alumni
Mortar Fire and Ice Cream
Jul. 13, 2008—COURTESY OF MICHAEL WOODARD. When the Black Hawk helicopter I was flying landed at the American base near Al Qayyarah in early October 2005, ending my role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, it came as welcome relief from the maddening pace of the previous 12 months. Naively, I had believed that this deployment would have little...
Lord of the Pointy Ears
Mar. 12, 2008—Outfitters to Wookiees and Warlocks: Paul Bielaczyc, BS’02, MS’04 (standing), and his brother, Michael, only use their special powers for good, helping solve the age-old problem of what to wear to your next Renaissance festival or science fiction convention. The brothers create ogre masks, elf ears, faun pants, fangs, wounds, swords and more. Photo by...
Words from the Wise
Mar. 11, 2008—“Never believe the landlord when he says that living next to the ‘el’ train is an ‘urban experience.'” Life After Vanderbilt is a new guide written for new graduates by recent graduates–a collection of advice that the Alumni Association will present as a graduation gift to each member of the Class of 2008. With tips...
Shiraz, Schumann and Space Cadets
Mar. 11, 2008—Katrina Markoff, BA’95 Alumni who are part of the 37 Vanderbilt Chapters nationwide are staying connected by planning dozens of events each year, from simple get-togethers for ballgames and happy hours to elaborate wine tastings and educational lectures. Here’s just a sampling: The New York and Chicago chapters each hosted a “Chocolate and Cheese Tasting...
Mentoring and a Meal
Mar. 11, 2008—“Opening Dores allows students to get real-world advice about what they can do with their Vanderbilt degree. And it’s fun for the alumni, who chat about their old classes and professors, sports, and what it means to be a Vanderbilt alum.” ~Kate Stuart “Should I take Italian or Spanish? And please pass the potatoes.” Vanderbilt...
It Pays to Advertise
Mar. 11, 2008—Billy O’Steen, BA’89 (left), Betsy Macdonald, BS’90, and Kirk Williams, BA’89 “Kids seem to be the admission ticket for making new friends in strange places,” says Kirk Williams, who figured he was the only Vanderbilt alumnus living in the small coastal village of Sumner, New Zealand, until one day his wife took their children, Ruby...
Deadly Force
Mar. 11, 2008—Ted Hildreth, BE’89 (standing, right), with Terry Moran, co-anchor of ABC News’ Nightline. Photo by Sgt. Jack W. Carlson III If North Korea or Iran shot an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the United States, most of us would be blissfully unaware. But for Lt. Col. Ted Hildreth, this “bolt out of the blue” would...
Classy Chassis
Mar. 11, 2008—Marc Hamburger, BA’64 Photo by Daniel Dubois People who collect stamps or coins have it easy–they can add to their collections whenever their budget allows. But for car collectors like Marc Hamburger, space is always a consideration. Of the seven cars in his collection, those nearest and dearest to his heart are two Pierce-Arrows. One...
A Spare Pair in Every Purse
Nov. 1, 2007—Take three best friends forever. Let’s make them blonde, with Southern accents. One night over a dinner of martinis and mini-burgers, the trio happens upon an idea that grows into an international success story–Passport Panties.Turns out tiny pieces of lingerie equal big business.You can find them in more than 350 stores around the world. Identical...
Bound for Glory
Nov. 1, 2007—In 2005 Katharine Carroll was beginning her career as a professional cyclist. She just missed a top-10 finish in her first race, the Athens Twilight Criterium, and then placed fourth in the Joe Martin Stage Race. Just two years later–a very short time in the cycling world–she won both prestigious events. “Once I got that...
Knowledge Is Power
Nov. 1, 2007—Alumni Association News Remember when you were a Vanderbilt student, not quite sure where you would land after graduation or how you were going to make the transition from the classroom to the work world? Wouldn’t it have been great to connect with former students who had at least some of the answers? This fall...
Classical Revival
Nov. 1, 2007—After Herschel Gower retired in 1985 as an English professor at Vanderbilt, he figured he’d take it easy and refinish furniture. “I’ve done no refinishing at all,”Gower says.”Working for one’s wife is certainly hazardous.” The two now live in Dallas, where Dona is executive director of the Athena Foundation and her husband is a faculty...