Kyle Smith Takes the Helm in Levien Gym - Columbia College ...

Columbia CollEgE Today CLAss NOTEs
campbell geeslin and art nolan.
Basil and Campbell shared their
strong feelings regarding Columbia
College admissions policies
and their thoughts as they recall
their undergraduate adventures. It
is heartening to experience the continued
interest and active intellectual
exercise represented by these
exchanges. I extend my gratitude
to both for allowing me to share in
their conversation. Perhaps most
interesting is the articulation of
the cultural tradition of certain
ethnic groups whose emphasis on
academic excellence has weighed
heavily on their success in college
admissions.
The thought that comes across
might be to value, study and emulate
such tradition. It would be far
more meaningful than to concern
ourselves with imbalance in the
ever-changing complexion of student
bodies.
From Art has come a series of
notes recalling one of his favorite
professors as well as the mysterious
“back story” surrounding that same
professor. Franz Neumann was an
extraordinary individual whose
life story includes growing up in
Germany during the first third of
the 20th century, getting out from
under the imminent threat of arrest
by the Nazis and being the subject
of suspicion regarding rumors of
his supposed relationship with the
KGB during and (perhaps) after
WWII. None of this was proven,
and he served our government
honorably throughout the war and
invaluably in the Nuremberg Trials
as well as engaging the minds of his
students at Columbia.
In these days of access to information
via the various search engines
on our computers, Neumann
is a subject that will consume as
many hours of investigation as any
one of you may wish to devote.
Thank you, Art, for opening this
window in history.
From bill lubic, a note of good
news regarding his wife Ruth’s
battle with viral meningitis and a
spirited report on his attendance
at the memorial for Justice Ruth
Bader Ginsburg ’59L’s husband.
“One and all: It has been a difficult
period but the worst is over. The
viral meningitis has abated and was
tough on Ruth in the first several
days during the assessment process.
“As a result of the inflammation,
she is still unsteady, but the tremor
is almost gone, and she had made
tremendous progress. As of early
September, she was at the National
Rehab Center in D.C., which is one
of the best in the country. Thank
you all for the many good wishes
received.
“Parenthetically, Ruth and I had
been invited to attend a memorial
celebration of Justice Ginsburg’s hus-
band, Martin, held at the Supreme
Court. He and I were associates at
WG&M.
“Together, we organized the notfor-profit
American Association
of Birth Centers, we exchanged
recipes, and Marty and (his) Ruth
were through the years continuing
supporters in various ways of (my)
Ruth.
“Sadly, my Ruth could not attend,
but as instructed, I did. It was well
attended, dignified and memorable,
but hardly solemn. Marty, aside from
being one of best tax lawyers ever,
was a great cook, a crafty humorist
and fine storyteller, and never uncomfortable
as a second fiddle.
“These are my random trivia
notes on the reception that followed:
Justice Ginsburg expressed
great concern at my wife’s illness
and offered her help. On the coattails
of a ravenous Justice Antonin
Scalia, we attacked the food
delights as he commented that
Marty’s ‘deconstructed’ chicken
was ‘not to be believed.’
“I mentioned to the surprise of
Mrs. Scalia that fresh black pepper
was the secret ingredient of a cherries
jubilee dessert. Unsolicited, she
had some very pleasant things to
say about Justice Elena Kagan.
“I spoke to Justice Kagan who,
looking happy and trim in her
stylish pantsuit, was uncommonly
pleasant. On a happy note, Justice
Ginsburg announced the impending
marriage of her son, James, to
take place the day following at the
Court House. He was the subject
of the ‘collaboration’ between Ruth
and Ruth during her pregnancy.
“Unfortunately I could not find
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, for whom
I had two undelivered messages,
from my wife and son.”
Happy Turkey Day to one and
all and, writing in advance of the
fall football season, hope for success
to our team. Roar Lions!
50
Mario palmieri
33 Lakeview Ave. W.
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
mapal@bestweb.net
An item in the inaugural issue of
Legacy, the newsletter of Columbia’s
Office of Planned Giving,
caught your correspondent’s attention.
Looking out at us was a photo
of ted Karchuta, accompanying
an article about Ted’s enthusiasm
for Columbia’s athletics as well
as its academic excellence. Ted’s
wish was to encourage and inspire
scholar-athletes, and he chose to
do that in a way that would honor
his childhood hero, Lou Gehrig
’23, who, as we all are aware, is a
Columbia athletics icon.
Ted’s method of ensuring his
objective was to include in his estate
plan a bequest to fund the Lou Gehrig
Scholar/Athlete Scholarship. The
scholarship will be awarded annually
to a select number of male and
female students who demonstrate
great potential for both academic
and athletic success at Columbia.
Sad to report, harvey M. radey
Jr. of Clarkesville, Ga., died in December.
REUNION JUNE 2–JUNE 5
ALUMNI OFFICE CONTACTS
ALuMNI AFFAIRs Jennifer Freely
jf2261@columbia.edu
212-851-7438
DEVELOPMENT Paul staller
ps2247@columbia.edu
212-851-7494
51
NOvEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
39
george Koplinka
75 Chelsea Rd.
White Plains, NY 10603
desiah@verizon.net
First off, a correction: In the previous
column, Class President robert
t. snyder’s e-mail address was
listed incorrectly. His e-mail is
roberttsnyder@gmail.com. Anyone
who would like to get involved in
reunion should reach out to him at
that address.
With the Class of 1951 60th reunion
on the horizon, we want to
devote this column to its planning
and program.
First and foremost, save the date
for the entire Alumni Reunion
Weekend, Thursday, June 2–Sunday,
June 5. It is not too early to make
plans now to return to New York
City and the Columbia campus.
Our Reunion Committee is preparing
class-specific panels as well as
cocktail receptions, luncheons and
dinners. In addition, as part of the
traditional Saturday Dean’s Day, the
Alumni Office will offer an array of
significant and timely lectures following
the time-honored academic
format. In addition to the cultural
and entertainment options offered
by New York City, we may attend
the annual Starlight Reception on
Saturday evening, which features
dancing on Low Plaza. Please keep
in touch and get reunion updates
at reunion.college.columbia.edu/
alumniupdate.
How about 60th reunion funding?
Class President robert t.
snyder noted in his e-mail to all
classmates last July that it would
be helpful if CC ’51 could raise
some working capital on its own
to cover planning, program and
promotional expenses. Class treasurer
willard block has opened
a class checking account at Chase
Bank to receive contributions. The
suggested amount is $25 per classmate.
Checks should be made out
to Columbia College Class of ’51C
Reunion. Please send your check
as soon as possible to Willard at
his home: 54 Cornwall Ln., Sands
Point, NY 11050.
Traditionally, reunion classes
make a major gift to the College.
Think in term of sixes: $66, $666 and
$6,666 or whatever fits the budget.
A separate CC ’51 Gift Committee
will contact classmates soon in what
is one of our remaining reunion opportunities
to hit a home run!
Several organizations and groups
within CC ’51 already are at work
in organizing reunion participation.
Notably, Jim lowe and len
stoehr in a recent communication
noted that almost 98 percent of
the NROTC cadre at Columbia
attended our 50th reunion at Arden
Columbia school Designations
In Class Notes, these designations indicate Columbia
degrees from schools other than the College.
Arch. School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Arts School of the Arts
Barnard Barnard College
Business Graduate School of Business
CE School of Continuing Education
Dental College of Dental Medicine
E The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and
Applied Science
Gs School of General Studies
GsAs Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
J Graduate School of Journalism
L School of Law
Nursing School of Nursing
P&s College of Physicians and Surgeons
PH Mailman School of Public Health
sIPA School of International and Public Affairs
sW School of Social Work
TC Teachers College