Brandeis Magazine

Summer 2025

Interior view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris

After fire nearly destroyed an architectural icon, a Sorbonne acoustician helped preserve its signature sound — and cracked a medieval mystery.

Read the Story

Highlights

Harry Mairson cutting a piece of wood in his workshop.

A Digital Renaissance

Software developed by computer science professor Harry Mairson is helping luthiers craft faithful replicas of old-world violins and cellos.

Two people, Joel and Karm Waldman, with podcast equipment

Life With the Survivor

The fractious relationship between a former Fox News correspondent and his Holocaust-survivor mom has made their true-crime podcast a hit.

A rendering of the new residence hall from the south side of campus.

Breaking Ground on a New Residence Hall

Brandeis will begin construction on a state-of-the-art 631-bed residence hall this summer.

Two graduate students conduct research with a pipette and beakers in a lab.

Research Without Boundaries

Groundbreaking research efforts by Brandeis faculty — often conducted with the help of Brandeis students — have earned many accolades on the world stage.

Trees and skyscrapers stretch up to a blue sky.

Getting Personal With Public Art

Public art is more important than ever, says the chief curator of NYC’s Madison Square Park.

Students smiling at Commencement inside Gosman

‘Do Not Let Others Write Your Story’

Brandeis awarded more than 1,700 degrees to undergraduate and graduate students during its 74th Commencement exercises.

Sarna stands in a classroom and speaks with a group of students.

An Eminent Historian of American Judaism Retires

University Professor Jonathan Sarna ’75, GSAS MA’75, H’25, was a faculty member at Brandeis for 35 years.

Shape the Future of Brandeis Magazine

Tell us what’s working — and what’s missing. Your input helps us create a magazine that reflects your interests, your experience and your connection to Brandeis.

A bride and groom smile together during their wedding ceremony.

Ceremonies

Brandeis alumni celebrate weddings and other major milestones.

See the Full Issue

Class Notes

Did your Brandeis classmates recently get new jobs, reunite with Brandeis friends, graduate with advanced degrees, receive awards or expand their families? See what’s going on in their lives.

Find Your Class

Digital Extras

Even more to explore — exclusive content you won’t find in the print edition.

A group of people wearing protective clothing work inside of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Echoes of a Lost Sanctuary

When Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames, Brian F.G. Katz ’90 feared its distinctive sound would vanish, too. A Paris-based acoustician, Katz is now using pre-fire data and 3D modeling to help restore not just what visitors see, but what they hear and feel in the sacred space.

Coding the Craft of Sound

Computer science professor Harry Mairson doesn’t play music — he builds it. Blending centuries-old tradition with modern algorithms, he handcrafts violins and cellos that sing with soul. Discover the story behind the sound through photos, video and 3D renderings that bring this craftsmanship to life.

A large outdoor sculpture with cars passing by in the foreground

Art Without Walls

As Madison Square Park’s new chief curator, Denise Markonish ’97 is bringing bold, thought-provoking art to the public sphere. Her path from the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis to one of the nation’s most visible art stages captures the increasing momentum for art that’s accessible, visible and socially engaged.

Inside the Language of War

In her new book, anthropology professor Janet McIntosh examines the complex language shaping U.S. infantry training. Read an excerpt that reveals how words become weapons on the front lines and in the mind.

Summer 2025

Current Issue

The Summer 2025 edition of Brandeis Magazine delivers fascinating stories, including how a Brandeis graduate played a key role in preserving Notre-Dame Cathedral’s iconic sound in the wake of the building’s devastating 2019 fire and an inside look at the university’s plans for a new 631-bed residence hall.

View the full issue