Alum Features from 2011-2012
A Tartan to the Core: Carnegie Mellon Was a Perfect Home for Evan Gelacek ‘05
May 30, 2012
When his mother was diagnosed with cancer during his sophomore year of college, Evan Gelacek knew he needed to get closer to home. After two years at Swarthmore College, Gelacek transferred to Carnegie Mellon, where he became a standout on the basketball court and in the classroom.
Men’s Soccer Alums Establish Scholarship To Honor Former Coach
April 27, 2012
It didn’t take long for Sharif Siddiqui (TPR 00) to realize he wanted to give back to Carnegie Mellon. During Siddiqui’s senior year, the former men’s soccer player began thinking about ways he could thank the university for the opportunities he received as a student and athlete.
John Polles ’67 Drew on Athletics Experience During Distinguished 25-Year Military Career
March 29, 2012
John Polles arrived on the Carnegie Tech campus in 1963 faced with an important decision – should he enroll in the institution’s physical education or ROTC requirement? Since Polles was going to play football and run track, the physical education route wasn’t particularly appealing, so he enrolled in the campus ROTC program. Four years later, he embarked on a distinguished 25-year career in the United States Army and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
From Acting to Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon Was Always the Place for Sandy Payne ‘90
February 28, 2012
When Sandy Payne was in second grade, she decided she was going to attend Carnegie Mellon. An aspiring actress, the 7-year-old knew that Carnegie Mellon had one of the nation’s finest drama programs, and she figured the Oakland campus was going to be the beginning of her journey to stardom.
Lisa Leonardo ’93 Makes Mark All Over Country
January 31, 2012
One of the best volleyball players in Carnegie Mellon history, Lisa Leonardo is still a force to be reckoned with on the court. Now 40, the 1993 graduate won a reverse coed doubles tournament in Portland last July, beating a pair of college student-athletes to claim the title.
Former Cross Country Standout Rebecca Buchheit Clayton Made Most of Academic, Athletic Opportunities
December 21, 2011
Rebecca Buchheit Clayton (CIT ’97, ’98, ’02) added another accomplishment to her impressive resume earlier this month, as the former distance standout was named to Carnegie Mellon’s All-University Athletic Association (UAA) 25th Anniversary Women’s Cross Country Team. Clayton earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in civil engineering from Carnegie Mellon.
Men's Soccer Alum Ben Kartzman Leads One of Country’s Fastest-Growing Companies
November 29, 2011
Ben Kartzman has certainly been busy since graduating from Carnegie Mellon in 2000. Beginning as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in men’s soccer program history, Kartzman spent his next six years working for C-bridge Internet Solutions, Bridgeline Software and Accenture before developing Spongecell in January 2006. Now, just a few years in, Spongecell has been identified as one of the top 100 fastest growing companies in the country according to Inc. Magazine.
Molly Evans ’11 Recognized as NCAA Woman of the Year Finalist
October 19, 2011
Former Carnegie Mellon swimming standout Molly Evans was one of 30 women honored on Sunday, October 16 at the NCAA Woman of the Year Dinner. Evans, who graduated in May with a 4.0 GPA in biology, was one of 10 women from Division III to receive the prestigious recognition. She is the first Carnegie Mellon student-athlete to be honored as a finalist.
Matt Pettit ‘11 Takes Engineering and Hoop Dreams to Norway
September 29, 2011
When Matt Pettit put his Carnegie Mellon basketball jersey on for the final time last winter, he thought it might be his last chance to compete on a big stage. While Pettit will no longer wear the cardinal and gray of his alma mater, he will continue to play the sport he loves at a high level, as a member of the BK Miners club team in Norway.
Matt Farrell ’98 is a Hero In Every Sense of the Word
August 30, 2011
A 1998 (GSIA) Carnegie Mellon graduate, Matthew Farrell was a major reason the university’s football program went 29-11 during his time with the Tartans. Farrell continued to make his mark following his departure from Pittsburgh and has had a successful career as a member of the United States Navy, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander.