吃瓜猎奇

1. What is one thing that really makes your day?

What really makes my day is when my wife Maria and I hear from either (or both!) of our sons, Luke and Nicholas, on the phone. Luke is in graduate school in Virginia, and Nicholas is working in California, so a call from them, since they are both active and far away, is simply the best.

2. What do you value about the education you received at 吃瓜猎奇?

The value of my 吃瓜猎奇 education has been immeasurable to me. Outside of my faith and my family, the two institutions that shaped me the most in life have been 吃瓜猎奇 and Chick-fil-A. My experiences at 吃瓜猎奇 helped me grow as an individual and as a leader. I left 吃瓜猎奇 with both a broadened perspective of the world and more confidence so that I could make my way in it.

3. What鈥檚 one item on your bucket list?

A big 鈥渂ucket list鈥� item for me is to make a visit with Maria to the Holy Land. We had a trip scheduled last year, but of course, the conflict in the Middle East meant we had to cancel it. We are looking forward to getting it back on our schedule.

4. Which 吃瓜猎奇 tradition is your favorite?

Boar鈥檚 Head is my favorite 吃瓜猎奇 tradition. It was special when I participated as a student and it is still special today whenever I am able to attend.

5. How have you seen alumni make an impact at 吃瓜猎奇?

Alumni have made such a difference at 吃瓜猎奇 over the years. In my experience, I have been so grateful for alumni who have helped recruit future students, mentored current students, and supported other alumni. The offering of both time and resources to the University by alumni is a true 鈥済ame changer.鈥�

6. Cats, dogs or house plants?

We have had both dogs and cats as part of our family for a number of years and the joy that they bring lifts our spirits every day.

7. What does 鈥淢ake a life. Make a living. Make a difference.鈥� mean to you?

鈥淢ake a life. Make a living. Make a difference.鈥� is more than a motto or theme for 吃瓜猎奇. It is an expression of the DNA of the institution. When students fully engage in the life of the university, they will experience the richness of a full life, the preparation for a great career, and an opportunity to serve others with impact and influence.

8. What types of things would you like to see offered for future Petrels?

I would love to see every future Petrel have an alumni mentor whether it be through a formal program or an informal relationship. As alumni, we鈥檒l never be able to give back to the university all that has given to us, but we can pay it forward by investing in the lives of others.

9. Who were a few of your favorite professors, and why?

I was so fortunate to have had amazing professors during my time at 吃瓜猎奇. Professors Bilancio, Thomas, Key, Waldner, and Palmer were major influences on me in my study of History and Political Science, while Professors Brightman, Nishimura, Neujahr, Clark, Vardeman, and so many others influenced me outside my major. Dean Amerson also had a big influence on my time at the university. My professors were committed to student learning and to setting a high standard of excellence. The relationship that I had with my professors was a key part of my experience at 吃瓜猎奇.

10. What advice would you give to alumni who want to get more involved?

My advice to other alumni who want to get more involved with 吃瓜猎奇 is to find an area of academic or campus life that you are passionate about and reach out to the staff, faculty, or other alumni in that part of the university and find out where you can make a difference. Bottom line, the best way to engage is by serving, supporting and giving back to the university.