Mel (2018)Mel
Unlike Steve and Barry, Mel went on to do what the yearbook said he wanted to do: teach mathematics. He earned both a Masters and a Doctorate from Cornell, and has taught at a number of colleges. But like his fellow one-time panelists, he found that life entails many things beyond job descriptions.
I don’t believe that I ever discussed politics or philosophy with Mel when I knew him, but online I’ve seen that he is an ardent, sincere, and outspoken socialist. For years, he has written blogs and articles that target injustices, seek to make society more fair, and promote changes that would make the lives of disadvantaged people more sustainable. It thus is not a surprise to see that he has been president of a union, and has negotiated faculty contracts with colleges. Indeed, his “After” picture is taken from the website of the Westchester Community College Federation of Teachers; it was included in a posting that discussed 2018’s contract negotiations.
I don’t know enough about Mel at this point him to say more, other than that he seems to have worked tirelessly, has not shied away from protest, and appears to have lived according to the principles he espouses.
