Joseph Whitt, MUS 06, a musician who has performed in concert halls and leading performance venues in more than 20 countries, including the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, recently released an original recording that can be heard around the world, including WRTI.

Joseph Whitt (2006) writes, "Hello, Temple People. I thought I would drop a line to tell you about what I have been up to since 2006. I recently released an original recording that has been heard around the world, including WRTI in Philly. Tri-State performances with my group, LUMINOSITY, were comprised of many Temple E. Boyer Alum. We performed during the first two weeks of July in New York City at The Knitting Factory, Washington D.C. at Twins Jazz, and in Philadelphia at Chris's Jazz Cafe. Other Boyer Alum involved in the performances were: (Yoichi Uzecki, Piano; Dan Peterson, Saxes; Adam Herschberger, Trumpet; and Larry Toft, trombone). Although I was a grad student in the classical department (2003-2005) I found it necessary to make good friends with Temple's talented jazz musicians, so we could start to fulfill our musical aspirations. During the same Spring/Summer I was also a featured soloist, coordinator, and sound archivist for the "Sound Exchange" residency program through The American Composers Forum in Philadelphia. This opportunity provided a unique performance as well as gave me another chance to work with celebrated composer/ performer/ recording artist Pauline Oliveros. I had worked with her in another performance during my undergrad some 6 years previously. Further, I performed with Voces Novae et Antiquae, Vox Ama Deus, The Great Hall Chamber Orchestra, The Reading Symphony, The Lancaster Symphony, The New Jersey Opera Theater, and other groups in the area. Further, from 2003-2006 I held the position of double bass, electric bass, and music theory instructor at Settlement Music School. I speak of all of this in the past tense due to the fact that I have been out a sea for the past 5 months performing with a swing trio. We were having fun in Russia, Scandanavia, Baltics, British Isles, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, New England, Bahamas, and the Caribbean.
MORE ABOUT JOSEPH WHITT:
http://www.flatfootrecords.com
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=14359
http://cdbaby.com/cd/luminosity
http://www.myspace.com/luminosityjazz
http://groups.mac.com/luminosity
Special Thanks to Jeff Garcia for his hard work getting the Eagles to the Big Easy, maybe next year...

Joseph Whitt, MUS 06, a musician who has performed in concert halls and leading performance venues in more than 20 countries, including the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, recently released an original recording that can be heard around the world, including WRTI.

Rebecca Saylor Sack, TYL 05, an artist and former adjunct professor at the Tyler School of Art, was a juror for the Philadelphia Sketch Clubs 145th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings in April. She exhibited her painting Midden, an oil on canvas.

Donna D'Achillo, SBM '05, has been promoted to media supervisor for Harmelin Media, a private media agency located outside Philadelphia specializing in strategic media solutions. D'Achillo joined Harmelin Media seven years ago in 2002.

Joseph M. Shields, LAW 05, was appointed executive director of the New Jersey State Parole Board. He is responsible for developing policies and strategies for the State Parole Board and its civilian and sworn law enforcement staff. He continues to serve as a member of the attorney generals task force, implementing and monitoring New Jersey Gov. Corzines Crime Plan.

Thomas Trezza, CHP 05, owner of Physical Therapy Services of Morristown, N.J., established the Drive for Autism Foundation, a charitable organization he started with his father to raise funds for schools and other non-profits committed to educating and treating people with autism.

Nathan Maskeri (2005) recently accepted a position at Coldwell Banker Realty Professionals located in East Norriton, PA as a Realtor. Nathan has been employed by Traffic.com as a Media Buyer since February 2005.

I believe the skills I have learned at Traffic.com will relate well in the real estate business. It's all about honesty, excellent customer service and communication skills. I believe in team work and honesty.

In order for me to be successful in my new career, I have to network with as many people as possible, and what better place to start than the Temple University Alumni Association. So, if you or anyone you know is interested in buying or selling real estate let me be the one to assist you through the process. I can be reached at nmaskeri01@gmail.com . "

Lauren Acquarole (2005) writes, "After graduating from Temple I took a job with Thomas Jefferson University in the Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health, and have been here for 2 years. I am now a full-time Clinical Research Specialist working on a variety of government funded grants pertaining to the behavioral aspects of gerontology. The job is very rewarding and since taking this job I have discovered a love of library science and plan to pursue my MLIS from University of Pittsburgh sometime in 2008.

Life is well and good here in Philadelphia, but I do miss all my days at Temple!"

Gregory Whetstone (School of Social Administration, BSW '92, MSW '95) received his Doctorate in Education from Wilmington College on January 28, 2007. Dr. Whetstone's dissertation was a quantitative study of males in urban high schools in the Philadelphia School District and the structural obstacles to their mathematics achievement. He plans to now pursue a faculty position, continue his present research and publish his results. Dr. Whetstone is presently a policy analyst with the Social Security Administration.