Alumni

Avery Houser ’08 writes, “One afternoon in May 2008, at the end of my senior year, Natasha Knorr, Mr. Pettit and I gathered for the annual Reservoir Run. Runners who complete the 1.58-mile loop in under 10 minutes (men) or 11 minutes (women) earn a spot on a board alongside Dr. Soghoian and other school legends. Natasha, a track star, made it easily. I, fueled more by teenage overconfidence than ability, didn’t come close.

“In the 17 years that followed, I became an increasingly passionate runner, so imagine my joy when I learned the Reservoir Run was now open to alumni and scheduled for October 16. Perfect timing to train, but it was impossible, as I was expecting my first child on October 14. I sent the Alumni Office my regrets and filed the idea away for 2026.

“When October 16 rolled around, however, the baby was still holding out. I left work early and headed up to the reservoir to become the first alumnus to join the run. I envisioned crossing the finish line in 9:59, watching my name go up on the board and then getting a call that my wife, Nuni, was going into labor.

“In reality, I hauled my undertrained 35-year-old self across the line in a better-than-17-year-old-me but not-quite-good-enough 10:16. The baby arrived when she was ready: On Sunday, October 19, Agnes Claire Houser-Montaigne was born at NYU, 8 lbs., 4 oz. Everyone is healthy. I’ll be back next year to break 10 minutes, and maybe Agnes will join to celebrate her first birthday.”

Helene Lowenfels ’01 resides in Manhattan with her husband and eight-year-old daughter, Olivia, who is in third grade at CGPS. She continues to run her own business, NY See Art Tours, creating bespoke art tours of New York City’s finest architecture, auction houses, galleries and museums for adults and children. She would love the opportunity to create a tour for fellow CGPS alumni (and current parents and faculty). Visit her company’s website or Instagram to get in touch.

Curtis Snook ’78 has built a distinguished career in medical toxicology, serving on the Board of Directors of the American College of Medical Toxicology and on the American Board of Emergency Medicine’s subboard responsible for certification and recertification exam content. His influence has extended internationally, including helping Iceland establish its poison center. In recognition of his contributions to the field, Curtis was recently selected to the inaugural class of Distinguished Fellows of the American College of Medical Toxicology, an honor he considers especially meaningful given the caliber of his fellow inductees. He thinks often about his CGPS classmates and hopes to see them at a reunion soon.

Tina Plesset ’64 and her husband Max are fully enjoying retirement in East Hampton, NY. They stay active and often visit their two daughters and families in Westchester and Boston. “We hope everyone in our class is enjoying retirement as well. If you get out here, please call and come over to say hello!”

Living in Newport Beach, Lake Tahoe and Chicago, Michael Sweig ’64 writes: “I’ve been in a 26-year battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but I’ll be damned if it will win. Health and happiness to all CGPS alumni. I have fond memories of a very good school.”

Doug Heath ’66 is happily retired in Massachusetts after six years in the U.S. Navy and 30 years with the U.S. Geological Survey and the EPA. With his wife Alison Simcox, he has co-authored six local history books. They enjoy hiking, kayaking, biking, traveling and visiting their two sons in England and Brazil. “Wishing everyone well in the Class of ’66.”

Rob Davis ’69 lives in Newton, MA and Edgartown, MA. A proud dad of two sons and five grandchildren, he closed his management consulting practice four years ago and now enjoys family, golf and travel. “I would love to reconnect with former classmates!”

Barbara Cohen ’70 recently visited classmate Alan Auerbach ’70 in Florida. “Alan and I had a wonderful visit, reminiscing about our classmates and good times at CGPS.”

James Glucksman ’82 and his partner recently celebrated 15 years since moving to Oamaru, New Zealand, where they run an award-winning luxury lodge. James has also become an avid astrophotographer, taking advantage of New Zealand’s famously dark skies.

Jonathan Harris ’82 continues his public health work in San Francisco. “Things here aren’t quite as bad as they’re made out to be, though it’s thick with boring tech people!” His youngest daughter recently left for the University of Wisconsin, where she’s a coxswain on the women’s crew team. “Thinking often of West 93rd St. and the ’82 posse."

Sonya Weisshappel ’88 reflects, “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the invaluable lessons I learned at CGPS—from teachers, administrators and most meaningfully from my friends.” Her book, Confessions of a Chaos Whisperer, was published last year, inspired by her work as founder of Seriatim, Inc., launched in 1999 to help people navigate major life transitions. Now based full-time in Westerly, RI, Sonya has expanded her work with a new division, The Chaos Whisperer, focused on end-of-life planning. “This year brought big changes, including both my sons getting married. If I don’t see you in the city, come visit! My door’s always open.”

Nicholas Kaufmann ’87 recently celebrated his 25th year as a published author with a sold-out event at a Manhattan cabaret. His latest short story collection, Monuments in Darkness, was released by Hippocampus Press. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Alexa and is hard at work on a new novel.

Elizabeth Kelvin ’89 is an associate professor of epidemiology at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy. Her research focuses on infectious diseases and global health.

Gabriel J. Shuldiner ’90 continues to paint daily and is preparing for his next solo show, scheduled for April 2026 in Manhattan. More information soon!

Madeline Greenberg ’00 has lived in Australia for 20 years and recently caught up with Joanna Weiss ’00 in Bali.

Rebecca Weintraub ’08 was re-elected this June for her third term as Democratic District Leader in the 76th Assembly District. She represents her community within the Manhattan Democratic Party and serves as co-chair of the Party’s Judiciary Committee.

Phil Zelonky ’09 has opened his own restaurant, Sirrah, in New York’s Meatpacking District. Sirrah was recently named in "15 New York City Restaurants to Visit This Fall" by Town and Country Magazine.

Alexa Greenfield ’10 shares an update on classmate Lili Chemla ’10, founder of the clothing company Leset, which has become a major success—featured in Puck and beloved by current CGPS faculty. Leset has a large online presence, a flagship store in the West Village and new locations opening soon on the Upper East Side and across the country. Read more in Puck.

Mary Munshower ’14 married Christopher Lengua in September 2025. The pair met at Fordham University in 2016. Congratulations Mary and Christopher!

Dr. Lauren Levy ’04 recently mentored Gabriella Canale ’21, who connected with her for a shadowing opportunity in dermatology before applying to medical school. That opportunity evolved into a full-time medical assistant position during Gabriella’s gap year.

Gerald Randolph Anders Jr. passed away on July 11, 2026. He enjoyed a life rich in talent, purpose, and a ceaseless passion for living, learning, and exploring. From his very early childhood, Gerald had a talent and interest in music. As a young boy, he taught himself to play the piano. His family’s musical and religious background established the foundation for his interest in classical and church music. Gerald was an accomplished classical musician who completed his master’s degree in piano and organ at Ohio State University. After a stint with the Cleveland Orchestra, he moved to NYC and embarked on what would become a decades-long period building music programs and teaching students, including both young people and adults. Starting as music director at Columbia Grammar and Prep, he then served as the director of Fine and Performing Arts at St Ann’s School and The Dwight Englewood School. He exposed students to music, ways of playing, history, musicians, venues, and more. Drawing on his knowledge of repertoire and his understanding of individuals’ talents, he constructed concert programs that grew his musicians’ abilities. At CGPS, he arranged for the orchestra to perform at several other NYC schools and for the chamber groups to play at the famed Music Barge. Through his teaching, Gerald brought people together and created community.

Stefanie Rock ’15 passed away on July 24, 2026. She was the beloved daughter of Marla and Neil Rock, and sister to Jared Rock ’17. A member of the “14-Year Club,” Stefanie began her time at CGPS in the Grammar School in the fall of 2001. Stefanie is remembered by her teachers as kind, sweet and thoughtful of others. As a student, she was dedicated and motivated, always eager to learn and do her best. One faculty member shared that she was “the kind of student that made you want to teach your class every day.”

MIT Professor Emeritus Rainer Weiss ’50 passed away at 92 on August 25, 2025. Alongside Kip Thorne and Barry Barish of the California Institute of Technology, Weiss was honored with the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for his development of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), a device used to detect “ripples in space-time known as gravitational waves, which were predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago but had never been directly seen,” as The New York Times reported. To read more about Weiss and his influential research, please click here.

Henry Jaglom ’55, an auteur who crafted deeply intimate and unconventional films that explored the intricacies of relationships and the quirkiness of human behavior, died in September. He was the writer-director of films such as A Safe Place (1971), Sitting Ducks (1980), Can She Bake a Cherry Pie? (1983) and New Year’s Day (1989). To read more about his filmmaking career, please click here.

John Corcos Levy ’55 passed away toward the end of 2024.

Marvin J. Diamond ’58, a man of sharp intellect and boundless wit, passed away peacefully in January 2025, just shy of his 84th birthday. He was a devoted partner, a loyal friend, a formidable legal mind and a man who never stopped learning, evolving and advocating for what he believed in.

Edward Kelman ’61 passed away on October 21. Born in Manhattan, he was a graduate of CGPS, Cornell and NYU Law School. After completing his education, he practiced entertainment law, primarily representing artists in the music industry. Ed is survived by his wife Eileen (Haubenstock), his sons Matthew and Josh, and two grandchildren.

Alison Ross Nelson '70 died in October 2024 after a long and brave battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband Rob Nelson of over 20 years, her twin sons and grandchildren.