MSW, ’98, recently was published in the Huffington post: www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-meekhof/the-moment-i-knew_25_b_3414936.html. Her beautiful and touching essay is featured as part of the series “The Moment I Knew.” Readers were asked to identify the moment they knew they needed to “de-stress.” Kristin’s piece is a tribute to the way her husband, Roy, found hope and optimism amid the cancer diagnosis that took his life in 2007.
Kristin is now co-writing a book with psychologist James Windell titled “When Your Husband Dies: 7 Challenges Widows Encounter.”

Bob Stevens is one of the two candidates for ASCE President-Elect. Voting is open to ASCE members from June 14 to August 14, 2013. While Bob is retired from full-time employment with ARCADIS, he continues to work with them on a part-time basis doing special assignments. Bob lives in Keller, Texas with his wife of 47 years, Bonnie. They moved to Texas from Colorado three years ago to be closer to their daughter and her family. He has three grandchildren: 4-year old Robbie and 12-year old twin girls Elizabeth and Sydney. Bob works out of ARCADIS’ Fort Worth office. Bob has been a member of ASCE for 50 years. Most recently he was a Technical Region Director on the ASCE Board for three years ending in October 2012. He now is the Chair of ASCE’s Committee on Technical Advancement. Bob is excited about the possibility of being ASCE’s next President-elect. He is committed to being a full-time Presidential officer. If you are a member of ASCE you can vote and help determine who will be the next President-elect of ASCE. Information on both candidates can be found by going to the following site: http://www.asce.org/Official-Nominees-for-President-Elect/

’54, School of Music graduate, continues as organist and choir director at Christ Lutheran Church in Desert Hot Springs, Calif. Years ago, however, her favorite music became the music of words. A much-published poet, she has won many awards in writing. In 2012 her book of poetry, “On The Face Of Things,” was published by Finishing Line Press. This year “More Than Moments” will be published. To quote Lois, “I cannot tell you how many doors have opened for me because I am a graduate of The University Of Michigan! One of my favorite memories is studying and playing the carillon in Burton Memorial Tower. Here’s to the U of M!!”

’88, is an Ann Arbor artist who specializes in nude figurative work. His art can be viewed at his Ann Arbor studio, where he usually has 50-60 pieces on hand. In addition, Tad is a perennial fixture of college classrooms, teaching sculpture part-time over the years at U-M, Hillsdale College, Washtenaw Community College, and Toledo-area colleges. He also builds motorcycles (choppers) primarily for himself and friends. He recently was featured in an article titled A Cast of Sculptures in the online magazine Concentrate.

Medical School alumnus and former assistant professor at U-M, is the president and founder of the NephCure Foundation. He recently was appointed to serve on the prestigious scientific advisory council of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The advisory council provides programmatic advice to NIDDK and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on scientific opportunities in kidney disease research. Dr. Smokler founded The NephCure Foundation in 1999. It is the only organization committed exclusively to support research seeking the cause of the potentially debilitating kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Nephrotic Syndrome, improve treatment, and find a cure. Dr. Smokler’s son suffered from FSGS in his childhood. To date, the foundation has committed $14 million to FSGS work.

a 1969 and 1971 alumna, is happy to report that a special 2-disc DVD edition of her Peabody Award–winning and critically acclaimed film The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg will be released April 24, 2013. The film is a humorous and nostalgic documentary about the extraordinary Detroit Tiger who transcended religious prejudice to become an American icon. The DVD package includes more than two hours of new extras, including a phone interview with Ted Williams and more of Walter Matthau, Bob Feller, and an interview with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The film, originally released in 2000, depicts how during the Golden Age of Baseball, Hank Greenberg’s achievements with the Tigers rivaled those of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. However, the slugger’s greatest accomplishment extended beyond the field as American’s first Jewish baseball star. He helped break down the barriers of discrimination in American sports and society. This compelling documentary examines how Hank Greenberg was a beacon of hope to American Jews who faced bigotry during the Depression and World War II.

LS&A ’92, writes books for children, teens, and adults. David’s new book for adults, Fun & Games, is set for June release. It takes place in the 1980s—the time of Dungeons & Dragons, banana clips, and Atari. Jonathan Schwartz is growing up in a family like no other. His sisters, Nadia, the dark genius, and Olivia, the gorgeous tease and temptress, manipulate Jon and his friends for their own entertainment. And his Holocaust survivor grandparents? Their coping techniques are beyond embarrassing. A disastrous visit to Jon’s class by his grandmother unhinges his famous father, setting off a chain of events that threatens to send the dysfunctional Schwartz clan up in flames once and for all. Fun & Games is a heartbreaking and hilarious story of faith, family secrets, betrayal, and loss—but it’s also a tale of friendship, love, and side-splitting shenanigans. Plus: Much of the book takes place in Ann Arbor. David’s other titles include 16 picture books with titles like Cheese Louise, Jacques & Spock (a Children’s Book-of-the-Month Alternative Selection), and Flour Girl (a 2008 Mom’s Choice Award winner). His ongoing six-part teen series, Sacred Books, is being developed for film by producer Kevin Bannerman (Lion King/Curious George) and screenwriter Karen Janzsen (Dolphin Tale). David also teaches at Pine Middle School in Reno, Nev.

BA ’88, is an independent video producer in Brighton Mich., who has worked in the field for more than 15 years. Her nonprofit company is called Visions, and it specializes in the production of social affairs documentaries.
Geyer’s crew recently completed a one-hour documentary on Michigan Native-American role models. Our Fires Still Burn: The Native American Experience includes a segment on the Pow Wow for Mother Earth, held in Ann Arbor. Geyer executive produced and directed the program, which seeks to dispel the myth that American Indians have disappeared from the American horizon, and reveals how they continue to persist, heal from the past, confront the challenges of today, keep their culture alive, and make great contributions to society. Their experiences will deeply touch both Natives and non-Natives and help build bridges of understanding, respect, and communication, Geyer says.

MBA ’03, was honored as a “Young Global Leader” at the World Economic Forum in Davos in March 2013. Ma is managing director of the China Investment Corp., with an office in Toronto. See the full list of honorees.