newsmakers | 1970s

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Leon Vinci ’72

Leon Vinci '72Leon Vinci ’72 is now a national technical advisor on climate change for the National Environmental Health Association, a membership organization for practitioners and others working in environmental health. He has worked in the public health arena for the past 40 years, specializing in environmental and health policy. After a career in management of environmental and public health agencies, he serves as the CEO and president of Health Promotion Consultants, an environmental health consulting firm which he founded. He lectures frequently on environmental and public health topics and is an adjunct professor at Drexel University. A biology major at Wesleyan, he earned his MPH from Yale School of Medicine, and his doctorate in health policy from the Medical University of South Carolina.

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Joseph Wright ’79

Joseph Wright headshotJoseph Wright ’79, MD, MPH, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Howard University College of Medicine was recently elected to the prestigious American Pediatric Society (APS). Wright, as one of the nation’s leading pediatricians, has been recognized as an advocate for childcare, working to advancing pediatric research, developing educational opportunities for trainees, and expanding advocacy initiatives. For Wright, “Election to the APS is a special honor,” as membership provides a platform for him to further not only “Howard’s commitment to outstanding patient care and service to the community,” but also the missions of the numerous national advisory boards he serves on, including the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC), the American Hospital Association’s Maternal and Child Health Council, and recently, as an Obama administration appointee to the Food and Drug Administration’s Pediatric Advisory Committee.

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Tom Rogers ’75

Tom Rogers - TiVo - Hi Res copyTom Rogers ’75, P’14 recently consummated the sale of TiVo, Inc., of which he was CEO and president for about 11 years. He has been appointed executive chairman of WinView, Inc., which with its 28 patents, is the leading company providing games that viewers can play along with while simultaneously watching live TV sports. In addition to having run other companies, he is the former president of NBC Cable, where he founded CNBC and MSNBC. Additionally, Rogers was named to the 2016 class of the Cable Hall of Fame, at an induction celebration in Boston in May. The Cable Hall of Fame recognizes groundbreaking leaders who have shaped and advanced the cable industry and is the industry’s highest and most exclusive honor. Previously, he had been inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. A government and sociology major at Wesleyan, Rogers earned a JD from Columbia Law School.

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Seth Davis ’72

sethdavisSeth Davis ’72 has been installed as chair of the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Law (SEER) at the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco in August. SEER is the premier forum for strategies and information for environmental, energy, and resource lawyers. “To be entrusted with the leadership of SEER is truly a high honor,” said Davis. He has practiced law for more than 40 years, and has specialized in environmental law since 1980. He continues to practice at The Elias Group, the Rye-based environmental law firm, where he has been since 2004. He is also an adjunct professor in Pace Law School’s environmental program, and lectures frequently on environmental subjects. Davis is a graduate of Wesleyan University and the Harvard Law School.” width=”200″ height=”106″ /> Seth Davis ’72 is chair of the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Law (SEER), the premier forum for strategies and information for environmental, energy, and resource lawyers. “To be entrusted with the leadership of SEER is truly a high honor,” said Davis. He has practiced law for more than 40 years, specializing in environmental law since 1980. He continues to practice at The Elias Group, the Rye-based environmental law firm, where he has been since 2004. An adjunct professor in Pace Law School’s environmental program, he also lectures frequently on environmental subjects. A College of Letters major at Wesleyan, he earned his JD from Harvard Law School.

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Barbara Roessner ’75

Barbara Roessner '75 has been selected, along with 11 other U.S. journalists, as a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University for 2003-04. As a Knight Fellow, Roessner will examine the relationships between politics and the visual arts, such as film and photography, through the program's independent course of study and special seminars. Currently a deputy managing editor at the Hartford Courant, Roessner previously worked as a reporter and editor at the Meriden Record-Journal and as a columnist for the Courant's Life section, Northeast magazine, and op-ed page.
Barbara Roessner ’75 has been selected, along with 11 other U.S. journalists, as a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University for 2003-04. As a Knight Fellow, Roessner will examine the relationships between politics and the visual arts, such as film and photography, through the program’s independent course of study and special seminars. Currently a deputy managing editor at the Hartford Courant, Roessner previously worked as a reporter and editor at the Meriden Record-Journal and as a columnist for the Courant’s Life section, Northeast magazine, and op-ed page.
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Jeffrey L. Shames ’77

Jeffrey L. Shames ’77 was appointed to the Berklee College of Music board of trustees. A resident of Newton, Shames is the retired chairman of MFS Investment Management and the board of trustees of the MFS Funds. He is an avid jazz enthusiast. “I’m very excited to be part of Berklee,” said Shames. “From my days as a jazz DJ at Wesleyan, I’ve always looked for ways to be involved with music. I look forward to putting my energy into engaging Bostonians who benefit the arts to come on board and support Berklee.”
Jeffrey L. Shames ’77 was appointed to the Berklee College of Music board of trustees. A resident of Newton, Shames is the retired chairman of MFS Investment Management and the board of trustees of the MFS Funds. He is an avid jazz enthusiast. “I’m very excited to be part of Berklee,” said Shames. “From my days as a jazz DJ at Wesleyan, I’ve always looked for ways to be involved with music. I look forward to putting my energy into engaging Bostonians who benefit the arts to come on board and support Berklee.”
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THEODORE M. SHAW ’76

THEODORE M. SHAW '76 was named to the Phyllis W. Beck Chair in Law at Temple University, a position created in 1997 in honor of Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Phyllis W. Beck. "Ted Shaw and Judge Beck both dedicated their careers to advancing equal justice under the law, making Ted an ideal candidate for the chair," said Robert J. Reinstein, dean of Temple University's Beasley School of Law. Shaw earned his law degree from Columbia University School of Law and is associate director and counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. In the challenge to affirmative action before the U.S. Supreme Court, Shaw represents 17 minority high-school students granted defendant status in the case against the University of Michigan. He also serves as senior vice chair of the board of trustees at Wesleyan.
THEODORE M. SHAW ’76 was named to the Phyllis W. Beck Chair in Law at Temple University, a position created in 1997 in honor of Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Phyllis W. Beck. “Ted Shaw and Judge Beck both dedicated their careers to advancing equal justice under the law, making Ted an ideal candidate for the chair,” said Robert J. Reinstein, dean of Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. Shaw earned his law degree from Columbia University School of Law and is associate director and counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. In the challenge to affirmative action before the U.S. Supreme Court, Shaw represents 17 minority high-school students granted defendant status in the case against the University of Michigan. He also serves as senior vice chair of the board of trustees at Wesleyan.
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Sandra Silvestre MALS ’77

Sandra Silvestre MALS '77 was honored with a Teaching Award in Filmmaking by the North Carolina School of the Arts. A secondary school library media specialist and instructor of video journalism, TV production, and international film for the International Baccalaureate Program at Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield, Va., Silvestre calls herself "an ordinary teacher who teaches extraordinary students."
Sandra Silvestre MALS ’77 was honored with a Teaching Award in Filmmaking by the North Carolina School of the Arts. A secondary school library media specialist and instructor of video journalism, TV production, and international film for the International Baccalaureate Program at Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield, Va., Silvestre calls herself “an ordinary teacher who teaches extraordinary students.”
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Robert Soiffer ’79

Robert Soiffer ’79, M.D., was selected as the new vice president of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, a national association of professionals who support advancements in this field. This appointment puts Soiffer next in line to assume the presidency of ASBMT in two years. Soiffer is currently the chief of hematologic malignancies at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and co-director of bone marrow transplantation at Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. A biology major as an undergraduate, he received his medical degree from New York University.
Robert Soiffer ’79, M.D., was selected as the new vice president of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, a national association of professionals who support advancements in this field. This appointment puts Soiffer next in line to assume the presidency of ASBMT in two years. Soiffer is currently the chief of hematologic malignancies at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and co-director of bone marrow transplantation at Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. A biology major as an undergraduate, he received his medical degree from New York University.
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James E. Udelson ’77

James E. Udelson ’77, M.D., F.A.C.C., was installed as a member of the board of the American College of Cardiology during its annual meeting, held in March. As a teacher, Udelson was recognized with the Tufts University School of Medicine Excellence in Teaching Award three years in a row, chosen by his students. He serves as associate chief of the Division of Cardiology and director of the Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory for Tufts-New England Medical Center Hospitals. He received his medical degree from New York Medical College, and he currently sits on the editorial board of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
James E. Udelson ’77, M.D., F.A.C.C., was installed as a member of the board of the American College of Cardiology during its annual meeting, held in March. As a teacher, Udelson was recognized with the Tufts University School of Medicine Excellence in Teaching Award three years in a row, chosen by his students. He serves as associate chief of the Division of Cardiology and director of the Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory for Tufts-New England Medical Center Hospitals. He received his medical degree from New York Medical College, and he currently sits on the editorial board of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.