Like many young graduates, Taylor Saia, BSBA '13, will be moving over the summer. But unlike his classmates, he'll be moving halfway around the world.

Saia will begin a nine-month Fulbright scholarship to teach English and begin a community music project in Indonesia in August.

"The anticipation is a bit nerve-wracking, but that's part of the experience," he said. "I can't wait to go."

Business to Backpacking

Saia, who is currently a marketing intern at the National Geographic Society, has always enjoyed traveling; he spent his junior year abroad in France at the SKEMA Business School, located just outside Nice. It was this experience, he said, that inspired him to find a way to continue exploring other cultures.

"Fulbright gives you the opportunity to get off the beaten path, and that really excited me," Saia said. "Southeast Asia drew me in; it's just so culturally diverse."

Indonesia's more than 300 ethnic groups and more than 700 native languages are sure to keep Saia on his toes—but he's looking forward to the challenge.

"I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos and using Rosetta Stone to get the hang of some basic phrases," he said.

Saia's program will begin with a three-week course in basic Bahasa, the official language of Indonesia, and Indonesia culture before he moves to his yet-to-be-determined provided housing.

"[Scholars] are provided with a place to live, but that's the only guarantee," Saia said. "I could be assigned to a hut or a palace, it's just part of the adventure."

Forging His Own Trail

Saia, who is specializing in marketing at Kogod, will be the first to admit he is far from the typical business student. "I've definitely done my own thing," said Saia, who is also a member of the AU a cappella group On a Sensual Note. "But at the same time, Kogod has definitely helped me prepare for Indonesia."

He credits the faculty and overall diversity for encouraging his creativity during the past four years.

"The incredible exposure I got to internationalism while at Kogod only made me more interested in traveling," he said. "I definitely wouldn't have been accepted by Fulbright without the encouragement and recommendations I received from my professors."

Saia encourages other students to follow their own interests.

"It sounds cliché but the best advice I can give is to take risks," he said. "Find a way to make what you're passionate about fit in with school and a career, not the other way around."

Presenting a semester's worth of work in front of your professor and classmates is stressful enough, but add in a real client and it's a different ball game entirely. That's exactly what students faced in Assistant Professor Cristel Russell's Advertising and Promotion Campaigns class.

The Concept

Student teams worked with one of two clients—the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) or media start-up SocialRadar—to develop a strategic campaign designed to meet the client's needs.

"I think it was a really great experience for the students to work with real clients on a real campaign. There's so much more to learn than what can just be read in textbooks," said Russell.

For SocialRadar, teams worked to develop a traditional launch campaign of a new smartphone app. But for CSPI, the challenge was to develop a campaign to encourage consumers to demand less marketing of unhealthy foods aimed at children.

Working on the same project throughout the semester gave students the opportunity to tie together principles learned across the marketing curriculum, according to Russell. Despite seeming like apples and oranges on the surface, marketing an idea versus a traditional product required the same steps in the end.

"Some of the students struggled a bit in the beginning…but once they realized the same principles applied, you could really see the lights in their eyes as they started coming up with ideas."

More Than Homework

From the student perspective, they were able to take away even more from Russell's class—now they have tangible evidence of their abilities.

"It was incredible to have a real client and do real work, not just deal in hypotheticals," said Kristianna George, BSBA '13. "It's been really helpful when I've applied to jobs because I have this project to hand over and say 'Here, I did this,' and it's exactly what I gave [my client.]"

Working with real clients also allowed students to overcome difficulties that may not be covered in a textbook.

"We definitely had struggles, but really learned what the [campaign presentation] process can really be like," said Kurtis Gobencion, BSBA '13. "There was more pressure because we had a real client, our materials had to be professional, we couldn't just say 'Good enough.'"

Professional Quality

Students may have been producing the work, but the final campaigns presented were anything but student quality, according to the clients.

"Everything I saw was top-notch," said Michael Chasen, CAS '94, and CEO of SocialRadar. "I couldn't have gotten better results going to an outside contractor."

Chasen, who has worked with several schools in the area, enjoys engaging with his alma mater and hopes to continue to work with Kogod in the future.

"I found the students to be very entrepreneurial. It was obvious they inherently understood the online media world, and they really stood out among schools I've worked with."

Lindsay Vickroy, nutrition policy coordinator for CSPI, echoed Chasen's positive experience.

"It was obvious to me that the students were very committed to the project and worked diligently to provide us with a product that would work," she said. "I know it wasn't easy to develop a campaign to market an idea instead of a product, but they really rose to the challenge."

Congratulations to the Class of 2013, their families, and friends! We’ve created a list of all the details you need to know for this weekend’s commencement ceremonies.

When: On Saturday, May 11, ceremonies include School of Public Affairs at 9 a.m., School of Communication at 1 p.m., and College of Arts & Sciences at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, May 12, ceremonies include Kogod School of Business at 9 a.m. and School of International Service at 1 p.m. On Sunday, May 19, the Washington College of Law will hold a ceremony at 1 p.m.

Where: American University’s commencement ceremonies are held in Bender Arena on campus.

Watching from home: All AU commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live on american.edu/commencement.

Guests: Tickets are not required for admittance. In keeping with D.C. Fire Code regulations, AU asks that graduating students limit their guests to seven persons each.

Seating: Doors open 45 minutes before each ceremony. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. A seating section, located next to the ground-level entrance to Bender Arena, will be available for senior citizens and persons with physical disabilities and their families. Please refer to the special needs section of the commencement website for more information on seating and other assistance for mobility and hearing impaired persons.

2013 Commencement Speakers: Lisa P. Jackson (SPA), Darryl Frank (SOC), Paul Farmer (CAS), Gary Veloric (Kogod), Moises Naim (SIS), and Harold Hongju Koh (WCL). Read more about the 2013 commencement speakers.

Social Media: Join us on Twitter using hashtag #2013augrad. Also, follow AU Commencement 2013 on Facebook for all the latest news.

Where to park: We recommend that graduates and guests park in the Nebraska Avenue parking lot or the Katzen Arts Center garage, although all parking areas on campus will be open during commencement weekend (except for spaces marked “Reserved”). Those who park in the Sports Center parking garage are advised that exiting traffic will not be permitted to turn into the tunnel in front of Bender Arena following the ceremonies. Cars parked in the Sports Center parking garage or on the south side of campus will exit via Nebraska Avenue.

How to get there: The campus map indicates shuttle stops, disability parking, and drop-off points for commencement. Driving directions to AU's Bender Arena can be found online through googlemaps.com. The university will provide complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the Tenleytown-AU Metro station, which is on Metro’s Red Line. Shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes from the Nebraska Avenue and south-side shuttle stops. For information on getting to campus from BWI Airport, Dulles International Airport, Reagan National Airport, and more, follow instructions provided by the Office of Campus Life.

What’s not allowed inside: No large bags (backpacks, briefcases, duffel bags, etc.) will be permitted inside Bender Arena. Large signs, banners, noise makers, and other objects that hinder visibility or sound will not be allowed inside.

What should grads wear: In order to walk in a commencement ceremony you must wear a cap and gown designed especially for American University by Herff Jones. Caps and gowns must be picked up in the Campus Store on the second floor of Butler Pavilion during business hours from May 8 through May 11 and during the commencement ceremonies on May 11 and May 12.

Duration of ceremony: The ceremony is approximately two hours long and is immediately followed by a reception. Reception locations are listed in the printed program. If you are going to a restaurant after commencement, we recommend making reservations for approximately four hours after your ceremony's start. This will allow you time to attend your school's reception and return rental regalia (due by 6 p.m., Sunday, May 12). 

Diplomas: Most graduates will receive diplomas by early July. 

Photos: A selection of commencement photographs will appear on the AU website. Check the commencement website to view and download photos taken by the university photographers. Proofs of photos taken by the commercial photographer, GradImages, will be emailed to grads two weeks after the ceremony. Read more about purchasing photos and other mementos.

In a community of wonks, it can be hard to stand out, but 14 students have done just that.

In a tradition dating back to 1929 and the first University Honors Convocation, AU recognizes outstanding students at the graduate and undergraduate level each year. Like the recipient of this year’s president’s award, these wonks have distinguished themselves with achievements in the classroom as well as in the community.

Academic Honors

Lauren Barr and Andrey Verendeev have received nods for Outstanding Scholarship at the Graduate Level this year. Verendeev’s psychopharmacology research is the first of its kind to find predictors for opiate use in test subjects, while Barr has compiled a compelling conflict analysis of the situation in post-Arab Spring Morocco.

“I really appreciate all the opportunities and doors that AU has opened for me,” she says. “This is yet another example of the ways in which I’ve really benefited from being a part of the school.”

This year’s undergraduate winners are just as impressive. With an extraordinary 3.96 GPA studying outside his native language of German, honors student Robert Helbig majored in international affairs and minored in applied physics. Psychology student Andrew Merluzzi has received over $10,000 in funds to present his research at eight separate conferences across the country. As he leaves AU, he believes the best part of his studies was working alongside minds like Verendeev.

“The ability to do research alongside graduate students and faculty, just in terms of working together as a team towards a common goal, was really helpful and will be great experience for the future,” he says.

Outstanding Service

AU also recognizes those students who serve on campus, trying to make the university the best institution it can be. The efforts of this year’s Outstanding Service to the University Community Award recipients are both duly noted and duly awarded.

For his service, recent December School of Communication graduate Joseph Corcoran will be honored alongside former Student Government president Sarah McBride. Corcoran, who transferred to AU his sophomore year, advocated for more commuter and transfer student space now found in the library and the East Quad Building – success that has also landed him the Charles W. Van Way Award for building community at AU.

McBride’s policies as SG president established open-gender housing on campus as well as a new LGBT studies minor. As much as she gave to the campus, she believes she received more in return.

“AU has been so wonderful to me. I’ve gained so much. I’ve learned so much," she says. "I’ve been embraced by friends, administrators, and faculty to such a degree that it was really an honor to be able to serve this community."

McBride will also accept the Kinsman-Hurst Award for striving to make the university community as diverse, accepting, and inclusive as possible.

Student Achievement

Through its annual Student Achievement Awards, the university celebrates those undergraduate seniors that best represent the diversity of accomplishments possible at AU.

Described as one of the most talented soloists ever to graduate from AU, vocalist Carley DeFranco will receive the Evelyn Swarthout Hayes Award for using her gifts to support at-risk youth in DC. While AU has a strong reputation for international and public affairs, DeFranco’s recognition shows the university’s maintained emphasis on the arts.

“I feel honored and happy that my practicing and musical achievements have been noticed in a school where music may not necessarily be at the forefront but certainly thriving,” she says. “There are a lot of great musicians and programs here.”

ATV student television general manager Douglas Bell will receive the Bruce Hughes Award for doubling his organization’s membership, where reporters recently secured White House press passes. After establishing the Community Service Coalition, Stephen Bronskill – also selected for the coveted President’s Award – will accept the Stafford H. Cassell Award.

Recent December graduate Nazran Baba used his time at AU to create opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through roles in International Student Orientation and the Muslim Student Association, making him the first Sri Lankan in 30 years to win the Carlton Savage Award.

Abdul Aziz Said Phi Epsilon Pi Scholar for Diversity Daniel Leon was selected for the Fletcher Scholar Award based on his academic achievement and commitment to the community through organizations like the William J. Clinton Foundation.

“I feel really honored. I’ve only been here for two years,” he says, “and the fact I would be recognized on any level really shows how focused they are on transfer students.”

School of Public Affairs Leadership Program student and outgoing Student Government president Emily Yu will receive the Cathryn Seckler-Hudson Award, named for SPA’s first dean. Yu advocated for what became AU’s lowest tuition increase in 40 years alongside a new $1.5 million in financial aid for students.

Parting Words

Kogod School of Business student Mercedes Beras-Goico dedicated herself to serving the university community through the 1955 Business Leadership Club before starting the Hispanic Business Association. She will accept the Charles C. Glover Award for combining business leadership and citizenship in service to AU.

Like the other student award recipients, Beras-Goico is more than honored for the recognition, but – above all else – she just wants to carry AU with her wherever she goes.

“I really would like to keep representing the AU legacy as I graduate,” she says. “I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be here.”

Winning this year’s Harold Johnson Award for celebrating Caribbean culture on and off campus, Yanique Campbell has advice for hopeful underclass wonks looking ahead, hoping to stand out as she and her fellow recipients have.

“For me, it wasn’t about getting an award,” she says. “It was about finding a place where I’m comfortable on this campus and making that place available for other students…So, just do what you love, and the awards will come.”





Click here to learn more about the University Awards program and the awards ceremony, which will take place Friday, May 10th at 5:30pm in the Abramson Family Recital Hall in the Katzen Arts Center.

Visit the 2013 commencement ceremonies website for more information about this year's celebration.

Netflix mined its customer data to produce the original series "House of Cards," a Kevin Spacey-driven hit. YouTube is now the second biggest search engine. The iTunes store turned 10, but its longevity is threatened by the growth of streaming music services like Spotify and Pandora. 

Recognizing the fast pace of the entertainment world, the Kogod School of Business is introducing a BS in Business and Entertainment (BAE) degree program, which will enroll new students for Fall 2013. 

"Today's students have grown up with entertainment in every facet of their life," said Jesse Boeding, Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs. "The BAE provides a context to learn the functional business application in an industry that they are familiar with." 

The Script 

Unique in the Washington, D.C. area, the BAE degree will give students a strong foundation of academic coursework and offer hands-on experiential learning. The program consists of three components: a business core, an entertainment core, and a specialization track in one of four areas. 

The business core provides basic business knowledge and skills in areas such as accounting, finance, management, marketing, information technology, and strategy. 

The entertainment core focuses on the economic, legal, and business aspects of the industry, preparing students for work in the competitive arena. 

In the entertainment specialization track, students will dive into a particular field of interest. Specialization areas include: 

• Agency 
• Audio technology 
• Music performance 
• Film 

In consultation with the Program Director, students may also create self-designed specializations. 

The Director 

John Simson, a prominent entertainment lawyer who founded and served as Executive Director of SoundExchange, will serve as program director. 

Simson's career has included stints as a manager (Mary Chapin Carpenter was a former client) and special advisor to Harry Belafonte on music and television projects. He received an Emmy nomination for his music supervision of the PBS series "American Roots Music," is president of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Grammy organization, and currently serves on a number of boards. 

Simson was at the forefront of the battle for artist’s rights to be paid in the digital era. 

"Almost every week there is something new…the ecology of change has been dramatic," Simson said. "But while big studios are at risk, there is still a lot of growth in the industry in other forms." 

He has taught at the Kogod School of Business for two years; prior to that he taught at American University’s Washington College of Law for about five. 

The Plot 

Select entertainment core courses include: 

• The Entertainment Industry: Structure and Business Models
  
• Publishing and Copyright 
• Social Networking, Social Media and Web 2.0 
• Entertainment law 
• Protecting the Creative Class in the Face of Technological Innovation 

The BAE program replaces the BS in Business and Music (BAM) degree program. Current Kogod students may transfer into the program in consultation with academic advising. 

Students will see new courses beginning in Fall 2013, including Protecting the Creative Class, which will be taught by a former Time Warner Inc. executive recruited by Simson.

Many people loved playing outside as children, and Ahmad Toure, BSBA '09, was no exception, but for him, that passion didn't fade with age.

After interning for the U.S. National Park Service as an undergraduate, Toure landed a full-time job as an interpretive park ranger at Great Falls Park after graduation, and he's enjoyed every minute of it.

"I've always liked being outside," said Toure, who specialized in marketing at Kogod. "If I saw an animal, I would immediately look it up and just try to learn everything I could about it. The naturalist side of me has always been there."

How the Job Works

As an interpretive park ranger, Toure guides park visitors through river trails, teaching them about the rich natural and political history of the park with unmatched enthusiasm, using it as another marketing tool.

"Even though the job of an interpretive park ranger is to tell the story of the park," he said. "We're doing it in order to connect people to Great Falls and build an element of stewardship so they want to support the park and want take care of it and tell their friends about it."

Bringing History to Life

According to Toure, George Washington built one of the first American canals in Great Falls, which eventually led to the conception of the U.S. Constitution.

Individual state sovereignty at the time meant individual states controlled the rights to everything within their boundaries and weren't obligated to share with other states.

"The Potomac River is owned by Maryland, so Virginia had to make an agreement in order to use the canal, and when other states heard that, they all wanted [trade agreements] as well. They had a big meeting and that ended up being the constitutional convention," he said with unbridled eagerness.

Choosing the Right Path

Toure decided during his senior year at Kogod he was going to use his marketing knowledge for the greater good.

"Throughout my senior year my whole focus was finding work with a socially responsible organization," he said. "Luckily the Park Service gave me an offer, but I would have considered anything else that focused on social responsibility."

Toure has also helped organize a youth program to help kids get in touch with nature and stay in shape.

He created activity books designed to engage kids by teaching them about the park through activities like crossword puzzles, word searches, mazes, and scavenger hunts.

"A lot of the activities really encourage the kids to get out and be active, move around, use their senses, and things like that, said Toure."

From "Best Networker" to "Most Likely to Make the Forbes 500 List," students nominated members of the class of 2013 for lighthearted superlatives, with an eye on the upcoming May 12 commencement.

Most superlative categories were provided, but some were left open-ended for students to create their own. These are the results:

Most Likely to Become CEO of the Next Google: Kelsey Lee, BSBA '13, and Jon Schmidt, MBA '13

Most Likely to Develop the Next Great Super Bowl Ad Campaign: Ben Loeb, BSBA '13, and Logan Millard, MBA '13

Most Likely to Have a Breakout Room Reserved: Andrew Lam, BSA '13, and Rachel Bromer, MBA '13

Most Likely to Start a Nonprofit: Kathryn Schramm, BSBA '13, and Christin Marten, MBA '13

Most Likely to be Wearing a Suit on Campus: Jack Acland, BSF '13, and Sean Grant, MBA '13

Most Likely to Make the Forbes 500 List: Eric Pan, BSF '13, and John Hoysgaard, MBA '13

Best Presenter: Katie O'Keefe, BSBA '13, and Marie Escobar, MBA '13

Best Networker: Kate Greubel, BSBA '13, and Erin Monahan, MBA '13

Best Baker: Libby Harrison, MBA '13

Most Likely to be Found in the KCCD: Colin Musselman, BSBA '13

Student winners will receive a certificate with the honor and a prize of sweet treats.

The Kogod School of Business has moved up to No. 1 on the annual Bloomberg BusinessWeek "Best Undergraduate B-Schools" list in the "Best in Sustainability" category.

Kogod moved to first after placing No. 5 in 2012, becoming the only school in the D.C. area to be in the top ten for sustainability.

"Kogod is committed to showing our students they can have a lasting impact on the world at large through their actions and that begins in our own classrooms and on our campus," said Dean Michael Ginzberg.

How It Works

Like the overall school ranking, specialty rankings are based on surveys completed by graduating seniors. Students were asked to assign a letter grade to their school's performance in specialty areas—an "A" received on point, an "F" received five points—the points were then averaged for the school. The lower the score, the higher a school ranked.

Kogod received a score of 1.16 for sustainability. The average score for the 124 schools in the ranking was 1.66.

For Anjelica Magee, BSBA '13, her green classes have been a way to prepare for a career more focused on technology.

"Not only is it better for the environment [not to use paper in class], but I think this is how I'll be doing work in the real world. More and more information is stored online, we look at screens more than paper."

MORE: AU Moves Closer to Carbon Neutral by 2020

Sustainability Initiatives

In addition to Kogod's green roof, many of the faculty are certified "Green Teachers," meaning they are committed to environmentally friendly practices in the classroom. These teachers assign e-books instead of traditional textbooks and utilize Blackboard for online tests and quizzes instead of using paper.

"Our Kogod faculty has…intentionally integrated contemporary management issues like sustainability into the curriculum and classroom discussions," said Lawrence Ward, associate dean for academic affairs.

"As a business school [we] care deeply about sustainability management, corporate social responsibility, and the emerging synergies being created at the intersection of private industry and the public sector."

Student-oriented programming is another way the school weaves the sustainability thread through the student experience.

Kogod hosted the "Future in Sustainability Real Estate" panel last fall, and the 2012 Kogod Case Competition featured a case about OPOWER, an energy-efficiency and Smart Grid software company.

The school's commitment to sustainability is also reflected in the new MS in Sustainability Management degree offered at the graduate level.

American University's prioritization on sustainability is another factor. AU is committed to being carbon-neutral by 2020 and encourages students, staff, and faculty to participate in the "Bike to Work" initiative. The school even removed trays from campus dining facilities, which resulted in a reduction in the overall amount of food waste and dishes used per person.

Last year, American University rose from No. 7 to No. 5 nationally for its number of Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) finalists. This year, AU has one-upped itself, rising to No. 3 in the national rankings for both finalists—of which AU had 19—and semi-finalists—of which AU had 45. This year’s finalists, announced in early April, hail from all of AU’s schools and colleges. 

“We have some outstanding candidates,” says PMF and School of Public Affairs career advisor Robert SanGeorge. SanGeorge helped prepare all of AU’s semi-finalists and finalists for the application process. “This year, they came from all AU schools … and we’re glad they did, because we would like to see that kind of diversity and interest campus-wide in the program.”

For more than 30 years, the PMF program has attracted advanced degree-holders for positions within the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, USAID, and the Department of Transportation, among others. The application is a two-step process, beginning with an online test that gauges an applicant’s psychological profile; 12,120 people took the test nationwide this year, according to PMF’s website. Of that pool, the program selects roughly 1,600 semi-finalists who then participate in an intensive series of interviews and group activities. Selected finalists are then able to apply for jobs specifically set aside for them, with two-year appointments, competitive salaries, and benefits; PMF finalists—there were 663 this year—also receive “additional mentoring and training that is not available to other people,” notes SanGeorge. He trained ’AU’s semi-finalists with several workshops, one-on-one meetings, and various online resources.

“You are being groomed to be a future federal manager at a significant level,” adds SanGeorge. “Once you’re finished with those two years and you transition into regular federal employment, you have PMF on your resume, and that really is a big deal for people who want to pursue the federal government as a career.”

Of the 19 AU finalists, seven are from the School of International Service, five are from the Washington College of Law, three are from the School of Public Affairs, two are from the College of Arts and Sciences, one is from the School of Communication, and one is from the Kogod School of Business. But coaching for these students and alumni doesn’t stop after they have been named finalists: The Career Center will continue to provide guidance on crafting a federal resume, reaching out to certain federal departments, preparing for job interviews, and connecting with AU alumni of the program, SanGeorge says. 

Finalist Keri Sikich, SPA/PhD '13 and SIS/BA '02, is already emailing other AU alumni to discuss how she should present herself to various federal departments during the application process. Sikich, who studies juries and comparative legal systems, has taught many classes as an adjunct at AU. She hopes to parlay her background in public policy and experience working on Capitol Hill into opportunities with the Departments of State or Justice.

“It’s a great opportunity, especially now that I’ve seen other friends of mine try to get jobs after their PhD—I see how hard it is to get into the federal system,” Sikich says. “So it’s not an opportunity that I plan on passing up. The government is certainly a great place for me to be.”

Equally excited is Josh Jones, SIS/PhD '13, who, before attending AU, served a tour in Iraq during his four years in the U.S. Army and spent a summer with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Serbia. His experience in the Army was not only the inspiration for his dissertation, but the leadership and time management skills he learned while in the service became invaluable during the PMF application process, he says. 

“I think the benefit of the military is that it gives people the opportunity to lead, to take responsibility for people and goals in ways that may be harder to come by in other forums,” says Jones, who is keeping an open mind regarding which federal positions may interest him. “To paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, I want to ‘work hard at work worth doing.’ I would like to find a position in which I can support a department or agency in accomplishing its mission and to add value to the organization.”

Similarly liberal about his ideal federal department is Brian Thompson, CAS/MEd '11, who became a teacher after being deployed to Afghanistan while serving three-and-a-half years in the U.S. Army; a care package from his mother with the book Teacher Man by Frank McCourt inspired him to join Teach For America (TFA) when he returned to the U.S. Thompson received his master’s through TFA’s partnership with AU; has taught 10th-grade world history at Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C., for the past four years; and has been awarded with numerous teaching awards from the District of Columbia Public Schools for his success with students. Thompson hopes to land a position with the Department of Education or Veterans Affairs, but he doesn’t plan to limit himself.

“I think I’ve always been committed to public service; in the military and in teaching, I’ve kind of been the boots on the ground, whether in the classroom or the battlefield,” Thompson says. “I’m just looking for something that blends my passion, and an opportunity to do something meaningful. I’m not looking to push paper all day long—I’m looking for an agency that will provide me with opportunities to grow and do great things.”

Congratulations to all of AU’s 2013 PMF finalists: Ann Mangold, Anna Naimark, Brian Thompson, Colin Bishop, Elena Green Feroz, Erin Swetland, Jason Whittle, Jennifer Flowers, Jessica Torres, Josh Jones, Kathleen Larkin, Keri Sikich, Lauren McCarty, Nicholas Beadle, Nicholas Fechter, Robert Brodell, Samuel Hedlund, Sheen Munshi, and William Daming. 

The application process for the 2014 PMF program will begin this fall, and will be open to students and alumni who hold advanced degrees earned between December 2011 and August 2014.

Of the 92,000 accountants-in-training who took the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam last year, William McGauran, BSA '12, was one of just 39 to win the prestigious Elijah Sells Award.

Named after one of the country's first CPAs, the award recognizes those high achievers who earn a cumulative average score above 95.5 across all fours sections of the exam.

Value of Hard Work

McGauran's success did not come without effort; he effectively made studying for the exam a full-time job during the summer after he graduated in May 2012.

"I took Becker Fast Pass [a CPA exam review course] at AU for six weeks after graduation, …going to class four hours a day, four days a week," he said. "After class I would go home and spend another three to four hours doing my homework."

With all the work McGauran put in, he expected to pass the exam—but he didn't anticipate winning an award for his performance.

"I was very confident that I was going to pass," he said, "but I never expected to do as well as I actually did."

Accountant-in-Training

McGauran originally came to AU from his native Chicago to study political science in the nation's capital. However, after taking Principals of Accounting with former executive-in-residence Sue Marcum his freshman year, he quickly realized that he had a stronger passion for accounting.

"She helped me fall in love with accounting," he said. "In the spring of my sophomore year, I took all business classes and formally switched to Kogod. Junior year, I declared my accounting major."

For McGauran, the core financial accounting classes were the most helpful in preparation for the exam. They were the most beneficial for understanding the logic behind the rules of accounting; everything beyond that is just decision making, he said.

Life After the Test

McGauran now works for Deloitte's Financial Advisory Services division in the forensic practice, which helps clients solve problems related to fraud and financial crimes.

"I owe my job to an information session [sponsored] by the accounting club [at Kogod]," he said. "The club hosted the Financial Advisory Services' forensic practices and encouraged anyone who was interested to apply. I did, and at the end of my internship I was offered a full-time position following graduation."

McGauran is already looking ahead to his next big exam—he's hoping to become a Certified Fraud Examiner by the end of the year.

Philadelphia attorney and Kogod class of ’71 alumnus Theodore “Ted” Simon is having a wonderful career. Among other achievements, he has obtained reversals in the Pennsylvania and United States Supreme Courts. In addition to his longstanding successful representation of individuals and corporations locally, nationally, and internationally in state and federal trial and appellate matters (“white collar,” “blue collar” and “no collar”) he is a recognized authority on the subject of international extradition requests, and he has provided advice and counsel to multiple Americans abroad who have found themselves in challenging legal straits.

Accordingly, while accomplishing these achievements and elevating his law practice into a respected national and international niche – he also has become a “go-to guy” for advice and adept handling of high profile media driven cases - where he credits his AU experiences for assisting him to consistently achieve and maintain success.

After graduating from AU, and later, Temple University Law School, Ted joined the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and began to exercise his passion for litigation and criminal law. His drive, focus, creativity, and comprehensive approach eventually earned him a listing as one of Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Philadelphia;” a selection as a “Pennsylvania Super Lawyer,” and an invited membership in the National Trial Lawyers Organization (a group composed of the top 100 trial lawyers from each state).

Additionally in 2012, he was sworn in as first vice president of the NACDL, a position he relishes because it allows him to play a more specific part in ensuring justice and due process and at the same time recognizing the important and noble work of criminal defense lawyers around the country.

Communicating his passion for justice and due process is another of Ted’s many talents. His most recent appearance, as a guest on CNN and Soledad O’Brien’s “Starting Point” is a case in point. On the show, Ted presented an articulate and seasoned perspective on the complex legal considerations surrounding bail for Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius – who is currently accused of murder in South Africa.

He told O'Brien that Pistorius was a good candidate for bail. He is called upon as a legal expert by honing his speaking as a sought-after speaker for legal seminars across the nation and his numerous on-camera appearances on all major networks and shows including NBC’s The Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS’s The Early Show, Larry King Live, Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC’s 20/20, and NBC’s Dateline.

As a result of his recognized communications skills and legal ability, Ted’s client list has included Michael Fay (Singapore caning), Amanda Knox (college student acquitted of murder in Italy), boxing promoter Don King, Gregory Porter (college student accused but all charges dismissed in 2011 protest in Egypt), Chipper Jones (civil defense), New York real estate heir Robert Durst (favorable resolution of federal firearms offenses in Pennsylvania after acquittal in Texas murder and dismemberment case), NBA forward Dante Cunningham (dismissal of alleged drug and other criminal offenses), Drexel’s starting guard Derrick Thomas (dismissal of assault charges) as well as other clients involved in high-profile legal matters.

Ted credits AU for helping to provide a solid academic foundation for his success. He says, “I was just 16, leaving home for the first-time, and the American University environment, the teachers and classmates, soon to be life-long friends could not be more warm, welcoming and supportive. In hindsight it provided the absolute perfect opportunity to grow, excel academically, and provide a rich and enduring network of beloved friends that began the first day and happily remains so today.”

When asked about how he feels about the practice of law after nearly 40 years, he answered, “I feel the same, but more so - it is a gift to be a lawyer, providing care, assistance, and representation in some of the worst of times, whether a person is criminally facing loss of liberty or civilly and entitled to redress and compensation.”

In response to Ted’s appreciation of American University and for all the university has done for him, Ted recently offered his network, time, and support in assisting with planning of an alumni engagement event in downtown Philadelphia. The event was a resounding success due to the participation of Ted and other alumni.

While the law is clearly his personal and professional passion, Ted's continued relationship with his AU Zeta Beta Tau brothers is primarily a personal passion. He says “primarily” because privilege and privacy protects their confidentiality as even here he has been called upon professionally in “life-altering situations.” Ted couldn’t have been happier “to have their back when they needed it most.”

His relationship with the “ZBT Powerhouse of Excellence” brotherhood began when he attended AU and has only strengthened since then. Ted is everlastingly thankful and appreciative of his classmates who have remained truly supportive of his work, accomplishments, and resulting national and international presence in the law.

So the next time you hear the words, “legal expert” mentioned during a news broadcast, pay close attention. It may be that an AU alumnus, by the name of Ted Simon, is about to hold court.

When Mayra Rivera, CAS/BS ’13, was a senior at Bell Multicultural High School in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C., she was No. 2 in her class of 173 students. But as the daughter of El Salvadorian immigrants and with her mother a small business owner, Rivera wasn’t sure if she was going to apply to college.  

“I never heard of American University, even though I live here in Washington, D.C.,” Rivera says. “But during my junior and senior year, we had a representative from AU come over and give us a presentation, and I started thinking about it.”

Rivera applied to AU, and, thanks to a competitive financial package, she accepted. Four years later, with multiple federal work study (FWS) positions under her belt and a passion for working with children, Rivera is taking advantage of an assortment of student employment and volunteer opportunities both on and off the campus. As a first-generation student, Rivera is changing her family’s expectations about a college education and blazing a trail for her younger relatives while still finding ways to give back to her community.

Rivera has plans to use her degree in health promotion to educate children about the power they have over their bodies and choices. The adaptability and individuality of the subject appealed to Rivera.

“You have the power to change your health—to eat healthier, to exercise—and I feel like the reason why a lot of people don’t stick to diets or don’t go and work out is because they don’t know, they lack the education,” Rivera said. “So with health promotion, I’m learning how to implement programs and ways to approach how to make changes today.”

Sharing those lessons with children has been the main thrust of Rivera’s FWS positions with DC Reads and Kid Power. Introduced to the organizations through the Career Center’s Student Employment Coordinator, Tasha Daniels, Rivera worked with DC Reads for a year and then transitioned to Kid Power, where she has been for the last two years.

Students looking for FWS positions or part-time jobs on campus should regularly check the AU Student Jobs website, www.american.edu/studentjobs, keep an eye on list-serv or department emails that may advertise positions, and should be persistent, Daniels says. Look often, both before and during the semester, to see what kind of opportunities are out there, she suggests.

“Finding any job is a process,” Daniels says. “Keep applying until [you] land a position. … Submit professional application materials—resume and tailored cover letter—to increase [the] likelihood of landing a position.”

With both of her FWS opportunities, Rivera has been able to stay local and focused on her educational goals. During her time at DC Reads, Rivera worked with students one-on-one at CentroNía, a bilingual charter school in Columbia Heights—a five-minute walk from her home. At Kid Power, where Rivera both works as a FWS employee and is conducting an internship, Rivera is applying her knowledge about physical health and nutrition while leading whole classes.

“I was able to give back to my community,” Rivera says, and her impact is still felt years later. “The mom of the girl who I tutored at DC Reads works at Target and I also work at Target, and we always talk, and I always ask her questions about her daughter—I just saw them, and she’s grown up. And it’s nice to see they remember me.”

Rivera ensures the students remember her lessons about health, too. Thanks to encouragement from her Kid Power supervisor Shaden Dowiatt, Rivera is involved in the program Veggie Time, teaching students about gardening and nutrition.

“She’s fantastic; the kids really, really love her,” says Dowiatt, SIS/MA ’10, LAMB Site Director for Kid Power. “I think she relates really well to the students; she’s always very positive, smiles a lot, is pretty easygoing. Her passion and her focus is obviously on health education. This year she’s been doing an internship with me—she’s helped develop some of the lessons about nutrition and I’ve encouraged her to share those lessons with the students.”

And Rivera isn’t the only AU student at Kid Power. The organization employed both university alumni and 44 FWS students in fall 2012—about five to six AU volunteers are located at each of Kid Power’s 10 sites, Dowaitt says—and that atmosphere creates an undeniable sense of camaraderie.

“This past summer, we had this close connection,” Rivera says of her AU peers who also worked with Kid Power at their summer camp. “We all hung out at night, we had dinner and stuff together—we created this little AU family.”

And as for Rivera’s own family, they’ve been affected by her college choice, too. Although her mother was initially skeptical of her decision to apply to AU and hoped Rivera would help her with her small business, she’s grown to appreciate that Rivera “wants to do more”—“she’s always encouraging me, and now she brags about me going to college,” Rivera says. And Rivera’s younger sister has followed in her footsteps, and is currently a student at Georgetown University.

With graduation coming up in May, Rivera hopes to volunteer with other health- or children-focused nonprofit organizations and eventually gain employment at one; graduate school isn’t out of the question, either. But for now, she’s staying with Kid Power, hoping to introduce students to healthy recipes and eating habits. Without these FWS opportunities, Rivera says she’s not sure how she would have been able to so effectively prepare for her career.

“I never heard of Kid Power or DC Reads before federal work study, but it’s my interest to work with kids and to help them,” Rivera says. “If it weren’t for [FWS], I don’t know how I would get this experience.”

American University alumnus Mark Lijek, Kogod/MBA ’76, has lived quite the adventure—one big enough to create Hollywood Oscar buzz. Lijek was one of six employees lucky enough to escape the protests and attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Iran more than 30 years ago. Their story is the premise of the blockbuster movie Argo.

Lijek arrived in Iran in July 1979 and was only there a few short months before he nearly missed becoming a hostage. With his wife, Cora, by his side along with five others, the group became known as the “houseguests” of the Canadian Embassy for about 10 weeks before leaving the country posing as a film crew and making it back to safely to the U.S.

It was not fear as much as boredom that got the best of Lijek. “Boredom was one of the hardest things to face,” Lijek says. The group played scrabble, and he read many books, writing each title down as he completed it to help record the passing of time.

A recent story published on MyNorthWest.com chronicled details regarding the sequence of events leading to Lijek and the other officers escaping the embassy. Interviews with Lijek and other houseguests will be a special feature of the DVD release of Argo next year. However, as with any film, there is only so much time to share the story. “The movie is a slice of the real story which was why I wrote the book The Houseguests: A Memoir of Canadian Courage and CIA Sorcery,” Lijek says.

Lijek completed a Master in Business Administration at AU, attending class part-time in the evenings while he served in the United States Army during the day. “As an administrative officer for the State Department, I used my graduate degree a fair amount. It prepared me quite a bit,” he says.

Lijek moved to Washington, D.C. from Seattle to complete his undergraduate degree at Georgetown University. He retired from the Foreign Service to spend more time with his wife and children. He lives just outside of Seattle and keeps busy by promoting his new book and managing his website, marklijek.com.   

When Jamie Barys, SOC/BA ’07, and Kyle Long, Kogod/BSBA ’07, studied abroad together in Beijing during their junior year, they left knowing that they wanted to return to China. 

Upon graduation, Kyle moved to Shanghai to teach. Jamie had a corporate job in Washington, D.C. for a while before deciding that it wasn’t for her and moving to Xiamen, China to work as a food writer. The two reconnected and decided to start a business together in Shanghai. 

Both recalled hearing the age-old advice that success comes with doing something about which you are passionate and decided that they wanted to love what they do. Jamie loves to eat. Kyle loves to run and eat. Both love finding off-the-beaten-path places and sharing their findings with friends and family. 

These shared passions led them to start UnTour Shanghai, an urban adventure tourism company specializing in unique and personal day tours, including jogging sightseeing tours, culinary tours, and cultural excursions. Jamie serves as the Chief Eating Officer while Kyle serves as the Chief Running Officer.

Jamie recalls that her first dinner in Beijing was a bad experience. She didn’t speak the language and couldn’t order, and the person who was ordering for her party decided to play a practical joke on the group. She wants to help others avoid that experience and to take the guesswork out of eating well in Shanghai.

“I know how intimidating it can be,” says Jamie, of traveling to a new city and trying to partake in the local foods without speaking the language. To avoid this and help tourists get off on the right foot, UnTour Shanghai provides all its customers with a welcome package that includes restaurant and dish recommendations in the neighborhood.

UnTour Shanghai offers a schedule of weekly public tours as well as several options for private group tours. All tours have a limited number of spaces, as Jamie and Kyle aim to keep them intimate and personalized. 

December 1 will mark the two year anniversary of UnTour Shanghai. Both Jamie and Kyle are excited to celebrate the milestone and look forward to what the future holds for the company they’re growing together.

Rich Golaszewski, Kogod/BSBA ’07, has aspired to achieve since he first came to American University in 2003 as a freshman from Philadelphia.

He used that drive to launch a professional career in financial services. Golaszewski works in New York as a vice president at Nomura Securities International—a leading global investment bank—in Equity Derivatives sales and trading.
 
“The encouragement to go above and beyond has been especially valuable,” he said. “At Kogod, I learned the art of networking and the value of relationships, which has proved extremely beneficial in my career.“

On October 20, Golaszewski will receive the Rising Star Award, which recognizes young alumni who are already making significant contributions to greater society through professional or philanthropic work.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award; it truly means a lot…I continue to try to spend my free time on things that I really care about, and Kogod is at the top of the list,” Golaszewski says.

Golaszewski found his niche on campus through academics and a range of student leadership activities. Participation in the Student Managed Investment Fund (then the Kogod Finance Group) was particularly impactful. Gaining valuable skills in investment management and the stock market aided in building industry knowledge, and the leadership roles built softer traits such as public speaking and organization.

For Golaszewski, peers were mentors. He says, “The outgoing student body always had you thinking how you could do more to better your chances at landing the job you wanted, and this really resonated in me and motivated me to explore different industries through internships and challenging coursework.”

Golaszewski has found meaningful and lasting ways to give back to the university. Last fall, he helped conceptualize and launch the New York Finance Network, a new affinity group open to American University graduates working in the finance and real estate industries.

Golaszewski regularly connects with current students, offering guidance and advice about making the most of their time on campus and beyond.

He also has demonstrated his leadership through financial support of the school, and is encouraging others to do the same by serving as a signatory on the recent solicitation for the Kogod Dean’s Fund that was sent to nearly 1,500 fellow supporters.

Golaszewski’s Kogod relationships are very personal. He is the proud older brother of Jesse Golaszewski, Kogod/BSBA ’12, and is newly engaged to a fellow alum, Shannon Westfall, Kogod/BSBA ’07.

Most alumni remember Travis Lay, Kogod/BSBA ’08, as the men’s basketball captain who led the Eagles to the prestigious NCAA tournament for the first time in 2008, but Lay is incredibly accomplished both on and off the court. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from American University and continues to give back to his alma mater as a member of the Alumni Board. Lay also embodies the AU spirit of service by donating his time to Year Up, a local charity that provides mentorship to disadvantaged young adults.

Unsurprisingly, basketball was a major factor in Lay’s decision to attend AU. “I grew up in Maryland, right outside D.C., so [by attending AU], my family would be able to see me play. I also knew AU had a strong chance of going to the NCAA tournament. … The combination of that and AU’s strong academics and business school was exactly what I was looking for.”

Lay says the support of the AU community helped boost the team to the NCAA tournament in 2008. “It was encouraging to see the university really get behind us as we succeeded in my senior year. … People were proud of the AU basketball team. It was a unique experience – to walk around campus and have so many people recognize me. And it was great to raise the profile of American University to a national level,” he adds.

After graduation, he moved overseas and played basketball professionally, with stints in England and Australia. Lay elaborates, “I never had the opportunity to study abroad, as many AU students do, so that was a great experience for me to live abroad and play ball before settling down in my real career [in finance].”

Currently, Lay works for SC&H Group, where he helps businesses implement financial software tools. He is pursuing his certification in public accounting and credits AU and his externships as a student with Beers & Cutler and Deloitte for preparing him for the world of finance. He also was very close with the late Kogod Professor Sue Marcum.

In his spare time, Lay is a member of the Alumni Board where he represents the young alumni point of view. He also mentors inner-city young adults through Year Up, a charity that helps minority adults, aged 18 to 24, transition from high school to either higher education or a professional career. Lay says that while growing up, he often played sports with teammates from similar backgrounds as the young adults he mentors, so he can relate to them. He even shot hoops with one of his mentees: “I was in my business clothes at the time, but I told [the other players], ‘Just so you know, I’m not awful at basketball.’”

That’s certainly an understatement, but is typical of Lay. He is modest about his accomplishments, crediting God and luck for his accomplishments and skills on the court and insisting that the Eagles’ victorious 2008 season, culminating in the NCAA tournament, was a team effort – the product of four years of hard work and practice together. In fact, the moments spent with his teammates are his favorite memories of AU.

Imagine spending Christmas in Hamburg, Germany; New Year’s in Galway, Ireland; and your birthday on a train from Vienna, Austria, to Rome, Italy, all in the same year. This dream trip is two AU alumnae’s reality as they travel around the world for what they’re calling their “American Gap Year.”

The two 2006 AU grads are former roommates Laura Hockensmith, KSB/BSBA, and Stephanie Vavonese, SPA/BA.

Hockensmith had been working for Houlihan Lokey since the summer after her AU graduation, first as a financial analyst and then as an associate. Vavonese had been working for Accountants International since the fall after her AU graduation, first as an associate staffing consultant and then as a staffing consultant. They had both heard about Europeans and other young adults from other countries who had taken “gap years,” but knew few Americans who had followed suit.

“We were both at the points in our lives and careers where we knew we needed a change,” Hockensmith remarks. “We decided that it was ‘now or never’ to take this trip because of limited commitments at the time.”

As Hockensmith notes on their travel blog, “It’s a lot to give up (job, apartment, settled lifestyle, seeing family and friends regularly), but there is definitely so much to gain. This trip will allow me to visit new countries, experience cultures so different from my own, meet people that I would never meet elsewhere and also take some time for myself and develop new perspectives on who I am and what I want to do.”

The two have traveled to a long list of places in North, Central, and South America, Europe, and the Middle East already, as they’re over halfway through their year. Following stops in Mauritius and South Africa, they will next travel to several destinations in Asia before returning home in July 2011.

If you’re thinking that their trip has been all play and no work, think again. “On the road, every moment is a time to do something new, meet new people, etc.,” Hockensmith notes. “So far during our travels, we’ve met so many amazing people, some of whom we’ve met with again around the world after the initial meeting – inspiring us to change our initial itinerary.”

Hockensmith and Vavonese had several experiences traveling prior to this year-round trip, including several family vacations (both domestic and international), study abroad in France and New Zealand (respectively) while students at AU, and other travels together in the years since they met as students at AU.

Hockensmith and Vavonese met through the AU club crew team during their freshman year at AU and have remained close friends ever since. They remained active with AU, often attending events in the D.C. area. Hockensmith also served on the Young Alumni Chapter Board before beginning her travels and even though she is halfway around the world, has agreed to help serve on her five-year reunion planning committee for the Class of 2006 to be held in Washington, D.C. this October.

If you’re interested in getting involved with your class reunion, please e-mail reunion@american.edu with your name, grad information, and how you’d like to get involved.

Growing up in the 1960s, professor and award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford, KSB/BA ’77, aspired to be many things but says she always was a writer, citing Harriet the Spy as an inspiration: “She was a writer. That’s how she spied; she wrote,” Weatherford recalls. “James Bond flicks were just coming out, spy toys were being developed. But those were ‘boy toys.’ I couldn’t have a 007 spy kit, but when I read Harriet the Spy, I realized I could have a notebook. I could write, so I could be a spy.”

Though her cloak and dagger aspirations of espionage faded with childhood, Weatherford’s dream of writing remained strong. She has penned numerous books, mostly aimed at children and young adults, and she has won countless accolades, including the NAACP Image Award. But Weatherford’s proudest accomplishment was writing Becoming Billie Holiday, a book of biographical poems chronicling the singer’s early life, which won a Coretta Scott King Author Honor. Weatherford declares, “It was the book I was born to write.”

While at AU, Weatherford was in the University Learning Center independent study program, where she could design her own degree and major. “Because it was independent study, I developed research skills that I would use in my literary career… At AU, I began to learn to make my own way. ”

She was also assistant manager at the record co-op. Combining her studies with her interests, Weatherford created a course called The Poetry of the Blues and read Billie Holiday’s autobiography, which piqued her interest in the jazz singer.

Unsure if young adult readers would know who Holiday was, Weatherford delayed writing Becoming Billie Holiday until she visited the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum. While standing near a wax figure of Billie Holiday, she overheard a young girl in middle school exclaim, “Ooh! Billie Holiday! …She could really sing!”

Weatherford had an epiphany: “I looked back at the wax figure, and it was almost as if Billie said, ‘I told you: you need to write my book.’”

Many of Weatherford’s works feature African American characters and historical figures. She is currently working on a book about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy. As an author and teacher, Weatherford believes, “My mission is to mine the past for family stories, fading traditions, and forgotten struggles… so kids won’t carry prejudices forward into their future.”

American University’s  Mock Trial Team competed over fall break  in the Coast Guard Academy Guardian Invitational, finishing in the top five among 22 competing college and university teams. The results are extraordinary, especially given that AU’s Mock Trial Team, founded in 2008, is just entering its third season and the event held in New London, Connecticut was the team’s first Invitational Tournament.

The AU Mock Trial Team actually consists of three individual teams whose lineups vary each tournament. The two groups who travelled to Connecticut were highly representative of the university, including students from all five schools and four graduating classes. Both teams competed in four trials over the three-day tournament.

Honors student Eric Fleddermann, SIS ’13, served as captain for the A team at this tournament, which ranked third of 22 teams participating Fellow Honors students Sarah McIntosh, SPA ’13, and Samantha Sandfort, CAS ‘13, were co-captains for AU’s B team at the Invitational, which placed fifth among the 22 collegiate competitors.

In mock trial competition, students assume the roles of lawyers and witnesses and construct a case based around a particular lawsuit. The case in question for last month’s tournament was a liability case involving a child who ingested a toy created with a chemical that decomposed into GHB, commonly known as the “date-rape drug.” The student lawyers wrote questions to ask the student witnesses, preparing both direct and cross examinations while tangling with the rules of evidence for court proceedings.  

Witnesses refined their character, making sure that they acted in a both convincing and engaging manner. Preparing and delivering opening and closing statements, the team worked together to solidify the arguments against other teams’ competing cases. By trying both the defense and plaintiff sides of the case, each team gained valuable experience for the next tournament.

Team A plaintiff attorney Jessica Lagomarsino, KOGOD ’12, rated AU’s performance at the Invitational to be “a pretty good job,” especially considering the AU Mock Trial Team’s relative inexperience.

Along with AU Mock Trial Team’s top ranking among individual teams, its student competitors won many individual awards, making the AU’s overall team the invitational’s only competing team to receive honors in every individual category.  

AU Mock Trial Team individual award winners include Aileen George, CAS/SPA ’11 (Witness, Second Place), Marianne Johnson, SPA ‘13 (Witness, Second Place), Malea Otranto, SPA ‘14 (Plaintiff Attorney, Second Place), as well as Honors students Will Maner, KOG ‘13, (Best Witness in entire competition), Sarah McIntosh (Best Plaintiff Attorney in entire competition), and Amy Whitelaw, SPA ‘12, (Defense Attorney, Second Place).

Organizers of intercollegiate mock trial competition expect that by participating in trial simulations in competition with teams from other institutions, students will develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as knowledge of legal practices and procedures.  Based on their experience at last month’s invitational, AU participating students can attest to the value of mock trial competition.

AU Mock Trial Vice President and Honors student Amy Whitelaw, SPA ’12, loves the AU Mock Trial environment and sense of camaraderie.

“Not only does [AU Mock Trial] provide me with a competitive outlet and a place for me to learn more about the law, which I love, but it provided me with a family.… We study together, we compete together, we travel together … My teammates have become some of my closest friends and have created one of the strongest networks of support I have on this campus.”

SPA Professor Jessica Waters (CAS/SPA ’98, Honors; and WCL’03), a lawyer and coach of the AU Mock Trial Team, also sees the great benefit of such competition for students.

“Competing with the Mock Trial team provides a tremendous learning experience for the team members,” Prof. Waters says. “Not only do they learn the fundamentals of trial practice, but they also hone their public speaking skills and really learn to think on their feet when responding to tough questions from judges.

“The student teams worked incredibly hard to earn this impressive distinction, and I could not be more proud.  If you know any of these Team members, please take time to congratulate these students!”

The AU Mock Trial Team’s “A” Team at the Invitational included:  
Participating  Honors students
Eric Fleddermann, SIS ’13
Liz Rademacher, SPA ’13
Amy Whitelaw, SPA ’12

Other AU students
Aileen George, CAS/SPA ’11
Kaizad Irani, SPA ’12
Marianne Johnson, SPA ’13
Jessica Lagomarsino, KOGOD ’12,
Malea Otranto, SPA ’14


The AU Mock Trial Team’s “B” team at the Invitational included:
Participating  Honors students
Emma Horvath, SIS ’14
Will Maner, KOGOD ’13
Sarah McIntosh, SPA ’13
Sarah Prostko, SPA ’14
Samantha Sandfort, CAS ’13

Other AU students
Brad Barbour, SPA ’13
Laura Friessnig, SPA ’14
Annie Reilly, SIS ’14
Jen To, SPA ’13

One October evening, Andrea "Andy" Gierman, KSB/BSBA '09, walked through the doors of Redondo Union High School in California, thinking of what she would say to students that night. Gierman wasn't there to reminisce; she returned to her alma mater as a member of the AU Alumni Admissions Volunteers program to share her experience with prospective students. 

A sales representative for The Same Guy, an easy-to-wear basics clothing line that embodies the "Americana vintage-vibe" and can be found in flagship stores on Melrose Ave. in LA, SoHo in New York City, and at other select boutiques across the country, although Gierman is making her mark as a business professional, she hasn't forgotten AU. Her coworkers tease her about her love for AU. "It seems I'm always talking about my AU experiences at the office," she says.

Her desire to volunteer for admissions initiatives as an alumna came from several on-campus experiences when she was an undergrad. While a member of Kogod's 1955 Club, she assisted with admissions activities for prospective business students. She also spoke at Freshman Day activities when admitted students visited campus to make their enrollment decisions. In fact, she remains in touch with two AU students from California whom she met during the recruitment process. 

Gierman's experience of traveling to D.C. to pursue her undergraduate degree is only one of the conversations she has with prospective students who are considering AU among their college choices. She recounts wanting to challenge herself by trying something new, far from her California home, and tells high school students that choosing a college at a distance can be both a scary and exciting leap. She stresses to students the importance of getting involved. "There are so many interests that students can explore at AU – internships, volunteering, study abroad – any student can find an outlet within campus organizations."

Gierman only joined the Alumni Admissions Volunteers program earlier this fall, but already, she has participated in several recruitment events in the Los Angeles area and looks forward to doing more.   

"You can't relive college, but you can recap your experience and offer advice to prospective students," she notes. Thanks to volunteers like Gierman, AU has an expanded alumni presence at recruitment activities, which engages additional prospective students to look at American in closer, more meaningful way.