1980s Class Notes

Lori Poggi Bourret '81 (Hartt) is the Music Director/Organist for Calvary Presbyterian Church in Enfield, Connecticut. She also volunteers her time at The Bushnell. Lori is a member of the Rosen Society and the Founders' Society.

Jeff Becker '82 (Ward College of Technology) has a photograph part of the public art collection at Central Connecticut State University's Elihu Burritt Library Annex.

On August 14, 2026 UHart freshman college roommates, Lee Ann Carlmark Leahy '84 (Barney), Ruth Leighton Graff '84, M'91 (ENHP), and Robin Cohen Leaf '84 (A&S) joined together to celebrate the marriage of Ruth’s younger daughter in York, Maine. Ruth met fellow UHart grad, Steve Graff '84 (Barney) through Lee Ann during their freshman year and they married in 1985.

Lee Ann is a current University Regent and member of our Founders' Planned Giving Society.

Anthony Susi '85 (Hartt) had his arrangement of "Coventry Carol", published by Excelcia Music, performed at the 79th Midwest Band Clinic by the Grammy Award winning Las Vegas Academy Jazz Band, directed by fellow Hartt Alum, Patrick Bowen '86. The solo on this jazz chart was performed by legendary saxophonist, Tom Scott, who has performed on more than 500 albums.

He was also selected to conduct the 2026 CMEA Western Region Middle School Concert Band for their annual festival in March 2026 at Sacred Heart University. The band performed one of his C. L. Barnhouse publications, "A Fond Farewell", as part of the program.

Lisa Pearson '87 (Hartt), Head of the Library and Archives of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, presented a lecture at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts, on March 5, 2026, as part of their Community Speaker Series. Her talk was titled, "Bonsai Legacies: Larz and Isabel Anderson and Their Passion for Japan."

Erik Hansen '88 (A&S) was interviewed by Voyage MIA. You can read his interview here.

Betsy Grossman Robinson '89 (ENHP) recently earned her Workers Compensation Professional (WCP) Designation through the American Society of Workers' Compensation Professionals (AMCOMP). This designation certifies expertise in workers' compensation, including law, claims handling, risk management and pricing.

Betsy also celebrated 20 years of working with the National Council of Compensation Insurance (NCCI) this past March, where she is an Assigned Risk Analyst.

As of July 1, Betsy was inducted as President of NCCI Toastmasters.