Agosto, Liz Employee
Amherst College mourns the passing of Elizabeth “Liz” Agosto on Oct. 31, 2024. Agosto served as chief student affairs officer and dean of students from 2019 to 2023.
President Michael A. Elliott wrote the following in a Nov. 1 email to the campus community:
... Liz had been in her current role as Dean of Students and Assistant Head of School at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Mass., since 2023. The cause of death is currently unknown.
Many among us worked with Liz during her three-and-a-half years at Amherst, which began in June 2019. She did a remarkable job of leading our students—with great compassion, wisdom, and vision—during the outbreak of COVID-19, one of the most challenging periods in Amherst’s history. Liz’s dedication and commitment were evident in everything that she did. She had a gift for navigating important and difficult conversations, and she led the College’s efforts to center student wellbeing across divisions and departments.
Liz came to Amherst from Dartmouth College, where she had worked for a dozen years in a variety of roles, culminating with serving as the Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs. She earned a degree in sociology from Dartmouth and completed her master’s in the same discipline at Fordham University.
We will share information about services and/or commemorations of Liz’s life on our In Memoriam page when they are confirmed. In the meantime, I know you will join me in expressing our deepest condolences to all of Liz’s friends, family, and colleagues past and present, as well as our profound gratitude for all she contributed to Amherst College. ...
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Allen, Beverley Elaine 1983
Deceased June 18, 2023
View alumni profile (log in required)
In Memory
I first met Beverley Allen when she visited Amherst during pre-freshmen weekend. We hit it off and became fast friends. Bev came to Amherst from Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, where she lived with her family after leaving England. Bev was a feisty, independent spirit who stood up for herself and others. She and I spent our off hours crocheting. She was my “partner in crime” for midnight runs to the Burger King in Hadley. We’d then go back to the dorms to race our kid’s meal toys in the hallway.
After Amherst, she went to medical school at the University of Maryland. There, she would spend her downtime fishing. She would fish at all hours, swearing no one bothered her. Unfortunately, while she was in medical school, she discovered that she had breast cancer. She fought to get her doctors to take her seriously since she had none of the traditional indicators. She successfully beat the diagnosis, but the treatment caused long-term impacts for the rest of her life.
She became a child psychiatrist, working in the courts, evaluating children for the juvenile court system. A friend invited her to salmon fish in Washington, and she fell in love with the area. She moved to Vancouver, Washington, so she had easy access to fishing. While there, she continued to crochet and discovered spinning. Bev became an expert spinner, even serving as a judge for county and state fairs. She believed wool was too expensive, so she raised her own alpacas, llamas, angora goats and rabbits for spinning. Her love of the fiber arts continued, and she decided to explore the possibility of creating a fiber business for women in Africa.
While she was visiting The Gambia, COVID hit. She could not leave the country to return home. Bev decided to make The Gambia her new home. She sold her property and livestock in Washington and built a house by the beach in The Gambia. She soon started to raise animals and produce wool.
Unfortunately, the treatment she received for her cancer continued to haunt her. She developed heart problems and had to have a pacemaker installed. She developed problems with her pacemaker over the years and again had to have heart surgery. At the end, the complications from the treatments resulted in her passing on June 18, 2023, just before her 62nd birthday.
Angela Scott ’82
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Artis, Otho Wells, Jr. 1978
Deceased December 25, 2023
Otho W. Artis II Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Otho W. Artis II (Cleveland, Ohio), who passed away on December 25, 2023, at the age of 67, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Otho W. Artis II (Cleveland, Ohio), who passed away on December 25, 2023, at the age of 67, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1978
- 1978
Graduation Year
- 1978
- 1978
Major(s)
- Chemistry
- Chemistry
Secondary Schools
- Collinwood High School
- Collinwood High School
Employment Information
Former
- Senior Quality Assurance EngineerSTERIS Isomedix ServicesStart:07/2015End:12/2023
- AnalystCincinnati Bell, Inc.Start:01/1980End:01/1981
- Senior Quality Assurance EngineerSTERIS Isomedix ServicesStart:07/2015End:12/2023
- AnalystCincinnati Bell, Inc.Start:01/1980End:01/1981
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Atherley, Quentin 1977
Quentin Frederick Atherley Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Quentin Frederick Atherley of Bradenton, Florida, who passed away on March 2, 2025, at the age of 69, leaving to mourn family and friends. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.
In the quiet moments of reflection, let us honor Quentin Frederick's memory by embracing the beauty of each fleeting moment, knowing that his spirit resides in the eternal tapestry of existence, forever woven into the fabric of our hearts.
He was loved and cherished by many people including: his parents, Frederick Atherley and Mary Atherley; and his wife Jennifer Atherley.
Quentin Frederick Atherley
Obituary
Born on April 27, 1955, in New York City, Quentin was the beloved son of Frederick and Mary Atherley. He grew up in Hempstead, Long Island, and pursued higher education at Amherst College in Amherst, MA, before earning his law degree from New York Law School.
On September 11, 1991, Quentin married the love of his life, Jennifer Atherley, with whom he shared a deep and enduring companionship.
Over the course of his distinguished 35-year career, Quentin played a pivotal role in conducting and supervising complex white-collar investigations for the state government. His work included high-profile cases involving public corruption, construction fraud, procurement fraud, and money laundering.
Quentin remained actively involved in his alma maters, mentoring and serving on the board for Amherst College and New York Law School. He led moot court programs and mentored incoming law students, helping them transition into the rigorous field of law. An avid reader and podcast listener, he loved discussing and sharing insights on a wide range of topics.
Quentin had a passion for sports, particularly biking, tennis, and soccer, and he and Jennifer enjoyed these activities together. They were also devoted food enthusiasts, exploring diverse cuisines, wine tastings, and global travel. Known for his sharp wit and dry humor, Quentin often entertained friends and family with his stories. A consummate lawyer with a deep interest in politics, he never hesitated to voice his opinions in engaging discussions. Over the years, he built lifelong friendships spanning childhood, college, and his professional career.
Though Quentin’s achievements were many, his greatest legacy was his kindness and compassion for others. He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer, and other cherished family members.
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mherst
Volunteering
- Alumni AdmissionRole:Advisor
- Alumni FundRole:Associate Agent
- Alumni AdmissionRole:Advisor
- Alumni FundRole:Associate Agent
Fraternity
- Independent (no fraternity affil)
- Independent (no fraternity affil)
Post-Graduate
No data available
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1977
- 1977
Graduation Year
- 1977
- 1977
Major(s)
- Anthropology
- Anthropology
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Cathedral Sch St Mary & St Paul
- Cathedral Sch St Mary & St Paul
Higher Ed
- New York Law SchoolField of Study:LawDegree:Doctor of JurisprudenceYear:1981
- New York Law SchoolField of Study:LawDegree:Doctor of JurisprudenceYear:1981
Contact
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- Administrative Law JudgeCity of New YorkStart:02/2016End:07/2020
- Counselor and AttorneySelf EmployedStart:06/2012End:03/2025
- Independent Consultant/Team LeaderGuidepost Solutions LLCStart:11/2010End:05/2012
- Senior Investigative CounselState of New YorkStart:04/1998End:03/2010
- Deputy Police CommissionerCity of Mt. VernonStart:01/1996End:01/1998
- Associate General CounselMetropolitan Transit AuthorityStart:01/1988End:01/1996
- Assistant District AttorneyNassau CountyStart:01/1983End:01/1988
- Administrative Law JudgeCity of New YorkStart:02/2016End:07/2020
- Counselor and AttorneySelf EmployedStart:06/2012End:03/2025
- Independent Consultant/Team LeaderGuidepost Solutions LLCStart:11/2010End:05/2012
- Senior Investigative CounselState of New YorkStart:04/1998End:03/2010
- Deputy Police CommissionerCity of Mt. VernonStart:01/1996End:01/1998
- Associate General CounselMetropolitan Transit AuthorityStart:01/1988End:01/1996
- Assistant District AttorneyNassau CountyStart:01/1983End:01/1988
Nickname
- Q
Family
Amherst Relatives
- Jennifer Atherley W'77
Personal
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Beckwith, Carl Curtis 1931
Carl C. Beckwith, M.D. (d)
Contact
Family
Amherst Relatives
- Lucille Beckwith W'31
Personal
Carl C. Beckwith, M.D. (d)
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- PhysicianSelf EmployedStart:01/1976End:01/1985
- PhysicianChrysler CorporationStart:01/1967End:01/1976
Industry Information
Former
- Automotive: Sales
- Medicine/Healthcare: Medical
Carl C. Beckwith, M.D. (d)
Amherst
Post-Graduate
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Brown, Omar Wallace, Jr. 2013
Deceased January 4, 2022
View alumni profile (log in required)
In Memory
Earlier this year, the College shared with you some difficult news. On January 4, Omar Wallace Brown passed away, surrounded by loved ones, following a sudden illness. The recollections that you shared reflect the very meaningful impact that Omar had on many members of our class—an impact that Omar clearly also had on his colleagues and his own students. This In Memory piece incorporates several of your reflections and shares some of the contributions Omar made—as a student, educator and pastor—in the years after his graduation from Amherst.
At Amherst, Omar majored in both sociology and music, all while exuding a personal warmth that made him instantly memorable on campus. Omar’s compassion and social commitment shined through in his work and studies after graduation. Following college, Omar attended Boston University’s School of Theology, where he earned his Master’s of Theological Studies in 2016. During the next year, Omar served as a youth minister with Youth With a Mission, a Christian youth ministry, supporting and leading development programs and other programs and events for children, teens and college students around the United States. Then, from 2017 through 2019, Omar continued to support students as chaplain of Boston Trinity Academy and assistant director of the academy’s Trinity Institute for Leadership and Social Justice. At Boston Trinity, Omar also taught courses within the humanities and Bible studies programs, shaping the academy’s curriculum for students in grades 7 through 12. And in 2019, Omar joined St. Paul’s School as a humanities teacher for 11th- and 12th-grade students, in just three years becoming an affecting presence at a leading school, a man St. Paul’s vice rector would seek out for prayer.
The duality of thoughtfulness and humor that defined Omar—as a friend, educator and person of deep faith—were apparent in the thoughts you shared. Below, Bernardo Rios ’13 recalls Omar’s “calm and soothing” voice and “laughter reverberated loud and clear.” Jake Samuels ’13 writes of Omar that one “left every interaction with him, no matter how brief, feeling better than before.” Roshard Bryant ’14, Daniela Fragoso ’13, John Cho, Julia Kim ’13 and Nifemi (Mabayoje) Kolayemi ’13, together sharing the news of Omar’s passing in January, wrote of their “heavy hearts” and prayers for Omar. Jeremy Simon ’13 merely wishes that “every acquaintance from college that I gave a ride to would start a multi-hour conversation about life and faith, with some McDonald’s to boot.”
I considered trying to weave portions of each of your recollections into a single, collective narrative, but it is clear that each should be printed in full. Following are the thoughts you shared.
“Omar was someone who was a net positive in the world. You left every interaction with him, no matter how brief, feeling better than before. He was an amazing listener; he could make you feel attended to in a deep, patient, considerate way, match your energy if you needed it or lift your mood with one of his warm hugs or smiles. He listened, guessed what you needed and provided, correctly and selflessly. The most signature thing about Omar for me was his laugh. It boomed but in a way that also illuminated. Jubilant, full of life, uninhibited in the joy it sought to share with all those in earshot. Omar moved through the world in the same way.”
“In July 2020, Omar approached me about speaking for one of his classes at St. Paul’s. He was teaching a course on contemporary Black literature and wanted to bring in friends to speak about their experience and understanding of Blackness. Before the class where I Zoomed in to speak to his students, Omar and I had a phone call where we caught up and talked about the focus of his course. He asked me about my experiences as a Black man and, in particular, about what Black Love meant to me. I spoke of my wife, of my parents and sister, of the Association of Black Psychologists and of other Black people in my life who have shown me love in various capacities and communities. I cried a lot during this call, reflecting on the need for love and the access to love that I’ve experienced during my life. Things I had given passing thoughts to, but scarcely delved so deeply and so personally into. Omar was with me every step of the conversation and held my vulnerability with respect and care, again matching with energy and his own narrative when needed, and using humor when appropriate. It’s been hard to accept Omar’s passing, because he was such a singular, good person. The world is worse without him. I take solace in the fact that he left his mark on everyone he knew in his too-short life and that the reverberations of his laugh and his goodness linger within us. We were truly blessed to know and love him, to be known and be loved by him.
Jake Samuels ’13
COMMENTS:
Your eyes glimmered with dreams and profound desires in our conversations at your dorm.
Your ears went beyond hearing, instead you listened with empathy.
Your voice, calm and soothing, brought peace when we prayed.
Your laughter reverberated loud and clear through Val.
Your embraces were warm and brought comfort to the soul.
Your heart, restless and beautiful, was open to receiving God’s love and transmitting it.
Your life: a gift to me and so many others.
Your presence will be missed my dear friend and hermano.
Bernardo Rios ’13
Other people knew you better, but that never mattered. I knew you well enough to know that I wished more people were like you. That every acquaintance from college that I gave a ride to would start a multi-hour conversation about life and faith, with some McDonald’s to boot. That every face I encountered on a train or in a bus terminal would smile like yours when we crossed paths. That other people could be as kind or as thoughtful as you were or that I could be as virtuous as you thought I was. I wish I’d known you better, but I knew you well enough to see how much we’ve lost. Omar, your memory will be for a blessing.
Jeremy Simon ’13
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Burwell, Lawrence Rogers 1959
Deceased July 28, 2022
View alumni profile (log in required)
Read obituary
In Memory
Larry Burwell died on July 28, 2022, after a lengthy and debilitating illness. With birthdays merely one month apart and childhood homes a mere city block away from one another, our friendship lasted for more than 80 years. Larry’s recent passing is a personal loss to me as well as to his lovely family, colleagues and patients. We played together as toddlers, and when formal education began, we both enrolled at Lucy Diggs Slowe Elementary, Benjamin Banneker Junior High and Paul Lawrence Dunbar High Schools in Washington, D.C.
At Dunbar, Larry played football and was lieutenant colonel in the Dunbar Cadet Corps. He was a leader on the Student Council and the Principal’s Advisory Council. He was also a Boy Scout in Troop #527, hosted by Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Washington., D.C.
We graduated at the top of our class from Dunbar in 1955 and were recruited actively by local Black alumni from Amherst College. Amherst was always the first choice for Larry and me. So when we, along with Bob Jason ’59, received admission letters to Amherst, we eagerly accepted spots in the class of ’59. We pledged the two local fraternities on campus at that time. Larry joined Phi Psi; Bob and I joined Kappa Theta.
Larry majored in biology and graduated cum laude. His thesis research was on fruit fly genetics with Professor Bill Hexter. Both of us were science-oriented and interested in the health professions. We spent many an hour while at Amherst in the biology library or sitting atop Memorial Hill, talking through issues and options, various pathways, personal objectives and future aspirations. Those discussions served to shape and reinforce our respective plans and decisions.
After graduation, our paths were nearly set to continue in medical studies at Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. However, my faculty interviewer at WRU encouraged me to consider applying to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, to which he was about to relocate. After visiting Michigan, I decided to enroll in their medical science program. Hence, we diverged paths at that point. He moved to Cleveland, finished the M.D. degree with honors at WRU and matched for a residency at the Cleveland Clinic. Larry chose a career practicing clinical medicine as an academician; my preference was basic biomedical scientific research, teaching and administration as a medical educator. Though approached from different perspectives, we both ended up in academic medicine.
Larry excelled academically, graduated at the top of his medical class and earned induction into the medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. His choice of specialties was internal medicine with a concentration in cardiology. For postgraduate training, he accepted a position at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., and continued his training at Mass. General Hospital in Boston. After a brief faculty appointment at the University of Rochester, Larry joined the medical staff at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. A distinguished career as an expert diagnostician of adult cardiac diseases and a pioneer practitioner of balloon angioplasty followed at UVA Medical Center.
As best man in Larry’s wedding to Ramona Scott in 1964, I continued to remain close. When his first son, Lawrence Scott Burwell ’90, was born, Larry asked me to be his godfather. However, fulfillment of that honor was impractical because of the physical distance between us and our respectively busy schedules.
Larry was a gentleman, a scholar and a devoted husband and father. Ramona’s early loss was devastating, leaving him a widower with four children. However, Larry kept his focus and devotion to his patients, his family and many interests, including photography. When Larry learned of my engagement in underwater photography, another shared interest emerged. We exchanged photographs and discussed limitations of working with still and video cameras in submerged settings.
We spoke often about attending reunions. He returned to Dunbar for our 50th and to Amherst for our 50th Reunions. Because of international research commitments, I missed both events but learned about what went on and always felt connected through Larry. We compared notes infrequently by phone and email, representing one another when not together.
In 2009, an Amherst student, Amanda Bass ’10, who was researching Dunbar High School, interviewed Larry and me to get information about the history of Dunbar. Her honors thesis was entitled “The Crimson Tide: Oral Histories of Dunbar High School.” Amanda accompanied Larry to the 50th high school reunion in 2005, a highlight for both of them.
We were invited to write a contribution about being Black at Amherst for the 50th Reunion class booklet. Since Bob Jason ’59 and Tony Creswell ’59, the other Black students in our class, had died, the task was left to Larry and me to complete. Our joint contribution to the class of ’59’s memento, “… the journey continues,” was a major joint effort that led to the creation of an article entitled “Young, Gifted and Black at Amherst College–1955-1959.” My draft of the original text got us started. Larry added several new issues, smoothed over rough spots and moderated the tone of our joint message. We steadily revised the document, improving it as we edited through email exchanges. That cooperative process resulted in a final statement that was published.
Larry attended our 50th from Amherst and joined a panel discussing the status of modern medicine. I waited until the 60th to return, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also asked to be a medical panelist, I discussed advancements in medical education and the emergence of patient-centered services since the 1950’s. At the 60th Reunion in 2019, an Amherst faculty member and dean of faculty cited our “Young, Gifted and Black” text in a report that she had prepared to compare and contrast the Black student experiences at Amherst in prior decades with the present. She referenced our description of challenges, social isolation and lack of support from the College to more recent positive experiences enjoyed by Black students. It was a surprise to hear her account. She was not aware of my presence, nor had I expected that our article would be mentioned. After the presentation, I introduced myself as one of the authors of that article. She appeared pleased to meet me.
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia. When I told Larry, his response was not to worry. He assured me that many otherwise healthy individuals receive the same diagnosis which is not clinically significant. His reassurance was a great relief, and I sincerely appreciated his reassurance.
Recently, two book chapters have been published by Amherst College Press, authored by an Amherst student, Matt Randolph ’16, a Black student from Baltimore. He has highlighted the Dunbar-Amherst connection over many years. These excellent summaries include interviews with me and other Black alumni. They are included in two publications. One is entitled Amherst in the World (2020), edited by Martha Saxton. Matt’s chapter is entitled “Remembering Dunbar: Amherst College and African American Education in Washington, D.C.” That article mentions Larry, Bob Jason ’59 and me as recruits from the Dunbar Class of ’55. The other book is authored by Nancy Pick and is entitled Eye Mind Heart: A View of Amherst College at 200 (2020). Matt’s contribution is “1903-1957, the Dunbar High School Pipeline.” Both of these publications reference the long pipeline from Dunbar to Amherst.
Larry is survived by four very accomplished adult children: Scott ’90, Steve ’93, Leigh ’03 and Lauren (Williams ’96), and their respective families. He will be missed by them and by many grandchildren, colleagues, patients and friends. However, each of us will retain fond memories of Dr. Larry Burwell’s professional intellect and dedicated work ethic, as well as his calm, gentle demeanor and his warm and caring heart. May he rest in peace.
Ray Hayes ’59
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Calloway, George Nolen 1923
According to "Remembering Dinbar" (Post Number A00041), Charles William Lewis was one of three Dunbar High School graduates to matriculate with the Amherst College Class of 1923. The other two were George Nolen Calloway and Charles Dudley Lee.
According to "Remembering Dunbar" (Post Number A00041), only Charles William Lewis graduated from Amherst College.
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Chung, Renee Marika 2005
Deceased February 17, 2023
Amherst
Post-Graduate
Community/ Professional Activities
- Invictus Prep Charter SchoolRole:Board Member
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 2005
Graduation Year
- 2007
Major(s)
- Sociology
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Trinity School
Employment Information
Former
- Associate Director of Admissions & Financial AidThe Spence SchoolStart:11/2016End:02/2023
- Director of DiversityVillage Community SchoolStart:07/2013End:11/2016
- Director of OperationsKIPP NYCStart:07/2010End:06/2013
- Recruitment CoordinatorPrep For PrepStart:07/2007End:06/2010
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Davis, Julian Raymond, Jr. 1965
Dr. Julian Raymond Davis, Jr. will be remembered as a brilliant, accomplished, kind and caring person. He was a loving husband, doting father, and devoted brother. “Ray”, as he was fondly known, will never be forgotten by those who loved and admired him. He was truly a one of a kind human being who will always remain in our hearts. Ray was born on January 20, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Lula Alberta Gomez Davis and Julian Raymond Davis, Sr. He was the grandson of Alfred Richardson, who after the Reconstruction, was elected to represent the citizen of Athens in the Georgia State House of Representatives. His maternal grandfather was Wanti Gomez, founder of the Bankers Insurance Company in Durham, North Carolina. The family moved to Washington, DC where Ray grew up and attended Smothers Elementary School. When the family moved to Lanham, Maryland, he attended Fairmont Heights High School and graduated valedictorian of his class. Ray matriculated at Amherst College and received a BA degree in History. Although he loved the humanities, he realized that he wanted to pursue a career in medicine. He was accepted at Howard University College of Medicine and graduated in 1969. Dr. Davis began his medical journey with a pediatric internship at the University of California San Francisco. He completed the resident program at Martin Luther King General Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. He earned a sub-specialty in Hematology Oncology and worked at Children’s Hospital, Oakland, California. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology. After completing his training, Dr. Davis served as a staff physician in the Department of Hematology Oncology at Children's Hospital Oakland. In 1981, he established East Oakland Pediatrics out of the need to bring quality medical care to the most underserved area in the state of California. At the time, East Oakland had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. Dr. Davis maintained a diverse practice and staff. He learned to communicate in several languages with his patients. He cared for his patients and his staff with enthusiasm and dedication for 38 years. He retired in 2018 and moved to Madison, VA. Dr. Davis loved his profession and cared deeply for the children and families that he served. He went over and beyond what was required or expected to assist his patients. He provided guidance, support and resources to his patients. Dr. Davis would personally purchase eye glasses, medicines, school supplies and other necessities for his patients when their families could not afford to do so. He rejoiced in the milestones and celebrated the accomplishments of the children under his care. He attended their graduations, weddings and other significant events. Dr. Davis’ service on boards and organizations was noteworthy. He was active in the Amherst College Alumni Association, Howard University Medical Association, National Medical Association and Sinkler Miller Medical Association. He served on the Boards of Almeda Alliance for Health and Summit Bank of Oakland. Dr. Davis earned great respect and gratitude for his professionalism and integrity. He mentored medical students and pediatric residents from the University of San Francisco. Because of his tireless commitment and dedication, many honors, accolades and awards were bestowed upon him. Dr. Davis was an avid tennis player and enjoyed the camaraderie and skills of his tennis partners and opponents at weekend matches at the Oakland Hills Tennis Club. He was a voracious reader and brilliant writer. Each evening, the family watched the TV show, Jeopardy and almost always he got the correct answers! Dr. Davis leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Dorothy Arrington Davis; daughters, Ariel Shira Davis and Lauren Arrington Davis; sister Gail VanSluytman; brothers-in-law Bernard VanSluytman, Esq., James Arrington and Dr. Sylvester Booker; sisters- in- laws, Pamela Banks and Georgia Booker; niece Ayanna VanSluytman; nephew, Jamal VanSluytman; and a host of cousins, godchildren and friends
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Du Bois, Leon Joseph 1960
in memory
Leon arrived at Amherst from his home in Rochester, N.Y. While in public high school, he had been a student at the Eastman School of Music, studying both the violin and the piano. He continued his musical interests at Amherst and was president of the Glee Club in his senior year. He and I played piano duets in the basement of James during our freshman year and became fast friends. In the late ’50s, Amherst had only a few Black students (perhaps seven), but that was never an issue. Phi Alpha Psi had almost all of them, so it was natural for Leon to join the fraternity. As a good friend, I followed him there.
After graduation, he enrolled in Princeton for a master’s degree in music. He moved from the piano to the organ and also became a composer of church music. Soon after graduation, he declared that he was gay and moved to the Bay Area. He avoided any contact with former friends. He then obtained a nursing degree and spent the remainder of his professional life as a nurse at the San Francisco Kaiser Permanente hospital.
My wife, Wendy, and I tracked him down along the Russian River at a home he shared with his longtime husband, Angelo Proserpi. He remained upbeat and cheerful. He preferred to leave his former life behind, and we never reestablished regular contact. Leon died on Feb. 22, 2023.
Michael Taylor ’60
Leon Joseph Du Bois II, age 84, passed away on February 22, 2023, in Forestville, California. He is survived by his loving husband, Angelo Proserpi. Leon is predeceased by his parents, L. Ernest and Evelyn E. Du Bois; a brother, J. Ernest Du Bois, and a sister, Carolyn Du Bois Claytor. Leon is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Ann D. and Ivin L. Smith; a cousin, Leonore Dey, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Leon will be inurned at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park, Sebastopol, California.
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Follette, Robert Amherst College Employee - Friend of Amherst College Black Alumni
Robert Follette Obituary
Music and drama were interests he pursued throughout his life. Robert enjoyed being part of productions at the Playhouse in Weston, VT. He chose to attend the New England Conservatory in Boston, but determined that he would like to have a more lucrative career. He left the Conservatory and farming behind. On a visit to Chebeague Island, Maine, he decided, on a whim, to invest in Island View, a seasonal inn. With his partner, Alexander Morton, they entertained many summer guests over 15 years. In 1964, they sold the Inn and joined the staff at Amherst College where they worked for 25 years.
Robert was a long-time resident of Belchertown, MA. During that time Robert enjoyed singing with the Hampshire Choral Society and the Pioneer Valley Chorus and Orchestra.
Robert was an outgoing, delightful, very kind, and generous person with a fine sense of humor and a hearty laugh. His many visitors in recent years are an indication of the joy he brought to so many. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Jean Willard, of North Springfield, VT, and his partner, Alexander Morton. He is survived by two nieces, two nephews, and several loyal, thoughtful friends. Robert appreciated the people who supported him throughout his life and in recent years. His family is grateful for the kindness of his closest friends and for the caring support provided by the Staff at Wingate at South Hadley in recent years.
Arrangements are in the care of the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst, MA. As Robert requested, a private memorial service will be held later at the family's discretion. Memorial donations may be made to The Weston Playhouse, ? Director of Development, Weston Playhouse, 703 Main St., Weston, VT, 05161, or at www.WestonPlayhouse.org.
Please see his obituary for more information.
We invite members of the Amherst College community to leave notes and remembrances by logging in and clicking “Add comment” below.
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Goodwin, David Menilek 1977
Deceased March 10, 2019
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Harry, George Winston 1925
Dunbar High School graduate
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Jackson, James S., Jr. 1960
Deceased January 16, 2018
in memory
Jim Jackson died more than five years ago, on Jan. 16, 2018, but no obituary has been located. Memories of him are unusually sparse, because he never contributed to our reunion books or class notes nor maintained contact with those who knew him best at Amherst.
He was Ralph Blume ’60’s classmate at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, N.Y., and an Alpha Theta Xi fraternity brother at Amherst. Ralph noted, “We seemed to be very close. I was at his wedding but subsequently lost all touch with him and was never able to find him or anything about him. I felt it as a major loss.”
Charlie Cobb ’60 remembers that Jim was “my fraternity brother and roommate, but we too lost touch. Jim’s pledging Theta Xi was the reason we were expelled from that national organization. He was a good friend, an awesome high jumper on the track team and an overall positive person, not given to intense study but a committed bridge player. I am saddened by his departure.”
Bob Glickman ’60 observed that Jim “did not participate in fraternity activities, and I suspect he was not happy at Amherst, although the entire fraternity welcomed him.”
Jim was a psychology major. Classmates may remember his herculean efforts to pass the required swimming test, which allegedly persisted until the night before graduation.
Assembled by Dick Weisfelder ’60 with help from the classmates mentioned
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1960
Graduation Year
- 1960
Major(s)
- Psychology
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Roosevelt High School
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Jones, Theodore Charles 1961
In Memory
Ted Jones died Aug. 17, 2020, in Rockville, Md. He was a member of Kappa Theta and an editor of the Olio. Art Landy ’61 recalls an incident when Ted dozed off in physics class and Professor Townes threw a piece of chalk or an eraser at Ted, who snapped awake, saying, “You got me.” Townes kept on lecturing, and Ted went on to do well in physics. After Amherst, Ted graduated with a doctorate of philosophy at the University of Washington in 1967.
Ted taught at Amherst and Mount Holyoke College from 1972 to 1979, and from 1980 to 2020 he was a biologist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Ted did his Ph.D. thesis research in the laboratory of John Gallant at the University of Washington, on a class of enzymes that remove phosphate from nucleic acids and proteins. These enzymes (called phosphatases) perform many critical functions in all life forms and are involved in many human diseases. Ted showed that phosphatase gene expression in the model organism E. coli was determined by a number of different, as yet undiscovered, genes—an insight that foreshadowed our present understanding of the complexity of gene regulation.
Ted did his postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Bill Dove ’58 at the University of Wisconsin, where he developed and characterized a method for inhibiting transcription from DNA into RNA. The drug he used (BrdUrd) was one of the earliest anti-tumor drugs, and his work generated an important new tool for molecular biology.
Ted is survived by his wife, Olga Spears Jones; daughter Emily Powell; son-in-law Terry Powell; son Steven Jones; and many stepchildren and step-grandchildren.
Ted Ells ’61 and Art Landy ’61
Theodore Jones
Obituary
Ted loved to play Bid Whist and chess from which he received an award and trophy respectively.
Ted loved to play the oboe and the guitar. He liked to watch old movies, look at You Tube videos, research science topics, watch the news, and swing dance. Theodore will be remembered as a gentle soul and a person with a kind heart.
Theodore is survived by his daughter, Emily D. Powell, Frederick, Maryland; son, Steven M. Jones, Rockville,
Maryland; son-in-law, Terry Powell, Frederick, MD; step-children, Kirsten A. Jones, Mount Laurel, NJ; Justin S. Mason, Columbia, MD; step daughter-in-law, Nichole Mason, Columbia, MD; step-grandchildren, Taylor Mason, Germantown, MD; Aliya, Lauren and Michelle Mason, Columbia, MD; Telana Jones and Myles Matthews, Mount, Laurel, NJ; sisters, Ann Chambers, Mount Laurel, NJ; Virginia Dillingham, Pittsburg, PA; Marvin Jones, Tabernacle, NJ; and a host of nieces and nephews.
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Just, Highwarden 1940
Highwarden Just (d)
Contact
Family
Personal
Highwarden Just (d)
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- Holsey InstituteEnd:08/1984
- TeacherHoward UniversityEnd:01/1969
Industry Information
Former
- Education/Academia: Higher Education
Highwarden Just (d)
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1940
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Dunbar High School
Highwarden Just (d)
Amherst
Post-Graduate
Highwarden Just (1918 - 1984)
Biography
Highwarden was born in 1918. He was the son of Ernest Just and Ethel Highwarden. He passed away in 1984.
Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.- Discover how AncientFaces works.
- Highwarden Just was born to Ernest Everett Just (1883 - 1941) and Ethel William Highwarden (1885 - 1959). His father was born in South Carolina and his mother was born in Ohio. He had two sisters: Margaret and Mirabel Just. Highwarden married and they had one daughter.
- 12/201918December 20, 1918BirthdateWashington DC, District Of Columbia United StatesBirthplaceADVERTISEMENT BYView 2 birth records
- Highwarden was Black. His father was born in South Carolina and his mother was born in Ohio.
- In 1940, Highwarden worked for Howard University.
- On his World War II draft card, Highwarden was described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall and as weighing 130 pounds. He had brown eyes, brown hair, and a "light brown" complexion. He was married and had one daughter.
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Lawrence, Derrick Andrew 1991
In Memory
Derrick Andrew Lawrence was born on Dec. 30, 1969, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and passed away Nov. 20, 2024, after battling colon cancer. He was the son of Oretha (Woodley) and Leonard Lawrence and the youngest of two children.
Derrick and I met in 1987 as freshmen at Amherst. He was cautious and reserved, adjusting to a new environment after graduating valedictorian from the Antilles School. We were roommates from sophomore to senior year, and I watched him grow into a confident, happy and trusting young man.
Derrick loved history and science and initially pursued pre-med at Amherst. After earning a history degree, he took additional science courses at Columbia and UMass, striving to become a doctor. Eventually, he shifted paths, leveraging his analytical skills in day trading, which allowed him to live in various places. He ultimately returned home to St. Thomas to care for his parents, whom he loved dearly.
After his parents’ passing, Derrick moved to Las Vegas to escape the hurricanes that had damaged his family home over the decades since his Amherst days. In 2023, he was diagnosed with cancer, which claimed his life the following year.
A man of faith, Derrick was private and contemplative, spending time studying religion, philosophy, history and finance. His hobbies included collecting baseball caps, watching sports, reading, studying the bible and investing. Though he dated, he never married and had no children.
Derrick is survived by his brother, Donald Lawrence; many cousins; and many more friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Marcus Alston ’91
Derrick Lawrence
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Lee, Charles Dudley 1923
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According to "Remembering Dinbar" (Post Number A00041), Charles William Lewis was one of three Dunbar High School graduates to matriculate with the Amherst College Class of 1923. The other two were George Nolen Calloway and Charles Dudley Lee.
According to "Remembering Dunbar" (Post Number A00041), only Charles William Lewis graduated from Amherst College.
Contact
Nickname
- Charlie
Family
Amherst Relatives
- Helen C. Lee W1923 (d)
Personal
No data available
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- DirectorProvident HospitalStart:01/1976End:08/1979
- PhysicianSelf EmployedStart:01/1950End:01/1976
- Senior PhysicianCity of Baltimore
- Staff PhysicianState of Maryland
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1923
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Dunbar High School
Higher Ed
- Howard UniversityField of Study:MedicineDegree:Doctor of MedicineYear:1928
Amherst
Fraternity
- Phi Alpha Psi Fraternity
Post-Graduate
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Mbaye, Reyane Nafi Jeni 2014
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 2014
Graduation Year
- 2014
Major(s)
- Economics
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Int'l School of Kenya
Amherst
- Charles Pratt Dormitory
- Hitchcock Dormitory
- King Hall
- Morris Pratt Dormitory
Volunteering
- PathwaysRole:MenteeStart:September 2013End:May 2014
Extracurricular Activities
- Girls Inc. of Holyoke
- Robert Frost Library Student Worker
- Whistle a Happy Tune
Post-Graduate
No data available
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- Account ManagerIpsosStart:05/2020End:05/2024
- Consumer Insights Research ManagerKasha Global, Inc.Start:05/2019End:04/2020
- Strategy & OperationsFlare Emergency ResponseStart:11/2018End:05/2019
- Senior Research ExecutiveFirefly Millward BrownStart:01/2017End:11/2018
- Research AssociateFirefly Millward BrownStart:06/2014End:01/2017
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Meriwether, Robert Henry 1905
Hartgrove, Meriwether, and Mattingly
September 2, 2020 by Mike Kelly
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Morton, Alexander Amherst College Employee
Robert Follette Obituary
Music and drama were interests he pursued throughout his life. Robert enjoyed being part of productions at the Playhouse in Weston, VT. He chose to attend the New England Conservatory in Boston, but determined that he would like to have a more lucrative career. He left the Conservatory and farming behind. On a visit to Chebeague Island, Maine, he decided, on a whim, to invest in Island View, a seasonal inn. With his partner, Alexander Morton, they entertained many summer guests over 15 years. In 1964, they sold the Inn and joined the staff at Amherst College where they worked for 25 years.
Robert was a long-time resident of Belchertown, MA. During that time Robert enjoyed singing with the Hampshire Choral Society and the Pioneer Valley Chorus and Orchestra.
Robert was an outgoing, delightful, very kind, and generous person with a fine sense of humor and a hearty laugh. His many visitors in recent years are an indication of the joy he brought to so many. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Jean Willard, of North Springfield, VT, and his partner, Alexander Morton. He is survived by two nieces, two nephews, and several loyal, thoughtful friends. Robert appreciated the people who supported him throughout his life and in recent years. His family is grateful for the kindness of his closest friends and for the caring support provided by the Staff at Wingate at South Hadley in recent years.
Arrangements are in the care of the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst, MA. As Robert requested, a private memorial service will be held later at the family's discretion. Memorial donations may be made to The Weston Playhouse, ? Director of Development, Weston Playhouse, 703 Main St., Weston, VT, 05161, or at www.WestonPlayhouse.org.
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Nnaji, Chike Bartholomew 2009
Deceased June 15, 2018
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 2009
- 2009
Graduation Year
- 2009E
- 2009E
Major(s)
- History
- History
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Cathedral High School
- Cathedral High School
Higher Ed
- University of HartfordDegree:Unknown Degree
- University of HartfordDegree:Unknown Degree
Amherst
- South Dormitory
- Wieland Hall
- Williston Dormitory
Extracurricular Activities
- Amherst College Investment Club
Post-Graduate
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Owens, Franklin, Jr. 1974
Franklin "Frank" Owens, Jr.
October 07, 2021
- Share:
Service Details
Frank Owens Jr. died Thursday October 7, 2021 from metastatic cancer after a courageous and uncomplaining battle. Frank was born January 26th, 1948 in Moberly, MO the third child to Minnie Pearl Owens and William Franklin Owens Sr.
Frank graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1966. Frank then continued his education at Amherst College in Massachusetts. He then returned to Des Moines and later received his Master’s degree in community and regional planning from Iowa State.
Frank left his home in Altoona and moved into his parent’s home in Des Moines to lovingly care for his mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. He remained in Des Moines for the remainder of his years.
Frank worked through Iowa State University as a community planner. He also worked at Bike World full and part time for 30 years. His passion for cycling led him to coach and mentor inner city youth through the Dream Team and complete several ‘Ragbrai’ bicycle rides across Iowa.
Owning and managing multiple real estate properties led to Frank being a member and past president of the Neighborhood Revitalization Board which advised the City Council and Board of Supervisors on housing improvements and neighborhood revitalization projects.
Frank's hobbies included bicycling, hunting, fishing, and riding his motorcycle. He did all things with passion and a voracious appetite to learn everything there was to know about the activity.
Through his marriage to Teresa Moklestad-Burke aka ‘Torese’, Frank became a father to Brandon Burke. Brandon quickly became Frank’s pride and joy. He proudly and lovingly called him son.
Frank was known and respected for his kindness and quiet dignity. Frank's legacy is evident in the lives and hearts he touched through mentoring and serving others. Frank leaves behind loving family, countless friends, acquaintances, and two beautiful dogs, Harry and Mister.
Frank is predeceased by his mother and father, his brother Fred, his brother William and his sister Gloria.
His spiritual faith was his source of strength throughout his cancer journey. He was a member of Cornerstone Family Church of Des Moines, Iowa and actively attended services until the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Frank is now in heaven rejoicing with Jesus.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Above and Beyond Cancer, in appreciation for the exceptional care Frank received from Dr. Deming and his team or to the Dream Team.
Donations made to Above and Beyond Cancer can be sent to:
1915 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Donations made to Dream Team Des Moines can be sent to:
2643 Beaver Ave #350, Des Moines, Iowa 50310
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Amherst
Fraternity
- Independent (no fraternity affil)
Post-Graduate
Community/ Professional Activities
- Dream TeamRole:Coach
- Dream TeamRole:Mentor
- Neighborhood Revitalization BoardRole:Member
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1974
- 1974
Graduation Year
- 1974
- 1974
Major(s)
- Black Studies; Sociology
- Black Studies; Sociology
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Roosevelt High School
- Roosevelt High School
Higher Ed
- Iowa State UniversityField of Study:Community and Regional PlanningDegree:Master of Arts
- Iowa State UniversityField of Study:Community and Regional PlanningDegree:Master of Arts
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- Economic Development SpecialistIowa State UniversityStart:01/2001End:10/2020
- SalesRoberts & Williams Carpet CtryStart:01/1996End:01/1998
- OwnerLegend CyclesStart:01/1993End:01/1996
- Sales ManagerBike WorldStart:01/1990End:10/2020
- Sales ManagerPidgeon's FurnitureStart:01/1989End:01/1996
- SchedulerRoxanne ConlinStart:01/1982End:01/1989
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Perry-Hunter, Dana Alexis 2000
In Memory
We are heartbroken to share that Dana Alexis Perry-Hunter passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023, at her home in Pottstown, Pa.
Dana was a cherished friend who built communities around her everywhere she went. She was a lifelong learner. Incredibly smart, thoughtful, philosophical and great debater, and so it was no surprise that she loved her time at Amherst. Majoring in political science, she was a passionate student of American politics, law, jurisprudence and social thought. But as much as she loved her educational pursuits, she loved her time at Amherst because of the friends she made there who became her family.
Meeting her at the beginning of freshman year was like winning the lottery. She made friends so easily. People gravitated toward her big, easy smile, quick wit and contagious laugh. But if you were one of her people, you truly were one of the luckiest people in the world. She loved her friends fiercely and made sure they always knew it. She was the first to reach out on your birthday and the first—and often only person—to remember some random anniversary or milestone. She was the type of person who reached out—often with a handwritten letter—for no other reason than because she was thinking of you.
After graduation, Dana moved to New York City for a brief stint before finding her calling in education. Dana was a beloved employee at the Hill School where she served as the associate director of Admissions. During her 22 years at Hill, she embraced countless other responsibilities including serving as an adviser and dorm parent. Over the past two decades, she admitted and mentored hundreds of students, her reach extending far beyond the campus.
Dana always acted in service of others, both personally and professionally. Having struggled with Multiple Sclerosis for more than 20 years, she was particularly sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities and actively supported a number of organizations focused on seeking cures and expanding accessibility. She was also a huge animal lover and gave to organizations dedicated to helping animals in need. She lived her life knowing that it was a precious gift, never taking one day for granted. When she was diagnosed with MS at such a young age—a time when all of us were just figuring out our way post-college—she never dwelled on it. She never felt sorry for herself. And she never, never let it define her. And while MS may have robbed her of some of her physical abilities, it never dimmed her light.
She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
Karen Silberg Richman ’00
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Obituary
Dana Alexis Perry-Hunter passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023 at her home in Pottstown, PA. Dana was a loving daughter, a supportive sister, a fun aunt, advisor, and best friend.
Dana was a beloved employee at the Hill School for 22 years where she served as the Associate Director of Admissions. She embraced countless other responsibilities during her time there acting as an adviser, dorm parent, and sixth form adviser, as well, to name a few. Over the past two decades she admitted and mentored hundreds of students, her reach extending far beyond the campus. Prior to her time at Hill she served as an account coordinator at Schneider/Shapiro Communications, a renowned boutique public relations firm in New York City. She graduated cum laude from Amherst College in 2000 majoring in political science.
Dana was a lifelong learner, who always won at trivia and any games of knowledge she played. From a child she was precocious about her environment, and had a photographic memory which allowed her to recall every detail of an encounter or words to music whether it was written in the 1950s or 2000s. Her love of music led her to compile an extensive music collection from which her little sister would often borrow. She often lamented that she wasn’t old enough to be a contestant on the show “Name That Tune.” Family and friends maintain that she could have been a Jeopardy champion. Dana had infinite knowledge and curiosity across multiple subjects and disciplines. She was an avid reader and could engage with you about any subject. She was fluent in Spanish and had facility in several other languages. Her mind was simply masterful.
Dana loved sports both as a spectator and participant. She watched baseball with her grandfather (Poppy), attended basketball games with her father, and was a diehard Eagles fan. She loved physical activities from sailing and riding horses competitively as a teenager to the High School cheerleading squad, playing rugby in college.
She was an incredibly giving individual always in service of others both at work and outside. Having struggled with Multiple Sclerosis for over 20 years, she was particularly sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities and actively supported a number of organizations focused on seeking cures and expanding accessibility. She often envisioned her life after the Hill School as being a consultant to boarding schools and organizations to make their buildings more accessible beyond the minimal ADA regulations. Dana was also a huge animal lover and gave to organizations dedicated to helping animals in need. She is predeceased by her dog Veruca Salt (Vivi) and survived by her second fur baby Rosa Barks.
Dana was a cherished friend by so many and built communities of friends wherever she went. Her special way of lighting up a room with her smile, quick wit, and comedic timing was contagious and has been noted by many. She loved people and was energized by their possibilities making her a perfect fit for academia and the Hill School. She once got to 22 cities in Europe in 31 days and returned with a cadre of friends across the globe. Dana had many friends in Baltimore County Maryland where she attended elementary, middle, and the first two years of high school before moving to Pennsylvania and Great Valley High School where she would graduate. Dana was active at her church, Covenant Presbyterian in Malvern, PA, participating in youth groups and retreats. She leaves many friends in both areas. She is survived by her partner Steven Corteal, her parents John and Dolores, her sister Briana, her brother Marcus, and his spouse Jennifer and their three children Christopher, Ava, and Nicholas, her sweet dog Rosa Barks, and countless uncles, aunts, cousins, and family members. She is predeceased by Otis Perry. Dana will be missed tremendously, and we know that she will be keeping everyone in stitches in Heaven with her grandfathers, grandmothers, and family. In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an organization that was very important to Dana, are greatly appreciated.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Dana’s visitation on Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 11am-1pm at The Hill School's Center for the Arts 766 Beech Street Pottstown, PA 19464, followed by her Life Celebration Service at 1pm. To view Dana's Life Celebration Service at 1pm, please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k84vz3c10E
Interment will take place at 4pm at Philadelphia Memorial Park, Frazer, PA
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Amherst
- Crossett Dormitory
- Hitchcock Dormitory
- James Dormitory
Volunteering
- Alumni FundRole:Associate AgentStart:October 2019End:September 2020
- PathwaysRole:MentorStart:June 2013End:January 2019
- Class OfficerRole:Reunion Attendance CommitteeStart:November 2009End:July 2010
- Alumni FundRole:Associate AgentStart:April 2002End:June 2010
Extracurricular Activities
- Amherst Women's Rugby Football Club
- Social Council
- Sports Amherst
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 2000
- 2000
Graduation Year
- 2000
- 2000
Major(s)
- Political Science
- Political Science
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Great Valley High School
- Great Valley High School
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- Associate Director of AdmissionThe Hill SchoolStart:10/2001End:08/2023
- Schneider Integrated CommunicationsStart:01/2000End:10/2001
Industry Information
Current
- Education/Academia: Admissions
- K-12 Education: Private Secondary
Former
- Communications
Career History
- After graduation I took a job in a small PR firm in New York City. The firm is now defunct, and after six months I decided it was not for me. I then started looking for jobs in education and was hired at my current job and have been there for the past three years.
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Risher, Harry Greene 1934
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Harry Greene Risher's Timeline
| 1911 | October 1911 | Jackson, Mississippi, United States | |
| 1983 | June 1983 Age 71 | Rockville, Maryland, United States | |
| ???? | Whitelaw Hotel, Washington, District of Columbia, United States |
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Harry Greene Risher | |
| Birthdate: | |
| Birthplace: | Jackson, Mississippi, United States |
| Death: | June 1983 (71) Rockville, Maryland, United States |
| Immediate Family: | Son of John T. Risher and Annie Louise Risher |
|---|---|
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The Whitelaw Hotel is a historic structure located in the U Street Corridor (a.k.a. Cardozo/Shaw) in Northwest Washington, D.C. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
History
[edit]The Whitelaw was built in 1919 as an upscale apartment hotel during the segregation era. The building was designed by architect Isaiah T. Hatton, who was one of the nation's first African American architects. Hatton designed the hotel using a classical Italian Renaissance Revival architectural style. Construction costs totaled $158,000.[3] It was named for the mother of its builder, entrepreneur John Whitelaw Lewis who also founded Industrial Savings Bank.[4]
It was completely financed and built by African American entrepreneurs, investors, designers, and craftsmen as a place of meeting and public accommodation for prominent African Americans during segregation.[5] The hotel was listed in Victor Green's Green Book, a guide for African American travelers. Entertainers, such as Cab Calloway, who performed on U Street stayed at the Whitelaw as well as other African Americans who came to Washington for meetings of national black organizations and could not stay in the city's other hotels. Its large public spaces allowed the Whitelaw to become an important social center.
The end of legal Segregation in the United States and the rise in drugs in the neighborhood led to the decline of the Whitelaw. It was closed by the city in 1977 and was slated for demolition. Manna, Inc bought the building in 1991 and used historic tax credits to renovate it into low- and moderate-income housing.[3] It re-opened in 1992.
References
[edit]- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Trieschmann, Laura V.; Sellin, Anne; Callcott, Stephen (November 1998), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Greater U Street Historic District (PDF), retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ a b "Whitelaw Hotel, Washington, DC". National Park Service. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
- ^ "Whitelaw Hotel, African American Heritage Trail". Cultural Tourism DC. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
- ^ "Whitelaw Hotel". District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites. DC Preservation. Archived from the original on 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
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E. J. Korvette, also known as Korvette’s, was an American chain of discount department stores, founded in 1948 in New York City. It was one of the first department stores to challenge the suggested retail price provisions of anti-discounting statutes.[1] Founded by World War II veteran Eugene Ferkauf and his friend, Joe Zwillenberg, E. J. Korvette did much to define the idea of a discount department store. It displaced earlier five and dime retailers and preceded later discount stores, like Walmart, and warehouse clubs such as Costco.[1]
The company failed to properly manage its business success, which led to decline and its 1980 bankruptcy and closure.[2]
Innovations
[edit]E.J. Korvette's founder, Eugene Ferkauf, began his discounting career in a 400-square-foot (37 m2) loft in mid-Manhattan, New York City. Inventory consisted of well-known brands of luggage, household appliances, and some jewelry. Discounts were one-third off regular prices. Sales were more than $2,500 per square foot. Ferkauf retired in 1968.[3]
The company used several retailing innovations to propel its rapid growth. It used discounting, even though most discounting was known to be outlawed at the time.[1] Korvette's instituted a membership program, a technique from consumers' cooperatives that had never been applied to a department store before. It also expanded into suburban locations at a time when most department stores were in central business districts.
The record and audio division became an important part of the profits of Korvette's. In 1964, record sales reached $20,000,000 with David Rothfeld, merchandise manager for records, books and audio equipment described "as hard-hitting as the rest of the young driving force behind Korvette, right up to the company's 37-year-old President, Jack Schwadron".[4][5]
Discounting and membership program
[edit]_04_-_Herald_Center.jpg)
Korvette's low-price, low-service model was in some ways similar to that of earlier five and dime retailers such as Woolworth's, McCrory's, and S.S. Kresge. But Korvette's was innovative in avoiding the anti-discounting provisions of the Robinson-Patman Act, and undercutting the suggested retail price on such expensive items as appliances and luxury pens.
Korvette used "membership cards" (which it distributed in front of its stores and to surrounding offices) to style itself as a retail cooperative. In doing so, Korvette's was able to accept deep discounts from suppliers, something that competing department stores, such as Macy's and Gimbels, could not do. In fact, Macy's and others filed numerous "fair trade" lawsuits against Korvette's to stop it from undercutting their prices.[1] None succeeded. The lawsuits helped Korvette's by calling attention to prices so low that competitors thought them illegal.
Founder Eugene Ferkauf attributed his idea for membership cards and deep discounts to luggage wholesaler Chas. W. Wolf.[1] But where Chas. W. Wolf made limited or even surreptitious use of these devices, Korvette's popularized them by instructing employees to distribute membership cards to any person entering any Korvette's.
Strip malls and the suburbs
[edit]While the first E.J. Korvette store was located between Third and Lexington Avenues on 45th Street in Manhattan, its rapid growth in the 1950s was helped by its many stores in strip malls along arterial roads leading out of urban centers. This made E.J. Korvette ideally situated to meet the demands of the suburbs, which grew in the United States during that era.
The first of the modern-type stores was opened in 1954, a 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m2) store in Carle Place on Long Island, which for the first time carried apparel. In 1956, Korvette's had six stores, including stores in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. By 1958, it had 12 stores. At its peak, it had 58 stores.[1]
A Korvette retail floor had cashiers located in individual departments, without a central checkout area. Large stores included a full supermarket, pharmacy, pet store, and tire center.
Korvette's opened a new flagship store, their 45th location, in November 1967. The store was located in the former Saks-34th Street store, on Herald Square, which closed in 1965 and was renovated at a cost of $1.5 million.[6]
Korvette's expanded into the Chicago, Northern Virginia, Detroit, Baltimore, and St. Louis areas in the 1960s. It successfully disputed the state and local Sunday closing ordinances and laws after a December 20, 1976 internal financial feasibility study created by this contributor, then an employee. [A copy of that study is still extant in paper form which is available for review, independent confirmation, and study.] Once those barriers were broken, many other retailers opened on Sunday.[7]
Decline and closure
[edit]Korvette's decline and closure are variously attributed to inconsistent management,[8] failure to focus on merchandise it knew (such as appliances), and ultimately attempting to compete directly with the department stores in areas such as fashion, despite having neither the expertise nor the right store atmosphere for that.[2]
In February 1961, Eugene Ferkauf brought Jack Schwadron in from Alexander's Department Stores as general merchandise manager of ready-to-wear. Schwadron was elected vice president and named president of Korvette's in 1964.[9]
Upon becoming president of Korvette, Schwadron is quoted saying: "When we went first to Detroit, people thought you spelled our name with a 'C' and we were something you drive. But after 90 days, our customers—and our competitors—knew exactly who we were" and "Our profitability has been hampered by the rapidity with which we have opened new stores...But we have finally been able to build the kind of base from which we can develop profitably into a nationwide company."[10]
Of note was E. J. Korvette's venture into the home entertainment business. The retailer established a rather out-of-context[clarification needed] series of high-end audio salons within selected stores. Korvettes went so far as to market its own "XAM" brand of stereo receivers, amplifiers (some manufactured by Harman Kardon and Roland), television sets, and speakers. (XAM was rumored to be a tribute to the owner's deceased dog, Max.)
In June 1965, Schwadron resigned over policy differences, including opposing philosophies on merchandising, methods of advertising and public relations, among others.[11]
In late 1965, Korvette's formed its own home furnishings division and ceased subcontracting furniture and carpet sales. A complex warehousing and distribution network was established. A central distribution warehouse was established in Danville, Virginia. This location received furniture, purchased by its buyers located in East Paterson, New Jersey, and in turn reshipped individual customer orders based on promised delivery dates. The sold merchandise was then shipped to delivery warehouses in East Paterson and Pennsauken, New Jersey, and Jessup, Maryland, for final preparation and delivery. The furniture distribution group was active until it closed at the end of 1977.
By 1966, Korvette's had begun to decline and chose to merge with Spartan Industries, a soft goods retailer. Eugene Ferkauf was eased out of the company leadership, and Spartan managers attempted to revive the company.
From 1971 to 1979, Korvette's was owned by Arlen Realty and Development Corporation, a land development company that used Korvette's fifty stores as a source of cash flow. During this period, New York area Korvette's stores advertised heavily on local television, using game show host Bill Cullen as a spokesman.
In 1979, Korvette's was purchased by the Agache-Willot Group of France,[12] which initially closed Korvette's least profitable stores and began selling off merchandise, fixtures, equipment, and real estate. In 1980, they declared bankruptcy, and on December 24, 1980, they closed all[12] seventeen remaining stores.[13][14]
Name origins
[edit]According to Korvette's founder, Eugene Ferkauf, who died on June 5, 2012, the name "E. J. Korvette" was coined as a combination of the initials of its founders (Eugene and Joe) and a re-spelling of the naval term corvette, a nimble sailing warship and later World War II sub-destroyer. The company's founding in 1948 (two years before the Korean War) disproves the urban legend that the name was an acronym for "Eight (or Eleven) Jewish Korean War Veterans".[15] Founders Ferkauf and Zwillenberg, however, were Jewish.[16]
Korvette name in Canada
[edit]In the absence of the U.S. Korvette chain in Canada, a discount store chain was launched in Quebec in 1958 using the name "Korvette Stores Limited" (now "Les Magasins Korvette Ltée") without any affiliation to the American company. The chain still exists today and operates 71 discount stores as of May 2015.[17][18]
See also
[edit]- Metric Hosiery Company, a company that went out of business due to Korvette
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Trumbore, Brian. "Discount Retailers". Buy and Hold. Freedom Investments. Archived from the original on November 11, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2006.
- ^ a b "When Giants Stumble". HBS Working Knowledge. Harvard Business School. October 12, 1999.
- ^ Discount Merchandiser, July 1988
- ^ "Korvette Registers for New Share Sale" (PDF). Billboard. August 24, 1963. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- ^ Barmash, Isadore (2003). The Self-Made Man: Success and Stress-American Style. Beard Books. ISBN 978-1-58798-158-6.
- ^ "Retailing: Discounter on 34th Street". Time. 10 November 1967.
- ^ Rose, Bob. "Oct. 29, 1964: Korvettes stores open with great fanfare. They were supposed to change the way we shop". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
- ^ "General Merchandise Retailing in America". The American National Business Hall of Fame. 1985. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17.
- ^ "Korvette President Outlines His Plans To Raise Earnings (Published 1964)". The New York Times. 1964-08-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ "Korvette President Outlines His Plans To Raise Earnings (Published 1964)". The New York Times. 1964-08-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ "President of Korvette's May Resign Today; Schwadron to Leave Over Policy, Wall St. Sources Say Ferkauf Would Take More Active Part in the Business". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ a b Barmash, Isadore (July 15, 1982). "Herald Sq. Korvettes Store to be a Mall". The New York Times.
- ^ "Korvettes Closes Its Last 17 Stores". The New York Times. December 30, 1980. p. D3. ProQuest 121244356.
Korvettes Inc. has closed its 17 remaining department stores, a company spokesman said. The chain, which operated 50 stores a year ago and which pared its staff to less than 3,000 from 11,000, shut down its remaining outlet on Christmas Eve.
- ^ "Korvettes Closes Last 17 Stores". WWD. Vol. 141, no. 126. December 31, 1980. p. 2. ProQuest 1445523901.
Korvettes, Inc., closed its remaining 17 stores last Wednesday [December 24, 1980].
- ^ Mikkelson, Barbara (22 September 2013). "Claim: The discount chain E.J. Korvette took its name from a shortening of "Eight Jewish Korean (War) Veterans", the founding partners. Status: False". Snopes.com. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
- ^ Jason Maoz (August 27, 1999). "Merchant Princes: Jews and the Great Retail Emporiums". The Jewish Press.
- ^ "History of Korvette Discount Stores". Les Magasins Korvette ltée.
- ^ Lacroix, Sébastien (22 May 2015). "Un investissement majeur au centre-ville". Le Courrier Sud.
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Harry G. Risher (d)
Contact
Family
Amherst Relatives
- Helen S. Risher W'34
Personal
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Harry G. Risher (d)
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- ManagerKorvettsEnd:01/1983
Industry Information
Former
- Fashion/Beauty/Cosmetics: Clothing
- Retail/Merchandising
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Harry G. Risher (d)
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1934
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Dunbar High School
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Harry G. Risher (d)
Amherst
Athletics
- Men's Cross Country
Post-Graduate
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Stover, Gerald Wayne 1975
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Gerald Wayne Stover (71), of Arlington, Virginia, passed away at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. He died on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
Gerald, affectionately known as "Gerry" was born in Riverside, CA on Sunday, May 10, 1953 -- Mother's Day. He was the first born to Air Force Sergeant and Airman Sammie Louis and his wife Shirley Lorraine (Owens) Stover, both deceased. Although born in California, Gerry spent his childhood and young adult life in Springfield, MA where he attended public schools. A student of the cass of 1971, Gerry graduated from Classical Senior High School. After graduating, Gerry went to Amherst College where he earned a BA degree in Psychology & Dramatic Arts.
In a twist of decision making, Gerry decided to enlist in the Navy where he was initially stationed in Puerto Rico, but his assignments took him around the world. Six years later, he was honorably discharged and eventually landed in San Francisco, CA where he lived for a decade.
Fearing the global warning and earthquake effects escalating in San Francisco, Gerry moved East, he relocated and settled in Washington, DC for a brief time. He ultimately moved to Arlington, VA where he remained until his death.
Gerry's career entailed working at John Hopkins University SAIS where he was the Sr. Director of Human Resources. He then accepted a position of SRA (a CSRA Company), where he was the Executive Director of Operations. In his last position at GWS Human Resources Consultation, Gerry was a Sr. HR Specialist and Relocation Consultant. Along the way, Gerry met so many people who became life-long friends.
In retirement, Gerry loved to entertain and was an avid traveler - both INCONUS and abroad. Accompnying him was his life partner Michael Gray whom he shared a home with his life partner Michael Gray whom he shared a home with in Arlington, VA for oveer 10 years. Michael preceded Gerry in death in November 2022.
At Gerry's request, there will be no memorial services. Gerry will be cremated, and his ashes will be scattered, (along with Michael's) over Rehoboth Beach in DE.
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Amherst
Fraternity
- Phi Delta Sigma Fraternity
- Phi Delta Sigma Fraternity
Extracurricular Activities
- Masquers
- Masquers
Post-Graduate
No data available
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1975
Graduation Year
- 1975
Major(s)
- Dramatic Arts
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Springfield Central High School
Higher Ed
- Georgetown UniversityDegree:Doctor of JurisprudenceYear:1988
- San Francisco State UniversityDegree:Master of Bus AdminYear:1980
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- Founding PartnerGws & Associates-Human Resources ConsultantsStart:06/2016End:01/2019
- Executive Director, Hr & OperationsUstelecom AssociationStart:01/2008End:09/2008
- Dir-Human ResJohns Hopkins UniversityStart:01/1994End:06/2016
- Sr Manag PartnrThe Environmental Consortium for Minority OutreachStart:01/1991End:01/1994
- Ex DirectorHuman Environment CenterStart:01/1989End:01/1991
- DirectorTrust for Public LandStart:01/1986End:01/1989
- Regional MgrCemco, Ltd.Start:01/1983End:01/1986
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Vendryes, Margaret Rose 1984
Deceased March 29, 2022
View alumni profile (log in required)
In Memory
Margaret Rose (Cohen) Vendryes joined the class of 1984 as a burgeoning art historian and mother of two. Just seven years older than many classmates, she was fully formed through an intense humanism that cohered her acute eye, life experience, personal bearing and kindness. We were drawn to Margaret for her profound wisdom and friendship. She credited her academic work at Amherst with propelling her professionally. Margaret was a prescient scholar, even as an undergraduate. Her senior thesis was on 20th-century African American painter Archibald John Motley Jr., whose work first entered the Museum of Modern Art collection in 2021. In 1997, Margaret became the first Black Ph.D. in Princeton’s 115-year-old Department of Art and Archaeology.
Margaret lectured and taught at Amherst, Boston University, Princeton and Wellesley. She chaired the Department of Performing and Fine Arts at CUNY’s York College and was, at her death, poised to become dean of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts. As an artist, Margaret began a multimedia and multiyear project, the African Diva Series, in 2005.
Since spring 2020, 12 women from our class have gathered regularly on Zoom. It began as a check-in during the pandemic’s worst days and evolved into a joyful gathering of friends. We forged a renewed sisterhood, reflected on our hopeful and perilous world, and shared memories of Amherst. Margaret was a beautiful member of this group. Some of us got to know her during this time, while the authors below knew her well since college.
Though shocked and heartbroken to learn of her death on March 29, 2022, we are deeply grateful to have had the privilege to reconnect with Margaret over these last two years. We express our deepest sympathies to her sons, Damian and Erick Cohen, and her wife, Jacqueline Herranz Brooks.
Brooke Kamin Rapaport ’84 and the Rev. Marie Tatro ’84
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Amherst
Fraternity
- Independent (no fraternity affil)
Post-Graduate
Publications/ Creative Works
- Margaret has a show coming up at Calabar Gallery in Harlem that opens on May 29th, 2021 The show will be on view there for one month. Her painting "Guro Ntozake" has been traveling with the exhibition "i found god in myself", a 40th-anniversary celebration of Ntozake Shange's for colored girls., and can be viewed at the City Without Walls Gallery in Newark, N.J., Oct. 12 through Nov. 12. 11/3/2017
- "33 1/3 Pushing the Needle: Selections from the African Diva Project"
- Featured in an article in Artwork Archive
- Author - 'The Art of Ellis Wilson' 2008 Co-Author - 'Barthe: A Life in Sculpture'
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1984
Graduation Year
- 1984
Major(s)
- Fine Arts
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Andrew Jackson High School
Higher Ed
- Princeton UniversityField of Study:Art HistoryDegree:Doctor of PhilosophyYear:1999
- Tulane UniversityField of Study:Art HistoryDegree:Master of ArtsYear:1899
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- Curator and DirectorYork College Art GalleryStart:05/2021End:03/2022
- Chair, Department of Performing & Fine ArtsCUNY: York CollegeStart:05/2021End:03/2022
- ProfessorCUNY: York CollegeStart:11/2013End:03/2022
- Artist/Historian/CuratorSelf EmployedStart:02/2009End:04/2022
- Associate ProfessorCUNY: College of Staten IslandStart:09/2002End:11/2007
- Assistant ProfessorPrinceton UniversityStart:01/2000End:09/2002
- Ind. ScholarSelf EmployedStart:01/2000End:02/2009
- Visit Asst ProfAmherst CollegeStart:07/1999End:06/2000
- Asst ArchivistTulane UniversityStart:01/1991End:01/1992
Margaret R. Vendryes (d)
Contact
Amherst Name
- Margaret Rose Cohen
Family
Amherst Relatives
Personal
About Me
- You can remove a girl from the island, but the island remains within. I was born in Kingston, Jamaica to ambitious parents for whom life in the United States of America was worth everything. My mother was fast on a manual typewriter; my father fell into the lower ranks of food manufacturing. They bought a house, and made a home, in Queens, NYC. Shortly before grade school, I entered the U.S.A. with a green card that was my lifeline to Jamaica until they took the green card away when I became an American citizen. By 1965, our family had grown to nine members. I am the third child of seven, one of six daughters; the product of a Roman Catholic education peppered with short episodes of NYC public school when tuition couldn�t be made. All of my siblings are awesomely talented. While attending Amherst College, I completed a few studio courses where I began working with color, which I continue to find so seductive and pregnant with artifice. I had a family by then and turned to art history to remain connected to art makers while making a living. Artists don�t often make a decent living making art at least not the brown-skinned female kind. Details of my professional persona are recorded here on my CV. I hold a doctorate in art history and have taught facets of it for over a decade. I know that my relationship with making �art� appears to fall quite neatly into those written about since at least Vasari. I began drawing as a child copying mostly figures and faces from magazines. My sisters can attest to how fabulous my homemade paper dolls were. I was neither encouraged nor discouraged to take my art seriously. At the beginning of my college career, I was a theater major� costume design. That learning period, although short-lived, resonates in my current work. Over the years, I never stopped painting and accumulating �stuff� to use in statements about the human condition from where I stand. Popular culture and private memories combine, at times unconsciously, to inform my work. The growth of my ongoing practice was literally weighed with every location change I have made in my adult life� twenty-five of them to date. It may sound wrong, but I am not a nomad. In 2007, I began to make use of not only the stuff, but also the energy that drove me to acquire and keep it.
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Margaret Rose Vendryes (March 16, 1955 – March 29, 2022) was a visual artist, curator, and art historian based in New York.[1][2][3][4]
Early life and education
[edit]Vendryes was born on March 16, 1955, in Kingston, Jamaica.[5] She began her studies in costume design before moving to fine art and earning a Bachelor's degree at Amherst College, graduating in 1984.[6] She went on to earn her MA in Art History in 1992 from Tulane University and her PhD from Princeton University in 1997 where she focused on African American art history and was the first Black woman to earn a PhD in art history from Princeton.[5][7][8][9]
Career
[edit]Vendryes served as Chair of the Department of Performing and Fine Arts and Director of the Fine Arts Gallery at York College in New York where she began working in 2000.[1][10] She was set to assume the role of Dean of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University in Boston in June 2022.[11]
From 2000 to 2001 she worked as visiting lecturer for Art & Archaeology and African American Studies at Princeton University. She also worked as associate professor for Modern American and Contemporary Art at City University of New York from 2002 till 2007.[12]
She warned against what she calls "the race-centered approach" to interpreting artwork, the practice of reading the influence of an artist's race into their artwork, as she believed it could limit the interpretation and context of the work and minimize the assessment of their impact on the larger art movements.[13]
In 2009 Vendryes worked as lecturer for African Art at Boston University in Massachusetts.[12]
In 2010 she curated an exhibition at the new Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art called, Richmond Barthé: The Seeker.[14] She compared Barthe's work Blackberry Woman to Wallace Thurman's novel The Blacker The Berry... A Novel of Negro Life in her thesis dissertation and wrote about Barthe's work further in her 2008 book about his sculpture.[8][15][16] That same year she curated an exhibition titled Beyond the Blues at New Orleans Museum of Art.[17]
From 2011 to 2013 she was a lecturer for African & African American Art at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.[12]
In 2013 Vendryes returned as Distinguished Lecturer in Fine Arts and Director of the York College Fine Arts Gallery at York College, CUNY.[18]
In 2015 she gave the opening lecture for The Visual Blues, an exhibition with work from the Harlem Renaissance at the Jepson Center for the Arts.[7]
Artwork
[edit]In 2005 Vendryes began a series of multi-media works within her The African Diva Project, with oil and cold wax on canvas, and more recently, embedded African masks. The series began with a portrait of Donna Summer inspired by her Four Seasons of Love album cover. The imagery juxtaposes and combines portraits of Western pop culture icons with traditional African masks. Because these masks are traditionally worn only by men, she has noted her exploration of power, race, gender and beauty through these works.[9] The project has included many Black American women icons including Aretha Franklin, Grace Jones, and Whitney Houston.[4]
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture commissioned an artwork in 2014 from Vendryes for an exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf called, My spirit is too ancient to understand the separation of soul & gender - Guro Ntozake. The exhibition, titled i found god in myself: the 40 anniversary of Ntozake Shange's for colored girls... and curated by Peter "Souleo" Wright, traveled to African American Museum in Philadelphia in 2016 and City Without Walls (cWOW) gallery in 2017 in Newark, New Jersey. The exhibition also featured artists Renée Cox, Carrie Mae Weems, Deborah Willis, Saya Woolfalk, Michael Paul Britto, Pamela Council and Dianne Smith among others.[2][19][20][21][22][23]
Death and legacy
[edit]Vendryes was a longtime board member of the Leslie Lohman Museum.[24] Vendryes' death, on March 29, 2022, due to respiratory failure, was announced by the Southeast Queens Artists' Alliance.[25][5]
Childs Gallery in Boston, with whom she had a long history, hosted a memorial exhibit in Vendryes' honor from November 2022-January 2023.[26]
Bibliography
[edit]- Vendryes, Margaret Rose; Barnett, Lauren; Lawson, R. A.; Lowe, John (2014). The Visual Blues. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: LSU Museum of Art. ISBN 9780615878300.
- Vendryes, Margaret Rose (2008). Barthé, A Life in Sculpture. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1604730920.
- Vendryes, Margaret Rose; Paschall, W. Douglass; Moore, Lewis Tanner; Holton, Curlee Raven (2008). In Search of Missing Masters: The Lewis Tanner Moore Collection of African American Art. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Woodmere Art Museum. ISBN 978-1888008227.
- Vendryes, Margaret Rose; Rosenblum, Robert; Hill Stoner, Joyce (2006). Factory Work: Warhol, Wyeth and Basquiat. Rockland, ME: Farnsworth. ISBN 0918749212.
- Sperath, Albert F.; Vendryes, Margaret R.; Jones, Steven H.; King, Eva F. (2000). The Art of Ellis Wilson. Lexington, KE: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813160474.
- Willis, Deborah; Vendryes, Margaret Rose (2001). The Artist Portrait Series: Images of Contemporary African American Artist. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press. ISBN 0809323796.
- Fossett, Judith Jackson (1997). Race Consciousness: Reinterpretations for the New Century. New York City: NYU Press. pp. Chapter 9. ASIN B00EIFPFE4.
- Vendryes, Margaret Rose (1997). Expression and Repression of Identity: Race, Religion, and Sexuality in the Art of American Sculptor Richmond Barthé. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Kahn, Eve M. (2016-05-26). "A Sculptor of Black Heroes Leaves a Legacy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ a b "40 Years of 'for colored girls…': Loving Ntozake Shange Fiercely • EBONY". EBONY. 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ "Vendryes, Margaret Rose (1955-) | Amistad Research Center". amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ a b "African Diva Project By Margaret Rose Vendryes". AFRONOIRE. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ a b c "Remembering Margaret Rose Vendryes, Creator of the African Diva Project". 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
- ^ Campbell, Mavis Christine (1999). Black Women of Amherst College. Amherst College Press. ISBN 9780943184067.
- ^ a b Flotte, Lauren. "'Visual Blues' and the Harlem Renaissance at the Jepson". Connect Savannah. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ a b Schulman, Daniel; Museum, Spertus; Museum, Allentown Art; Museum, Montclair Art (2009-02-05). A Force for Change: African American Art and the Julius Rosenwald Fund. Northwestern University Press. ISBN 9780810125889.
- ^ a b "'Margaret Rose Vendryes: The African Diva Project' on exhibit at Childs Gallery". ArtfixDaily. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Carrigan, Margaret (2018-03-19). "Why Southeast Queens Is Primed to Be NYC's Next Creative Hub". Observer. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Flaherty, Julie (25 January 2022). "As Dean of SMFA at Tufts, Margaret Vendryes Will Build on a Legacy". Tufts Now. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "MARGARET ROSE VENDRYES" (PDF). Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ Davis, John; Greenhill, Jennifer A.; LaFountain, Jason D. (2015-01-30). A Companion to American Art. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781118542491.
- ^ Harrison, Thomas B.; Press-Register (20 June 2010). "Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art: fit for a 'Mad Potter'". AL.com. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Chiusano, Mark (26 November 2018). "A historic work of art is crumbling in a NYCHA complex". am New York. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Green, Bernice Elizabeth. "Our Time at Home: My Journey with Artist … Richmond Barthe". Retrieved 2018-12-09.
- ^ "Beyond the Blues". New Orleans Museum of Art. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ "Vendryes, Margaret — York College / CUNY". www.york.cuny.edu. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- ^ Lee, Felicia R. (2014-09-08). "ArtsBeat: Schomburg Center Plans Exhibition on 'For Colored Girls'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Sargent, Antwaun (2016-10-19). "Broadway Play 'For Colored Girls' Inspires New Works from 20 Artists". Creators. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Taylor, Andaiye. "Dr. Ntozake Shange's seminal work gets a gallery's worth of consideration in new exhibit". brickcitylive.com. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ Wright, Peter "Souleo" (2014-09-02). "On the "A" w/Souleo: Groundbreaking Choreo-poem for colored girls... Turns 40". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ MITTER, SIDDHARTHA (11 October 2017). "An Art Scene Grows in Newark | Village Voice". www.villagevoice.com. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- ^ @LeslieLohman (April 4, 2022). "We are heartbroken by the passing of our beloved friend and long standing Board member and Vice Chair of The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art Board of Trustees, Margaret Rose Vendryes, Ph.D" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "SE Queens Artists Alliance". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ "Legendary Diva: Margaret Rose Vendryes Memorial Exhibition". Artsy. Retrieved 2022-11-27.
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Venezia, Morgan Ashly 2015
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Morgan Ashly Venezia
PhotoMorgan's obituary
Morgan Ashly Venezia (née Brown), “Mo” to many, passed away on 4 May, 2022, after a years-long battle with depression and anxiety.
Born on 27 June, 1993, to Amber Russell and Micheal Brown in Santa Monica California, Morgan spent her childhood living in California with her mother. She graduated from Pacific Grove High School in 2011 and in 2015 earned a dual-bachelors degree from Amherst College, both in Theatre & Dance and Psychology.
On 19 December 2015, Morgan married Anthony Venezia, forever forcing her to spell her name out when making phone calls. Morgan was working at Starbucks at the time, and Anthony was a regular customer. She would take extra special care with his orders and deliver them to his table while he studied, and their love took off like a whirlwind.
Morgan and Anthony had two daughters, Zuri Annette and Lucy James, born in 2019 and 2020. The girls were born in South Korea, while Morgan and Anthony were stationed there. As with any Army family, Morgan and Anthony lived in: Fort Campbell, Tennessee; Daegu, South Korea; and San Antonio, Texas; in addition to small stints in-between in Los Angeles, California and Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Morgan is survived by her parents, Amber and Rob Kerchner, her husband Anthony, and her daughters Zuri and Lucy.
A private celebration of life will take place, in one of the places in which she was the most happy, where the people who loved her most can share how Morgan touched their lives. In lieu of flowers, which Morgan always said ‘just die anyway and are a waste of money,’ she would have preferred books presented to Zuri and Lucy or a donation to their college fund.
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Many of us met Morgan by first seeing her brilliant smile and sincerity in her eyes. Stunningly beautiful and warm hearted, she was magnetic and attracted people quickly into her group. She was quick to laugh and quick with sarcastic jokes, always one step ahead of most of us. Her love was deep and she was strong. She always showed her strong and extroverted side anywhere she went, though most who knew her also knew the tender love she was capable of, the moments of vulnerability she would share with us were few but showed us who she truly cared for.
She was master of detail, always remembering the little thing you mentioned six months ago, the movie you said you loved, the book you wanted, or a food you liked. She lived to use this impeccable memory and attention to detail on birthdays and holidays. Nobody threw a birthday party like Morgan, though she was quick to credit her mom for showing her the ropes as a little girl.
As an avid yogi and health buff, she ate vegan and would be found in the yoga studio or walking the neighborhood - but just as often walking with her yoga mat! She aspired to finish her yoga teacher training and share her mindfulness and spiritual yoga practice with others.
Her daughters knew her as their protector. When they fell, were tired, were hungry, or when Daddy did something wrong, she was their shelter and always ready for a hug. They were often found in the living room, doing yoga together, or in the play room, rocking out to Baby Shark and building creations. She tried to take them on a walk every day, or to the pool, or to the playground, or all three! All three girls slept together most nights, cuddled up in their sanctuary, which Morgan painstakingly curated with art, books, stuffed animals, and unicorn sheets.
Morgan was an amazing wife, who, luckily for me, chose a life as an Army Wife. My Army Wife. In the early days, she treated our pup, Pepe, just like she eventually would to our daughters. When I came home from work, they’d greet me at the door and fight over who got to jump on me first. Or I would find them cuddled up in the windowsill, Morgan nose deep in a book and Pepe nose deep in a new bone. As we moved across the world, our family grew, and Morgan’s role as an Army Wife grew with it. Although challenging, she made it look easy. Most who met her had no idea any of her many jobs of being a Mom, being a Wife, being an Army Wife, and the myriad of projects she surrounded herself with, was anything but easy for her.
Although a complex woman, Morgan was a warm acquaintance, a fierce friend, a loving mother, and an amazing wife, someone all of us can say we are better for having her in our lives. Her loss is devastating for our daughters and me, but a loss shared upon those whose lives she touched across the world as she went along. I will trust all of you to help me explain to her amazing daughters, which already are so much like she was, who their mom really was, and why she was such an amazing person, why the world is so much worse without her in it. Why our lives are so much worse, without her in them.
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Deceased May 4
Amherst
Residence Halls
- Chapman Dormitory
- Pond Dormitory
- Stearns Dormitory
- Chapman Dormitory
- Pond Dormitory
- Stearns Dormitory
Volunteering
- PathwaysRole:MenteeStart:September 2013End:May 2015
- PathwaysRole:MenteeStart:September 2013End:May 2015
Extracurricular Activities
- Amherst Riding Club (Equestrian Team)
- Amherst Riding Club (Equestrian Team)
Post-Graduate
No data available
Amherst
Reunion Class
- 2015
Graduation Year
- 2015
Major(s)
- Psychology; Theater & Dance
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Pacific Grove High School
Morgan A. Venezia (d)
Contact
Amherst Name
- Morgan Ashly Brown
Family
Personal
About Me
- Hi, everyone! My name is Morgan. I'm from Pacific Grove, CA (central, on the peninsula) & extremely excited to spend the next four years on the East Coast.
Interests
- Psychology Journalism Performing Arts - Theater Volleyball
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Wills, David W. Amherst College Faculty - Black Alumni Friend
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Yancey, Robert Willingham 1975
ROBERT YANCEY Obituary
DR. ROBERT W. YANCEY, JR
On Saturday, November 18, 2017 at his home in Upper Marlboro, MD. Survived by wife, Angela Yancey; children, Jennifer-Camille, Robert III and Anthony; Mother Josephine (Theartic); siblings, Michael (Barbara), Joseph (Connie), Karl (Rene) and Valerie; and a host of nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends Friday, November 24 at JB Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel, 7474 Landover Rd., Hyattsville MD, 20785 Visitation 3:30 p.m. Service 4:30 p.m.
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Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1975
- 1975
Graduation Year
- 1975
- 1975
Major(s)
- Biology
- Biology
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Roosevelt Roads High School
- Roosevelt Roads High School
Higher Ed
- Howard UniversityField of Study:MedicineDegree:Doctor of MedicineYear:1979
- Howard UniversityField of Study:MedicineDegree:Doctor of MedicineYear:1979
Professional
Employment Information
Former
- Medical DirProfessional Development CorpStart:01/1987End:01/1989
- Medical DirectorDistrict of ColumbiaStart:01/1983End:11/2017
- InternDistrict of Columbia General HospitalStart:01/1980End:01/1983
- Medical OfficerGroup Health AssociationEnd:01/2006
- Medical DirEast Coast Health OrganizationEnd:01/2006
- Medical DirProfessional Development CorpStart:01/1987End:01/1989
- Medical DirectorDistrict of ColumbiaStart:01/1983End:11/2017
- InternDistrict of Columbia General HospitalStart:01/1980End:01/1983
- Medical OfficerGroup Health AssociationEnd:01/2006
- Medical DirEast Coast Health OrganizationEnd:01/2006
Amherst
Fraternity
- Theta Delta Chi Fraternity
Post-Graduate
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