Notes from the Class of 1975

Best Lawyers named Stephen Lewis (Law) to the 2016 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. He is a partner for Barg Coffin Lewis & Trapp in San Francisco.

With 30 years’ experience in marine biology, Jeffry Marcus (EPOBio) of Miami, Fla. was recognized by Worldwide Branding for his dedication, leadership and excellence in freshwater and marine ecology. He works for Stantec Consulting Services and specializes in environmental restoration and permitting advisory services.

Greg McMenamin (EnvDes) and daughter Madelyn (IntPhys’12) traveled to Machu Picchu last October and took a photo at the ruins with a giant CU flag. Greg is a Louisville, Colo., resident and the principal and owner of the architecture and planning company McMenamin Design Associates.

As founder and executive director of Youth Challenge, a Cleveland nonprofit, Mary Sue Anter Tanis (Rec) brings together children with physical disabilities and youth volunteers for participation in recreational activities. It was while working at the CU-Boulder rec center with injured Vietnam vets that Mary Sue was first inspired to dedicate her life to working with physically disabled people. She returned to the Cleveland area after graduation and founded Youth Challenge in 1976.

After serving on the board of the Oregon chapter of the American Planning Association for more than 25 years, Dennis Egner (EnvDes) has been named to the prestigious American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows for his achievements in urban planning.

For 45 years Anita Sanchez (DistSt; MPubAd’77; PhD’88) has been consulting, training and coaching in business, government and nonprofits around the globe with her husband, Kit Tennis (Psych’75; MPubAd’77; DBA’86). Her latest book, The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times, will be published by Simon & Schuster in September 2017. Anita serves on the boards of Bioneers and the Pachamama Alliance. In their spare time, Anita and Kit lead trips into the Amazon to live and learn with dream culture tribes whose worlds are threatened by rainforest destruction.

Jane Gianvito Mathews (EnvDes) was awarded the William H. Deitrick Service Medal by the North Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The medal honors a member who exhibits extraordinary service to the community, profession and AIA North Carolina. Jane is president and principal of Mathews Architecture in Asheville, N.C.

Virginia Tech math professor Martin Day (MMath; PhD’78) has been named professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. He has been at the university since 1980. Martin’s students appreciated his patience and thorough instruction, the university noted, while his colleagues praised his insightful contributions to curriculum development.

For the past seven football seasons, Phil Caragol (Comm), known to many Folsom Field attendees as Buffalo Phil, has run through the stadium on game day with a furry horned buffalo helmet adorned with a mullet and CU beer koozies. It all started after his return to Boulder seven years ago, when, during his first game back in Folsom, Phil watched disheartened students and alumni in the stands and decided he wanted to do something about it. He writes that he’s proud to serve as the Buffs’ positive and friendly 64-year-old superfan and cheerleader. He and wife Susan Blickhahn Caragol (Jour, Psych’75) live in Boulder.

Nancy Eckman Clanton (ArchEngr) was elected president of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado’s board of directors. Nancy’s Boulder lighting design company is Clanton & Associates, Inc.

Barbara Cooke (Psych; MBA’81), Los Angeles Forever Buffs chapter leader since its founding in 1988, received the Alumni Association’s 2017 Leanne Skupa-Lee Award over Homecoming Weekend. The award recognizes passionate volunteers who serve CU Boulder and the Alumni Association.

John B. Elstrott (PhDEcon) is board chairman for MicroBiome Therapeutics, a company focused on the microbiome and how it impacts human health. John, a former chairman of Whole Foods Market, recently retired from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business after 30 years as a professor. He served as the first chief financial officer for Celestial Seasonings, the Boulder-based tea company.

It was an exciting time for women’s tennis when identical twins Judy Sigel Freeman (Art) and Jill Sigel Greer (Art) attended CU. Professional female tennis player Billie Jean King had just beaten Bobby Riggs and Title IX had just passed for equality in sports for women. Yellow tennis balls were just being tested. “What an incredible experience for two Minnesota girls who played one tennis match in high school and won the Lake Conference in high-top tennis shoes and cutoff jean shorts!” wrote Judy. Her CU sweatsuit now hangs in Old Main. The twins, now 65, continue to play tennis together in the Twin Cities. “We dress alike and feel that usually gives us a three-game advantage,” said Judy, whose husband, Todd Freeman (Mktg’74), was a cheerleader at CU. Judy and Jill’s sister Susie Sigel Teboul (Jour’82) also went to CU, along with Judy’s son Zach Freeman (Mgmt’06) and Jill's daughter Allison Greer (IntPhys’16). “We all continue to have the University of Colorado deep in our hearts,” wrote Judy.

Santa Fe resident David Douglas (Law) is founder of the all-volunteer organization Waterlines, which is committed to providing the world clean drinking water. Currently, Waterlines’ main projects are focused in Panama and Kenya, but since its founding in 1986, it has worked with over 700 communities in 15 countries.

Arthur Kaufman (Engl; MA’19) enjoyed returning to CU to get his master’s degree last year. He writes, “I suppose I’m doing what many of my fellow post-grad Master of Arts are doing, or at least trying; living life as imperfectly as possible, fighting the evil that is apathy and warring with those who would, with libelous slander, contend that the arts, literature, especially, are ‘unnecessary.’ That, and trying to ‘perfect’ my own ragu, of course.”

Last January, Boulder’s Anita Sanchez (DistSt; MPubAd’77; Phd’88) was honored as one of 43 World-Changing Women in Business. She was invited to speak about indigenous wisdom for women in business at the 2020 World-Changing Women’s Summit in Sonoma, California. She is the author of several books.

After more than 30 years of service, John C. Green (Econ) has retired from the University of Akron. As a professor of political science, John served as department chair, vice dean, dean and director throughout his career. In honor of his many years of service, the university established the Dr. John C. Green Endowed Scholarship Fund. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.