Everyone knows a dark sky is best for stargazing. So even though December brings with it the sad fact that it gets darker sooner and seems to leave us all less time "to do stuff," I try to remember that Mother Nature planned it that way on purpose, to make us all slow down. Or as the students would say, chill.

One of those projects (that's never quite finished) I've promised myself I'll give more attention to in the new year is updating our list of Distinguished Alumni. Talk about stargazing! Most alumni know we count celebrities such as Goldie Hawn, Barry Levinson, Judge Judy, Starr Jones, and Willard Scott among our stellar ranks. But one of the things I enjoy most about putting together this newsletter each month is learning about all the lesser known, but JUST as interesting rising stars, and those who shine in their own corner of the galaxy but whose light might not make it as far as Hollywood. From ambassadors, to athletes, to authors (and every professional title in between through zoologist), the many AU luminaries among our 75,000+ alumni are too many to see -- or write about -- at once.

But then, now that we've all got a few days off and might actually stop long enough to look up at the night sky and ponder the mysteries of the universe, it's a great time to wonder who might be the next AU star, too.

All the best-
-Melissa Reichley
Editor, Alumni Update

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