Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends
Three Remarkable Volunteers Honored by the Alumni Association
July 11, 2025
Together, these alumni have contributed more than 75 years of service to Brandeis.
As a new graduate, Arnon Shorr ’05 dreamed of becoming a Hollywood filmmaker. But he had no industry connections and longed for fellow alumni he could turn to for advice. That need led him to create the fledgling Brandeis Alumni in Film and Television group. A decade later, the group is thriving with over 400 members and a host of programs and events.
Characteristics like Schorr’s foresight and initiative are what earned him – as well as two other alumni – 2025 volunteer awards from the Alumni Association.
Marjorie Grodner Housen ’56 received the Service to Association Award, which recognizes an alum whose extensive contributions over a long period of time have had a lasting, positive impact on the association and the university. Shorr ’05 and Rebecca Bachman ’13 each received the Emerging Leadership Award, which honors younger alumni with less than 10 years of service for their leadership and impact.
Marjorie Grodner Housen ’56
2025 Service to the Association Award
Marjorie Grodner Housen ’56 enrolled at Brandeis during the university’s first decade and never really left. A volunteer for more than 60 years, she has held a variety of leadership roles, including the Board of Trustees, the Board of Fellows, the National Executive Committee of the Brandeis National Committee, and the Women’s and Gender Studies Program Board.
Most notably, Housen has chaired every one of her class reunions since graduation – playing a vital role in keeping her classmates connected to each other and to Brandeis.
Alongside her late husband Charley, she has been an ardent supporter of the Brandeis International Business School. She is also a member of the Sachar Society, which recognizes alumni who have included Brandeis in their will or estate plan.
Arnon Shorr ’05
2025 Emerging Leadership Award
Eager to forge industry connections as a new grad, Schorr took it upon himself to find fellow alumni who worked in entertainment. After conducting extensive research, he discovered that Brandeisians were, in fact, working “up and down” the industry – they just weren’t connected to one another.
“Other schools had strong industry networks eager to help new alumni land on their feet,” he says. “I was jealous. All I had was a spreadsheet of names.”
Inspired to build such a network at his own alma mater, Schorr created the Brandeis Alumni in Film and Television group on Facebook. The group slowly grew over time, attracting alumni from every corner of the industry, and eventually became part of Brandeis’ already established Arts Alumni Network. Since then, Shorr has been organizing networking events, pitching and audition workshops, and even gatherings at major film festivals like Sundance and Tribeca.
“We’ve built a real community, with real connections offering professional opportunities,” enthuses Schorr. “Today’s graduating students interested in the entertainment industry can tap a global network of alumni who are eager to support them. So I can say to the Brandeis career center: Next time a graduating student comes in with dreams of Hollywood, don’t panic – we got this!”
Rebecca Bachman ’13
2025 Emerging Leadership Award
Even before graduating, Rebecca Bachman ’13 was making a difference at Brandeis.
As a student, she was an Orientation leader, a Student Union rep, and a coordinator for the Waltham Group – Brandeis’ network of student-run volunteer programs, which gave her real-world experience that helped inform her own career in the nonprofit sector.
Of particular note, Bachman co-founded Kindness Day. The annual event encourages students to celebrate community and show gratitude by sending virtual kindness cards to people who have made a difference in their lives. Kindness Day has since grown into a cherished campus tradition now embraced by alumni as well.
As a young alum, she has served as co-chair of the Brandeisians of the Last Decade (BOLD) group, helped organize her reunion, and served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Most recently, she played a key role in planning the 50th anniversary of the Waltham Group.
“Brandeis has had and continues to have a tremendous impact on my life,” says Bachman. “I took life-changing courses that transformed my thinking and informed my career trajectory. And I met my best friends on campus.”
“My love of Brandeis continues to grow,” she adds. “My hope for every Brandeis student is that they, too, can find and ignite their passions in a safe and welcoming community.”
Interested in making a difference at Brandeis?
Volunteering is a wonderful way to make an impact on the university, fellow alumni, and current students, as well as make new friends and professional contacts. And there are opportunities to match every skill set, interest, and schedule. Check out our volunteer opportunities to find out more!