Notes from the Class of 1981

After 22 years of service, Steve Coe (Jour’81) retired from the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. Since 2005, Steve helped investigate and prosecute individuals in the U.S. who were suspected of committing human rights violations in 1991–95 in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Previously, he worked as a historian in the Department of Justice’s Special Investigations division. He studied Russian in the Soviet Union and received a master’s degree in Russian and East European studies from the University of Michigan in 1986 and a Ph.D. in modern Russian history in 1993.

In January, author and photographer Robert “Bob” Crifasi (Geol’81; MS’88; MEnvSci’96) published Western Water A to Z: The History, Nature, and Culture of a Vanishing Resource. The book is the first field guide to Western water. In June, he hosted a Q&A about the book at the Boulder Book Store on the Pearl Street Mall. Bob works in water management and planning and is an environmental scientist with more than 25 years of experience. He has worked as an environmental planner with Denver Water and served as the water resources administrator for the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks Department. 

Vernon Norviel (ChemEngr’81), a partner at law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, is at the forefront of a pro bono initiative aimed at bolstering biodiversity and safeguarding an endangered species. His work with Revive & Restore provides guidance on vaccine testing of a synthetic alternative to blood cells extracted from endangered horseshoe crabs. Horseshoe crabs are often harvested for their blood, which contains a protein used in vaccines and other injectable pharmaceuticals. Vern has three decades of experience formulating successful strategies for life science companies and helping them develop intellectual property programs. 

After 30 years of working for CU Presents — the home of CU Boulder performing arts — Joan McLean Beaun (Mus’81; MBA’93) plans to retire in June. She became the program’s executive director in 2001 and saw it grow to about 500 events a year, including concerts, operas, plays and musicals. “Joan’s efforts have been deeply appreciated and have laid the foundation for future success for CU performers, scholars and artists,” said Chancellor Philip DiStefano last fall. Joan lives in Boulder.