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Welcome to Colgate Conversations, a series of podcasts that involves interviews with faculty members and alumni. Guests talk about their careers after Colgate, latest research projects and publications, interests and passions, and more.
We have switched to a video format as part of our transition to iTunes U, where you are able to listen to or watch the latest episodes. (Older episodes also are available in their original audio format.)
Please subscribe to our podcasts on our iTunes U site to make sure you don't miss any upcoming podcasts. If you have questions, please contact our producers Rich Grant and Ray Nardelli.
Carrie Clifford '93, actress, comedian, and writer
Clifford talks about her HBO project with fellow alumna Gillian Vigman ’94, working with Broken Lizard members, and her improv shows she performs across the country.
(Episode 46: Working in L.A.)
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Kathryn Bertine '97, author of As Good as Gold
Alumna discusses her two-year quest to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, her online journal for ESPN, and the book that provides a thoughtful, amusing, and, ultimately, inspiring reflection on her journey.
(Episode 45: An Olympic challenge)
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Mel Watkins '62, NEH Professor of the Humanities in the Department of English
Watkins, a former editor at The New York Times Sunday Book Review, discusses his seminal book On the Real Side, which explores the evolution of African American humor. The alumnus-turned-professor is the author of several other books and numerous articles for national publications.
(Episode 44: Evolution of African American humor)
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Gary Eichhorn '75, executive director of the Music and Youth Initiative
Eichhorn talks about his nonprofit organization that provides music education to underserved young people. He also talks about another of his passions, technology, and his work as a board member of several innovative technology firms and what he sees ahead in terms of smartphones, social networking, and more.
(Episode 43: Sustainability and health care)
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Jessica Prata '01, sustainability officer at New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Prata discusses leading green initiatives at the largest private employer in New York City and how recent graduates can prepare for jobs in the environmental sector.
(Episode 42: Sustainability and health care)
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Connie Soja, professor of geology
Soja discusses her research of ancient reefs that recently led her to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. Soja also shares the story of Colgate's famous dinosaur egg, an 80-million-year-old fossil now on public display in the university's Robert M. Linsley Geology Museum.
(Episode 41: Paleontology of ancient reefs)
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Drew Esocoff '79, director of NBC's Sunday Night Football
Esocoff discusses his role in presenting NFL football to millions of fans each week, working with the legendary John Madden, and directing one of the best-ever Super Bowls, the 2009 game between the Cardinals and Steelers.
(Episode 40: Broadcasting the big games)
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G. Bruce Knecht '80, author and former Wall Street Journal reporter
Knecht talks about the major problems confronting the newspaper industry. He also discusses his two books that reflect his passion for sailing and that have garnered widespread praise, and his new book project.
(Episode 39: Future of newspapers)
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Colgate parent Harold Ramis, producer, actor, director, and writer
Ramis, whose film credits include Ghostbusters, Year One, and Groundhog Day, offers a funny and insightful look at making movies in Hollywood.
(Episode 38: Making movies )
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Paul Ridley '05, rowing across Atlantic as a fundraiser
Ridley uses his satellite phone to provide an update on his solo journey to raise funds for cancer research.
(Episode 37: Row for Hope)
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Carole Robinson '83, MTV executive vice president
Robinson, who has been with the cable TV network for more than 25 years, talks about the early veejay days, Madonna, Bill Clinton, and reality shows.
(Episode 36: The evolution of MTV)
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Nicole Simpson, associate professor of economics
Simpson discusses the economic crisis, President Barack Obama's early initiatives, and how the tight credit markets might affect parents' ability to pay for their children's college educations.
(Episode 35: Financial crisis and financing college)
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Marjorie Bradley Kellogg, associate professor of English and scenic designer
Kellogg talks about her scenic design work for operas such as Margaret Garner, Broadway productions like American Buffalo with Al Pacino, and for Colgate theater.
(Episode 34: Broadway, Brehmer, and more)
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Pete Banner-Haley, associate professor of history
Haley talks about the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama and its effects on politics, black communities in America, and the nation as a whole.
(Episode 33: Politics and race)
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George Hudson, English professor, Smithsonian guide and lecturer
Hudson talks about the off-campus study programs he leads in London and in Japan, and his continuing work with the Smithsonian Institution in leading trips across the Swiss Alps.
(Episode 32: Classrooms without walls)
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Austin Murphy '83, Sports Illustrated senior writer
Murphy (at left in photo with Lance Armstrong) talks about how much better the college football game is then the NFL, and about his latest book, Saturday Rules.
(Episode 31: Covering college football)
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Chi Chi Obichere-Roxo '00 focuses on international health issues
Obichere works on USAID-funded reproductive health projects to strengthen nonprofit organizations around the world.
(Episode 30: International health issues)
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Conversation with the Dalai Lama
Colgate President Rebecca Chopp and Dean of the College Charlotte Johnson talk about education in the 21st century with the Dalai Lama.
(Episode 29: The Dalai Lama)
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Dr. Michael J. Wolk '60, acclaimed cardiologist
Wolk talks about the need to overhaul the U.S. health-care system and what that will mean for today's students considering careers in medicine.
(Episode 28: Health care today)
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Kenneth Schanzer '66, president of NBC Sports
Schanzer talks about bringing the NFL back to NBC and the relationship the network has with Notre Dame football.
(Episode 27: President of NBC Sports)
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Yee-Ann Cho '90, officer at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Working at the world's largest philanthropic foundation, Cho manages a $200 million portfolio that is focused on high school reform.
(Episode 26: Philanthropy and the Gates Foundation)
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Colgate archaeologist and professor Albert Ammerman
Ammerman discusses his latest discovery to generate worldwide media attention, this time involving ancient stone tools on the island of Cyprus.
(Episode 25: Renaissance man of archaeology)
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John Seely Brown, former chief scientist at Xerox
Brown talks about web 2.0 applications and virtual worlds and how they can support collaborative learning on today's college campuses.
(Episode 24: Web 2.0 and virtual worlds)
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Doug Wilson '57, longtime ABC sports producer
Wilson shares stories about meeting sports legends such as Muhammad Ali and working with television pioneers like Roone Arledge and Howard Cosell.
(Episode 23: Covering sports for ABC)
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Barbara Hessekiel-Waxman ’84, certified life coach
Waxman, author of the 2007 book How to Love Your Retirement, discusses the role of a life coach and offers advice to those looking to better manage their lives.
(Episode 22: Working with a life coach)
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Antonio Delgado '99, co-founder of record label
Delgado, a Rhodes scholar, talks about his album Painfully Free and how he feels hip-hop can work as an agent of positive social change.
(Episode 21: Music with a message)
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Bob '83 and Lee '82 Woodruff, authors of 'In An Instant'
The couple talk about how the Colgate community helped them as Bob recovered from the traumatic brain injury he suffered while working for ABC News in Iraq.
(Episode 20: "In An Instant")
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Chris Hedges '79, author and journalist
Hedges, who won a Pulitzer Prize while working for The New York Times, discusses his latest book, American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America, the war in Iraq, and the shortcomings of mainstream media.
(Episode 19: "American Fascists")
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Dan Monk, George R. and Myra T. Cooley Professor of Peace Studies
Monk discusses an international conference hosted by Colgate that examines "forgotten" conflicts. The longtime observer of the Mideast also talks about the Iraq war and U.S. policy.
(Episode 18: Forgotten conflicts around the world)
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Michael Johnston, Charles A. Dana Professor of political science
Johnston talks about how the public's perception of corruption can have significant repercussions for elected officials.
(Episode 17: Corruption and U.S. politics)
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Lindsay MacKenzie '05, Watson fellow who traveled world
MacKenzie talks about her yearlong journey to 21 nations as part of her prestigious Watson fellowship she won while at Colgate.
(Episode 16: Exploring the world)
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Michael Sippey '90, executive at blogging software firm
Sippey, vice president and general manager at Six Apart, talks about blogs and what cool new Internet tools are just around the corner.
(Episode 15: Web 2.0)
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Joe Castiglione '68, Boston Red Sox radio announcer
Castiglione re-creates his famous call when the Red Sox won the '04 World Series and talk about the team, baseball, ballparks, and his book.
(Episode 14: Red Sox on the Radio)
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John Proietti '96, U.S. Air Force captain
Proietti talks about flying B-1 bombers, their role in the war on terrorism, and his first B-1 combat mission, which left him in the shark-infested waters of the Indian Ocean.
(Episode 13: B-1s and the War on Terror)
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Brendan Tuohey '96, executive director, Playing for Peace
Tuohey co-founded Playing for Peace, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that uses the game of basketball to bridge social divides and develop future leaders around the world.
(Episode 12: Being a Leader)
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Chip Simon '74, certified financial planner
Simon, president of Taconic Advisors, Inc., discusses relationships with money and how to make smart decisions for becoming financially independent.
(Episode 11: Building Financial Independence Today)
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Gwendolyn Smith Iloani '77, investment firm president
Iloani, recently named one of the 50 most powerful businesswomen by Black Enterprise magazine, talks about the art of the business deal.
(Episode 10: Realizing Your Dreams)
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Graham Hodges, George Dorland Langdon Jr. Professor of history
Hodges talks about his academic exploration of New York City’s rich history and his latest book about celebrated Asian American actress Anna May Wong.
(Episode 9: Exploring New York)
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Rick Geier, assistant professor of chemistry
Geier talks about his research with carbon-based molecules and the various ways he works with Colgate students in his laboratory.
(Episode 8: Working With Students)
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Lance Morgan '72, PR and communications expert
Morgan, president of Powell Tate/Weber Shandwick, one of the nation’s leading public relations firms, talks about the changing world of public relations and how technology has affected communications. (Episode 7: Changing World of Communications)
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Michael Coyle, professor of English
Coyle, who is faculty adviser to the student-run radio station WRCU and writes record reviews for Cadence magazine, talks about his love of jazz and how he incorporates his knowledge of the music into several of his courses. (Episode 6: A Love of Jazz)
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Ashraf Ghani, chancellor of Kabul University
Ghani, former finance minister of Afghanistan, talks about education in developing countries and President Bush’s recent visit to Afghanistan . (Episode 5: Higher Education in Developing Countries)
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Amy Leventer, associate professor of geology
Leventer talks about her expeditions to Antarctica to study climate change. (Episode 4: Exploration and Research)
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Gloria Borger '74, columnist and political analyst
Borger talks about covering politics inside the Beltway, recent lobbying scandals, and the 2008 presidential elections. (Episode 3: Covering National Politics)
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Adam Burnett, associate professor of geography
Burnett talks about his lake-effect snow research, which has been widely cited by the local media. It is part of his studies of global climate change. (Episode 2: Global Climate Change)
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Rebecca Chopp, university president
Chopp talks about science and technology at liberal arts colleges, including how Colgate's new interdisciplinary science building and renovated library will improve teaching on campus. (Episode 1: Liberal Arts in the 21st Century)
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