Eight distinguished Shaker graduates have been inducted into the Alumni Association Hall of Fame. One induction was made posthumously.
The 2012 inductees have excelled in the fields of medicine, business, law, literature, sports, and entertainment. The inductees, whose biographical sketches are below, gave speeches of inspiration and encouragement to Shaker Heights High School students at an assembly held on October 8. The new inductees are:
Shoshana Stein Bennett, ’71, is a pioneer in the field of assessing and treating postpartum depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. She is the author of Pregnant on Prozac, Postpartum Depression for Dummies, and co-author of Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety. Dr. Shosh, as she is better known, has been featured on national TV shows including 20/20, The Doctors, and The Ricki Lake Show. In addition, she is interviewed regularly on national radio, and has been quoted in many newspapers and magazines including The Wall Street Journal and Parenting magazine. Dr. Shosh is a former president of Postpartum Support International, and in 1987 founded Postpartum Assistance for Mothers. She is also the creator of a new mobile app called PPD Gone.
Peter Bergman, ’57, was a co-founder of the classic American comedy ensemble, The Firesign Theatre, which was responsible for numerous best-selling albums, including three Grammy nominees. Mr. Bergman attended Yale University, where he was managing editor of the campus comedy magazine. After receiving his degree in economics, Mr. Bergman continued his education as a Eugene O’Neill Playwriting Fellow, also at Yale. In addition to his involvement with The Firesign Theatre, Mr. Bergman wrote and performed radio commentary, as well as a series of one-man shows. Mr. Bergman passed away in March 2012.
Richard Brubaker, ’50, is a former partner with the law firm of Calfee, Halter & Griswold, and is now in private practice. He played football for Ohio Wesleyan University, and in 1951 was part of the Ohio Athletic Conference championship-winning team. He transferred to and played football for The Ohio State University, serving as co-captain in 1954 and helping his team to an undefeated season, National Champion designation, and Rose Bowl victory over USC. After graduation, Mr. Brubaker played one season for the Chicago Cardinals before entering the US Navy. Following his service, he rejoined the Cardinals for one season. After earning his law degree at Western Reserve University, he played one season with the Buffalo Bills. His other accomplishments include climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and being inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.
Anna Lupica Colagiovanni, ’12, was a student at Shaker Heights High School during the Depression. Like many young adults during that time, she left school to help support her large family. She dropped out in 1933 to work in her father’s butcher shop, but never gave up hope of achieving her dream of earning a high school diploma. She completed her high school coursework at night school almost 10 years later, but never received a diploma. After attending Fenn College, she worked at the Federal Reserve Bank. Mrs. Colagiovanni has been active in the community, serving as a member of the Ladies Guild at St. Dominic’s Church in Shaker Heights and as a poll worker for 25 years. Last June, Mrs. Colagiovanni realized her dream and was awarded an honorary diploma from Shaker Heights High School.
Marc Nathanson, ’65, began his career in the for-profit sector, achieving success as vice president of sales and marketing for Monet Jewelers, a manufacturer of women’s fashion jewelry. In 2002, he transitioned to the non-profit world, becoming the director of development at New Life Community and increasing the organization’s name recognition, corporate sponsors, and individual donors. Mr. Nathanson also served as executive director of the Old Stone Education Center and the West Side Catholic Center, increasing the organizations’ name recognition and improving fundraising efforts. He is currently a Senior Development Executive with Youth Opportunities Unlimited.
Austin Ratner, ’90, earned his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine before deciding to become a writer. Praised by Harper’s Magazine and featured in Publishers Weekly as one of ten promising debuts, his first novel, The Jump Artist, was the 2011 winner of the Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature. His non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, and his short fiction was awarded the Missouri Review Editors’ Prize. His latest novel, In the Land of the Living, is scheduled for release in 2013.
Laurel Richie, ’77, is the president of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Ms. Richie attended Dartmouth College, where she was recognized as one of the top ten graduates of the class of 1981 by Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Prior to her position with the WNBA, Ms. Richie worked for international advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather for over 20 years and continues her association with the organization as a founding member of its Diversity Advisory Board. The Network Journal named Ms. Richie as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Business. Other honors include the YMCA Black Achievers in Industry award, Ebony magazine’s Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications award, the Power 100 List, and the Shot Caller Award from Black Girls Rock! She is a trustee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and of Dartmouth College.
Jerome Taylor, ’92, received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 2000. After graduation, he served as a battalion surgeon for the Navy, earning the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Surgery at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and his responsibilities include teaching medical students and surgical residents, as well as running a surgery skills lab and animate operating room. His awards include a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Surgical Resident Scholarly Activity Achievement Award from Beth Israel Medical Center.
Pictured above, from left, are (front row) Anna Lupica Colagiovanni, Shoshana Stein Bennett, Laurel Richie, Richard Brubaker, (back row) Austin Ratner, Marc Nathanson, and Jerome Taylor.
Hall of Fame Nomination Form