Profiles T H E
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THE E-MAGAZINE FOR RECENT GRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA • SUMMER 2016
IN THIS ISSUE... • Featured alumni: Pete McDonald (ABJ ’12) Trey Sinyard (BS ’11, BBA ’11) • Welcome Class of 2016! • The Top Bulldog Cities
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Table of Contents Page 3: Welcome Class of 2016! UGA’s alumni family keeps getting bigger and better! Page 5: The Top Bulldog Cities New to one of UGA’s most populated alumni cities? Learn the ins and outs from Bulldog experts. Page 7: Why I Give Young alumni share why they are proud to support UGA.
Page 8: Help UGA go to space! A news through Keep Keepup up social with withKeep the media! thelatest latest UGA UGA news news through through social social media! media! up with the latest UGA news through media! UGA owes much of its social success to the UGA UGA generous owes owesmuch much its itssuccess success the generous generous UGAofof owes much oftoto itsthe success to the generous donations of alumni and friends. Support donations donations the education ofofalumni alumniand andof friends. friends. Support the theeducation education donations alumniSupport and friends. Support the education Page 9: What’s UGA been up to? G Day! UGA in Texas! The Peabody Awards! of future leaders through monetary donations, ofoffuture futureleaders leaders through through monetary monetary donations, donations, of future leaders through monetary donations, volunteering and so much more. volunteering volunteeringand and so so much much more. more. volunteering and so much more. Page 11: What’s coming up? UGA in Washington! Young Alumni Night! Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game! Page 12: Meet Uga X UGA’s newest team member gets ready for fall 2016.
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Page 13: Q&A Pete McDonald (ABJ ’12) trades in one Athens for another.
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Page 14: Q&A Trey Sinyard (BS ’11, BBA ’11) still bleeds Red and Black.
Caroline (ABJ ’03) and Patrick (BBA ’02) Bladon
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“We give back because we believe it makes a difference... a difference in the lives of UGA’s greatest asset, its students.”
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Welcome, Class of 2016! UGA’s family keeps getting bigger and better. On May 13, the Class of 2016 turned their tassels to the left and, just like that, UGA’s alumni network gained over 5,500 new members. As these recent graduates take off for new adventures, there is no doubt that they will make the Bulldog Nation proud.
The Class of 2016 donated $85,550 to the Senior Signature fundraising campaign—the second highest total in history!
KIT ’16 (Keep in touch, that is.) Update your information here to stay informed on the latest UGA news.
Learn what a few of the newest alumni have in store for life after graduation.
Bryan Gommersch (BSBCHE ’16) Bioengineering
Kelsey Ann Williams (ABJ ’16) Public Relations
Where do you see yourself in ten years? I’d like to be a surgeon because I think it’s the most hands–on, problem–solving form of medicine. No matter what, I’ll be an engineer, even if it’s not in my title.
Where do you see yourself in ten years? I would love to be in a career that is fulfilling on a daily basis and one that is people focused. I hope that I will be in a place where I can give back to the University of Georgia both fiscally and with my time. I would love to invest in the students’ lives just as people have invested in mine.
Michael Van Buren (BBA ’16) Management Information Systems
Johnelle Simpson (BBA ’16, AB ’16) Risk Management & Insurance, Political Science
What are your plans after graduation? In June, I will be starting a full–time position at Capgemini, an international professional services firm, as an SAP Staff Consultant. Before starting full–time, I’ll be driving up through the Dakotas to stop at National Parks and major cities throughout the country. The University of Georgia has provided me with many opportunities, and I hope to help provide those same opportunities for future students. I plan to recruit UGA’s best and brightest to be my colleagues at Capgemini.
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What are your plans after graduation? I will be working for Great Promise Partnership, a nonprofit that works with youth at risk of not graduating from high school. I will specifically be working with the Clarke County School District in Athens, Georgia. My role will allow me to develop the youth of Athens–Clarke County by providing them with on-the-job training, mentoring, and life and career skills. Working with private and public partners, students will have a reason to stay in school and have a greater impact on Georgia’s economy by completing high school.
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The Top Bulldog Cities Atlanta
Local expert: Michael Gray (ABJ ’11, AB ’11) Favorite restaurant? One of my favorite restaurants, by far, is Two Urban Licks. They have a great atmosphere, wonderful food and an extensive wine list. For starters, get the empanadas. If you are a meat eater, get the brisket for your meal! Honestly, you can’t go wrong. Favorite activity? Hiking and outdoor water adventures in Dahlonega, local breweries like SweetWater and Monday Night Brewing, the Beltline, Krog Street Market, local sports teams, and the aquarium. I could list things all day long.
789 alumni
965 alumni
1,220 alumni
1280 alumni
1,944 alumni
42,003 alumni 5
Alumni Under 40 in each US city.
Local expert: Hayden Field (ABJ ’15, AB ’15) Best nightlife? SoHo, the East Village and the Lower East Side are all the places to be when it comes to nightlife. Just walking around those areas will lead you to a ton of cool spots. Best neighborhood? I live in Kips Bay, which is great because I can walk to work and I can easily get uptown or downtown. Advice for newcomers? Take advantage of the subway, it’ll save you so much money. Also,
Join Atlanta’s alumni chapter!
Local expert: Libby Fennell (AB ’06, MA ’08) Best restaurant? I don’t have one favorite place to eat because LA has so much to offer! Brunch is HUGE in LA, so that is probably my favorite time to go out and splurge. Best nightlife? My favorite spot is Mama Shelter in Hollywood. It is a nice space with several food options, creative cocktails and an amazing rooftop deck! Los Angeles is so diverse and eclectic; I recommend
Dallas
New York City
Advice for newcomers? Don’t be afraid to try new things. Atlanta has so much to offer, you just have to get out there and do it. Also, take advantage of Uber, Lyft or other apps of the sort. Driving in Atlanta can be a bear. One thing MARTA is good for: getting you from the city to the airport. It’s a quick, straight shot from North Atlanta.
Los Angeles
Local expert: Kyle Wiley (AB ’11) Best nightlife? Uptown Dallas is fun and full of recent graduates from around the country. I also enjoy Deep Ellum which has more of a hipster vibe and some great breweries. Favorite activity? Live music is usually everywhere. High and Tight Barbershop acts as the speakeasy on the weekend with a live jazz/swing band.
Advice for newcomers? BBQ and Mexican food are far better than any place in Georgia. I’ll never be able to eat it there again. Join Dallas’ alumni chapter!
New to one of UGA’s most populated alumni cities? Learn the ins and outs from Bulldog experts. See where your fellow UGA alumni are hunkering down and what they like best about their cities.
make a list of all the places you’d like to visit. There’s always something happening in this city; even though it sounds cheesy, it’s like magic. Join NYC’s alumni chapter!
Charlotte
Local expert: Cris Areskog (BSFCS ’04) Best restaurant? Growlers in the Noda neighborhood for drinks and oysters. Favorite activity? I enjoy live music and go to many concerts in the area. Typically, the best venues are the Filmore, Visualite and Neighborhood Theater. The U.S. National Whitewater Center also has concerts so it’s a
finding a local spot in your neighborhood to enjoy. Advice for newcomers? Get outside!! LA offers so many outdoor activities. The ability to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of the West Coast almost every day of the year is how I am making the best memories. Embrace the diversity of the city—it is a fantastic place to explore!
hybrid of outdoor activities, live music and great craft beer selections. Advice for newcomers? Utilize all the great parks in the city. Charlotte has a lot of them and they are a great perk to living in Queen City. Join Charlotte’s alumni chapter!
Join Southern California’s alumni chapter!
Washington D.C.
Local expert: Steven Farmer (BBA ’98) Best nightlife? 14th Street in the NW is a great nightlife scene, with some of the best restaurants in D.C. Public House is where alumni gather on UGA game days. Favorite activity? There’s always something to do. I’m currently playing in a sand volleyball league and was previously in a softball league with other UGA alumni. There are plenty of places to see live music—even some of the local Athens acts like Corey Smith.
Advice for newcomers? Make sure to take advantage of all the things D.C. has to offer—many of which are free. Also put on your walking shoes and enjoy walking around the Mall and seeing the monuments. D.C. is built on a grid and easy to navigate. It’s a safe place to explore. Join Washington D.C.’s alumni chapter!
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Why Give?
Join other alumni who are UGA donors.
Make A Gift
Help UGA go to space!
Meredith Adamczyk (AB ’07) “I want students like myself to feel that they can have as many resources as possible to succeed in their career choice. Giving allows me to open up a world for students who share my passion and the passion that the campus breeds. There are no other places where I feel so connected.”
David Bergman (MACC ’99) “My year at UGA was one of the best years of my life. Not only did I receive a spectacular education, I also made many lifelong friends. I want to be sure that all current and future UGA students have the same opportunities that I was afforded.”
David Millard (MS ’11) “I want to enable the programs that pushed me to where I am today and continue to support me. I value my experience at UGA and want other students to have the same opportunities.”
Matt Barton (BBA ’06) “UGA provided me with a great educational foundation that I continue to rely on today. I give to ensure that the university continues to have the resources it needs to provide current and future students a top-notch educational experience.” 77
For the first time in history, the University of Georgia is going to space—and it’s the students who are taking us there! The UGA Small Satellite Research Laboratory is a student–built and student–led project that aims to place UGA among the top space-faring universities in the world. This student team is building a robust cube satellite, ground station and laboratory that will be able to map and analyze various oceanic and coastal regions in low earth orbit. Known as DAWG Sat, the satellite will map the production of shelf
waters and salt marshes to help UGA researchers better understand how our climate is changing and how we can better use our resources. The team will build a unique Georgia coastal imagery library that aggregates, classifies and maps all gathered data. The space craft is scheduled to be launched to the International Space Station in 2018 where it will be deployed into Low Earth Orbit. Help UGA go to space!
— Explore ways to direct your gifts to UGA. This is one of many funding priorities showcased on GeorgiaFunder, UGA’s crowdfunding portal. Donors can choose specific areas of interest to support and help UGA’s schools, colleges and units develop projects that will advance innovation, teaching, service and learning on campus.
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What’s UGA been up to? Alumni Awards Luncheon
UGA in Texas
79th Annual Alumni Awards Luncheon
Bulldog spirit is alive and well in the heart of Texas.
G Day
Spotlight on Christie Haynes (AB ’10, AB ’10) Young Alumni Award
Christie Haynes, a Double Dawg from the Class of 2010, is the president and CEO of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce. Christie is a former president of the Student Alumni Council who re-launched the G Book, UGA’s traditions handbook, with another SAC member when they were students. She is a former 40 Under 40 honoree and a past president of the School of Public and International Affairs’ Alumni Board. As part of this board, Christie helped spearhead an endowment to support study abroad opportunities for SPIA
Awards went to Aziz Ansari’s “Master of None,” USA Network’s “Mr. Robot” and Marvel’s “Jessica Jones,” to name a few.
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See here to hear more from Christie and her passion for UGA.
Alumni Awards and Gala
93,000+ answered Coach Kirby Smart’s call.
Peabody Awards
students. Recognizing how much her current success was tied to her own study abroad experience, she’s adamant that others be given the same opportunities. She has also donated to UGA for 11 consecutive years.
Terry College of Business’ Alumni Awards and Gala Spotlight on Mitch Reiner (BBA ’05) 2016 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Mitch Reiner, who earned his degree in finance from the Terry College of Business, is a partner, chief operating officer and investment advisor with Atlanta-based Capital Investment Advisors. Mitch is a proud Georgia Bulldog and credits Terry’s highly competitive Leonard Leadership Scholar program with helping to enhance his leadership qualities in preparation for his career in business. He has served as an officer of Terry’s Young Alumni Board and currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the Student-Managed Investment
Fund, a club and class that offers finance students the opportunity to learn more about investments and gain valuable practical experience. Mitch is also active in his community in Atlanta. He is currently serving as treasurer of the executive committee for WonderRoot, an arts-based community organization, and he was also a member of the 2015 class of LEAD Atlanta, a leadership training program for the next generation of community leaders.
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Calendar June
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Young Alumni Night with the Augusta GreenJackets
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Young Alumni Night at SweetWater in Atlanta
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UGA in Washington Reception
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Women of UGA Lunch with Cheri Leavy (BSED ’97)
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Rec Sports’ Golf Tournament
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Richmond (VA) Bulldogs After Business Hours
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Augusta Bulldog Book Club
July
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Richmond Women of UGA Branch
August
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Bowling Night with the Richmond (VA) Dawgs
September
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Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game
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2016 40 Under 40 Awards Luncheon
Mark Your Calendar: October 10–15 Homecoming
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Meet Uga X!
LAST CHANCE: Tennessee Car Tags
This handsome Bulldog is now strutting the field as the University of Georgia’s newest, and college football’s most famous mascot. Known as “Que,” Uga X joins a long line of pure white English bulldogs owned by the Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler family.
Remembering those who came before... I
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Uga I guarded his first home game in 1956. His jersey was made from a children’s t-shirt and while the hedges helped keep Uga I cool they also caused his jersey to tear. Now, Uga’s jerseys are custom-made from the same material used for the players.
Uga V sauntered his way to stardom, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1997 and in Clint Eastwood’s “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” filmed in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia.
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Uga III stood by as Herschel Walker led the Bulldogs to victory at the 1980 NCAA championships, one of Georgia football’s finest moments.
Uga VI oversaw the most winning games in school history with a record of 87–27. Weighing in at an impressive 65 pounds, he was also the biggest of all Uga mascots.
Get in with Uga X by donating $10 EACH MONTH to the University of Georgia. Monthly commitments made by June 30, 2016, will enhance UGA’s alumni percentage, which factors into university rankings, and will ensure you receive ‘I’m in with Uga X technology stickers for your phone, laptop or tablet. Registration for the 2016 Football Season Parking Passes is now open!
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Q&A with Pete McDonald After graduating with an ABJ in Mass Media Arts in 2012, Pete McDonald served with Teach for America as a high school teacher in downtown Detroit. Now, having earned a Fulbright International travel-study grant, he has traded in one Athens for another. Pete is currently studying in Athens, Greece where he is examining the country’s vocational education system to identify what the U.S. might be able to learn from its focus on job-related training. What attracted you to UGA? Georgia has this wonderful combination of academic rigor and deep southern culture at an unbeatable value. What are you most proud of? My work as a high school teacher and coach in Detroit, Michigan. People would be surprised to know that… My middle name is Julio. Who would play you in a movie about your life? Matt Damon I simply cannot live without… The Chick-fil-A No. 1 combo What’s the most important thing you learned at UGA? Classes are important. They’re non-negotiable. But when you get out into the community, pursue your interests and meet people, that’s when you really learn. Three things that inspire you… My Dad, my former students and anyone who is passionate about what they do. Describe your UGA experience in five words… It went by too fast! UGA Faculty/Staff with the greatest impact on you: Beau Seagraves, Dr. Tina Harris, Eric Atkinson, Zoe Johnson What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Start a high school robotics team, build a robot, and compete in national competitions. I give to UGA because… I want to continue to support the people and programs that pushed me and guided me along the way.
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Q&A with Trey Sinyard Trey Sinyard graduated from UGA with a BS in biochemistry and molecular biology and a BBA in finance in 2011. He served on the Student Government Association’s Representative Council, was recognized as an Amazing Student in the Honors Program, was a Foundation Fellow and a Deer Run Fellow, and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Gamma Delta. He also studied abroad and attended the UGA at Oxford program. Trey is now using his multi–faceted undergraduate experience to pursue a joint MD-MBA degree at Duke University. What attracted you to UGA? Ummm, have you been to Athens? What are you most proud of? The opportunity to serve alongside many other students at Athens PBJ, a tiny non-profit focused on building long–term friendships with people living on the streets of UGA’s hometown. People would be surprised to know that… I grew up in Athens never wanting to go to UGA. During my senior year of high school, I made the mistake of spending time on campus and getting to know people there. The rest is history. Now, even after being at Duke for four years, I still bleed Red and Black. Haven’t seen a drop of that royal Duke blue blood yet! What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done? Two friends once convinced me to ice–climb the Casaval Ridge of Mt. Shasta in northern California in the middle of the night. Fortunately, we’re all still around to tell the story. I give to UGA because… Being generous is good for the soul, especially when you don’t have much money to give! Also, I’ve benefited enormously from the gifts of others during my tenure as an undergraduate. I want current students to have the same experience. Describe your UGA experience in five words But (1), I’m (2) still (3) living (4) it! (5) UGA Faculty/Staff with the greatest impact on you: As a freshman, I had the unbelievable privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C. and New York City with President Jere Morehead. Of course, back then he was “just” the VP of Instruction. I’ve had the privilege of visiting him in his office as VP of Instruction, Provost and now UGA President. Professor Morehead has had a profound impact on my life as an academic, leader and close friend. I can’t say thanks enough for all he’s done to make my alma mater even better.
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Clockwise from top left: Erin Daughtrey (BSFR ’14) poses at UNESCO World Heritage site, the Bahía de los Ángeles in Mexico where she studied the fascinating array of desert plants and wildlife that live there. Dustin Tetley (BBA ’10), Gabe Pirela (BBA ’09) and Ryan Dunn (BBA ’09) show they are proud to wear the G, even while in Amsterdam. Ashley Carter (BSA ’10) smiles at a fair promoting the importance of healthy eating organized by the UGA DeKalb County Extension Office. Charles Bryant (BBA ’07) snaps a photo with actor Paul Rudd while out to lunch with his grandparents in Peachtree City, Georgia. DC Dawgs Kelly Aratoon (ABJ ’11), James Beach (AB ’11), Christie Haynes (AB ’10, AB ’10), Kelsey Ford (AB ’11), Katie Barlow (ABJ ’11, AB ’11), Josh Delaney (ABJ ’11, AB ’11) and Matt Suber (AB ’09) gather to cheer on UGA at a game-watching party.
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