CLASS NOTES

David Caplan
Journalism, ’98
David is news editor at ABC News Digital and host of the ABC News livestream show Real Life. February will mark his three-year anniversary with ABC News in New York.

Matthew Dakin
Image Arts ’98
Born in London, England, to a New Zealander father and Vietnamese mother, and raised in Canada, Matthew became entranced by the raw elegance of Hanoi, Vietnam in 2000, and decided to base himself there. He has been in Vietnam ever since, working as a commercial photographer, developing and exhibiting artistic projects. His projects constantly bring him around the developing country, inspiring him to capture a vital and intriguing Vietnam. Matthew’s fine art photographs can be seen online at matthewdakin.com, or at Work Room Four (workroomfour.com) and Tan My Design (tanmydesign.com).

Ali Hemmati
Applied Chemistry and Biology ’95
He writes: “I am married with two daughters, both are university students. I’m proud to say I’ve been working at Ryerson for more than 20 years. My major responsibilities as an engineering specialist include the design of new and novel equipment, providing engineering support and advice to faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students in our department and others, and providing input into the departmental practices and procedures as they apply to laboratory activities.”

Kathleen Jones-Lepidas
Publishing ’97
She writes under the pen name Kathleen Jones, and recently published her first novel, a midlife romance set in the world of stand-up comedy. The novel, Love Is the Punch Line, was published by Moonshine Cove last April.

Natasha Marchewka
RTA ’92
Natasha writes: “I have recorded more than 10,000 commercials and voice-over projects over 12 years and have grown my business exponentially through referrals from happy clients throughout North America and around the globe, from Electrolux to Zip Recruiter to Adventures by Disney. I started my voice acting career and voice-over business with a six-month-old in the background; this, after several years of singing in New York, and many, many jobs paying my dues. I am now located in the Greater Los Angeles area and am thrilled to be able to participate in what L.A. has to offer.”

David Ray
Image Arts ’93
He writes: “My most recent film, which I wrote, produced, and directed, is entitled Grand Unified Theory and is now available on VOD. Nominated for Best Picture in Beijing and the recipient of three festival Audience Awards, the dramedy is about parents facing an existential crisis as their children come of age during a fateful weekend when simmering conflicts, secrets and desires come to light. One of the young stars, Maxwell Haynes, is making waves in Toronto right now.” Visit grandunifiedtheoryfilm.com.

2000s

Dan Browne
Image Arts ’05
Dan’s films have been shown at more than 100 international film festivals since graduation. His most recent work, Palmerston Blvd., premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017. Last spring, he was featured in the prestigious Millennium Film Journal, accompanied by a screening at Anthology Film Archives in New York City.

A still image from the film Palmerston Blvd., directed by Dan Browne, Image Arts ‘05.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN BROWNE

44 Ryerson University Magazine / Winter 2019