{"id":137,"date":"2017-03-24T10:34:21","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T14:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/?p=137"},"modified":"2017-04-21T10:23:23","modified_gmt":"2017-04-21T14:23:23","slug":"alum-profiles-part-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/2017\/03\/24\/alum-profiles-part-i\/","title":{"rendered":"Alum Profiles, Part I"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here’s the first in a series of alum profiles leading up to your 10th year reunion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Below are updates from Brad Duemmler, Tori Jones, Megan Pendleton, Sam Madden, and Alex Chigas.<\/p>\n

Yes, many of you have been keeping up with each other on Facebook, but sometimes it’s nice to stop and reflect a bit on the last 10 years. We’ll take the slow path and try to feature as many of you as possible before October.<\/p>\n

In that vein, if you want to see your friends in next month’s post, refer them by completing this quick form<\/a> — it’s a great way to shine the spotlight on a good friend!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Ten<\/span> years later, what are you up to?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I am a freelance music video and commercial Director\/Cinematographer living and working in LA. I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with various artists including YG, Juicy J, Murs, Macy Gray and Snoop Dogg. <\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, I’ve decided to take a step back from the music video and commercial world to focus on my first feature, titled AMAROQ <\/i><\/b>(www.AmaroqMovie.com)<\/span><\/a>, which is scheduled to shoot this fall. The horror\/thriller film follows five UVM grads who reunite, a few years out of school, to go big game hunting in the Canadian Yukon<\/span>. However, the first night, their guide mysteriously abandons them, leaving the party of amateur hunters to recklessly trek deeper into the dense wilderness where they quickly become the hunted: by an ancient menace of the ferocious North known as the\u00a0AMAROQ<\/i><\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0<\/span>What\u2019s the best thing you\u2019ve done in the last ten years?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Man… I’m not really sure… I’m very thankful for quite a few projects. I’ve been the Director of Photography for Snoop Dogg’s GGN News<\/i><\/b> the past 5 years which has been an incredible ride. I’ve had several short films win DGA awards and broadcast on HBO including (as writer) Without You<\/i><\/b> <\/i>(Director Adam Tyree) and (as Director of Photography) Fig<\/i><\/b> <\/i>(Director Ryan Coogler – Fruitvale Station<\/i><\/b>, Creed<\/i><\/b>, Black Panther<\/i><\/b>). <\/span><\/p>\n

As a Writer\/Director, my feature script, DOGGED<\/i><\/b>, <\/i>placed in the top-8 of the Hollywood tracking Board Screenplay competition which really opened doors and ultimately led to the indie horror path I’m currently on.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0<\/span>Who is the one person you most want to see at Reunion?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The bartender at RJ’s who constantly bobs his head while making drinks.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0<\/span>Do you have a post-graduate tradition with your UVM friends?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We did, it’s very much fallen off of late as most friends are now married with kids.<\/span><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0<\/span>How is your UVM degree relevant to your career?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I was a film theory major which got me into USC graduate school for film production and ultimately kick-started my career. I credit UVM for my filmmaking foundation. USC taught me the tools, but UVM taught me what to use them for.<\/span><\/p>\n

6.\u00a0<\/span>What were you involved with at UVM?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I played club hockey. Lots of good friends from the team I’ve fallen out of touch with.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1. Ten<\/span> years later, what are you up to?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The last 10 years have flown by! After graduation, I worked in Congressman Welch’s Burlington office for five years as a caseworker and community liaison. I had the opportunity to explore all corners of Vermont and be a liaison for Vermonters with the federal government. It was a challenging but very rewarding experience.<\/p>\n

I now work in fundraising at Middlebury College where I supervise the student phonathon program, help the seniors fundraise for their class gift, and coordinate the post-50th reunion committees and their fundraising efforts.<\/p>\n

In my free time, I enjoy skiing, hiking, biking, and adventuring. I moonlight as a spin instructor and I volunteer with EverybodyWins! as a reading buddy at the local elementary school.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0<\/span>What\u2019s the best thing you\u2019ve done in the last ten years?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Traveling to Vietnam and South Korea were two highlights. I visited Megan Pendleton ’07 and we had some incredible adventures. I’m looking forward to visiting her in Moscow next year!<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0<\/span>Who is the one person you most want to see at Reunion?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0I can’t pick just one person but I hope the Orchard Terrace squad will be reunited!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0<\/span>Do you have a post-graduate tradition with your UVM friends?
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Our group gathered at our 5th reunion which was a blast and two summers ago we rented a house on Lake Fairlee, VT. We’re eager to get together again in October. <\/span><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0<\/span>How is your UVM degree relevant to your career?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

While I’m not using my ENVS degree at the moment, I wouldn’t be where I am were it not for the Rubenstein School. My first job in Congressman Welch’s office was a result of a job posting shared by Professor Deane Wang. The close community and best friends I made at UVM have enriched my life so much.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

6.\u00a0<\/span>What were you involved with at UVM?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I was on the RSENR Student Advisory Board and volunteered with SEEDS (environmental education in BTV schools). <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1. Ten<\/span> years later, what are you up to?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I am completing my first year living and working in Moscow, Russia. I’m a middle school art teacher at the Anglo-American School of Moscow. I moved here last year following three years of teaching Art in Seoul, South Korea.<\/p>\n

I guess you could say teaching has taken me to places I never expected to live. Moscow and Seoul are as different as Essex Junction and Washington, DC, two other towns that I’ve lived and taught Art in. I also spent two years teaching at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0<\/span>What\u2019s the best thing you\u2019ve done in the last ten years?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The best thing I’ve done in the last 10 years would have to be attending President Obama’s First Inauguration. I’ll never forget the pride and electricity in the crowd that cold January day. We are so lucky to have had him for 8 solid years.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0<\/span>Who is the one person you most want to see at Reunion?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I would love to see my Education professor, Holly-Lynn Busier. She was a huge supporter of my pursuit of combining special education and art education. I will always appreciate her guidance and belief in me.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0<\/span>Do you have a post-graduate tradition with your UVM friends?
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

My college roommates (shout out to Hickok) and I have met up all over the country – from Austin, TX to Portland, OR. <\/span><\/p>\n

I try to make a trip up to Burlington every summer. A picnic on the waterfront with Flatbreads is one of our traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0<\/span>How is your UVM degree relevant to your career?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I majored in Art Education with a minor in Special Education. I’m an art teacher serving students from countries all around the world. I like to say we all have some form of special needs and I use my training from UVM in the classroom everyday. <\/span><\/p>\n

The UVM Art Ed program was pivotal in opening my eyes to many different teaching venues – from museum education to after school programs.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

6.\u00a0<\/span>What were you involved with at UVM?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

At UVM I was part of the Ski & Snowboard Club, the Pottery Co-op, and the tennis program. And I never missed a hockey or basketball home game in 4 years \ud83d\ude09 Go Cats!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1.<\/span><\/em>Ten<\/em><\/strong> years later, what are you up to?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Living and practicing law in Manhattan, after graduating from Fordham Law in Lincoln Center after UVM. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0<\/span>What\u2019s the best thing you\u2019ve done in the last ten years?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>I play a lot of music (piano) when I’m not working.\u00a0 That’s at least my favorite thing. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0<\/span>Who is the one person you most want to see at Reunion?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Mike Jones (my classmate, not the Texan rapper)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0<\/span>Do you have a post-graduate tradition with your UVM friends?
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Nothing official.\u00a0 Random reunions on the East Coast and West Coast. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0<\/span>How is your UVM degree relevant to your career?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It’s not! \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6.\u00a0<\/span>What were you involved with at UVM?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

President of the Class of 2007, RA of the Live Music Floor\u00a0and Orientation Leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Alexander Chigas<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.Ten<\/span><\/em> years later, what are you up to?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

10 years after college, I am a Financial Advisor, working with my father and brother at Morgan Stanley as The Chigas Group. Our family practice works with a select group of dedicated business professionals and their families to help achieve a high degree of financial security during their career and throughout their retirement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I currently live with my girlfriend, Cate, in Watertown, MA<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0<\/span>What\u2019s the best thing you\u2019ve done in the last ten years?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I would have trouble choosing one thing that has been the best in the last 10 years. I have enjoyed traveling, I\u2019ve worked some interesting jobs and I\u2019ve grown as a person.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0<\/span>Who is the one person you most want to see at Reunion?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

My friend Betsy Boppo<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0<\/span>Do you have a post-graduate tradition with your UVM friends?
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We all try to get together annually, rotating the city we meet in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>6.\u00a0<\/span>What were you involved with at UVM?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Honor Society, Club Hockey, Club Lacrosse, Broomball (undefeated)<\/span><\/p>\n

If you liked these profiles and want to see some of your friends<\/strong>, refer a classmate or two. We’ll reach out to them and include them in the next post.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here’s the first in a series of alum profiles leading up to your 10th year reunion. Below are updates from Brad Duemmler, Tori Jones, Megan Pendleton, Sam Madden, and Alex Chigas. Yes, many of you have been keeping up with … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2908,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[40450],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-people"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8jDE1-2d","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2908"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":164,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137\/revisions\/164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/reunion\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}