Hello, ’02s. There is lots of happy news to report this issue. 


Vickie and Austin Zalkin welcomed a baby girl in November, Lenore Louise Zalkin (“Lulu” for short). Vickie wrote that they are having a great time getting to know her and being new parents. Life these days includes lots of long walks in Central Park and spending time with friends and family.


Mara Buchbinder and her husband, Jesse Summers, also welcomed a baby this winter. “We are thrilled to announce the birth of our son Simon Joseph Summers. Simon was born at 10:36 p.m. on February 21 at 7 pounds and 19.5 inches. Simon is named for our maternal grandfathers, Simeon Joseph Bogin and Joseph John Audley.” 


Mara also recently had her first book published, Saving Babies? The Consequences of Newborn Genetic Screening. The publisher, University of Chicago Press, writes, “In Saving Babies? Stefan Timmermans and Mara Buchbinder evaluate the consequences and benefits of state-mandated newborn screening—and the larger policy questions they raise about the inherent inequalities in American medical care that limit the effectiveness of this potentially lifesaving technology.” Certainly sounds like some food for thought for all the new parents or soon-to-be new parents in our class!


Last but not least, Mike Bergen became engaged to Heidi Lawrence (BU ’01) on January 10 while vacationing on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 


That’s all the news for now. Keep sending your updates!


—Anne Cloudman, 315 West 99th St., Apt. 2D, New York City, NY 10025; acloudman@gmail.com