Jane Eisner ’77 is the new editor-in-chief of The Forward, one of America’s most prominent Jewish newsweeklies. The first female to hold this position, she was also the first female editor of the Argus. Previously the vice president for National Programs and Initiatives at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Eisner worked in editorial and news positions with the Philadelphia Inquirer for most of her career. She joined the University of Pennsylvania faculty in 2002 as a senior fellow at the Robert A. Fox Leadership Program and as an adjunct professor in the Political Science Department. She received a master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism.
Kevin Lohela ’06, a member of the 2006 Teach for America (TFA) Corps in New York City, was named a national semi–finalist for the 2008 Sue Lehmann Excellence in Teaching Award, one of only seven TFA elementary teachers in the country out of about 1,500. A philosophy major with a focus in ethics while at Wesleyan, he recalls that it was his commitment to social justice programs that led him to apply to TFA. However, “Once I was there, I fell in love with teaching,” Lohela says. He taught at a South Bronx elementary school and was recognized for implementing Teaching for Leadership strategies and leading his students to dramatic academic improvement. Of the recognition, he says, “I’m very honored. I know from first–hand experience—living with four other TFA corps–members—that a lot of people are working very hard and having a positive impact at Teach for America.”
Seth Lerer ’76, holder of an endowed chair in the humanities and a professor of English and comparative literature at Stanford University since 1990, has been named dean of arts and humanities at the University of California, San Diego. He is a widely regarded researcher in the area of medieval and Renaissance studies, comparative studies, and the history of scholarship and children’s literature. An English major at Wesleyan, Lerer has published 10 books, including his most recent, Children’s Literature: A Reader’s History from Aesop to Harry Potter.
Attorney Sally C. Merrell ’76, a partner in the Milwaukee office of Quarles & Brady LLP, a national firm, was recognized among the Top 25 Women Lawyers in Wisconsin by Law & Politics magazine. This annual list comprises attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. In another peer-rated review, Merrell has been recognized among the best lawyers in America since 1995. Merrell focuses her practice in the areas of trusts and estate, tax-exempt organizations, family and domestic relations, and privately held businesses. She has devoted more than 20 years to assisting individuals and family-owned businesses in preserving, protecting and enhancing their wealth. A history major at Wesleyan, she earned her JD at the University of Virginia.
John Gardner ’74, provost at Avon Old Farms School, completed his 33rd season as varsity hockey coach, with a 27–1 overall record, a Founders’ League title, and an unparalleled seventh New England Prep Division I championship. Additionally, he reached a 600-win total in his coaching career before March. “I really like what I do. It’s a very rewarding profession; it keeps you young,” he said of his career as a private-school teacher, coach, and administrator, when interviewed on the Hartford FOX network affiliate. He also focused on the team: “We’ve had a lot of really outstanding players come to Avon and I’ve just been fortunate enough to work with those guys.”
F. Kennedy Gordon ’83, MD, was included in the May 2008 Black Enterprise listing of “America’s Leading Physicians.” This is the second time he has garnered this honor. Additionally, he was named one of the Top 25 Black Doctors in the tri-state area by the Network Journal magazine in 2002, 2003, and 2005–08. One of the few sports medicine specialists using acupuncture, he is board certified in sports medicine and internal medicine, as well as a certified MD acupuncturist in New York and New Jersey. He was a staff physician at the United States Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y., during the summer of 2000. He is the medical director for the New Jersey division of USA Taekwondo and medical consultant for their national events. At Wesleyan, he majored in biology and psychology.
Christopher Graves ’81 was named Public Relations Professional of the Year for Asia Pacific. He is Asia-Pacific president/CEO of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, which swept the awards, picking up 23 honors and half of all the possible “Campaign for the Year’ top awards. An English major at Wesleyan, he had been in the news business for 23 years before joining Ogilvy three years ago. Prior to that, he was with Dow Jones for 18 years, serving as part of the founding team of The Wall Street Journal Report, as well as founding managing editor of Asia’s first TV news network and as head of news for both CNBC Europe and CNBC Asia.
Robin Delman Ekiss ’91 received one of only six 2007 Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Awards. The foundation selects women who demonstrate excellence and promise at the beginning of their writing careers. Ekiss, whose poems have appeared in Atlantic Monthly, Poetry, Ploughshares, and Triquarterly, is finishing her first book of poetry, The Mansion of Happiness.
Two alumni received promotions at The Hartford Courant: Barbara T. Roessner ’75, formerly deputy managing editor, is now managing editor. Dan Haar ’81, the business and economics columnist, was named business editor. At Wesleyan, Roessner was a classics major and Haar majored in government.
Eleo Hensleigh ’80 joined ION Media Networks as chief marketing officer, leaving Disney-ABC and her tenure overseeing the television and cable groups’ marketing and branding functions. Hensleigh has also served as a member of the Lifetime Television Board of Directors and has been inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement. At Wesleyan, she majored in psychology.
