Class Notes
Kevin Johnson
Kevin Johnson ’80 writes: After 16 years as Dean of UC Davis School of Law, I returned to the faculty in fall 2024. I spent spring 2025 as a visiting scholar at Indiana-Bloomington School of Law (my son, a Cal alum, lived in Indy) and at UCLA Law in fall (where our daughters live). I […]
Robert Merrick
Beryl Voss, Jim Griffin, Don Mattson, Bob Merrick and guests representing the Class of 1954 attended the Golden Bear Luncheon on campus Oct 3. A good time was had by all celebrating our 71st reunion!
Julia Mbakire
On November 7, 2024, Julia Mbakire, MBA ’23, published her debut children’s picture book, Kesa and Kobia’s Christmas in Nairobi (Pegasus Publishers). Set in bustling Nairobi during the holiday season, the story follows cousins Kesa and Kobia as they prepare for Christmas with their family—capturing the warmth of East African traditions, the joy of family […]
Michael F. Duran
In June 2025, Michael F. Duran, J.D. ’85, was elected to the California Democratic Party, Rural Caucus, as Caucus Vice Chair. This follows years as serving as Regional Chair for Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties. In 2022, he retired as a Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney, Criminal Branch after 32 years. He resides […]
Andrea Horbinski
Andrea Horbinski, Ph.D. ’17, recently published her first book, Manga’s First Century: How Creators and Fans Made Japanese Comics, 1905-1989, with the University of California Press. Horbinski spent ten years researching, writing, and revising the manuscript, with research stints in Japan, Belgium, and archives around the United States.
Julie Carr
In September 2025, Julie Carr, Ph.D. ’07, published her new book, The Garden (Essay Press). Refusing to stabilize the first-person and rejecting linear progression, The Garden embraces the vulnerable porousness of selves in the overflow of history that is the violence and rapture of the ongoing “now.” You can purchase the book at essaypress.org/carr-2/.
Frances Wood
The Fractal Melody, a new novel by Frances M. Wood, MLS ’76, has been described as “an epic journey into the decade that rocked our world.” Three extraordinary young women come of age in the tumultuous 1970s. They converge in sisterhood and friendship—until the day a tragedy of endless repercussions shakes them to the core, sending […]
James Ron
James Ron, Ph.D. ’99, graduated from UC Berkeley’s Department of Sociology. After a career spanning faculty positions in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and research work with organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the International Committee of the Red Cross, he is now focused on personal writing projects. James blogs at jamesron.org (research and surveys) and jamesron.net (personal […]
Robert Rebuschatis
Robert Rebuschatis ’69 has released his second novel, Harvest and the Crush. It’s the story of a young savant wine grape grower with French heritage who gets caught up in the web of a Northern Cal independent winery and vineyard operation, where the reveal of a deep, dark secret causes tragic results, but a fulfilling […]
Sheldon Collins
Sheldon Collins, B.A. Rhetoric ’94, recently published his debut novel, The Legend of Valentine, now available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble online. Set in ancient Rome in 268 AD, the book follows Valentine, a fearsome warrior transformed by the courage of a lover—blind to the world, but able to see his heart. As their […]
Julie Carr
Dan Ahern, Class Secretary for 1976, has received several wonderful notes from ’76ers in the past several months. Maybe everyone is thinking about our 50th Reunion!! Here are a few: Dave Funkhouser was inducted into the HAWAII ASPHALT HALL OF FAME. Always humble, Dave did not mention this in his popular podcast (Make Mine Peach Pie!), and only when […]
Jenny Yu
Jenny Yu ’03 has joined national law firm Epstein Becker Green in Los Angeles as a member of the firm’s Employment, Labor & Workforce Management practice. A courtroom veteran at the state and district court levels, Yu is an experienced employment litigator who focuses on wage and hour matters, class actions, representative actions under PAGA, wrongful termination […]
Becky Mancero
Becky Mancero ’15 has been promoted to partner at SPZ Legal, a boutique law firm representing high-growth startups. Since joining SPZ Legal in 2021, Becky has played a central role in the firm’s startup and venture capital practice, advising clients on entity formation, equity compensation, financing transactions, corporate governance, commercialization, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior […]
Hong Joo Ryoo
Hong Joo Ryoo ’24 is a current NSF Graduate Research Fellow now pursuing a simultaneous PhD in Physics and an MA in Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, where he is advised by Sean Carroll in both fields. As an undergrad at Berkeley, he completed a quadruple major in Philosophy, Physics, Mathematics, and Cognitive Science. During his […]
Pablo Serrato
Pablo Sergio Serrato ’03 has been promoted to Chief Intelligence & Insights Officer at Iron Light, a public affairs company recognized as Campaigns & Elections’ Public Affairs Firm of the Year for 2024, as well as Inc. 5000 Honoree for 2023, and 2024. In his new role, Pablo is instrumental in helping clients engage audiences, […]
Danielle De Smeth
Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, a law firm with offices in Santa Barbara and Ventura, is celebrating 10 years of serving the Santa Barbara community. Danielle De Smeth ’03, a Ventura County native and Santa Barbara resident, joined the firm in 2013 and opened the Santa Barbara office two years later. She became managing partner […]
Katy Dickinson
Katy Dickinson ’79 earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Union‘s Berkeley School of Theology in May 2025. Her dissertation title was, “Transforming Literature of the Bible in Jail.” BST honored her with the 2025 Keith A. Russell Award for Prophetic Leadership in Community Ministry. After over thirty years in Silicon Valley […]
Neal Barber
Neal Andrew Barber M.A ’17, founded his architecture practice, Studio Nocturne, in Seattle, WA, in 2021. The firm has received recognition and awards for achievements in design and sustainability, including a Housing Innovation Award from the Department of Energy. Neal graduated from UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design with his Master of Architecture in 2017. […]
Elaine Anderson
Elaine Anderson ’52 writes: “Hello Classmates! Your Co-Class Secretary, Elaine Anderson, is writing to send greetings and good wishes to each of you. To those of you who attended our 70th Reunion I hope your recollections of that special event are as significant to you as they are to me. Best wishes to ‘The Golden […]
Explore the
Archives
View All Issues
