1960s & 1970s Class Notes

Robert Ashens '77 (Hartt), alum and former faculty member, married Emily E. W. Kidder on August 23, 2025. Their home is Eugene, Oregon, where Robert is Music Director/Conductor at The Shedd Institute for the Arts, as well as SYMProductions.

Stephen Gray '77 (HAS) is retired and living in Windsor, Connecticut. He is married and has a 28 year-old son who lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sherman Fleming M'78 (HAS) spoke about his practice on the Nasher Museum's Youtube channel. You can watch here.

Sheila Mark '78 (A&S) will celebrate her 75th wedding anniversary with her husband, Dr. Howard Mark, this year—a diamond anniversary. Both are ninety-seven years old (3.30.1929 and 8.2.1929) and still holding hands.

Shelia earned her degree from the University of Hartford in 1978, graduating as class valedictorian, and went on to devote over twenty-five years to serving seniors at the Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford. Her return to school as a mature student was a testament to the same determination and love of learning that has defined her entire life—and that she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Seventy-five years of marriage is almost unimaginably rare—only about 0.0016% of married couples in the United States ever reach this milestone. Shelia and Howard are among them, and the values they share—dedication, resilience, service, and an unshakable commitment to family and community—are the foundation of everything they’ve built together.