September/October 2009

Features

COVER STORY

'I Want Her Inside the White House.'

Valerie Jarrett, '78, has been behind Barack Obama for nearly two decades—as a friend and adviser with special clout. Now the world is learning how this soft-spoken former lawyer became one of the most powerful women in the world.

Coming Through Cancer

Cancer often can be viewed as a chronic illness with a particular set of physical and mental challenges. Stanford health care providers have developed programs aimed at helping patients live not just longer but better.

Teachable Moments

Rod Searcey, '84, found an unusual way to celebrate his 25-year reunion—photographing his former professors. His portraits, and anecdotes from the faculty members themselves, constitute a gallery of great teaching.

Departments

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Untold Story

Uncovering alumni stories

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

Imagining the Possibilities

Big ideas, bold moves

1,000 WORDS

Works in Progress

END NOTE

A Sentimental Education

My soap opera life

Red All Over

Farm Report

Planet Cardinal

PURSUITS

Sam Simon's Next Trick

For polymath Sam Simon, '77, life after The Simpsons hasn't exactly gone to the dogs

Showcase

Hanging with the Living Composers

Pianist Gloria Cheng, '76, pushes musical boundaries

Penciling in a Career

How motherhood inspired children's author Betsy Franco, '69

Where the Wild Ideas Are

California icons, in iconoclastic portraits

Class Notes

Profiles

QUICK CHAT: BRENDA KENNELLY, '66

In Full Bloom

TIME CAPSULE: WENDY JALONEN FAWTHROP, '78

Roommates Wanted

SPOTLIGHT: ANDY COHEN, '86

Caring Incorporated

SNAPSHOT: PETER SKILLMAN, MS '93

Home, Green Home

Farewells

The Mentor

Rajeev Motwani

The Chief

Irving Schulman

Online Exclusives