1970
STEPHEN D. BRUCE (HARTT, MMusEd) of Groton, Conn., led the 40 singers of Con Brio Choral Society in its spring concert held in May, featuring work by Mozart, American spirituals, English madrigals, and seasonal folk songs.
ANTANAS J. VAN REENAN (A&S, MEd '78) of Lithuania has accepted an appointment as professor in the newly formed department of journalism in the Institute of Law, Political Science and Journalism at Vytautas Magnus University located in Kaunas, Lithuania. Antanas writes that he is embarking on a new phase of personal and professional life by taking out dual citizenship and relocating to the Republic of Lithuania. He is the author of Lithuanian Diaspora: Königsberg to Chicago, an exploration of Lithuanian values. Alumni and friends may reach him at Kulvos 34-38, Kaunas 3026, Republic of Lithuania.
1971
RALPH CAPARULO (ART) of Galway, N.Y., has been named instructor of art and art history at the Schenectady (N.Y.) County Community College, part of the SUNY system. Ralph is also on the studio teaching staff at Rensselaer County Council on the Arts in Troy, N.Y., and is an associate of the University Without Walls at Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He has recently shown his work at a number of invitational exhibits and competitions. He writes that he is "restoring a 200-year-old farmhouse with the goal of it becoming a B&B in Y2K."
1972
ADELE BROITMAN (ART, MFA '77) of Bloomfield, Conn., was one 30 American clowns who traveled to Russia last November to entertain in orphanages, nursing homes and hospitals. Joined by their Russian counterparts in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the American group was headed by Patch Adams, the physician-clown portrayed by Robin Williams in a recent movie. Adele's parents were from Russia, and she immediately felt comfortable in the culture. She has been a clown for more than 20 years and has had five clown names, including her most recent, Anna Blue-Skya.
RAYMOND C. FERRARI (A&S) of New Haven, Vt., has joined CB Richard Ellis/N.E. Partners LP as senior vice president in the brokerage department and will be concentrating in office sale and leasing. He worked previously for Cushman & Wakefield.
1974
RONALD WEISINGER (A&S) of Canton, Mass., will be joining Reebok in Stoughton, Mass., as director of human resources. He previously held a similar position with Brookstone in Nashua, N.H.; was a human resources manager with CIGNA in Philadelphia, Pa.; and had a 15-year career in higher education. He writes, "Your new Observer format looks great." Thank you, Ron.
1975
CARLTON HELMING (Barney) of Cheshire, Conn., was recently appointed co-chair of the legal committee of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is the founding principal of Helming & Company P.C. and president of the Connecticut Turnaround Management Association.
JANE RAINWATER (ART) of Hartford, Conn., a graphic designer, recently participated in a two-person exhibition of photography at the 100 Pearl Gallery in downtown Hartford. Jane's photographs are collections of images from multiple sources including flea markets, carnivals, and parades. She scans her original photos into the computer and then manipulates the images to create multidimensional collages. The 100 Pearl Gallery is directed and curated by Janice La Motta (ART '78) of Paesaggio Gallery, West Hartford, Conn.
LYNNE STROW (HARTT) of Southbury, Conn., participated as soprano soloist in a spring festival, "Music in the Air," in Cheshire, Conn., in May. The festival was presented by the Mario Rossi of Waterbury Opera Club. Lynne is an operatic soprano who has sung in major opera theaters of both hemispheres and in radio and television productions in Europe and Africa.
1976
DOREEN D'AMICO (A&S) of Westport, Conn., has completed a five-month training program and has passed the examination of the National Association of Securities Dealers. Employed as a financial advisor in the Stamford office of PaineWebber Incorporated, she is now a fully registered securities dealer.
RICHARD E. NEAL (BARNEY, MPA) of Springfield, Mass., U.S. Representative from Massachusetts (D-Second Dist.), received the 1999 Ambassador's Award at this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Holyoke, Mass. The medallion presented to Richard is designed to resemble the one worn by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and was given to celebrate the congressman's key role in negotiations that brought about the landmark peace treaty in Northern Ireland.
SUSAN ROOD (ART) of Harwinton, Conn., presented a demonstration of printmaking and displayed some of her artwork at the Harwinton Library during April. Susan exhibits her work in New England and New York and is a member of a printmakers' cooperative in Kent, Conn.
1977
JERRY BILAK (HARTT) of Middletown, Conn., was musical director for the Repertory Theatre of New Britain's production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum this past spring. This was Jerry's first show at the Rep and the final show of the theater's 53rd season. A graduate in organ performance, he has been director of music at the Elmwood Community Church since 1996 and has accompanied singers, instrumentalists, and choral groups throughout New England.
1978
PAUL BISACCIA (HARTT) of Hartford, Conn., concert pianist, performed Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue in an April concert benefiting the Cragin Memorial Library Addition Fund, Colchester, Conn.
JAMES "LARRY" VANCE (BARNEY, MSPA) of Coventry, Conn., has been appointed chief financial officer of the Connecticut Lottery Corp. He was previously unit chief of integrity assurance and technical services for the Division of Special Revenue.
1979
VIKKI BERMAN CHENETTE (ART, MAEd) of Buffalo, Wyo., has work included in the exhibition "Contemporary Quilts '99" at the Wyoming Arts Council Gallery, Cheyenne, Wyo., through September. Vikki is an art specialist with Natrona County public schools in Casper, Wyoming.
GARY MELNYSYN (ENHP, MEd) of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., has been appointed managing principal consultant for Oracle Software. He will coordinate consultant training at the San Francisco and Washington, D.C., training centers.
