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
March 18, 2008
Podcast 42: Aaron Hurst, President and Founder, Taproot Foundation
Aaron Hurst, ’96, grew up with a strong sense of community service. And his experience at the University of Michigan deepened that sense of service as it informed his concept for the Taproot Foundation. Today, the foundation leverages the skills and talents of business professionals to aid nonprofit organizations in six cities across the country. In this interview, he discusses the current work of the organization as well as his goals for the next several years. 13145297Posted by jmcrae at 08:45 AM
February 06, 2008
Podcast 38: Adaora Udoji, Host of NYC Morning Radio Show
Adaora Udoji, ’91, is co-host of a new national morning show on WNYC/Public Radio International, in partnership with the BBC and the New York Times. To be launched this spring, it will introduce an innovative format of live presentation and in-depth analysis to public radio’s morning drive. Photo by Mark Hill, courtesy of Turner 301350956Posted by djade at 03:28 PM
January 15, 2008
Podcast 36: Gary Wiren, Hall-of-Fame golf educator
Gary Wiren, MA’60, has been inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame and the Golf Magazine World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. He is the author of numerous books and articles about golf as well as a speaker and collector. In this interview, he tells how he got his start in golf and about his lifelong fascination with the sport. 13469738Posted by tobiaslw at 04:50 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
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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)