BA '56
I went to CCNY because it seemed easier for my family due to the cost. I had great affection for Professor Goodman, who taught fiction writing classes. I was a student of his in his last year teaching, from 1951 to 1952. That was my favorite academic experience. I took fiction writing with him and I took courses on the 18th-century English novel. I liked those, and I fell into writing. After serving two years in the army, I returned to CCNY and graduated in 1956. I got a job as a publicity writer with a non-profit organization that year and then went to a labor union as a writer on its monthly journal. Unions are where I spent the rest of my work life. I worked for three trade unions as a journalist. My longest stay was with the United Federation of Teachers, headed by Al Shanker, and its affiliate, New York State United Teachers.