Hope 2026 finds you all healthy and happy and busy with lots of activities. About the latter, let us know, please, how you’ve been and what you are up to. A photo or two would be welcome, as well.
Barry Proner writes from Isleworth, Great Britain: “I came to London (permanently, as it happened) in 1972 after medical school, internship in San Francisco and residencies in Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Boston. I trained as a ‘Contemporary Jungian Analyst’ in adult, child and adolescent psychoanalysis. I’ve been in private practice for many years, but I have yet to retire.” He finds his granddaughter and Labradors and living in London most satisfying these days. He also notes that he’s thinking of moving permanently to the south of France, where he’s had a house for the past 35 years! “Any Cornellians from ‘back then’ who may find themselves in London are most welcome to get in touch.”
“I have been enjoying my volunteer activities,” notes Michael (Mickey) Miller of Allentown, PA, “especially when I can use my expertise in investments, finance and income taxes to help others. I like giving talks and writing articles as a way of sharing. Over the last year, I gave three talks to the Schmooze and Schmear men’s group (ROMEO-Retired Old Men Eating Out) entitled, ‘Jewish Humor,’ ‘McDonald’s and Me,’ and ‘Financial Planning and Me.’ Recently, as Chair of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation, I published three articles on charitable giving entitled, Tzedakah -What Does the Torah Say?,Charitable Giving: Making a Difference During Life and After, and Understanding Charitable Remainder Trusts.
“In response to my three daughters asking me to record my memories and life’s journey for them, my five grandchildren, and future generations, I have completed 52 weekly short stories, with narrative and related pictures, for a Storyworth book that will be published in hard cover books for each of my daughters and grandchildren. I had so much fun doing this, especially by adding a little humor whenever I could. I strongly recommend that our classmates consider doing this, or something similar, as a way of leaving a legacy for their children and grandchildren.”
Through the years, generosity to the University has been a hallmark of our Class and classmates. Here’s yet another example.
In December, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) announced that a $55 million gift from Stephen Ashley ‘62, MBA ‘64 to CALS will establish the Cornell CALS Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment, combining the Department of Global Development and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. The school is named in honor of Stevewhose gift to endow the school is the largest in CALS history.
“Steve Ashley’s decades of leadership, advocacy and support for Cornell have had a profound impact on the university,” said President Michael I. Kotlikoff. “This investment to create the Ashley School is both timely and visionary, allowing us to bring together the expertise in agricultural, life, environmental and social sciences that underpin environmental and human well-being locally and globally. We are so grateful to Steve for his generosity, partnership and friendship.”
Steve has given more than a half-century of service to Cornell, including 55 years on the University Council, 16 years on the Cornell Board of Trustees and 10 years as co-chair of the Far Above capital campaign. In 2016, he received the Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award, the university’s highest award for alumni service. Ashley is chairman and CEO of The Ashley Companies, a Rochester-based firm that specializes in property management, brokerage, financing and real estate investment. He has also been a member of our Class Council for more than two decades!
“My family has had a strong, multigenerational relationship with Cornell,” Ashley said. “I met my wife, Janice, at Cornell and over the years, Cornell has influenced much of my personal and professional life. I am delighted to be able to support this initiative, which has been so thoughtfully framed and structured. I appreciate how it creates even stronger collaborations between agriculture, environmental science, economics and research to positively impact communities.”
Thank you, Stephen. A lot.
Take a moment, please, to send along news and updates of what’s happening with you and your family. And check out our class website for timelier information. Send your entries to: ❖ Judy Prenske Rich (email Judy) | Alumni Directory.