Courses

Nancy Abbey recently retired after 16 years as the Assistant Director of Milford Public Library. She facilitated a popular Classic Book Group for 14 of those 16 years, and continues in this role.

Becca Allen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and End-of-Life Guide. She helps individuals and their families navigate their end-of-life with thoughtful planning, compassion, and support. Her particular focus is on completing Advanced Directives and getting a person's affairs in order. Becca has more than 25 years of experience in leadership positions in the fields of behavioral health, homelessness, and philanthropy.

Steve had his first very successful career working in various financial roles at GE Capital for 25 years ultimately becoming an Executive Finance Manager. After leaving his career at GE in 2005, he started a second career as a Personal Financial Advisor at Opus Advice First, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial in Oxford, Ct. He worked there for 10 years during which time he became a Certified Financial Planner. He then fully [ more ]

Don Barkin MA received an A.B. from Harvard College and an M.A. in English literature from Cambridge University. He's taught undergraduate seminars in poetry and prose writing at Yale for several years and [ more ]

Phillip L. Beard has taught modernist literature in universities for over twenty years, (including a Fulbright year in Germany, and in an abroad program in Vienna) has published articles on twentieth century literature and philosophy and is currently an editor for the Bulletin of the George Santayana Society

Harriet Bergmann, after retiring as Professor of English at the US Naval Academy in 2002, moved to New Haven. Since then she has taught creative writing at Yale and works a [ more ]

Susan Birnbaum, owner and operator of SusanSez NYC Walkabouts is a native New Yorker obsessed with its history and food. Since 2002, Susan has been a licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide. Susan has had a lifelong interest in history (Hunter College - bachelor's in history ) and is a member of The Bronx, Brooklyn , and New York Historical Societies .In 2010, Susan was the recipient of The Bronx Tourism Award from The Bronx Tourism Council for her unparalleled commitment to sharing the rich history of The Bronx.

Dr. Marc J. Blosveren holds Chemistry and Psychology degrees, and a Doctorate in Science Administration. He has done extensive work in Curriculum Review and Development, was the Science Supervisor (retired) for the New Haven Board of Education and was an OSHA Health & Safety Consultant. He was an Adjunct Professor at Quinnipiac University and Western Connecticut State University.

Rita Brieger has been teaching bridge in the New Haven area for 35 years. She is a Bridge Life Master, which is the highest ranking you can achieve in bridge and is also an accredited American Contract Bridge League teacher.

Leo has led hikes in and around Connecticut for more than 25 years.

As the Community Engagement Program Manager at the Beinecke Library and local videographer/photographer, Tubyez Cropper has spent the last 10 years bringing essential yet unknown stories of local history to life. As a history scholar and New Haven local, he has spent the last 3+ years working with local schools, churches, historical societies and more to uplift the essential stories that make up the state of CT. More recently, [ more ]

Terry Dagradi is the Coordinator/Curator of the Cushing Center at the John Hay Whitney Medical Library at the Yale School of Medicine.

Leonard Engel, Professor Emeritus of English at Quinnipiac University, served as Chair of the English Dept for 18 years; in 1989, he was selected "Outstanding Faculty of the Year"; in 2013, he received Quinnipiac's "Excellence in Teaching Award." He has edited seven collections of essays beginning with The Big Empty: Essays on the Land as Narrative in 1994 and concluding with The Films of Clint Eastwood: Critical Perspectives in [ more ]

Joel N. Feimer PhD taught undergraduate and graduate level English Literature and Composition at Mercy College in New York from 1967 to 2010. He earned a PhD in Comparative Literature from the City University of New York in 1983. He [ more ]

Karen Fenichel, DMD,  has taught Mah Jongg at several venues including synagogues and adult education at high school. She has played more than 10 years. It is a good way to meet new people and make friends.

Matt Finkel is an award-winning sportscaster at NBC Connecticut. He has always been passionate about sports and his job has taken him all over the country. Matt considers it a dream job to cover sports in CT day in and day out. Finkel was named the CT Sportscaster of the Year in 2022 by the National Sports Media Association. Some highlights from recent years include covering the back to back national champion [ more ]

Jeffrey Fletcher's parents migrated from the South to Connecticut where Jeffrey was born. After graduating college he spent 14 years working with the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health, 21 years as a New Haven police officer, and is the current owner/collector of the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher Museum of African American History in Stratford, CT.

A retired registered nurse, taught to knit with her right hand at the age of 5. Taught under duress because she is left handed. In the 1960's learned how to crochet, when crafts were the popular hobby. Also, less likely to drop a stitch while raising a family and answering the office phone. Now enjoys passing on the knowledge to the younger generation.

Susan retired as Senior Vice President of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. Previously, Susan was a program officer at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and Assistant Secretary of Yale University, implementing programs to broaden local partnerships. Susan holds degrees from Yale Law School and Yale School of Architecture. She is a board member of the New Haven Preservation Trust, which she serves as Chair of the Preservation Committee.

Frances S. Grodzinsky PhD is Professor Emerita Computer Science and Information Technology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield and Past Co-Director of the Hersher Institute of Ethics.

Elizabeth Hammerberg is a Conservation Coordinator providing administrative research and project management, to the staff at the Yale Art Conservation Dept. In addition to reporting to the Chief
Conservator.

Stavroula Hatzios, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and of Chemistry in the Microbial Sciences Institute at Yale University. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. She completed her postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Her laboratory [ more ]

Harvey Heyman received a BA from Brown University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He retired in 2022 as IT Director and Business Planner for a hospital-owned physical therapy company. Harvey is a passionate consumer of current events and feels we are at a pivotal point in the health of American democracy.

Lewis House PhD is a graduate of New York University and a Professor Emeritus of Southern Connecticut State University. He is the published author of several books and many articles. Currently he is a Consultant to Educational Testing Service. He is a veteran of the US Military.

Marcia Jamron has been fascinated by travel since early childhood. College, followed by family duties, have not dulled the anticipation of a new place to see and learn all about. She applies this urge to look for new and different places to the ILR bus and zoom trips she plans and conducts.

Ira Kleinfeld earned his BS, MS and Eng. Sc.D. from Columbia University. He served as a professor of industrial engineering and associate provost for graduate studies research and faculty development at the University of New Haven where [ more ]

Hedda Kopf taught literature and gender studies at Quinnipiac University for more than three decades. She continues to develop and lead book discussions at ILR as well as at several public libraries and other institutions in Connecticut. Hedda volunteers as a reading mentor in a New Haven public school and is the author of Understanding Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources and Historical Documents.

Sharif Kronemer PhD graduated as a PhD in neuroscience from Yale University where he studied the neural mechanisms of visual perception. He is now a postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute of Health where he is using neuroimaging and machine learning to explore the complexities of human cognition and perception.

Nick Maiorino, a member of ILR for 9 years, is a life-long learner with more than 60 years of teaching experience. He holds a BS degree in Education; MS degree in Statistics, Measurement and Evaluation; 6th Year Certificate in Administration and Supervision; and advanced degrees in the sciences. While his main focus is science, he has offered courses in his many other interests such as history, music, and current events. He currently serves on the ILR Board of Governors and the Curriculum Committee.

Mithat "Mito" Mardin PhD was born in Istanbul, Turkey and is a graduate of the German High School there. He received a PhD in Organic Chemistry, Physics and Microbiology from the University of Göttingen. He worked at Bayer Pharmaceuticals for 33 years in various [ more ]

Harold Miller, Bridge Life Master, is a retired CPA and native of New Haven and teaches the basics of bridge for beginners.

Nini Munro-Chmura ME has a Masters in Guidance and Counseling, and a Sixth Year in Counseling. She was an original Head Start teacher in New Haven, and a high school guidance counselor. She has led flora and fauna walks for Audubon, Sierra, and Appalachian Mt. Clubs.

Marie Musco is a retired nurse and has been a resident of Orange for 45 years. She enjoys teaching the game to friends and family.

Byron Nakamura, PhD is a professor of History at Southern Connecticut State University, where he has taught courses on ancient Greece and Rome since 2004. He has written on subjects such as Roman imperialism, ancient religion, military history, and has a keen interest in Roman numismatics (coinage).

Trish O'Leary has an MA in literature and completed PhD course work with an emphasis on medieval literature. She enjoys learning about memory's role as viewed in scientific study and in liberal arts.

Lois Procopion was born in New Britain, Connecticut. She received her BS Degree from CCSU. She retired as a Project Manager at Aetna Healthcare in 2014. For the past 45 years, Lois has been an active Justice of the Peace. She has been a gourmet cook for over 50 years and has won first prize in various local baking competitions. Her specialty is bread-making.

Rachel Ranis has sociology degrees from Brandeis and Yale universities. Her research on social welfare issues, aging and vocational education has taken her to Pakistan, Mexico, Columbia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. She taught at the University of Bridgeport, the University of Maryland, Howard University and is retired from Quinnipiac University.

Jim Rhodes PhD graduated from Holy Cross College as a philosophy major and earned his PhD from Fordham University specializing in Medieval Literature and the works of James Joyce. He taught for many years in the English Department at Southern Connecticut State University and is the author of the book Poetry Does Theology: Chaucer, Grosseteste, and the Pearl Poet.

Constance Royster is a consultant and advisor to individuals and nonprofits in education, arts and culture. Connie chairs of the board of Open Communities Alliance (OCA), is a trustee of the William Casper Graustein Memorial Fund, and serves on the board of Long Wharf Theatre. Connie was a law clerk to the Hon. Damon J. Keith (U.S. 6th Circuit). She was an [ more ]

James Sinclair is among the world's pre-eminent scholars and champions of the music of Charles Ives. He is the Music Director of Orchestra New England and Executive Editor for the Charles Ives Society, supervising the work of Ives scholars throughout the United States. Sinclair has served as music director for four PBS television documentaries including [ more ]

Irene Sommers holds a MA from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. She is a retired Professor of Humanities from Housatonic Community College in Literature, Film, and Art History. Her specialty is Art History—particularly the Italian Renaissance [ more ]

The class is being organized by Holly Chepow and Carolyn Starr, former co-chairs of the curriculum committee. Each session will be facilitated by a different member of the class.

Michael Stein PhD fell in love with the art, architecture (and food) of the capital of France on his first trip to Paris in 1965. During more than 30 subsequent visits he photographed the monuments, churches, museums (and pastries) of Paris to supplement his lectures. For more than five decades, Professor Stein taught both studio art and art history at Kent State University, the Cleveland Institute of Art, Wilkes University, and Housatonic Community College.

Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus, son of Holocaust survivors, was raised in an Orthodox environment in Brooklyn, New York. A graduate of Brooklyn College with a degree in philosophy, he earned a Master of Education degree from NYU and was ordained in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1972. Rabbi Wainhaus served congregations in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and . . . [ more ]

Heidi Zapata, MD, PhD, is an Infectious Disease physician and Assistant Professor at the Yale School of Medicine. She grew up in Queens NYC and went to public schools, including Queens College for her undergraduate studies where she earned a merit based full tuition scholarship. She went on to do an MD, PhD at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. She trained in the laboratory of [ more ]