26. Abra Perrie

Every few weeks, Cornell '95 Faces features a profile of one of our class officers. This week, meet one of the class correspondents.

North Wales, Pennsylvania · Engineering 

Name at Cornell
Abra Benson

abrabenson@yahoo.com

Tell us about what you're doing with your life.

I recently moved back to the Philadelphia area and am a stay-at-home mom to Leah, 4, and Flynn, 2. Prior to children, I worked in the airline industry for 6 years post MS, and later, after a Cornell(!) MBA, in pharmaceutical market research for 6 years. While I do miss aspects of professional life and having days that involve much less cleaning of others, I have never had better bosses.    

What are your duties as class officer and what have you enjoyed about the job?

As one of the Class Correspondents, I am in touch with everyone!  I've written our Class Notes column for almost 15 years, and I love hearing from classmates.  he Class of 1995 is very important to me. It gives me great joy to learn what people are up to as we go through our life journeys together. I feel more connected to my peers and a little more comfortable about what's going on in my on life. You are my touchstone.

What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell this year?

You are being taught by leaders in their fields, experts in their specialties, and the best professors out there. Pay attention in class.  Pay a lot of attention in class. It will help you learn the material better and make studying for exams much easier. You only have a short time to be in this exceptional environment. Don't chat with your friends, sleep, or stare at your phone. Be present in class. Soak it in and make the most of the lecture.  

If you could change anything about your Cornell experience, what would it be?
I had a wonderful time at Cornell and was involved in a variety of school activities, but sometimes I wish I had gone down more rabbit holes. I wish I had pushed myself into more college life adventures. I should have volunteered for some of the random psych experiments advertised on Uris boards or posed nude for painting classes. I wish I had tried sorority life and gone to more fraternity parties. I should have participated in Cornell Concert Commission, the Cornell Concert band, and Semester at Sea. I wish I had more time for everything! 

What are you most looking forward to at Reunion 2015?
Everything!!  I can't wait to breathe the Ithaca air, stroll by gorges and lakes, walk uphill everywhere, sleep in a dorm room, eat at Collegetown Bagel, and, of course, be surrounded by my fellow Cornellians, especially those from 1995. Over the course of our past reunions, I've developed a fun group of friends who have basically become my reunion dates. They make my experience extra fun, and I am definitely looking forward to another reunion with them (you know who you are, so you better show up!). Also, I am both looking forward to and dreading seeing the changes to my beloved campus. Change can be hard to take, whether it's good or bad, especially when it happens to a place you love. I already miss you, Ruloff's.

44. Sanjoy Biswas

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Agriculture and Life Sciences

sanjoy73@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanjoy73

Tell us about what you're doing with your life.

Been in Philadelphia since graduation and have worked in various roles at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals since 1997. Currently I'm an internal auditor for the company and am responsible for evaluating risks throughout our R&D organization. One of the perks of the job is being able to globetrot to our many facilities around the world. 

Extracurricular-wise I've been very active in the local music scene promoting North Indian Classical music thru a non-profit that I've run since 2006. Last year I helped organize the Raga Samay Festival showcasing 24 hours of Indian Classical music, which hasn't been done in the past 30-some-odd years in North America.

I've recently become a shutterbug since the birth of my son Anikh, who keeps my wife Mita, and I very busy and always laughing. We're currently getting him to learn how to sing "Eye of the Tiger" before he starts pre-school in the Fall.

What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found the most useful?
Hands down, for me it was Cell Biology Lab. Taught me enough molecular biology skills to hit the ground running as soon as I started graduate school. That in turn translated into my first research job in the Dept. of Microbiology at what was then SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. I continue to be employed by the industry (and hopefully for some time to come!) and have that lab course to thank for getting my foot in the door.

What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell this year?
Join a club, organization, or activity on campus that reflects something you're passionate or just want to learn more about. It may very well become an oasis for you when the academic stress is kicking into high gear! You'll form valuable relationships, carry unique experiences, and have something more to show on your resume. And speaking of resumes, start building your professional network...NOW!

What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was the most meaningful?
Cornell Concert Commission for sure! Taught me invaluable lessons in teamwork, organization, leadership, etc. I picked up a lot of audio and lighting expertise along the way both in CCC and with Cornell Productions by running shows on and off campus. As a result, that helped me when I came to Philly as a stage hand for concerts in town, as a DJ for private and corporate gigs, and running PA for various shows (including my own wedding!)

66. Catherine Marie Charlton

Chester County, Pennsylvania · Engineering

Twitter: @cmcriverdawn
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cmcriverdawn

Tell us about what you're doing with your life.
I am a pianist, composer, and improviser with multiple relaxation albums (www.CatherineMarieCharlton.com). I run my record label part-time from home and also have two little kiddos ages 4 and 2.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?
Watching the solar eclipse from the Chimes Tower; entering the Chimes Master competition and having access to the tower during practice time; paging books in the basement of the music building, running up and down the stairs to retrieve them back to the circulation desk; semester abroad in Hamburg, Germany; Systems Dynamics class; group problem set solving sessions; Star Trek at Risley (everyone knew what season the episode was from based on Captain's stardate log); building a laser; breaking the curve along with my best friend in Physics class.

What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was the most meaningful?
Playing piano in random places—top of High Rise 2, Robert Purcell Student Union (my fav) as people streamed by on their way to breakfast, various pianos in Willard Straight Hall. I think having to practice in public places helped my performing confidence! I also loved playing the Noontime Concert Series and Coffeehouses at Willard Straight—was so incredibly grateful for that forum to work on my compositions and gain confidence in performing.

If you could change anything about your Cornell experience, what would it be?
I wish I reached out more to people around me and realized how many friends I truly had. I was pretty insular in my emotions and kept to myself a lot, especially at group gatherings—I always thought of myself as an introvert and was too afraid to jump into conversations!