November 17, 2009
Podcast 71: Bill Heenan, Adventure in Yemen
In 2008, Bill Heenan, '76, traveled to Sana'a, Yemen, to gain professional experience at an English language institute. The trip presented many unusual opportunities and situations. When the institute’s director became sick, Heenan suddenly found himself running the institute. And then the security situation deteriorated with terrorist attacks in the country, including the bombing of the US Embassy. Heenan decided to keep his commitment and stay in the country. He provides us with a glimpse into this little-known area of the world. 118784Posted by smorioka at 04:05 PM
October 27, 2009
Podcast 70: Heavy Metal, Steven Ball on the Bells
You may be familiar with the music of Steven Ball, '00, MMUS'03, AMusD'08, even if you don't realize it. This is strange when you consider that he performs on massive instruments. One is the carillon in Burton Tower, which consists of 55 bells with a combined weight of 43 tons. The other is the Barton organ at the Michigan Theater, where part of his job is to accompany silent films. Learn about Ball's unique and musical life in our latest podcast. Extra links: Steven Ball, www.stevenball.com; Stearns Collection, www.music.umich.edu/research/stearns_collection/index.htm. 18722072Posted by bwhites at 08:49 AM
July 17, 2009
Podcast 69: Bo Parfet, Scaling the Seven Summits
After Bo Parfet got his MBA from Michigan in 2000, he immediately went to work on Wall Street as an investment banker. The job left him little time to train for mountain climbing, an interest he had pursued for years. He learned just how ill-prepared he was as he scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa, in 2003. But rather than dissuade him, the climb changed him. Since then, he has scaled each of the seven summits--the tallest mountain on each continent. He shares his stories of climbing in his book "Die Trying" and in an interview here. Bo Parfet continues to climb and to lecture around the country about his experiences. You can learn more online at www.boparfet.com. 13352960Posted by smorioka at 12:28 PM
June 16, 2009
Podcast 68: Bobby Scales, Making the Majors
Michigan alumnus Bobby Scales realized a dream this season. After playing 10 seasons in baseball's minor leagues, he was called up to play infield for the Chicago Cubs. His season got off to a great start, but he was sent down to the minors before being called up again the next day. And shortly after this interview, he was sent to the minors again. No wonder his story has been compared to a Hollywood movie. But despite the changes, one thing remains: his dedication to the game of baseball. In this interview, he talks about his long time in the minor leagues, his reaction to being a major leaguer and his love of U-M. 15443027Posted by bwhites at 11:34 AM
May 19, 2009
Podcast 67: Biking to fight Alzheimer's
At the end of May, two recent U-M graduates will embark on the adventure of a lifetime. They plan to bicycle across America, playing music at nursing homes along the way and relying on the hospitality of strangers for their daily needs. If all goes well, they will raise $50,000 for the Alzheimer's Association in the process. We talked with 2007 U-M graduate Kendal Sparks about the ins and outs of the trip, and about how Alzheimer's affected his own family. 15003648Posted by bwhites at 08:08 AM
April 20, 2009
Podcast 66: Lindsay Bogdasarian
How could a personal trainer change your life? We talk with Lindsay Bogdasarian,'99, a U-M kinesiology graduate and president of the CoachMeFit personal training franchise, about how people are finding success at making fitness a regular part of their lives. We also talk with her about how her dream of helping people has grown since she started the business in her basement in 2001. 16091387Posted by djade at 02:15 PM
March 23, 2009
Podcast 64: Sarah Endline
Sarah Endline, '94, is the founder and CEO of sweetriot, a New York-based company that makes all-natural chocolate treats. Rather than offer candy in bar form, the company markets small tins of dark chocolate-covered pieces of cacao. Endline also founded the company to emphasize social responsibility. She talks here about being an entrepreneur, the importance of social mission and her movement to "fix the world through chocolate." 11917019Posted by djade at 03:20 PM
February 24, 2009
Podcast 62: Hazen Schumacher, Author
Photo courtesy of Ann Arbor District LibraryFor 30 years, Hazen Schumacher, '50, MA'51, was producer and host of the radio program "Jazz Revisited." The jazz historian and lecturer produced the show in Ann Arbor, and National Public Radio distributed it across the country. Schumacher also held a number of positions at U-M, including director of broadcasting and media resources, and director of the master's program in telecommunications. His newest book, "A Golden Age of Jazz Revisited 1939-1942: Three Pivotal Years of Musical Entertainment," describes a three-year period when jazz was the popular music around the globe. He talks here about his love of jazz and the influence it's had on his life. Check out other Alumni Association podcasts featuring Hazen Schumacher lecturing on jazz http://alumni.umich.edu/podcasts/?episodeID=36973 16576742
Posted by jmcrae at 04:38 PM
January 19, 2009
Podcast 57: Richard Bernstein, Disabilities Lawyer
Richard Bernstein, ‘96, believes in challenges. In his disabilities law practice, the blind attorney takes on large organizations, including Northwest Airlines, the City of Detroit—and even his alma mater. He also takes on challenges that even sighted people wouldn’t, including several marathons and a recent Ironman competition. He speaks passionately here about his pro bono work for the disabled, the difficulties of applying to law school as a blind man and his love of the University. 18099680Posted by djade at 01:34 PM
October 21, 2008
Podcast 54: Liz Elling, Environmentalist and Long-Distance Swimmer
Photo by Marc Akemann.In summer 2007, Liz Elling, ‘68, MS‘93, swam the length of the Huron River, which runs through Ann Arbor. The purpose of the 100-mile swim was to benefit the Huron River Watershed Council and to raise awareness of lakes, rivers and streams. She discusses the journey, her earlier 100-mile swim around Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula and the tremendous amount of support she received. 15181803
Posted by djade at 12:11 PM
August 19, 2008
Podcast 52: Charles Dickens and Jimi Hendrix with Professor Joel Brattin
U-M alumnus Joel Brattin, ‘78, has been studying—and enjoying—Charles Dickens's life and fiction for thirty years, and is internationally recognized for his scholarship on the novelist. He also happens to be a leading authority on rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix. We ask Brattin, a professor of literature at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, what intrigues him about these two popular artists who come lived in two dramatically different times. 19518129Posted by jmcrae at 05:49 PM
July 15, 2008
Podcast 51: Don Vattese, Central American Ministries
Don Vettese, a 1974 graduate of Michigan and a Jesuit priest, stumbled upon a garbage dump in Guatemala City during a visit in the 1990s. The absolute poverty of the people living there prompted him to start Central American Ministries, an international nonprofit that is making a big difference. Father Don believes if people in America could see for themselves, then they would want to know how to help. 16138407Posted by jmcrae at 08:43 AM
June 17, 2008
Podcast 49: Elizabeth Gordon, Author of "Walk with Us"
Elizabeth Gordon, ’80, moved from the comfort of the suburbs to the city of Philadelphia to work for peace and justice. Little did she know that she would literally bring her work home with her when she and her partner take in a pregnant teenager who soon gives birth to triplet boys. In her book “Walk With Us� (http://www.walkwithus.info), she tells about her cross-cultural journey and the lessons she learned about race, love and herself. 15678129Posted by jmcrae at 02:31 PM
May 12, 2008
Podcast 48: Greg Barton, Olympic Gold Medalist in Kayaking
The accomplishments Greg Barton, ’83, has made in the sport of kayaking are almost too numerous to count, but none is more remarkable than his two Olympic gold medals. Barton talks about how he got into the sport and what it was like to compete in the Olympics, as well as how he’s translated his experiences into Epic Kayaks, a maker and seller of high-performance kayak equipment. 16385525Posted by jmcrae at 01:44 PM
December 18, 2007
Podcast 35: Jennifer Moore, Founder of Pink Heels
Jennifer Moore, '99, MS'02, gave up a six-figure salary in Washington, DC, to return to her home state of Michigan and start her own business. Through Pink Heels, she has rediscovered her passion for life by helping other women to discover theirs. 13385623Posted by tobiaslw at 03:08 PM
November 20, 2007
Podcast 34: Jon Imerman: Founder of Imerman Angels
Jon Imerman, '98, is the founder of Imerman Angels, a support group that matches cancer patients, or "fighters," with cancer survivors. A cancer survivor himself, Jon tells in this interview how his struggle inspired a cause that is helping those with cancer find hope.14450897
Posted by tobiaslw at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2007
Podcast 31: Marshall E. Purnell, Design principal of Devrouax + Purnell Architects and Planners PC, and 2007 first vice president/president-elect and 2008 president of the American Institute of Architects
Marshall E. Purnell, '72, MARCH'73, serves as the design principal of Devrouax + Purnell Architects and Planners PC in Washington, DC as well as president-elect of the American Institute of Architects. He is also a recipient of the Alumni Association's 2007 Distinguished Alumni Service Award, which recognizes his years of service to the University of Michigan. In this interview, he talks about some of the most interesting projects he's worked on, his hopes for the profession of architecture and the goals of his presidency of the AIA in 2008. 14673983Posted by tobiaslw at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2007
Podcast 30: Daniel Aaron,Victor S. Thomas Professor of English and American Literature, Emeritus, Harvard University
Daniel Aaron, '33, HLHD'04, is considered one of the founders of American Studies. In his recently published book, The Americanist ( http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=210684 ), he recalls the political, literary and social life of the nation. In this interview, he reflects on his long career, which started after earning a bachelor's degree and completing a fellowship at the University. 14573672Posted by tobiaslw at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2007
Podcast 26: Mark Silverman: President, Big Ten Network
Mark Silverman, MBA'91, is the president of the Big Ten Network, a new national cable/satellite programming service. The network, which launches on August 30 at 8 pm., is dedicated to covering both the athletic and academic content of the Big Ten Conference. In this interview, Silverman discusses the challenges, both good and bad, of developing a new network. 13470859Posted by tobiaslw at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2007
Podcast 23: Wes Cowan, A host of PBS's "History Detectives", Featured Appraiser on PBS's "Antiques Roadshow", Founder and Owner, Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Wes Cowan, PhD'85, is currently a host on the popular PBS television series "History Detectives" and a featured appraiser on PBS's "Antiques Roadshow." He is also the owner of Cowan's Auctions, Inc., in Cincinnati, Ohio. In this interview, he discusses his love of history and his career in academia and as an appraiser. And he gives us a glimpse into the "cases" he solves as a history detective, such as the recent discovery of a document Thomas Jefferson signed in an effort to launch the nation's first public school system. 14094654Posted by tobiaslw at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2007
Podcast 22: Kimberly M. Cahill, 72nd President of the State Bar of Michigan
Kimberly M. Cahill, '82, JD'85, is the 72nd President of the State Bar of Michigan. She discusses the challenges of leading the more than 38,000-member bar and how the troubled Michigan economy affects the practice of some lawyers. She also relates how her education at the university provided a foundation that has sustained her not only in her career but in her life as well (Update: Kimberly M. Cahill died January 21, 2008, seven months after this interview was recorded.) 14718733Posted by tobiaslw at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2007
Podcast 18: Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Donald C. Winter
Donald C. Winter, MS'70, PhD'72, is the 74th secretary of the Navy, sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2006. As secretary, Dr. Winter leads America's Navy and Marine Corps Team. In this interview, he reflects on his past as a student at the University and comments on the future of those graduates he addressed at the College of Engineering Commencement on April 28, 2007. 14104589Posted by tobiaslw at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)