Certificate in Professional EducationDavid Larson ’84 Ph.D. Mikki Meadows-Oliver ’06 Ph.D.Fran Onofrio ’81 (CLAS)Rachel Rubin ’77 (BUS)David Sturgess ’78 (BUS)Rosemarie J. Tate ’81 (CANR), ’88 M.A.Alicia Young ’94 (CLAS)

executive directorLisa R. Lewis

mailing AddressUConn Alumni Association2384 Alumni Drive, Unit 3053Storrs, CT 06269-3053

Web AddressUConnAlumni.com

email Addressucaa@uconn.edu

PhoneToll Free: 888.822.5861Phone: 860.486.2240Fax: 860.486.2849

On the cover: Jackie Burns ’02 (SFA) stars as Elphaba in “Wicked” on Broadway. Please see page 1.

Appreciating the creative Arts

be PArt of

our sociAl netWorks —

folloW us on:

director’s messAGe

Jackie Burns ‘02 (SFA) is feeling very green these days—and audiences are loving her for it.

The actress has landed one of Broadway’s biggest roles, starring as Elphaba in the hit musical

“Wicked” after playing that part for a year in the show’s first national tour. “I love performing onstage,” Jackie says. “The connection between the audience and the performer is awesome. There’s a rush I get every night. And on stage, there are no do-overs, so you have to bring it every time.”

Each time she received big “Wicked” news—when she won the part with the touring company and then upon winning the Broadway role—there was no one available to share her big news. “I was jumping up and down and crying,” she recalls. “I was bursting at the seams!”

The musical is based on the Gregory Maguire novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. It reimagines

the well-known story from the Land of Oz, focusing on the relationship between Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Jackie’s face, arms, chest, neck, and even inside her ears must get coated in green makeup for the part.

“That’s actually the one thing about this role,” Jackie says. “My face is always broken out and my skin gets so dry. I always have a green hairline, green in my ears. I have to wear green nail polish too, and it makes my nails so brittle. At least, when the makeup is done, I don’t feel it at all when I’m performing.”

At the end of Act 1, Elphaba sings a song entitled “Defying Gravity” while being hoisted high above the stage and appearing to fly. Although Jackie is afraid of heights, she can perform that show-stopping number without a problem simply because she can’t see where she is. “With all the special effects, I can’t tell how

high I am,” she says. “It feels like I’m not even off the ground.”

Like all performers, Jackie has some funny stories about mishaps, and one of them has to do with that very number. In one of her early performances, as she was raised on the lift, she dropped her broom. “I was doing a lot of arm motions and thinking the whole time that no one will believe I’m flying without a broom,” she recalls. “When it was over, I was near to tears, thinking I ruined the show and I was going to get fired. But believe it or not, no one noticed that I didn’t have the broom.”

Life on Broadway isn’t always glamorous, Jackie points out. She and her fiancé, Tony Award®-nominated actor/dancer John Selya, live in New York City. Instead of embracing the nightlife, her apartment is mostly a sanctuary when she’s not performing her very vocally demanding role. “I don’t party, I don’t drink, and I don’t even talk that much,” she says.

Being on stage “was always my dream,” Jackie says. “I started dancing at age three and danced all through high school.” Before

playing Elphaba, she was an original cast member of both the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of “Hair” and of off-Broadway‘s “Rock of Ages.”

Jackie won the Broadway role last September and is contracted with “Wicked” for a full year. Critics have raved about her performance. According to one reviewer, “For vocal clarity, sheer power, and emotional openness, I rank her up there with the very best of the five I’ve seen (play Elphaba) including (originator) Idina Menzel.”

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“there’s a rush i get every night. And on stage, there are no do-overs, so you have to bring it every time.”

feAture story

As a member of the UConn Alumni Association, you can get discounted tickets to a wide range of Broadway and off-Broadway shows, including

“Wicked” with UConn grad Jackie Burns! Just go to UConnAlumni.com/membership, and enter password

“jonathan2003” in the Members Only Login on the right. You’ll see a long listing of discounts and special offers, including the link to NYC shows and events under

“Entertainment.”

discounted

tickets

for Alumni

AssociAtion

members

uconn Alumna is thrilled to be “Wicked”

Performance and installation Artist

messages of Past and Present with Ari tabei, ’07 m.f.A. Born and raised in Tokyo, Ari’s installations and performance-based works are composed of garments and bags that she describes as nests or cocoons, providing haven in an ever-changing world. She invents ritualistic play, reviving her childhood experiences and interpreting the influences of her culture.

Ari combines her props with video to expose different aspects of human struggle. She has exhibited and performed in Connecticut and New York.

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taking a bow uconn alumni have entertained and delighted audiences with memorable contributions to the performing arts on stage and screen. here’s a glimpse at just a few of them.

PerforminG Arts

“Avenue Q” with Jennifer barnhart, ’98 (sfA) Jennifer is the longest-running star of the Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical. Along with the entire original cast, she received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance and Puppet Artistry.

Jennifer received a 2011 FringeNYC Overall Excellence Award for her performance in “The Legend of Julie Taymor, or The Musical That Killed Everybody!” A critic raved, “Jennifer … plants her feet center stage in this one, lifts up her belty voice and campy sense of comedy, and knocks it out of the park.”

“Dolphin Tale” with Austin stowell, ’07 (sfA) In Austin’s most recent performance, he plays a champion swimmer and Olympic hopeful who is the older cousin of a shy boy befriending a dolphin who lost her tail. The film stars Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr., and Ashley Judd. He has also performed in Comedy Central’s “Secret Girlfriend” and the ABC Family network’s series, “Secret Life of the American Teenager.”

shakespeare and sondheim with richard ruiz, ’98 m.f.A. Richard’s roles range from Antonio in the off-Broadway revival of “Two Gentlemen of Verona” to Hysterium in Stephen Sondheim’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” A critic in Philadelphia described his comedic role as, “the production’s premier performance.”

In 2011, the Houston Comedy Film Festival honored him with an award for best actor in a short film.

“Saturday Night Live” with bobby moynihan, ’99 (sfA) A cast member of the mega-hit TV comedy since 2008, Bobby appeared in the 2009 film, “The

Invention of Lying,” and the 2010 film, “When in Rome.” He can be seen in two comedy films scheduled to be released in 2012: “Revenge for Jolly!” and “The Brass Teapot.” While earning his B.F.A., Bobby performed in a number of plays with the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, including “King Lear.”

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sarah brady, ’98 (sfA) flautist Called “enchanting” by The Boston Globe, flautist Sarah Brady is sought after across the country as a soloist, chamber musician, and master teacher. An avid promoter of new music, Sarah has premiered and recorded music from many of today’s top composers. Her solo, chamber, and orchestral recordings can be heard on various music labels. She performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood last summer. Sarah lives in Boston and performs regularly as principal flautist with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and Opera Boston. She can also be heard performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Boston Ballet, Portland Symphony Orchestra, and the Albany Symphony. She teaches flute at higher education institutions in Massachusetts.

fred tinsley, ’65 (sfA) bassist Fred Tinsley is a longtime member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and a double bassist skilled at classical and jazz. He took music lessons from the time he was a child. Although his studies focused on classical music, Fred was drawn to the jazz scene; he jammed with some of the great musicians at clubs in Hartford, New Haven, and Manhattan.

In high school and then at UConn, he also played football. At Storrs, right after football practice,

he would trade his helmet and cleats for a tuxedo and race across campus to play cello in a student recital. He has played with both Hartford and New Haven’s symphony orchestras, and with the New York Philharmonic.In 2010, Fred received the UConn School of Fine Arts Alumni Award.

brian charette, ’93 (sfA) hammond organist GRAMMY®-nominated Hammond organist Brian Charette is a leading voice in modern jazz. He has recorded and performed with Joni Mitchell, Lou Donaldson, The Max Weinberg 7, Chaka Khan,

Michael Bublé, Rufus Wainwright, and countless others.

A SteepleChase recording artist, he has recorded four critically acclaimed albums with a fifth on the way. Critics have hailed him as

“one of the best of the new breed of B3 players” and as “a master of space and time.”

megan friar, ’85 (sfA), ’87 m.A., mezzo-soprano Megan Friar is a soloist in opera, oratorio, and musical theater. She has performed with the national tour of “The Phantom of the Opera,” and in “The Pirates of Penzance” at New York City Center. She was a concert soloist at Carnegie Hall and has sung with numerous opera companies.

A featured soloist on many recordings, Megan’s television appearances include “The David Letterman Show.” She performs in concert with her husband, jazz pianist Ron Drotos, singing classic songs of the American musical theater; together they have produced two CDs.

Mathew Imaging

ludwig van beethoven said, “music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” And according to Plato, “music is a moral law. it gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” UConn alumni fill the lives of many with varied forms of music. here we introduce you to some of them.

uconn’s music makers

Q&A with the director of uconn’s digital media center

Alumni Association (ucAA): What exactly does “digital media” involve?

Tim Hunter: Digital media and digital communication are all around us: smartphones, iPads, TV, film, research communications, and so on. Almost everyone in one way or another interacts with digital technology and media today.

ucAA: How did the idea of a Digital Media Center come about?

Tim Hunter: We’ve all seen the value that animation and visualization bring to the teaching and understanding of a subject. We wanted to be in a place where we could explore and research the broad field of opportunities presented by digital communication. Our motivation to form the Center

was the tremendous growth we were seeing in the digital sector across multiple fields of digital visualization and communications. In fairly short order, we gained broad support because virtually every area of the University deals with digital communications and visualizations at some point and in some way.

ucAA: What are the uses for the Digital Media Center?

Tim Hunter: The applications are very broad. The first project completed by the Center was a fun student video to thank donors who contributed to UConn, combining live-action footage and animation.

Within the Center, we are capable of producing two-dimensional and three-dimensional animations or visualizations representing complicated elements or systems that can then be manipulated and studied. We are also in the process of developing support for certain types of gaming used in the social sciences and digital humanities. The games can help educate children. In engineering and the sciences, we are working to interpret large data sets. We’re trying to create 3-D visual representations of those data sets as an alternative to visualizing in two dimensions what the data might look like. We are also exploring apps and ePublishing techniques in support of handheld device communications.

We are teaching students how to work in the entertainment industry’s TV and feature film mediums, beginning with ideation and concept development all the way through to production techniques. The state has offered tax incentives to attract film and TV production here, so this type of instruction is very timely to support job growth within Connecticut.

ucAA: What is the Center’s relationship with outside businesses?

Tim Hunter: Part of the Center’s mission is to seek out collaborative opportunities with Connecticut-based businesses engaged in various forms of digital communications and research. These relationships with industry provide experiential learning opportunities for our students, who in turn develop skills to take to the marketplace. Additionally, students who engage with these creative research programs may one day decide to head down the path of entrepreneurship, creating businesses of their own.

ucAA: What is the Center working on now?

Tim Hunter: We’re currently in the process of adding faculty and expanding the instructional offerings in digital media. We are also in the process of building a lab at UConn’s campus in Stamford so that we can offer classes and research support there, too. We’re just now beginning work on projects in motion-based media, entertainment, ePublishing, and bioscience visualization.

economic develoPment

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the university’s new digital media center has been established to encourage development, production, investigation, and discovery in the field of innovative visualization and digital communications. tim hunter, professor and director of the digital media center, holds joint appointments with the school of business and the school of fine Arts. he was instrumental in establishing the center, dedicated to making uconn a leader in this evolving industry.

Use your smart phone to view a video about UConn’s Digital Media Center, or go to http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2011/04/new-digital-media-center-launched/

Professor tim hunter

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supporting the fine ArtsPhilanthropy is defined as the love of humanity. The humanities include visual and performing arts such as music and theater. And so the bridge between philanthropy and the fine arts is a natural one.

The UConn School of Fine Arts is very close to achieving its fundraising goal in the ongoing Our University. Our Moment. fundraising campaign for UConn. The campaign’s overall goal is to raise $600 million to support students, faculty, and programs, and supporters of the University from all walks of life have responded to this appeal. Each school within the University has a different fundraising goal. For Fine Arts, the goal is $12 million.

Paul Goldberg, director of development for the School of Fine Arts, points out the ripple effect of gifts to the School. It’s not only students who benefit from the scholarships and opportunities that these gifts provide. The lives of the general public are enriched through cultural events such as performances and art exhibits made possible in large part through the support of donors.

Among the most touching donations received by the School of Fine Arts of late is a $100,000 gift for an unrestricted endowment fund from the School’s dean, David G. Woods. Woods will retire in June as the longest-serving dean on campus. Woods is among many other generous donors supporting Fine Arts.

edward ’58 (CLAS), ’63 M.A., and Judith ’65, M.A. stentaford, who are art collectors and music lovers. They plan to bequeath their entire estate—estimated at $1 million— to benefit the School of Fine Arts.

J. Peter ’82 (CLAS), ’83 (CLAS), ’85 M.B.A. and Jennifer ’92 (CLAS) natale, who have given $50,000 to establish scholarships for Fine Arts majors and student leaders.

raymond and beverly sackler, prominent philanthropists and longtime UConn supporters, who established the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Music Composition Prize and recently made an additional $100,000 gift to the fund.

roger cherney ’73 (CLAS) who has a steady history of philanthropic giving to support Honors students. Most recently, he pledged $14,000 for Fine Arts Honors students pursuing research on a piece of original work related to their Honors thesis or project.

university President susan herbst and her husband, douglas hughes, who have given $100,000. Their gift establishes a scholarship for needy students who are enrolled or intend to enroll in the School of Fine Arts or College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The academic components of the School of Fine Arts are the Art and Art History Department, the Drama Department, and the Music Department. The School also encompasses various performing arts and visual arts venues. These include the Jorgensen Auditorium, Benton Museum, Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, and the Contemporary Arts Galleries, as well as the marching band and pep band.

PhilAnthroPy

4 The School of Fine Arts welcomes donations in any amount. Visit www.friends.uconn.edu/finearts or contact Paul Goldbergat 646-385-4344.

on cAmPus

Public Art on the storrs and regional campuses

Who let the dog out?The iconic husky dog sculpture on the Storrs campus forever immortalizes UConn’s mascot, Jonathan. The statue was created by local artist Larry Wasiele. It’s become a tradition for families to pose with the statue for commencement photos and for prospective students to rub his nose for good luck.

The University of Connecticut and its regional campuses have impressive pieces of art on public display. The best way to see these works, created by world-renowned artists as well as contributors from the local community, is to get out and explore this widespread, remarkable collection.

Outside Main Entrance, Health Center in Farmington, “Family” (1998) by Wolfgang Behl

Waterbury Campus Courtyard, “Synergy”(2010) by Barton Rubenstein

Information Technologies Engineering Building courtyard, Main Campus in Storrs, “The Dove Tower and the steps to the Bottom of a Pyramid” (2004) by Ilan Averbuch

Avery Point Campus Sculpture Walk, “Azucar” (1990) by Christopher Wynter

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check out the galleries and museums at uconn’s campuses

The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art, Avery Point averypointarts.uconn.edu

The William Benton Museum of Art, Storrs thebenton.org

The UConn Stamford Art Gallery stamford.uconn.edu/ArtGallery

Biology and Physics Building, Main Campus in Storrs, “Shift” (2003) by Jun Kaneko

William Benton Museum of Art, Main Campus in Storrs, “Untitled” (2004) by Sol LeWitt

Music Library Courtyard, Main Campus in Storrs, “U’s and C’s” (1990) by Charles Perry

Main Entrance of Urban Plaza, Stamford Campus, “Rippowam” (1999) by Jim Sanborn

Knight Hall, School of Law in Hartford, “Middle Path” (1995) by Robert Sindorf

Dodd Research Center, Main Campus in Storrs, “Stonebook Universe” (1995) by Anna and Wolfgang Kubach-Wilmsen

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election

William Abrahamsen, ’84 M.B.A. Simsbury, CT School of Business Independent HR Consultant

Bill has over 30 years of experience in senior human resource roles at Aetna, Peoples United Bank, and as an independent consultant. This is his third year on the Marketing and Membership Committee,

and he serves as project leader for corporate events on the annual membership drives. He is the parent of two current UConn students and has been a guest lecturer at the School of Business.

Statement of Interest“It would be a privilege to serve on the Board. My goals are helping bring the Alumni Association to even further heights in supporting UConn’s growth, and encouraging more alumni to join and be involved in mentoring and recruiting students.”

*steve blovish, ’80 (ENG), ’84 M.B.A.Ellington, CTSchool of Engineering and School of BusinessProject Executive Commercial Construction Bartlett Brainard Eacott

Since graduating with a bachelor of science in civil engineering and an M.B.A., Steve has earned certification as a professional engineer. He has worked in the commercial construction industry for the past

25 years. Steve managed the construction of Gampel Pavilion, the Foundation Building, and the Lodewick Visitors Center. Steve has spent the past three years as an active member of the current Board of Directors and would enjoy the opportunity to serve the Association for a second term.

Statement of Interest“I recently had my son graduate from UConn and my daughter is on schedule to complete her studies this spring. My entire family has a proud history with UConn. I look forward to continuing my strong support of the University through my ongoing commitment to the Alumni Association.”

*laura cahill, ’84 J.D.Glastonbury, CTSchool of LawDeputy State Director and Counsel U.S. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman - Retired March 2012

Laura was elected to the Board of Directors in 2009 and served as secretary this year. Laura chairs the Awards Committee, is the UConn Club liaison, and previously served on the Nominating Committee

and on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions’ High Achievement Minority Student Recruitment Committee. A Greater Hartford Chapter director, Laura chaired the By-Laws Committee and was vice-chair of the Scholarship Committee. Laura has 24 years of government experience in Senator Joe Lieberman’s office providing constituent service.

Statement of Interest“It is a privilege to serve on the Board of Directors. Great progress has been made in increasing membership and programs, and reconnecting alumni to our Husky family. I strongly support the Alumni Association’s strategic partnerships in support of UConn’s educational mission as one of the nation’s Top 20 public universities.”

The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Alumni Association and consists of 18 elected members, six of whom are elected each year for a three-year term.

All regular members** of the Association as of March 31, 2012, are eligible to vote. Please take a few moments to review the profiles of the nominees for 2012 and cast your vote for the leadership of your Alumni Association. An asterisk (*) denotes an incumbent candidate. Your ballot is included on page 13.

The six candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the Board of Directors, and will begin serving their terms following the Association’s Annual Meeting on June 2.

Learn more about these nominees! Expanded bios of each candidate can be viewed online at UConnAlumni.com/candidates.

2012 university of connecticut Alumni Association board of directors election

see bAllot on inside bAck cover

**All regular members of the Alumni Association as of March 31, 2012, are eligible to vote. Regular members are defined as all graduates of the University of Connecticut and former students, not currently enrolled as undergraduates who have completed at least one semester of academic work at the University of Connecticut, and who are annual dues or life members of the Association in good standing.

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eric chen, ’08 J.D.South Windsor, CTSchool of LawAssociate Professor, Business Administration Saint Joseph College

Eric is a tenured associate professor of business at Saint Joseph College in West Hartford. Previously, he worked in corporate finance for several Wall Street firms. These included Furman Selz (ING) and

Hambrecht & Quist (JPMorganChase), serving the strategic business needs of emerging growth companies, leading and participating in transactions totaling over $1 billion. He is on the advisory boards for The Shelter for Women, and the Business Departments at Tunxis Community College and Capital Community College. He holds a J.D. (UConn), M.B.A. (Rensselaer), M.S. Accounting/Taxation (University of Hartford), and an A.B. (Harvard).

Statement of Interest“Earning my degree from UConn changed my life. I want to give back by using my accumulated experience and skills to increase alumni involvement and diversity, assisting with UConn initiatives that develop companies and technologies for commercialization.”

*sara-beth donovan, ’97 (CLAS)West Hartford, CTCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesVice President - Director of Media Mintz & Hoke Communications

Sara-Beth is a current member of the UCAA Board. She has worked to continually promote membership, and help UConn continue its drive to lead both as an educational institution and a key economic

engine for the state of Connecticut.

Statement of Interest“It is critical to have communication expertise at the Board level to share this message with our members: now is the time for members to be actively engaged. With 15 years of advertising agency experience, I will be sure that message is heard loud and clear. Having learned so much in my first term, I am confident I will make an even stronger impact on the organization in my second term.”

Jerry (Jerold) mande, ’78 (CANR)Hamden, CT College of Agriculture & Natural ResourcesSenior Advisor, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services U.S. Department of Agriculture

Jerry has worked for three U.S. presidents, led design of the Nutrition Facts label, drafted laws governing the nation’s organ donor system, and shaped America’s tobacco and cancer control policies.

Today, he helps lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s feeding programs and supports the First Lady’s fight against childhood obesity. In 2011, UConn honored his work with the UConn Distinguished Alumni Award.

Statement of Interest“I ask for your support. As an Alumni Association board member, my priorities would be doing all I can to help UCAA develop talented leaders and financial strength, connect alumni, support students, and strengthen UConn. My career has prepared me to make a difference.”

*lori riiska, ’84 (BUS)Winsted, CTSchool of BusinessOwner, Lori Riiska CPA LLC and Ramunni & Riiska CPAs LLC

Lori is a lifelong resident of Connecticut and a self-employed CPA with two locations in Connecticut. She was elected to serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2009. She currently serves as board

treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee. She has served as chair of the Student and Young Alumni Committee and was a member of the Marketing and Nominating Committees.

Statement of Interest“I would be honored to be elected to the Alumni Association Board of Directors. I’m an avid supporter of UConn and strongly believe in the quality of education that the University delivers. I am confident that my financial and networking skills will significantly contribute to the objectives of the Alumni Board. Thank you for your consideration.”

thomas rizzi, ’92 (BUS) Chicago, ILSchool of BusinessPresident and Chief Executive Officer, Pettibone LLC

Tom was born and raised in the northwest corner of Connecticut and received his bachelor’s degree in finance from UConn in 1992. He holds an M.B.A. from Newport University. He has traveled the world since

graduation, living and working in Asia, Europe, Canada, and Ohio, and currently resides in Chicago, Ill. Tom is president and CEO of Pettibone LLC, a holding company for a diverse group of manufacturing businesses, and is the president of the UCAA’s Chicago chapter.

Statement of Interest“I have strong ties to Connecticut and a love for the University that has prepared me so well for my career in business. As a Board member, I will utilize my broad business experience and global perspective gained from living all over the world to work toward increasing the University’s visibility and reputation. I’ll also work to build a more engaged alumni base both within and outside of Connecticut.”

nicholas r. roy, ’06 (BUS)Manchester, CT School of BusinessPartner/Co-Founder, Somnio Financial Group LLC

Nicholas is a partner and co-founder at Somnio Financial Group, LLC, located in Glastonbury, Conn. At Somnio Financial Group, Nick’s focus has been on comprehensive financial planning. He serves

on the Student and Young Alumni Committee, where he remains extremely active in engaging young alumni and growing membership.

Statement of Interest“It would be an honor to serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. I feel I can add another level of diversity to a great team. I offer a new generation of ideas and experience. My success and engagement with young alumni will be very valuable as we strive to grow our membership across the globe. If elected, I will passionately add strength to the UConn brand as a world-class institution.”

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Wally lamb’s lifelong connection to the ArtsThe creative arts hold a special place in the heart of best-selling author Wally Lamb, ’72 (ED), ’77 M.A., and have even helped inspire his widely acclaimed novels. “The fine arts color and illuminate life,” he says. “The arts have enriched me, helped round out some rough edges, and have led to a lifelong appreciation.”

A Mansfield resident who has served as an assistant professor of writing at the Storrs campus, Wally has always been drawn to visual art. As a youngster, he drew stories on scraps of paper. “The visual arts always interested me and gave me a leg up as a fiction writer,” he says. “Even today, a movie or a piece of art will trigger something, and I’m off and running.”

This happened when Wally was writing his second novel, I Know This Much Is True. He received a postcard from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts announcing an exhibit, and was captivated by the image of a painting on its front of two male figures. His novel focuses on identical twin brothers, one of whom develops schizophrenia. While he

finished the book, Wally kept that postcard on a bulletin board for inspiration.

After the book was published, he wrote to the Commission to ask if he might be able to track down the artist. To his surprise and delight, he didn’t have to look very far. The artist was Kathryn Myers, a professor of painting at UConn since 1984. He struck up a friendship with her and has since bought the painting that he associates so strongly with his novel.

Wally believes that the arts are connected to all aspects of life, and he enjoys exploring that connection. “As a UConn alum, I’ve tried to expose myself to all of that at UConn. It’s part of a holistic experience for UConn students, whether they are seeing an art show at the Benton, a concert at von der Mehden, or a play at Jorgensen.”

Both I Know This Much Is True and Wally’s first novel, She’s Come Undone, became No. 1 bestsellers after Oprah Winfrey selected them for her show’s book discussion club. The first book has a strong UConn connection, in that Wally wrote much of it in longhand in the Homer Babbidge Library on UConn’s campus in Storrs. Wally’s third novel, The Hour I First Believed, was followed by Wishin’ and Hopin’. In between, he introduced two anthologies of writings by female prisoners, Couldn’t Keep It to Myself and I’ll Fly Away.

In his days as a UConn student and in his subsequent career as a high school teacher, Wally never dreamed he’d be a successful novelist. But the arts to which he was exposed as a student played a major role in shaping his writing career.

Wally is now working on a new novel, For We Are Water, centering on the devastating 1963 flood in Norwich, Conn. “There’s actually an artistic component to this novel,” he explains.

“One of the characters is an outsider artist in Norwich at the time, based on a real artist named Ellis Ruley, who was self-taught and had no artistic training. And the main character is a contemporary author.”

Unplug for a while and make it a point to go to concerts, plays, museums, art galleries, and

other creative arts venues, Wally urges.

“There are so many distractions in our lives today and attention spans are changing,” he says.

“But I think there is a basic need for storytelling and artistic expression on both the part of the artist and the viewer or reader. These things help us

better understand the human condition.”

The extraordinary uniqueness of Litchfield County lies in the number and stature of the writers connected to the region. UConn’s campus in Torrington has recognized the contributions of these exceptional people by collecting and providing a home for more than 1,500 books written by Litchfield County authors. The collection, which includes many signed first editions, forms the heart of the Litchfield County Writers Project. Begun in 1993, the Project focuses on sharing information and insights that writers in Litchfield County contribute. The Project has developed into a distinguished academic and cultural advocate by offering classes, special events, and speakers, including the late Madeleine L’Engle, Arthur Miller, and Frank McCourt.

Litchfield County Writers Project

Writers

connectinG Alumni. suPPortinG students. strenGtheninG uconn. 11

The Unlikeliest Champion Aaron torres, ’07 (clAs)

The 2011 UConn Men’s Basketball Team started the season unranked and was picked to finish 10th in its own conference. Instead, the team took a wild ride that culminated in UConn’s winning a third—and most unexpected—men’s national championship.

Aaron Torres talks to college analysts and writers, fellow coaches, and family and friends of the players to give readers the most detailed account of the Huskies championship run. Relive 2010’s disastrous season, 2011’s early triumphs at the Maui Invitational, the five wins at the Big East Tournament, and the six more in the run to the NCAA championship. This is the story of a team that will live in the minds and memories of UConn fans forever.

When to Eat What heidi reichenberger mcindoo, ’92 (cAnr)

Much has been said about foods that keep us healthy and slim, but Heidi McIndoo’s book goes a step further. It helps readers know what foods to eat at certain times, taking the guesswork out of eating well.

The book answers questions such as what to eat if you have to get up early for a morning meeting but you’re not really hungry, or if you can’t get around to dinner until 10 p.m., or if you wake up hungry in the middle of the night.

What we eat is important, but when we eat it is important, too. This go-to guide provides meal plans, recipes, weight-loss advice, and nutritional know-how that anyone can use to stay healthy and get the most from their food.

The End of Time: Books of Umber Book 3 P.W. catanese, ’83 (clAs)

This is the third and final chapter in the critically acclaimed series, Books of Umber, a land of mystery. Follow the adventures of Lord Umber, explorer of all things monstrous and magical, and Happenstance, a boy whose mystifying powers may be the key to saving two worlds. The Umber series is a tale of discovery and self-discovery,

alienation and acceptance, friendship and rivalry, technology and magic—and the responsibility of those who hold the keys to either.

This is the eighth young-adult fantasy-adventure novel from Paul Catanese, who writes as P.W. Catanese. While at UConn, he created

“Bedlam Hall,” the first daily cartoon strip published by The Daily Campus, which was compiled into a book that was sold on campus.

By Marcia LaReau, Ph.D. Contributing Columnist

If you know someone who is unemployed, you probably understand the wide range of emotional upheaval that’s part of a job search. It can range from frustration to sleepless nights to lack of motivation and more. The topic that receives the highest number of hits on my weekly blog and tip sheet is “Staying motivated in your job search.”

In fact, human resource professionals often tell me that the No. 1 reason they don’t hire a qualified candidate is because laid-off persons have emotional baggage from their former employment. This baggage can translate into not being ready to go back to work. My “Ernest Answers” blog helps people deal with the emotional side of unemployment.

The emotional struggle doesn’t just belong to job seekers. Their spouses, children, extended family members, neighbors, and extended communities also feel the emotional weight and help bear the financial shortfalls.

I believe that every person in this country has a responsibility to help each other get through this difficult economic time. I salute job seekers who regularly volunteer time and expertise; they are doing their part to help us get through.

tips for job seekers • For weekly advice on managing the job-search process, “Like” Forward Motion Careers on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter (@ForwardMotionUS) • Check out the resources page at forwardmotioncareers.blogspot.com • Follow the blog to help manage the emotional ups and downs of job searching, forwardmotioncareers.blogspot.com • As a UConn alum, you can find some programs to consider at http://ucaa.forwardmotioncareers.com

reputable Advice Available at reduced fee for Job-seeking Alums

4 Marcia LaReau is the founder and president of Forward Motion, a company whose mission is to help job seekers create and stay on the pathway to success. Forward Motion has partnered with the UConn Alumni Association to offer discounts on its services to members of the Alumni Association. Go to ucaa.forwardmotioncareers.com for more information.

benefits

12 uconnAlumni.com

forever friends, forever huskies register now for Alumni Weekend in JuneEach summer, all alumni and friends are invited to return to Storrs for Alumni Weekend, where more than 50 activities take place around campus. This year’s festivities will be held on Friday, June 1, and Saturday, June 2.

Highlights include:• Special events to honor the 50th reunion of the Class of 1962 and the 25th reunion of the Class of 1987• Anniversary celebrations• The 60th anniversary of the Board of Governors/ Student Union Board of Governors• The 40th anniversary of the Women’s Center• The 30th anniversary of the Student Alumni Association• Tours of campus landmarks, including Horsebarn Hill, the Dairy Bar, and the new “Secrets of UConn Tour” (come find out what that is!)• OOzeball (mud volleyball) tournament and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for alumni and friends• Lifelong Learning discussions• “From the Kitchen to the Lab” with Associate Professor of Chemistry Nicholas Leadbeater• Book discussion of the UConn Reads selection, Half the Sky• “Making Mona Lisa Smile” with Ralph Bernstein, ’56 (ENG)• Alumni Weekend Barbecue• And much more!

Walk-in participation is available for all free events.

4 stay informed about the latest plans and let your friends know you’re planning to attend by visiting UConnAlumni.com/AlumniWeekend to register, for more information, and to sign the online guest book.

benefits

Alumni career resources exclusively for Alumni Association membersNo matter where you live or where you want to live, Alumni Career Resources will help you find work, clarify your career path, and acquire the skills necessary to manage your career. Our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to navigate through a market- place that is becoming increasingly global,technological, and competitive.

check out the new Alumni career resources website at: uconnalumni.com/career-resources and log in using “jonathan2003”

4Order your official license plate today at Huskiesplate.com! Your purchase of UConn plates supports the University of Connecticut in many ways. The proceeds from plate sales help the UConn Alumni Association connect alumni, support students and strengthen the University. To learn more about the Alumni Association’s programs and services, visit UConnAlumni.com.

COnneCting Alumni. SuppOrting StudentS. StrengtHening uCOnn.

Huskiesplate.com

Connecticut residents,

UConn_plate_ad 2.indd 1 9/23/10 3:32 PM

Order your official license plate today at Huskiesplate.com! YourpurchaseofUConnplatessupportstheUniversityofConnecticut inmanyways.TheproceedsfromplatesaleshelptheUConnAlumni Asssociationconnectalumni,supportstudents,andstrengthenthe University.TolearnmoreabouttheAlumniAssociation’sprogramsand services,visitUConnAlumni.com.

All reGulAr members of the AssociAtion Are eliGible to vote.

meet the candidates! Bios of each candidate appear on pages 8 and 9, and expanded bios can be viewed online at UConnAlumni.com/candidates.

You may vote for up to six (6) candidates. The corresponding box must be clearly marked in order to have your vote properly recorded. Ballots containing more than six votes, or those that are deemed illegible, will not be counted.

All ballots must be received in the post office no later than saturday, may 19, 2012.

Ballots, including your address label on the reverse side of this page, should be mailed to: uconn Alumni Association P.o. box 475 storrs, ct 06268-0475

Only this official ballot will be accepted. No copies or facsimiles will be allowed.

2012 uconn Alumni Association board of directors ballot

boArd of director cAndidAtesCheck boxes to cast your vote (Vote for up to 6 candidates)

William Abrahamsen, ’84 M.B.A. – Simsbury, CT

*Steve Blovish, ’80 (ENG), ’84 M.B.A. – Ellington, CT

*Laura Cahill, ’84 J.D. – Glastonbury, CT

Eric Chen, ’08 J.D. – South Windsor, CT

*Sara-Beth Donovan, ’97 (CLAS) – West Hartford, CT

Jerry (Jerold) Mande, ’78 (CANR) – Hamden, CT

*Lori Riiska, ’84 (BUS) – Winsted, CT

Thomas Rizzi, ’92 (BUS) – Chicago, IL

Nicholas Roy, ’06 (BUS) – Manchester, CT

Write-In Candidate:

Write-In Candidate:

* denotes incumbent candidate

your name must be clearly legible on the ballot. your signature is required and your active membership will be verified in order for the ballot to be counted.

your name (please print): _________________________________________ class year: ___________

signature (required): _________________________________________________________________

email Address: ______________________________________________________________________

take Action!Alumni Association

Annual Meeting

date: sat., June 2, 2012time: 4 p.m.

Location: Alumni Center 2384 Alumni DriveStorrs, CT 06269

2384 Alumni Drive, Unit-3053Storrs, CT 06269-3053

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSTORRS, CT

PERMIT NO. 3

southern itAly And sicily october 15-29, 2012 Delight in a special exploration of southern Italy. From striking Sicily to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast to unheralded Apulia, bountiful plains join the sun and sea, creating a prized (and crowd-free) region. Explore Sicily staying in lovely Taormina with excursions to Agrigento and Mt. Etna. Discover

Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” and visit Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tour Pompeii, the city frozen in time, and gather for a hands-on Neapolitan cuisine cooking lesson. Travel to the isle of Capri and embark on a breathtaking drive along the winding cliff-top Amalfi Coast above the glistening Tyrrhenian Sea. Extend your visit with an optional 3-day/2-night stay in Rome.

AdditionAl 2012 trAvel oPPortunitieS

discover southeast Alaska August 11-18, 2012

national Parks September 1-10, 2012

Grand danube Passage September 11-25, 2012

Provincial french countrysideSeptember 24-October 8, 2012

san francisco, sonoma, and napa valley September 29-October 5, 2012

Take advantage of many exciting travel opportunities. Our tours let you experience different cultures firsthand alongside other UConn alumni and friends.

Visit UConnAlumni.com/travel or call Debra Crary at 888.822.5861 for additional information.

Alumni trAveler