What a Blast! Goodbye from the former new guy

Today is my final day working in Eastern Michigan University’s Office for Alumni Relations. It truly is hard to believe that six months have passed since I started here, and I am now among 150,000 others who call EMU their alma mater. However, I have graduated and am moving on to the next stage of my life. This next step includes starting off my professional career, and getting married to my best friend next week!

As excited as I am for all the new experiences I am about to have, I am also exiting one of the most exciting periods of my life. Eastern Michigan University has provided me with skills I will draw from always, and a large part of that learning was done while I worked in the Office for Alumni Relations. Please bear with me as I thank some very cool people.

Dan Mathis, the former Interim Executive Director for Alumni Relations, was the first person I met here, and I knew immediately I wanted to work for him. Thank you sir for helping me learn to be comfortable with my work. I could not have asked for a better boss/friend.

Alison, you have been amazing to work with. Thank you so much for showing me the ropes around here.  I think the e-Edge has never looked so good. P.S. You were right, the mango/avocado salad is delicious, and I will be sure to save some for my fiancé.

Will, you have the coolest full name of anyone I know. I had a great time playing soccer with you! (I will not mention our win/loss ratio) Thanks for answering my hundreds of questions.

Jovan, you win the coolest car in the office award. I will miss working with you. I am also so happy we got to work Alumni Awards together. My best thoughts/prayers for you man.

Lisa, Patti, Jessica, and Ann, you are all awesome, the alumni are in excellent hands! I look forward to seeing you all at upcoming events.

It is approaching 5:00 p.m., and I have goodbyes to say. EMU Young Alumni, you have been a joy to work with. Now that I am one of you, we will have to hang out some time.

Remember to follow us on Facebook or Twitter so we can stay in touch.

Gratefully,

Paul Martell

Alumni Programs Intern

Eastern Michigan University

– 2013 Graduate

Proof that I did it!

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Nicole Thomas & Montrisha Wyatt present: Whink Clothing Boutique

June, 2013

By Paul Martell

Nicole and Trish are EMU alumnae, sorority sisters, best friends, and fashion entrepreneurs. They recently opened the doors to their Southfield-based clothing store, Whink Clothing Boutique.

 

Nicole and Trish have known each other for 15 years. In 1998, both girls were attending Eastern Michigan University, and both girls decided to join the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Though working toward different majors, Trish and Nicole had one passion in common: fashion. Little did they know, in the future, this shared interest would be the focus of an exciting joint venture.

While studying at EMU, Trish and Nicole were highly involved in Campus Fashion shows. They worked collaboratively to select models, garner clothing donations from local businesses, and approve outfits. During their involvement in Greek Life, community service became a top priority for them as well. Trish finished her undergrad in 2000, and then went to grad school. Nicole earned a bachelor’s degree in 2002. It would not be until several years later that these two would choose to start a business together.

Nearly ten years had passed, and it was time for Nicole and Trish to fulfill their passion. Trish says, “Once I got into my career, I realized I only wanted to follow my dream. I wanted to follow it more than anything else…One day I mentioned I was thinking about opening a boutique, and Nicole was thinking the same thing! We decided to do it together.”

After brainstorming and planning, they came up with Whink Clothing Boutique.  Whink is going to cater to, “Contemporary, trendy young ladies. The trendsetters who are looking for unique pieces.”

The store is located at 29959 Northwestern Highway in Southfield, Michigan.

June 14 at 4:00 p.m. marked the grand opening event for Nicole and Trish. Together, they hosted the Whink Clothing Boutique ribbon cutting ceremony. Southfield’s mayor attended, as well as new customers, and local media. The day was a success, and featured hors d’oeuvres, giveaways, and of course, fashion. Trish and Nicole donated a portion of all proceeds raised at the ribbon cutting ceremony to Girls with Gifts, Inc. Girls with Gifts is a bi-coastal mentoring organization “inspired to inspire” young girls, ages 11-18, with aspirations in the arts and entertainment.

Nicole says, “We are so excited that we are a good team, our passion is coming together, and we are bringing it into existence.”

The boutique in Southfield is just the beginning according to Trish and Nicole. They hope to establish Whink as a household name, synonymous with fashion and charity. “We want to be associated with not just fashion, but with community also. Growing with Detroit is part of our brand.”

This exciting new business is being started by some of EMU’s own, and the University is proud of them. According to Trish, “I think our relationship starting there (EMU) really helped us to do this. We have a great respect for each other. Our drive is very similar. We truly believe we are going to be successful.”

If you would like to get “Whinked”, be sure to the store located in Southfield, Michigan.

For more information, or to get connected to Whink Clothing Boutique, just check them out on:

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM: @whinkboutique

By

Paul Martell

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Danny Schmitz: The Ball Game

June, 2013

by Paul Martell 

Danny is the Head Baseball Coach for Bowling Green State University’s highly successful men’s team and combines lessons learned in the past with modern technique for the winning formula

 

Danny Schmitz has been the Head Coach at BGSU for 23 years

“I like to play a little golf these days,” says Danny Schmitz. As time goes on, Danny likes to focus more and more on his wife, kids, and two dogs. However, his day job, as Head Coach of the Bowling Green Falcons baseball team, keeps him quite busy. Luckily for Danny, he is doing what he loves and is quite good at it. Under his guidance, the Falcons have won five regular-season conference championships, earned six MAC titles and much more. How does the most successful coach in Bowling Green history do it? Danny attributes his accomplishments to his excellent staff, family and experience. Eastern Michigan University was a large part of that experience, and he is a proud Alumnus of EMU to this day.

Danny was a talented and passionate baseball player from an early age. By the time he was in high school, he was being considered by a number of universities. EMU, Western, and Central were all in communication with him regarding their baseball programs.

“The bottom line is when I met the coaches from EMU, I knew without doubt it was the place for me,” says Danny.

Danny Schmitz quickly made a name for himself in EMU athletics. He played from 1974-1977, during this time EMU won two MAC titles, and was ranked third in the final Collegiate Baseball poll. He says, “I tell you those are four years I will take to the grave with me… I met some very special friends. I can’t say everyday was a rose garden, but it was great to have outstanding coaches and teammates.” Danny was also gathering coaching philosophy that he would later integrate into the way he develops his players at BGSU.

After 1977, he was drafted by the New York Yankees, and began the next phase of his baseball career. He played there for six years. Danny’s career would continue to evolve and change, always centering on baseball. The game took him to Korea and Taiwan. He would even play for the Mets and the Twins, and earn a World Series Ring. Eventually, the Hazel Park, MI native would return home to EMU as a coach. From 1987-1990, Danny helped the EMU baseball program grow.

One day, a position with Bowling Green State University opened up, and Danny decided to make the move. “Coach Oestrike made a call for me and got my foot in the door. Here we are 23 years later… It has been a wonderful experience.” says Danny.

Danny’s wide range of experiences and long history with baseball have made him the valuable coach he is today. The knowledge and skill he has certainly did not all come from one position, or one time in his life. However, EMU still holds a special place in his mind. Danny says, “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Eastern Michigan. I use a lot of the experiences from EMU and I incorporate it all into my team. I am so thankful to EMU and Roger Coryell for making me a part of his staff.”

The future looks bright for Danny and the Bowling Green Falcons, their success is projected to continue. A life in the game, a wide set of experience, and a staff for which he is deeply grateful allows Danny to still have passion and some to spare for baseball.

” I love teaching these kids about the game, and more importantly, about the game of life.”

by Paul Martell

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CAITLIN JAMES: one juice at a time

Caitlin James

May, 2013

By Paul Martell

 

Caitlin James and her four sisters see the need for wellness in our society. For this reason, Drought came into existence. Drought is an organic, raw juice company which is run by the  James sisters

 

“If the idea ‘how you do one thing is how you do everything’ holds any truth, then wouldn’t maintaining your wellness fall in line with maintaining your relationships, your hopes and your dreams?”

–        DROUGHT  

Caitlin James is a motivated person, and one of five sisters in the James family. Success has come as a byproduct of her desire to enjoy and experience life in a healthful way. Caitlin’s interests include running, yoga, nutrition, meditation and juice. However, with a growing company to run, Caitlin says, “Making time for free time is now a hobby of mine.”

Caitlin James, CEO of DROUGHT

Caitlin’s day starts around 4:30 a.m. when she wakes up and goes to work. Her entire day will be centered on DROUGHT, the raw juice business she started with her sisters back in 2011. She will coordinate all deliveries for the day, and then head to the DROUGHT store located in Plymouth where she will likely spend the rest of her shift, which ends around midnight. Despite this long schedule, Caitlin says, “There are no real weekends yet, but I do have the freedom to take a day off whenever I like. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”

Unlike many business start-ups, DROUGHT is experiencing large amounts of success, and is projected to continue to grow. This feat has been accomplished by one family with five sisters, (two of them are EMU alumni) a common goal, and some really great juice.

Caitlin graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2007 with a degree in special education. She enjoyed EMU because attending class in Ypsilanti allowed her to still live at home with her close-knit family in Plymouth. “It was easy for me to pick special education once I got there…I wanted to do something that was helpful and meaningful to others. Also Jane (a James sister) took it, and she is someone I really look up to.” While working in the Special Education program, Caitlin had an experience which would lead to the DROUGHT concept.

“One association I make between DROUGHT and EMU happened while I was studying cognitive impairment,” said Caitlin, “Right after I started, I worked with autistic kids; most were on a vegan diet. It was something I had dabbled with in my personal life. It caught my interest, and got me really into nutrition which is what I am doing now. “

After Caitlin graduated, but before she started DROUGHT, she wanted to explore life outside Metro Detroit. So she joined the Peace Corps. There she served in Jordan, right on the border of the Dead Sea, as a special education teacher. She resided there for two years. Caitlin said, “I lived in a very small village, and learned to live on very little to nothing. It taught me to be extremely resourceful. “

Two years later, she came home and decided to go back to school in New York. However, that plan would not work out because Caitlin and the rest of the James sisters were all thinking of something else. They wanted to start a business, and they wanted to promote health.

“I can never explain it and not make it sound too simple. We were all on the same page…We were going to have a stand at the farmer’s market and sell juice. In just a matter of days that plan started to evolve,” said Caitlin. And this is how DROUGHT was conceived, a family of educated sisters, all putting their minds together. Before long, Caitlin and her sisters realized their idea was now much larger than a stand at a market. They needed a formal business plan, and they needed funding.  The sisters turned to Kickstarter, a web site for individuals to make small investments toward start-ups. The Kickstarter community loved the Drought concept so much, in one month the girls raised $13,000.

DROUGHT juice comes in a variety of awesome flavors!

Today, Caitlin runs DROUGHT with her sisters, and business is expanding steadily. In a year’s time, they have gone from two employees to seven, and are now selling in Detroit’s Eastern Market, Plum Market in Ann Arbor, their storefront in Plymouth, and Detroit is coming this June.

DROUGHT is pure, cold-pressed, organic, raw juice and Caitlin is confident in her product. “DROUGHT is going to the moon,” said Caitlin, “Our product is a premium product, and we are very specific about how it is made. People are realizing they need to drink more wisely, and this is a product for everyone.”

Caitlin’s experiences have taken her from Plymouth to Ypsilanti, across the Middle East, to New York, and then back to Metro Detroit.  Every new task and location has added to whom she is today. EMU is proud to be part of DROUGHT’s inception and to have provided Caitlin with practical skills and experience she still uses.

Caitlin James has been featured in Crain’s Detroit Business “Twenty in their 20s” which celebrates highly successful individuals in their twenties. She was also invited to sit on the Entrepreneur Panel in the 2013 Mackinac Policy Conference.

If you would like to learn more about Caitlin, DROUGHT, Jessie, Jenny, Julie, or Jane just check out the following:

• DROUGHT
• FACEBOOK
• TWITTER
• INSTAGRAM

By Paul Martell

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TAYLOR MAGUIRE: Promote Yourself

Taylor Maguire

May, 2013

By Paul Martell

 

“Promote yourself.” That’s what Taylor Maguire says; and the confidence with which she endorses her abilities led the perfect job to her, not the other way around. 

Taylor now works as a Communication & Photo Specialist for MiRealSource

Taylor Maguire has two degrees, in two of her passions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Eastern Michigan University, as well as a degree in photographic technology from Washtenaw Community College. Taylor is also working hard in a fantastic job which utilizes both her specialties, and seems to have come to her. How does she do it?

Too often, students find themselves attempting to match what they like to do with an incompatible, profitable career choice. However, Taylor shows us the key to success is to make your career choice compatible with what is most enjoyable.

Taylor came to Eastern Michigan University in 2011. She was filled with ambition, but was unsure about which path to take. “I was in a limbo state, I honestly considered marketing, public relations, and occupational therapy,” she said. At the same time, she came to EMU a junior, and felt, “I never got the typical freshman experience.” However, things were going to come together very nicely for Taylor. A conversation with a friend led her to try an introductory class in what would become her profession. “I was telling my friend I see myself working events, writing, and dealing with the press,” said Taylor. Hearing this, Taylor’s friend encouraged her to take JRNL 312: Intro to PR with Professor Regina “Gina” Luttrell. That was all Taylor needed.

Taylor quickly declared public relations as her major, took a full load of classes, joined the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and finally ran and was elected Vice President of Special Events and Coordination within the student organization.  Taylor had become close with Professor Gina, and joined PRSSA based on both her and good friend Marietta Ford’s (’11 grad) recommendation to do so.

“I made a lot of friends in PRSSA, and bonded with Gina more because of it. She was a good mentor to me… I loved how blunt she was. She would push me to want to be better.”

Taylor was getting better. With each new challenge she took on, she became a more experienced public relations specialist. Taylor had her classes mapped out, a respectable role in a student-professional organization, and now all she needed was an internship.

Taylor had a few interviews with PR internships in surrounding communities, and was considering them all when she received an email promoting a possible internship opportunity in EMU’s Office for Alumni Relations. Interim Executive Director of Alumni Relations Daniel Mathis was looking for a PR Intern to help promote alumni chapters, and help with events. Taylor sent in her resume, and shortly after interviewed and was hired.

“Dan and I really hit it off. After meeting Dan I was really motivated to get this internship because of how professional and friendly he was,” said Taylor.

Taylor, third from left (snuggling Santa) with the Alumni Office Staff

By Taylor’s senior semester, life became overwhelming. Taylor says, “I was working as VP of Events, I was interning, I was in JRNL 408 (the capstone for the PR program), going to job interviews, working on my portfolio, and trying to find a place to live by December. I thought: if I can do this, I can do anything.”

Then Taylor received an email which seemed “too good to be true.” The CEO of MiRealSource was looking to hire someone very specific. MiRealSource is “Michigan’s largest real estate multi-list source and provider of real estate resources, tools, and training for real estate professionals,” and the organization was in need of a person skilled in both public relations and photography. He had contacted local PRSSA chapters and thus, discovered Taylor. He offered her a position, and Taylor spoke it over with Gina. She accepted.

Today, Taylor works for MiRealSource as a Communication and Photo specialist. She uses her extensive training and experience in Public Relations work to run social media, internal and external communication. She also uses her photography skills in teaching “Photos with Taylor”, a class in which she instructs real estate agents on how to properly shoot home/landscape pictures for listings.

She also runs her very own photography business: Taylor Leigh Photography!

Taylor looks back on her time at EMU with pride. “I really learned how to juggle a lot of different projects. I recommend that you get as involved as you can… Put yourself out there; make sure your personality shines through. Promote yourself the best you can.” Taylor came to EMU as one student who was willing to try new things. Because of this mentality, she was able to accrue a set of experiences which she may have never gotten otherwise.

Taylor says, “What I do now is what I like to do.” With hard work and an open mind, the success Taylor has is attainable for all graduates.

All of us in the Office for Alumni Relations are extremely proud of what Taylor has accomplished, and look forward to seeing what her future successes look like!

Want to keep up with Taylor, or check out her work?

–        MiRealSource Facebook

–        MiRealSource Twitter

–        Taylor’s Photography!

–        LinkedIn

–Paul Martell…

the intern Taylor chose as her replacement.

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NEW ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR: From the office of the YAC President

May, 2013

By Laura Schulz

 The New Alumni Happy Hour is hosted by EMU’s Young Alumni Council (YAC) and brings new graduates and recent Alumni together to celebrate mutual accomplishments

Some crazy kids from the Young Alumni Council enjoying themselves at the New Alumni Happy Hour

On Friday, April 26, 2013 the EMU Young Alumni Council hosted their annual April “New Alumni Happy Hour” formerly known as the “Graduation Celebration”. The event was held at the Tap Room from 7:00-9:00 pm. The happy hour hosted over 60 attendees including recent graduates, young alumni and their family and friends. Members of Young Alumni Council and Alumni Association board were in attendance as well.

There was a delicious buffet which included pizza, a nacho bar, and homemade potato chips, and of course, drinks specials!

Many of the guests won door prizes. The top winners walked away with a gift basket of all Michigan brewed beers and a basket of Michigan made snacks!

Everyone had a great time talking and eating and we are looking forward to the next “New Alumni Happy Hour” in December.

The Young Alumni Council’s next event is at the Lansing Lugnuts game on August, 24, 2013 with a pre-tailgate party. Stay tuned for event details.

–        Young Alumni Council Facebook

–        Twitter

Laura Schulz,

Young Alumni Council President

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WE ARE GROWING… ALOT

The largest class in EMU history graduated Sunday, April 28, 2013

Just three days ago, two and a half thousand men and women joined the Young Alumni ranks. It’s a staggering number; one which has made EMU history as the largest graduating class ever. EMU now boasts over 148,000 alumni. I had the privilege of being a part of that class.

The ceremony ran smoothly. Keynote speaker, Scott Reynolds, executive story editor for “Dexter“, was outstanding, and the feeling of commencing the rest of my life was surreal. However, what is still with me days later is the message Student Government President, Matthew Norfleet delivered to the soon-to-be alumni.

Matthew himself was graduating, and reminded us of the people in our lives who have made our successes possible. For Matthew, it was his mother. For you, that person or persons could be anyone. I am fortunate to have an entire network of support in my friends, professors, loved ones, and especially my parents.

Sincerest congratulations to the 2,376 former students who graduated last Sunday, you are the pride of Eastern Michigan University. We now have a chance to stay connected, and become the support of future graduates by getting involved.

So please keep in touch, and let us know where life takes you.

To keep up with EMU news, events and all things Alumni relevant check out:

–        Alumni Facebook

–        Young Alumni Facebook

–        Follow us on Twitter

Be sure to get your free Alumni Association Membership Packet!

Best Wishes in all your endeavors, and again congratulations!

–        Paul Martell

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GREGORY FOURNIER: A STORY WORTH TELLING

Gregory Fournier

April, 2013

By Paul Martell

 

Greg is the author of the award-winning Zug Island: A Detroit Riot Novel. He also happens to be an EMU Alumnus. EMU serves as a launching point for Greg’s story

If you were to read the blurb on the back-cover of Zug Island: A Detroit Riot Novel, you would learn that it takes place in the Motor City during the late 60s, and tells the story of Jake Malone. Jake is a young, white, suburbanite who finds himself working in the dank recesses of Detroit’s Zug Island.  How does he get here? Well, Jake is kicked out of University and needs to find work. This singular alteration in Jake’s path sends him on a journey he is unprepared for. His journey will be filled with danger, racism, violence, and a healthy portion of humor.

What you would not learn from the back-cover plot synopsis is that Jake Malone is Greg Fournier; at least for the most part.

Greg Fournier is a 1977 graduate of Eastern Michigan University. He earned both a Bachelor of Applied Science in English Language and Literature, as well as a Master of Arts in World Literature. Greg was not always so studious.  It was only Greg’s first year at EMU when he was “thrown out of Best Hall for drinking.” According to Greg, he was then dismissed for one semester, and had to find work. Greg needed money. This is how he came to work at Zug Island, a place he would call, “the dirtiest, coldest hell-hole.”  Work at Zug Island was grueling, physical labor, and racial tension added to the stresses of Greg’s employment. Then the Detroit Riots broke out. According to Greg, this harsh time in Detroit’s history would provide him a, “crash-course in race relations, and really start my life as an adult.” Zug Island introduced Greg to his first, real African American friend and provided him the inspiration and basis for his first award winning novel.

After enduring Zug Island, Greg returned to EMU with a new-found passion for education and adherence to rules. Greg says, “It was just amazing how much my grades improved when I got back to Eastern.” He quickly earned his first degree and began teaching English at Ypsilanti High School while working toward a Master’s.  Throughout Greg’s teaching career, he worked in Ypsilanti and eventually moved to San Diego, California (where he currently lives). He even spent a year teaching English at EMU. During these years, Greg would write. He wrote short stories, poems, text books, and stage plays. Then Greg decided, “I am never going to teach summer school again,” and used his summers to compose something else. He began to write about his experience at Zug Island. He was writing his own story. He wrote about his first car, about school, and about his first African American friend who would, “open up a whole urban world” for Greg. It all seemed to flow, and Greg knew he was writing a novel.

Greg retired from teaching and focused all his effort into writing the story about Jake Malone, and he wrote it well. Zug Island: A Detroit City Riot Novel is a 2011 Best Books Award Finalist, and received an honorable mention at the Los Angeles Book Festival. It has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, and provides a no-nonsense perspective on the harshest event in Detroit’s history. For Greg, the real value of the book lies in the exposure it has brought him. “This is a blue collar book full of the words which made Detroit famous. The real value is in the doors it has opened. You can’t just enter this profession and be successful; you have to build an audience.” Greg now has an audience; he also has another story to tell.

Greg is now working to write The Rainy Day Murders, a historical story set in Washtenaw County. Greg had just returned to EMU from Zug Island, and was residing in South campus when he found out he was living one block from a serial killer. John Collins was convicted in 1969 of murder. The jury found Collins guilty of one of the seven killings he was accused of. Greg is convinced he is responsible for more than has been reported, and his next work will lay out the evidence. Greg says, “I discovered John Collins was a suspect as I was walking back from the Corner Grill.  I was walking past his place; it was full of police cars, and they were collecting evidence from the garage and his room.” He was immediately fascinated by the case. Greg had personally encountered Collins on four occasions, and says they were all negative.

Greg hopes his book will address many rumors which were passed around about the “Michigan Murders.” He says there is a lot of “cover up” going on in the John Collins case, which Greg aims to expose. “I am trying to tell the history, it is a history which is not liked, but you don’t get to choose your own story.”

Today, Greg Fournier spends seven days a week writing and researching the Rainy Day Murders. The first draft is almost complete. He says he is living his dream, “I have always been dabbling with words…it’s so great to be able to indulge my hobby.” In all that Greg has written, EMU has been a key factor in the foundation of his stories. “EMU really helped me to create a life, and frankly, it gave me a life.”

Greg Fournier has a compilation of experiences which tell a dramatic, raw story, and he is writing it all. He has an audience and a story, where it will lead him remains to be seen.

If you would like to connect with Greg, or learn more about Zug Island or The Rainy Day Murders check out his BLOG HERE.

By Paul Martell

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WILLIAM “BILL” SWELBAR: Great Effort Yields Great Reward

April, 2013

By Paul Martell

William “Bill” Swelbar’s career path has been less than conventional, however, hard work, good judgment and no small measure of tenacity has brought him success

 

“Never say never; never ever give up. Because, ultimately, your hardest work will pay off.” Bill Swelbar’s life has reflected this idea in many ways; beginning with his experience as a flight attendant out of Detroit Metro when he first enrolled at Eastern Michigan University.

“I don’t know if I chose EMU, or if EMU chose me,” said Swelbar. He had just finished 2 years in under grad at the University of Minnesota. While studying there, Bill experienced difficulty, “In trying to incorporate all things important in life at the time: beer, going to class or not going to class, going to work, girls, beer and getting up to do it all again, one thing was clear – I was not getting much out of school that felt particularly inspiring. “ Around this time, Bill’s cousin encouraged him to look into becoming a flight attendant. She had worked as an attendant for some time, and was confident the job-schedule would allow Bill to finish his degree. Eventually, Bill was hired by North Central Airlines and began training. This job would serve as Bill’s introduction into an industry which would shape his life’s work.

Clearly, Bill does not mind a challenge, “My flight schedule was absolutely unattractive.” However, he wanted to finish school, so he would make it work. Bill ended up flying an illegal overnight shift, which would allow him time during the day to attend class. Upon enrolling at EMU, he decided to major in Economics. “I don’t know why,” said Bill, “Actually, it was a course that I had taken at University of Minnesota, enjoyed the subject matter and did very poorly in.” Bill decided Economics was what he wanted and took on the task.

Bill remembers his education at EMU quite fondly. There were fewer than 25 students in the program at that time, and Bill said the faculty was paramount in adding to his experience. “It all begins with the faculty of the Econ department. I was truly motivated and inspired by the late Mary McCarthy,” said Bill. He says Professor McCarthy left a mark on him because of how difficult, yet rewarding her teaching methods were. Bill took 15-18 credits per semester and flew daily from Detroit to Traverse City, ended up in Sault St. Marie and then reversed that order home at 5:30 the next morning. He would often sleep and study in the basement of the airport.  Bill graduated from EMU with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1982.

From this point, Bill moved to Washington D.C. where he set up the first Economics Finance Department for the Association of Flight Attendants during a tumultuous period in the industry. He also attended The George Washington University School of Business and earned a Master of Business Administration in finance. In addition to these commitments, Bill also worked part time for a consulting firm where he was able to learn even more about the aviation industry. “By doing my day job, part time job, and studying at George Washington; my schedule was again relentless. No silver spoon here,” said Bill.

Eventually, Bill took a job serving as a director at Airline Economics, and from there, started his own consulting firm. Bill operated for seven years and sold his business to GKMG Consulting Services. He stayed on as a managing director for 3 years then GKMG was sold. Undeterred, Bill again started a consulting firm, ECLAT, which focused on labor cost restructuring, regulatory matters, investor relations and advocating for airports. Bill operated ECLAT for 5 and a half years. January of 2002, Bill was asked to speak on Capitol Hill. He was covering what the airline industry would look like after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Peter Belobaba, Principal Research Scientist at MIT’s International Center for Air Transportation, heard Bill’s speech and asked him to lecture at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This led to Bill’s current position holding a chair on the Research Board at MIT. By 2006, Bill had just finished completing negotiations at 3 bankrupt companies and realized, “I can’t do this anymore…”said Bill, “so I committed financial suicide at age 48 and left the partnership.”

Currently, Bill is a Research Engineer in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s International Center for Air Transportation and teaches Airline Economics and Finance at MIT. Bill is, “Blessed to work with students that are of incredible caliber. It reminds me a lot of EMU.” He is also honored to be a member of the board of directors at Hawaiian Airlines. He has been interviewed for many media appearances, and focuses time writing for swelblog.com, Bill’s personal site where he, “takes a hard look at the airline industry and the people who run it. No apologies. No reservations. No sacred cows.” Bill is also a “rabid golfer.”

“This is an interesting time in my life. I’ll be 55 in May and, at some point, I need to figure out what I am going to do when I grow up.” Bill is very happy with where he has ended up, and is glad to be enjoying his passion. He also remembers EMU as a pinnacle contributor to his life, “What EMU did is afford me a path where I have been able to enjoy professional success, which has allowed me to enjoy time with my family.”

–        Be sure to check out swellblog.com to keep up with Bill and all things airline-relevant

 

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MEET KAITLYN DUGAS

KAITLYN DUGAS

April, 2013

By Paul Martell

Kaitlyn Dugas is a political science major who is showcasing her Eagle pride all over the world

Kaitlyn takes advantage of many of the opportunities EMU has for students

Much of the experience we take away from our work, or our schooling, is entirely up to us. Many people choose to commit to the minimum. The ideology here is to expel the least  effort necessary to meet required goals. Kaitlyn Dugas finds herself on the other side of the Bell curve. She understands there is a greater return on investment in getting involved than in staying unattached. It is for this reason she chose to attend EMU.

“What kept me here was the opportunity to do all sorts of practical research and join teams” said Dugas. She very quickly found her niche in the University during a Political Science lecture. In class, Dr. Barry Pyle mentioned the Mock Trial Club, and encouraged students to get involved. “My grandma always said I should be a lawyer because I like to argue, so I decided to try out,” said Kaitlyn. It was not long before she realized Mock Trial was going to be something she loved. Simply put, mock trial is exactly what it sounds like. Teams from multiple colleges and Universities compete in a synthesized court trial. Kaitlyn excels in the attorney role. In 2012, she took the first place attorney award, and this year, she was the youngest team captain EMU has had.

Kaitlyn is showing International Eagle Pride, sporting her EMU Tee in front of a structure local Romans call “The Wedding Cake.”

Mock Trial was not the only extracurricular which Dr. Pyle would introduce to Kaitlyn. “Again, I was in Dr. Pyle’s 215 class. He came in and told us he needed a research fellow for the Undergraduate Symposium.” She met with him, and they have been research partners for the last two Symposiums. This year, she presented her research titled: Israel & the Politics of Divorce: an Exploratory Analysis.

As if Kaitlyn was not already busy enough, she recently returned from studying abroad in Italy. She went with Professor Delph and a group of 16 students to Florence, Rome and other key locations. “Rome was just beautiful, and it didn’t hurt the experience that we never had a bad meal,” said Dugas. “I can’t imagine doing what we did everyday: we’d go to lecture, get pizza, and eat in St. Peter’s Square.” Kaitlyn, and the other students, learned much about the Medici and other cultural topics. Many of the lectures took place at historically famous locations such as the Sistine Chapel, museums and more.  “The classes didn’t feel much like classes at all as we were standing in front of Raphael’s paintings at the Vatican Palace.”

Kaitlyn says there was not a huge amount of free time on the trip as there were many planned activities. However, when the group did have a few hours, they would regularly head to the town market to practice their bargaining skills with local vendors. A group of textile and clothing students were on the trip, they seemed to relish bartering and debating over the quality and price of leather goods being sold in the market.

Kaitlyn has a 10 week trip planned to study in Oxford, England. She leaves April 16, and will be studying either international politics or economics. She is very excited, and hopes to live in dorms with local students. After Oxford, she is off to Washington D.C. with Dr. Bernstein.

To Kaitlyn, EMU is, “The opportunity to do everything I wanted coming out of high school. It has also allowed me a lot of opportunities I didn’t think I would stumble upon, but I did.” Whether cross-examining a witness, studying historic culture, or singing “We are the Champions” by Queen in a karaoke bar in Italy; Kaitlyn is making the most of her Education.  Currently, Kaitlyn is deciding between going to law school or grad school to work toward her PhD. She hopes to one day work in the legal department for a multinational organization, or conduct research for a University.

“Eastern shapes my life, at least that,” said Dugas. Taking advantage of all opportunities available has set Kaitlyn up for success, as well as actualize her as a person much more than “just getting by” ever could. We will see what other adventures Kaitlyn has when she returns from the United Kingdom late June, 2013.

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