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University of Richmond

Alumni share advice, encourage students to address global challenges

Jepson alumni are dedicated to giving back - to their communities, to their places of work and to the University. A record number of alumni returned to campus this spring to share advice and offer encouragement to students.

Nearly half of Real World 2009 participants were Jepson alumni. Alumni who returned for the event held Feb. 20 and 21 were Angie Rittel, '04, Annie Bezbatchenko, '04, Ashley Bolding, '06, Patty Devlin, '04, Suezy Vaughn, '06, Braxton Bragg, '06, Aaron Graham, '02, Greg Efthimiou, '99, and Balu Chandrasekaran, '07.

neil singTo celebrate the 15th Anniversary Alumni Project, several alumni participated in a panel discussion in March to share their stories of service. Greg Efthimiou, '99, moderated the discussion. Other participants included Matt Stevens, '94, Neil Sing, '04, Tony DeRosa, '09, and Corrie Mixon, '08. Video

Alumni also returned to campus March 30 to talk with students in Dr. Gill Hickman's Theories and Models of Leadership class. Students interviewed alumni about the ways they lead and effect change in their places of work. The participants were Tripp Perrin, '95, Elizabeth Rickert Dowdy, '00, Elizabeth Ream, '96, Jacob Jacoby,'96, Jason Guillot, '07, Eric Loepp, '08, Renee Macbeth, '00, Eric Van Der Hyde, '08, Evan Zaletel, '07.

Perrin, the chief operating officer of Care Advantage Inc. and this year's president of the University of Richmond Alumni Association, discussed how he creates a positive work environment and unlocks the potential of leaders in key roles.

"One of the biggest things you've got to do is keep it simple," Perrin told students. "Focus on what you're doing as a business and do it well. It's not easy to be a good company, but it's really, really difficult to be a great one."

Alumna Michelle Swartz, '06, was this year's speaker at the senior banquet. Swartz challenged the seniors to find their passion, continue seeking feedback and constructive criticism, and to think big.

"Live and breathe service in your occupations. Our generation will not be judged by financial accomplishments alone," Swartz said. "We will be judged by how well we address the global challenges of our time, integrate service into our professions and treat people of other nations who have nothing in common with us but global humanity."

Posted June 29, 2009