These are some of the people working to ensure a wonderful week for everyone!
David grew up in the Detroit suburbs and attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he relished his college experience. He graduated in 1986, majoring in Psychology and French, and subsequently attended Cardozo Law School in New York City. After graduating and passing the bar exam, David relocated to Los Angeles.
Despite his law degree, David’s true passion lay in teaching, and he eventually taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to adults in both Los Angeles and Paris, and created business English courses for professionals.
In 1996, David returned to the U.S. from France and combined his passions for education and law by founding the American Institute for Legal Education. The Institute offered an eight-week summer program for foreign lawyers, held on the campuses of the University of Michigan and UCLA. For many years, the Institute hosted hundreds of foreign lawyers who learned about the American legal system while improving their English language skills.
Over the years, David spoke with countless U-M alumni who reminisced about their college days. Motivated by their enthusiasm for Ann Arbor and U-M, he created the Diag Days program, a weeklong event designed to bring alumni and other interested adults back to campus for an enjoyable and educational experience.
David returned to the Detroit area in 2020. When he’s not busy organizing the Diag Days program, he works as a substitute teacher in elementary schools, often with autistic children, which he finds especially fulfilling. He continues to inspire and engage others through his innovative programs and commitment to lifelong learning.
Karen is a longtime resident of Ann Arbor and enthusiastic fan of the University of Michigan. She takes great pleasure in sharing her enthusiasm for both, especially with visitors. Her passions include learning, teaching, travel, cultures, art, music and theater. Karen attended the University of Michigan for graduate degrees in Counseling and Psychology. She has taught high school, college, and religious school, including Speech & Drama, and served for many years as a volunteer for the University Musical Society and other organizations.
Karen recently retired from Michigan Medicine (formerly University of Michigan Health System), where she was the Coordinator of Volunteer Services for 25 years. During her time there, she interviewed, placed and supervised hundreds of volunteers who assisted patients, families and hospital staff. Prior to Michigan Medicine, Karen taught at the University of Michigan and served as an undergraduate admissions counselor. She spent many years as a counselor at the International Centers of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, representing both universities in the application process for legal visa/immigration status for prospective international faculty and staff.
Although recently retired, Karen continues to be engaged in learning and volunteering, including activities with University-related organizations, such as UMRA (University of Michigan Retirees Association) and OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute).
Patti has been referred to as “Ann Arbor’s Biggest Cheerleader” and is delighted to be the Activities Coordinator for Diag Days. She has lived in Ann Arbor for over two decades and is a published author, teacher, storyteller and event organizer.
Patti works as a high school special education teacher and is a former legal aid lawyer. She is the author of several non-fiction books including Michigan Beer History, Images of America—Downtown Ann Arbor, Vanishing Ann Arbor, and A History of the People’s Food Co-op Ann Arbor.
Patti is a proud member of the Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild and frequent public speaker around town, curating HERsay (an all-woman variety show), Grown Folks Story Time (stories for grownups), and Desserts by the Decade (historical food presentation). Patti has appeared on NPR and has written for the Ann Arbor Observer, Washtenaw Jewish News, CraftBeer.com and other publications. She lives in Ann Arbor with her husband, Ken, and dog, Pugsley.
Whether you would like to hike the 17.9-mile Potawatomi Trail or hang a hammock between two trees in the Arb and enjoy an afternoon nap, Patti will make it happen!