Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends

Officers

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Jerry Cohen

Favorite Place on Campus: The information booth in Usdan (where I worked all 4 years at Brandeis).

Favorite Brandeis Memory: There are so many it is hard to pick one. Almost all of my favorite memories involve friends. One memory that stands out is when our mod hosted a “Risky Business” party complete with Tom Cruise sunglasses and matching t-shirts (picture available upon request).

I volunteer because getting involved with the Alumni Association was a way to express my gratitude for everything Brandeis provided me. My experience at Brandeis shaped who I am today. I could have never attended Brandeis without the generous financial aid package the school provided. I am happy to give my time to the University that gave me so much – a stellar education, a group of lifelong friends, and my husband Sid.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Jane Kamensky

Favorite Place on Campus: North Quad

I volunteer because my years at Brandeis were some of the most important years of my life. I made lifelong friends and learned to think critically. I volunteer and give back each year to help ensure that future generations of Brandeis students have the same transformative experience.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Robert J. Art

Favorite Place on Campus: Massell Quad

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Too many to list. 

I volunteer because Brandeis is a special institution that not only has a prominent place in my life but has a singular mission that remains urgent and current. It is unique in its value system which is rooted in Jewish history and experience but it also serves as a model of ethnic and religious pluralism. Few institutions can claim such top-tier research faculty who are also accessible and with whom students can build close relationships, and few institutions can claim such an accomplished number of alumni. Many of our alumni are modest, but they have a lot to be modest about.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Ralph Norman (he didn’t teach a class but I learned a lot from him).

Favorite Place on Campus: There’s a spot next to the library, at the top of the hill, where the extraordinary view across chapels field is incredible. And with each season the view just keeps getting better.

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Besides my wedding in the Berlin Chapel, or watching my daughter graduate, there was this one night during my sophomore year in Reitman, at 2:00 in the morning, when my next-door neighbor woke up my roommate and me as he and another friend carried the front doors of Usdan into our room.

I volunteer because Brandeis had, and continues to have, a profound impact on my life. Relationships, friendships, family, career, the list goes on and on. Volunteering is the least I can do to give something back.

Members-at-Large

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Bob Jones

Favorite Place on Campus: Cholmondeley’s

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Sitting on the stoop of East Quad practicing music scales with a gold-plated C flute.

I volunteer because I am blessed and wish to inspire others to find their blessings.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Coach Bob Brannum - He believed in me as a person and as an athlete. Sometimes his silence was so loud! Gilbert L. Raiford, Heller PhD’81, mentored me which allowed me to earn a full scholarship to grad school in Miami, FL.

Favorite Place on Campus: The Gym, The Mods, Grad Housing, and the Cafe. Did I say the Gym?

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Surviving the Blizzard of ’78, while having two ankle surgeries from a basketball injury and being on crutches for months. I appreciate security providing rides to class and the support of many friends. It showed an unexpected Brandeis STRONG. My fondest memory, however, is the call of the wild from the Sandwich Man announcing their arrival, during an all-night paper writing or study session.

I volunteer because to me, I’m NOT volunteering! I’m going to Work - Work in whatever capacity to positively influence any assignment that I’m charged with. Additionally, I would like to spearhead the development of a MKTYP alumni function associated with the Brandeis University Alumni Association. Timing is Everything and my Season is Now to extend myself to my cherished alma mater.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Eugene Black (history); John Elliff and John Roche (Politics)

Favorite Place on Campus: Sherman Dining Hall, where I spent fun times eating with friends.

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Meeting my future wife (Phyllis Brenner Coburn '75); making so many lasting friendships; enjoying some great classes; being involved in the Vietnam War protests

I volunteer because of my many Brandeis connections, ranging from my wife, three sons, two daughters-in-law and lots of lifelong friends who have kept me involved and interested; volunteering on the Board is an opportunity to grow my commitment.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Dessima Williams

Favorite Place on Campus: Castle

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Music Concerts

I volunteer because I want to help alumni find and build their bridge back to Brandeis.

Favorite Place on Campus: Usdan

Favorite Brandeis Memory: My roommates

I volunteer because I love Brandeis!

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Robert Jones - AAAS Chair

Favorite Place on Campus: The Stein

Favorite Brandeis Memory: One of my favorite memories was when I was a part of a diverse coalition of Brandeis students who took over Perlman Hall in my Junior year, Spring ’76. We were protesting the proposed tuition increase, financial aid decrease, cuts to the TYP program as well as having other demands of the administration. It was the beginning of my passion for social justice activism.

I volunteer because I had a wonderful experience at Brandeis. I volunteer to give back/pay forward for the great education, experience, lifelong friendships, and opportunities Brandeis afforded me. I want to assist in ensuring that incoming students are a diverse group including students of color coming from underprivileged communities like mine and to give guidance to anyone interested in the field of public health.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: As a history major, my favorite classes were taught by Gregory Freeze, P’22, Eugene Black, P’89, and James Kloppenberg. But I suppose my favorite Brandeis Professor would have to be Barney Schwalberg because I married his TA!

Favorite Place on Campus: Eating lunch with my friends at The Boulevard.

I volunteer because my time at Brandeis was among the best years of my life. As a passionate alumna and proud Brandeis parent, I want to share my Brandeis love and pride with others.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Peter Woll

Favorite Place on Campus: Slosberg

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Playing with my bands — the pep band, concert band, jazz ensemble, and No Don’t Stop.

I volunteer because I like maintaining the connection and giving back to the current generation of students.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: William Flesch

Favorite Place on Campus: There is much to love about the whole place. I would say the Chapel fields area, Ziv, Castle overlook / Chums, even Rabb steps.

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Debate tournaments - both at Brandeis and as far away as Singapore. The Pepperberg Lab. Time with many wonderful friends, including meeting my husband.

I volunteer because Brandeisians are a special bunch, and I want to support the outstanding institution that has shaped and supported me in so many ways. I volunteer to see both our University and our close-knit student and alumni communities continue to flourish and thrive.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: This is a trick question. Two standouts: Professor Sara Shostak and Professor Jen Cleary.

Favorite Place on Campus: Shapiro Campus Center, but the Rose Art Museum has a piece of my heart

I volunteer because I love to connect with Brandeis alumni, students, faculty, and staff and have a strong pull to advocate for what is best for the Brandeis of today and of tomorrow. I'm honored to be a part of the Brandeis community and feel deeply connected to the university’s pioneering social justice history and trajectory. I hope to be a part of ensuring that legacy for years to come. I hope to represent mid-years and my class well through my alumni participation.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Nahum Glatzer (NEJS)

Favorite Place on Campus: The Castle

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Skiing down Chapel Hill Living in the Castle Sandwiches from the sandwich lady in Renfield during all-nighters

I volunteer to give back for all the riches in my life, I have been truly lucky in every way.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Professor Stephen J. Whitfield, GSAS PhD’72, American Studies

Favorite Place on Campus: Chapel field

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Having a wonderful group of girls on my dorm floor freshman year. Many of whom immediately became some of my closest friends and have remained that over the years.

I volunteer for the joy it brings me to be able to help others. It is important to first find the need, whether it is food, clothing, books, shelter, etc. I then help to alleviate some of that concern by donating my time, goods, or money.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Luis Yglesias - Remembered as “a humanist, a true Renaissance man: teacher, storyteller, poet, gardener, carver, drummer, trickster, humorist”, Professor Yglesias encouraged me to delve into the Italian language for my senior thesis and to stretch my intellectual comfort zone beyond where I ever would have ventured without his guidance and support.

Favorite Place on Campus: The Boston skyline overlook behind the Castle and Chum’s is my favorite spot on-campus. Off-campus, my heart will always be with 169 South Street.

Favorite Brandeis Memory: There are so many memories but what really sticks with me is the impact of my experience as a whole. The first day I set foot on campus, I was introduced to the issue of apartheid and the power of protest for change, a lesson that has helped to shape many of my life’s choices. Later, my study abroad experience led not only to a revamping of my European Cultural Studies major, but also a life-long love of travel and ten wonderful years working in the travel industry.

I volunteer because in the dozen years that I worked on campus, I had the chance to pull back the curtain of my student experience and deepen my engagement with multiple aspects of the University. The conversations I had with hundreds of alumni, parents and friends around the country were exhilarating to me and propelled me to choose my alma mater again and again. In this tumultuous time in our nation’s and world’s history, I believe that the need for a Brandeis is stronger than ever before. I feel privileged to represent the broader alumni body in seeking renewed ways of lifting up the University’s incredible present along with its illustrious past.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Jick - (Holocaust course)

Favorite Place on Campus: Usdan - for the social gathering!

Favorite Brandeis Memory: I was living in Cable (North Quad) both freshman and sophomore years. I believe it may have been sophomore year when the guys in the dorm picked up my car, put it on the curb and set it up to look like it had been in an accident and stood looking out of the large glass window on the second floor to see the panic on my face! was not so funny then, but a cherished memory now for sure!

I volunteer because Brandeis is in my blood! I attended my freshman year knowing no one... immediately became involved in student government and it evolved from there. Every year I increased my volunteer responsibilities to the school and from the day I graduated, I also wanted to give back - Brandeis taught me how to "think" in a way that no other academic institution has provided. I grew there on so many fronts and want to contribute back in any way I can!

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Robert Reich

Favorite Place on Campus: I have many, including Gosman Gym and the Stein

Representatives

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Rachel McCulloch

Favorite Place on Campus: Bottom of the library - in the little cubicles by the window

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Sitting in the cafeteria in Usdan and spending time with my friends talking about nothing in particular but making lifelong friends.

I volunteer because I loved my experience at Brandeis and hope that I can help bring that experience to others.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Dr. Patricia Steiner

Favorite Place on Campus: Berlin Jewish Chapel

Favorite Brandeis Memory: As an online student, I made a special effort to visit the Brandeis campus. It was a beautiful experience and visiting the chapel gave me a sense of spiritual peace. Besides that visit, it was my interview with Lewis Brooks, who was not only engaging but a humorous and warm gentleman.

I volunteer because as a Rabb graduate, I felt that the GPS School was underrepresented and it is my endeavor to ensure our alumni are given equitable representation.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: The professors at Brandeis are amazing, but the two professors I rave the most about are Daniel Breen and Janet McIntosh. They are both incredibly passionate, personable, and intelligent individuals!

Favorite Place on Campus: Sachar Woods

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Friday night Shabbat dinners

I volunteer because I find joy in hearing stories from alumni whose lives were changed for the better by attending Brandeis. I want to ensure that Brandeis remains a place that cultivates intellectual curiosity and fosters community for generations to come.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Lynette Bosch, Art History

Favorite Place on Campus: The Justice offices in Usdan basement

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Spending time in the basement of Usdan working on the Justice. 

I volunteer because I am a passionate representative of Brandeis in my community. 

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Antony Polonsky

Favorite Place on Campus: Woods next to Sachar International Center - so beautiful in the Fall!

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Cheerleading at basketball games - especially when the Men’s Team won the ECAC tournament in 1992.

I volunteer because I recognize that my Brandeis education and extracurricular activities while I was a student, impacted the person I am today. My father taught me the value of giving back to your college both with your time and your pocketbook. By volunteering, I am able to maintain my connection with Brandeis and see how Brandeis continues to grow and evolve. I love connecting alumni to each other and to the school. By doing so, they can also build their networks and see the amazing things that are happening on campus. Once a cheerleader - always a cheerleader!

Favorite Brandeis Professors: Gila Hayim

Favorite Place on Campus: Usdan Game Room

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Saul Williams, Buddy Wakefield, and George Watsky coming to Brandeis for VOCAL 2008

I volunteer because I want Brandeis’s reputation to be synonymous with artistic excellence and innovation, both in current students, and our alumni network.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Elena Lewis

Favorite Place on Campus: The great lawn

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Until Now, when I stood below the huge banner of Brandeis University and clicked a photo to share with my family and friends. It felt like a dream come true!

Brandeis is a family to me. I have heard and witnessed people learn, grow, and evolve by being a part of this community. I volunteer to stay connected and attached to these vibrant transitions along with giving back to the family which will be my home forever.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Too many to choose from but currently I really enjoy taking Aida Wong’s History of Asian Art class! She’s an amazing lecturer and person!

Favorite Place on Campus: MSA Lounge

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Having Iftar dinners during Ramadan is a treasured memory. There was a huge sense of community and bonding during that time, along with some amazing food!

I volunteer because I want to get to know more about Brandeis and where it can take me post-graduation as I have a lot of questions on how to navigate the US educational and career system. I also want to bring that information to other students like myself who struggle with not having a solid network of people in the United States who can serve as a support system. Being a part of Brandeis means we DO have a support system, however, and I want others to know that and feel the gravity of that fact through my work with the Alumni Association.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Adrianne Krstansky

Favorite Place on Campus: Shapiro Campus Center or Spingold Theater

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Bringing Ben Folds to Brandeis for a Fall Concert or being in The Vagina Monologues junior year.

I volunteer because I want to strengthen the existing Arts Alumni Network with events, networking opportunities, and mentorship.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Prof. Keller

Favorite Place on Campus: SSB

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Meeting my husband at SSB

I volunteer because I owe my education, career, and family to Brandeis.

Favorite Place on Campus: Olin-Sang 207

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Long Mondays full of writing with friends in the Interdisciplinary Writing Group!

I volunteer because I want to continue the legacy of Brandeis and support the people who have invested in me.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Chris Miller

Favorite Place on Campus: The Miller lab!

Favorite Brandeis Memory: There are many wonderful memories, but I loved the annual holiday party where the first-year graduate students did skits to spoof the faculty and staff. They were always hilarious, and the “victims” were great sports about it all.

I volunteer because Brandeis gave me all of the tools and support to go on to a long and satisfying career in science. Along with all of the pipetting and enzyme kinetics came a thorough grounding in the responsibility to be ethical, careful with valuable resources, and respectful of and curious about others’ viewpoints. The longer I work as a professional scientist the more I value those fundamentals. I want to play a role in enabling Brandeis to continue to provide a simultaneously content and values-driven curriculum for every student.

Favorite Place on Campus: Three chapels area

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Freshman year parties around Massell Pond

I volunteer because as an alumnus who learned so much from my Brandeis experience, I am honored to serve on the Alumni Committee, particularly as Chair of the Alumni of Color Network. My commitment stems from the profound impact Brandeis has had on my intellectual and personal development, instilling in me a passion for intellectual curiosity and analytical thinking. The university's historic commitment to social justice resonates deeply with me, and through my volunteer work, I aim to ensure that diverse voices and perspectives are meaningfully represented and supported. We strive to develop programs and initiatives that uplift students, alumni, and faculty of color. We seek to continue Brandeis's legacy of advancing freedom, equality, and justice for all people.

Presidential Appointees

Favorite Brandeis Professor: James Kloppenberg

Favorite Place on Campus: Usdan

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Tropics dance - sophomore year

I volunteer because I love Brandeis. I want to make sure it is around forever.

Club Presidents

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Professor AOKO

Favorite Place on Campus: Louis Brandeis Statue

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Pulling an all-nighter and watching the sunrise from the top of the castle my freshman year with a bunch of friends.

I volunteer because Brandeis is my home away from home and I want to help ensure the institution supports upcoming students so they feel they can truly grow while studying at Brandeis.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: I loved many of my professors, but Hannah Snyder is who I want to highlight. Her Developmental Cognitive Psychology class was so impressive that I ended up going to work at her lab for a year and a half!

Favorite Place on Campus: I seriously can't pick! There are so many places on that campus that I loved - SCC comfy chairs, DCL office snack closet, my senior Mod, the peace room, and the second level of Mandel being a few of my favorites.

Favorite Brandeis Memory: In my sophomore and junior years, I would finish class on Fridays by midday, and I would spend the afternoon bopping between different friends' dorms, eating and chatting. This tradition is one that will always be precious to me.

I volunteer because I loved my experience with Brandeis! It turned out to be exactly the right place for me in a way that grew over time. I was able to explore all of my academic and out-of-classroom interests and follow the ones that turned into passions. It brought me my fiancé, a few best friends, and a social community that continues to grow and flourish to this day. It exposed me to a way of life that is brimming with curiosity and a deep sense of purpose. It connected me to an alumni community that is full of hope and positivity for the future and continues to have excitement at getting to spend time with other Brandeis alumni, whether they graduated in 1952 or 2023. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with people in my age group who went to over 100 different colleges and universities. Very few people feel the way about their alma maters as I find Brandeis people do. I want to help preserve the optimism and enthusiasm that already exists in the Brandeis community and help steer it through modernity as the community, and its needs, continue to change.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Jeffrey Abramson, Thomas Doherty, Stephen Whitfield, PhD’72

Favorite Place on Campus: The Justice office, The Stein, Cholmondleys, the Mods

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Late night with my fellow justice editors putting out The Justice each week, living with my suitemates especially in Ziv and the Mods, watching the Celtics play in Gosman.

I volunteer because I want to give back to the university that gave me so much. To better alumni relations and student interaction with the school.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Professor Coiner

Favorite Place on Campus: Rose Art Museum

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Rehearsing and performing with Voices of Soul A Cappella Group

I volunteer because, during my time at Brandeis, I had the privilege of being immersed in an environment that prides itself on educational excellence and engaging in various enriching activities that left a lasting impression. The most significant aspect of my time at Brandeis was the relationships I formed with lifelong friends and mentors. Their guidance and support have played an instrumental role in shaping my personal and professional growth. I am forever grateful for the community that Brandeis fostered and am delighted to have an opportunity to give back.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Professor Ibrahim Sundiatta

Favorite Place on Campus: Shapiro Student Center

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Planning and participating in the annual Posse Plus retreats as a Posse Scholar on campus.

I volunteer because Brandeis continues to be an important part of my life. My connection to Brandeis has given me a community of lifelong friends who inspire me to be at my best. This gift that Brandeis has given me makes it an easy decision to give back to the university.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Mike Coiner - Economics

Favorite Place on Campus: The Mods

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Hard to pick just one! Perhaps moving into The Village as a Midyear Freshman in January of 2011.

I volunteer because Brandeis changed my life. Volunteering is my way to give back and to stay connected to such a wonderful place and community. And because it's a lot of fun!

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Rick Alterman

Favorite Place on Campus: The coffee shop at IBS (because it had better coffee).

Favorite Brandeis Memory: When then-president Jehuda Reinharz, PhD’72, HHL’11 stopped me on the sidewalk to tell me my backpack was open (and then he zipped it up for me).

I volunteer because Brandeis is making the world a better place, and I want to be a part of that journey.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Jonathan D. Sarna ’75, MA’75

Favorite Place on Campus: Mandel Humanities Center, I loved studying outside on the deck with friends and watching the changing light colors at night. It was such a cool addition to campus!

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Spending Friday night Shabbat with my friends. Each week, we’d get dressed up, some of us would go off to services, either BUCO or Baruch, and then we all would gather for dinner in Upper Sherman, & take up usually an entire table. I loved our conversations and hearing the entire community also join in song. After dinner, my friends & I would hang out, play games, watch a movie and sometimes bake!

I volunteer because Brandeis is not just a University to me, but a community for life, which has fostered close friendships, mentors, and the special bond of alumni. It’s important to me to give back to the place that shaped my academic & professional career. The alumni board community is also such a fun, diverse group of Brandeisians whom I continue to learn from all the time.

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Professor Bayone

Favorite Place on Campus: Shapiro Campus Center

Favorite Brandeis Memory: Fall and Mid-Year Orientation! I loved being an Orientation Leader

I volunteer because I love staying connected with Brandeis University and continuing to spearhead initiatives to drive interest and support back-to-campus programming and student connections.

Committee Chairs

Favorite Brandeis Professor: Christine Heyrman - she was an American history professor and remains a good friend to this day.

Favorite Place on Campus: I loved the backwoods area by where Sachar was (is?)

Favorite Brandeis Memory: We had a great Tropics Night in Levin Ballroom, dancing all night in shorts and leis and it snowed outside!!! So after the dance ended we all ended up traying down the hill by the libraries, many of us still in our shorts and leis. (Not me though...brrr)

I volunteer because my time at Brandeis was some of the best years of my life. Volunteering provides me with an awesome opportunity to remain connected and help to connect others.

Non-Voting Member