6 to be Inducted into Hewlett-Woodmere Alumni Hall of Fame

A nurse recognized worldwide for neonatal care, a Brookings senior fellow, an internationally exhibited artist, Showtime’s leading lawyer, a security expert at Pfizer and an NBC news anchor have one big thing in common — they all graduated from Hewlett High School.

The six graduates will be inducted into the Hewlett-Woodmere Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame this Sunday, April 28, at its 17th annual brunch and induction ceremony at Hewlett High School at 11:30 a.m.

Read below for bios on the six inductees, courtesy of the HWAA.

Charles Rait – Class of 1962

In recognition of nationwide and worldwide influence benefiting neonatal intensive care nursing. He was a founder, executive director, president, and member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN). Under his leadership, NANN’s membership grew in the US and around the globe. He received NANN’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was founder, editor, and publisher for 30 years of the journal “Neonatal Network: The Journal of Neonatal Nursing,” founder of Academy of Neonatal Nursing (ANN) providing educational opportunities and conferences for NICU nurses, president of Neonatal Nurses of Northern California and established NICU Ink Book Publishers, publishing the award-winning, “Neonatal Intensive Care: What Every Parent Needs to Know.”

Jeffrey A. Bader – Class of 1963

In recognition of extraordinary expertise, leadership in foreign policy and decades of government service, diplomacy and analysis. He is the Brookings Institution’s John C. Whitehead Senior Fellow in International Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, John L. Thornton China Center. He served as Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for East Asian Affairs on the National Security Council from January 2009 to April 2011. His numerous positions include National Committee on US-China Relations, Academic Advisory Board US-China Congressional Working Group, US State Department Director in Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs, Deputy Consul General to Hong Kong, Assistant US Trade Representative, Ambassador to Namibia, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs. He received the US State Department’s Distinguished Service Award. He authored, “Obama and China’s Rise: An Insider’s Account of America’s Asia Strategy” (2012).

Laurie Lipton – Class of 1971

In recognition of her imaginative artistic talent and memorable drawing technique. Her art has an astounding amount of detail created by drawing thousands of tiny lines that stunningly obtain tone, form, light and shade. Her works have been exhibited extensively at shows and galleries in London, Scotland, Spain, Paris, Holland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, NY, Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida and California. Publications and media in Australia, UK, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Canada and the USA have included her art. “The Extraordinary Drawings of Laurie Lipton,” contains 70 of her drawings spanning 3 decades. Some of this artist’s work can be viewed at www.laurielipton.com and on her Facebook page.

H. Gwen Marcus – Class of 1974

In recognition of distinguished achievement as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Showtime Networks Inc., New York, and leadership in community organizations. She is Showtime’s chief legal officer and helps shape strategies as senior management. She mentors students and colleagues about careers, management, women in the workplace and diversity by speaking at schools and business, legal, and diversity panels. Her honors include The Hollywood Reporter (Women in Entertainment Power 100), Cable Fax: The Magazine (Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Cable) and NYU Law (Alumna of the Month). She chairs committees and boards for not-for-profit organizations, including Theatre Development Fund (TDF/TKTS) and the LGBT Community Center. For several consecutive years, she was the largest individual fundraiser for AIDS Walk New York.

Matthew J. Bassiur – Class of 1991

In recognition of noteworthy accomplishments in Intellectual Property (IP) security, combating counterfeiting and fraud. He is VP for Pfizer Global Security, including the Americas Region. He manages worldwide Strategic Planning and Intelligence directorates serving as deputy to Pfizer’s Chief Security Officer. Prior experience includes Apple Inc.’s Global Security division, US DOJ’s Computer Crime & IP Section (CCIPS), Chief of Trademark Counterfeit Unit and ADA in the Manhattan DA’s office. He serves on Boards of US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Foundation and International Anti Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC). The Society of Asian Federal Officers named him Civilian of the Year. US Chamber of Commerce honored him for Distinguished Service as a Federal Government Official. As a US Fulbright Scholar, he taught IP law at Renmin University, Beijing, China.

Gus Rosendale – Class of 1996

In recognition of significant achievements in broadcast news. He is a breaking news reporter and fill-in anchor for NBC News 4 New York. Previously, he was a weekday anchor, breaking news field anchor and special assignment reporter for KSTP-TV (ABC) in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, and a main anchor, weekend anchor and weekday reporter for Plattsburgh, NY and Burlington, VT on WPTZ-TV (Hearst/NBC), when he covered the Salt Lake Olympics. While with WTAE-TV (Hearst/ABC), Pittsburgh, PA, he covered the Sago Mine disaster. The New York and Vermont AP honored him for breaking and general news coverage. He received the New York State AP Award for Best Newscast. He has served United Way, Salvation Army and been Master of Ceremonies at charity events.

Tours will start at 11:30 a.m. Brunch will begin at 12:00 noon. The induction ceremony will follow. The fee for reservations is $35 per person. When making reservations, please provide your name, address, phone number, email address, and the names of the persons expected to attend. Checks can be made payable to the Hewlett-Woodmere Alumni Association (HWAA).

For further information, please go to www.hewlett-woodmere.net and click the “Our District” button at the top of the page to access the “Alumni Association” link, or contact Teena Ditchek Korman at tkorman@optonline.net. Net revenues from this event will benefit the HWAA's scholarship fund.