Alumni Advisory Committee


Your 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

Francis Grebe

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

 Committee Spotlights


Dana Burr Bradley

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 Headshot.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 GetnickJoy 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

Additional Degrees, Majors, Training
 
J.D., Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law School 
How did your history degree from University of Rochester help you prepare for your profession?
 
My degree in History from Rochester was instrumental in preparing me for my profession. The education at the History department taught about research and writing. The degree also taught me to look at both sides of the facts and listen to different stories. It also instilled in me a love for history and I like studying into the history of the law. 
Why did you become a member of the HAAC?
I became a member of the HAAC to give back to the university and the history department. Also to assist in connecting the alumni to the history department and highlight its contributions.  

To reach this person, contact at  cmgran9@gmail.com.


adam-konowe.jpgAdam 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.


Jeffrey LeonardJeffery 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 Liebers.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 Monde.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.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 HeadshotWilliam 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 Szabo.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.


A black and white line drawing of the front of Rush Rhees library being used as a placeholder image.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 Whitestone.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 ZaidMark 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.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.