F. Jerome O’Malley ’78, a former prosecutor in Connecticut, died on August 26, 2024. Read his obituary.
1978
Vanessa L. Bryant ’78 Retires From Federal Bench
Curtis Tearte ’78 Honored by Brandeis
Curtis Tearte ’78 is being recognized with a 2023 Alumni Achievement Award from Brandeis University, where he earned his BA in 1973. Brandeis is honoring Tearte during the school’s 75th anniversary celebration for his business and philanthropic leadership. Tearte worked at IBM for more than 30 years and served on the company’s Worldwide Management Committee, composed of the top 60 IBM senior executives. He is now chairman of the Tearte Family Foundation, which helps underrepresented students complete high school and pursue post-secondary education. Tearte has served on the Brandeis Board of Trustees and the board of the University of Connecticut Law School Foundation.
Foodshare Honors Cheryl Chase ’78
Cheryl Chase ’78 accepted the Nancy Carrington Philanthropy Award from Connecticut Foodshare at a ceremony on Oct. 12, 2022. Chase and the Chase Family Foundation are longtime supporters of Connecticut Foodshare, which distributes food through a network of more than 700 relief programs.
Marilda Gandara ’78 Inducted Into Immigrant Hall of Fame
In Memoriam: David Leff ’78
David Leff ’78, a former deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection who was also a poet and essayist, died in May 2022. Read the obituary.
In Memoriam: Lea Shedd ’78
Lea Shedd ’78, elder law attorney and former chair of the Legal Studies Department at Quinnipiac College, died January 19, 2022. Read her obituary.
Philip Bryce ’78 named Global Chief Knowledge Officer at Mayer Brown
Philip Bryce ’78 has recently received a title upgrade to chief knowledge officer at Mayer Brown LLP. Mayer Brown is a global law firm with offices in 26 cities across multiple continents. Bryce’s previous title was global director of knowledge management.
UConn Law Alumni Named in HBJ Power 50
Hartford Business Journal announced its 2021 Power 50, which aims to highlight private and public sector, nonprofit, higher education and healthcare leaders in Greater Hartford whose power and influence not only change the organizations they work for but the broader community. The following UConn Law Alumni were recognized: Matt Ritter ’07, Martin Looney ’85, Senator Christopher Murphy ’02, The Honorable Joseph D. Courtney ’78, The Honorable Kevin Kelly ’97, Jennifer Jackson ’93, Michael ’83 JD, and DeVaughn Ward ’11. Read their bios and see rankings here.
Fred Cantor ’78 Publishes New Memoir
Fred Cantor ’78 has published a book about his lifelong fascination with the Knicks, including his friendship with UConn Law Professor Emeritus Lewis Kurlantzick, an expert in sports law and a fellow Knicks fan. The book, “Fred from Fresh Meadows: A Knicks Memoir,” was published in November. Cantor will donate all the royalties to the John Starks Foundation, a scholarship fund founded by the retired Knicks star. The new book is Cantor’s third. He has also worked as a film writer, producer and as a lyricist.