As Spiders Do

In this episode of As Spiders Do, we explore how alumni are shaping the future of UR through the Office of Advancement. From fundraising to building lasting partnerships, these dedicated graduates are giving back in big ways. Learn about how Advancement provides opportunities for students, faculty, and staff and help those go off and lead lives of purpose.Learn more about opportunities to give back at giving.richmond.edu.Music by Wahyuddin and sound effects from Pixabay. This episode was edited and produced by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional and Young Graduate Engagement. 

Today, on As Spiders Do, we cover the incredible journey of Dr. Frank Gupton, a leader in pharmaceutical engineering. His work proves that innovation and dedication can change the world. Learn about the power of medicine and Dr. Gupton's inspiring words to push boundaries and never give up.Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

On this episode of As Spiders Do, we interview Kim Bach, '97 and Josh Roenitz, '97 as they share their journeys of Spiders to co-founders of their company DailyHuman. Hear about their missions of serving both young and professional athletes and their dedication to optimizing performance and well-being. We learn about the importance of mindset and explore what it means to have resilience and confidence.Learn more about dailyhuman here: https://www.dailyhuman.com/Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds and Mircea Iancu from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

What happens when an entire family falls in love with the same university? In this episode we hear from a special family of five spiders. Mike, Shannon, Claire, Emily and Alice share their journeys, the opportunities that shaped them, and how the University of Richmond fostered a sense of community that still connects them today. Learn about what makes UR so special but also the Mendelson's dynamic lifestyles beyond Richmond!Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

Valentine's Day is here, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a special episode of As Spiders Do! Join us as Spider couples and friends share their stories of how they got tangled in each other's webs. Whether you're single, taken, or simply a hopeless romantic, let's come together to celebrate love in all its forms.Thank you to Anna Lowenthal, '19, Mike Flanagan, '18, Scott Hurd, B'89, Diane Kraynak, W'89, Petra Hafker, '21, and Anna Cheng, '21 for sharing your stories!Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director, Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Sound Effect by freesound_community and music by FASSounds from Pixabay.

Season 3 of As Spiders Do kicks off with an interview with Andy Bobowski, '08 where he shares how mentorship and hinge experiences have shaped his life. We explore how connection and going outside of our comfort zones help us empower each other and ourselves.Learn more about Andy's company, backrs, here: https://www.backrs.com/.Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

Ever wondered what it's like for alumni to come back to campus, not as students but as faculty and staff? In this episode of From Inside the Web, we highlight the stories of Spider alumni who have returned to their alma mater to support the University of Richmond community. Join us as we chat with Lauren Withrow, '07, Kim Dean-Anderson, '97, Peter Thomas, '07, and Taylor Hoogsteden, '20 about their journeys from students to professionals. From assisting in the library to fostering civic engagement, coaching basketball, and creating vibrant student programs, these alumni share how their Richmond roots continue to shape their work and their lives.Music by Wahyuddin and sound effects from Pixabay. This episode was edited and produced by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional and Young Graduate Engagement. 

Did you know there's a labyrinth of tunnels that connects the buildings of Richmond College? Join us for our special Halloween episode of As Spiders Do, as we explore an unseen side of campus, featuring two alums who have explored it for themselves.Please note, the tunnels can be extremely dangerous due to high temperature steam and industrial electrical wiring. Please do not attempt to visit the tunnels.All of the rumors referenced here come from The Collegian student newspaper archives, which can be found at collegian.richmond.edu. Music by Denys Kyshchuk and  Josef Surikov. Sound effects from Peter Barbaix and Pixabay. This episode was edited and produced by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional and Young Graduate Engagement. 

What's it like to come full circle at your alma mater, helping shape the next generation of Spiders? In this episode of "From Inside the Web," we dive into the stories of University of Richmond alumni who have returned to campus as admissions officers. Hear how their experiences as students inspired them to help others embark on their own Richmond journey, and learn how their time at UofR still influences their approach to welcoming future Spiders.Music by Wahyuddin and sound effects from Pixabay. This episode was edited and produced by Charlotte Haneke, Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Maggie Johnson, Associate Director of Regional and Young Graduate Engagement. 

"My pathway to Richmond was indirect. My ability to stay at Richmond was also pretty creative, but the school holds a very special place in my heart because I had to fight for it."Today on As Spiders Do, Brandon Shelton, '98 shares his journey from UR's Army ROTC to Ranger School and Military Intelligence to founding a company that invests in veteran founders. Tune in to hear how his lily-pad mindset has helped him build resilience throughout his life.Editing by Charlotte Haneke, Assistant Director of Student and Young Grad Programming, and Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

Ever wondered what happens when alumni return to their alma mater to teach? Our latest episode of "From Inside the Web" dives into the journeys of Spider alumni who have come full circle as faculty members and academic administrators! Join us as we chat about their experiences as students, their paths to academia, and how their Richmond roots continue to shape their careers.Music by Wahyuddin and sound effects from Pixabay. This episode was edited and produced by Maggie Johnson, Associate Director of Regional and Young Graduate Engagement. 

Introducing our newest Mini Webisode series - “From Inside the Web!” In these episodes, we feature alumni who returned to UR as employees. As you'll soon hear, there are truly Spider alumni everywhere on this campus. In our first episode, we chat with members of the Law School faculty and staff.Music by Wahyuddin and sound effects from Pixabay. This episode was edited and produced by Charlotte Haneke, Assistant Director of Student and Young Graduate Programming, and Maggie Johnson, Associate Director of Regional and Young Graduate Engagement. 

We're throwing it back to Reunion 2024 with live recordings from a few of the Saturday night class parties! Tune in to hear what members of the classes of 2004, 2009, and 2019 think makes UR special!Editing and production by Charlotte Haneke, Assistant Director of Student & Young Graduate Programming and Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Music by Dmitry Taras and sound effects by Pixabay.

"I think about belonging as living authentically without barriers. And I'm going to emphasize the without barriers."Today on "As Spiders Do," guest host Alicia Moseley, Assistant Director of Alumni Belonging, and Ben Delk, '09 discuss the significance of employee resource groups in his career and the evolution of his role in DEIB work. Join us as Ben offers valuable insights into building inclusive workplaces, the importance of personal healing, and how to foster belonging in professional environments.Editing by Charlotte Haneke, Assistant Director of Student and Young Grad Programming, and Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

A lot can change in 50 years, but there's a thread that connects the University of Richmond experience through the generations. In this episode, we explore that thread by conversing with two alums who are gearing up for their 5th and 50th reunion celebrations this year.Check out our Reunion Weekend schedule and register for events here: reunion.richmond.edu.Editing and production by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Music by FASSounds and sound effect by UNIVERSFIELD from Pixabay.

It's that special time of year when our newest graduating class take their first steps into the real world and we welcome them with open arms into the University of Richmond Alumni Association! In this Mini Webisode, young grads from the Classes of 2015 - 2023 offer words of wisdom to our newest grads and to the whole alumni community.Editing and production by Charlotte Haneke, Assistant Director of Student & Young Graduate Programming. Music by FAS Sounds from Pixabay.

Reunion Weekend 2024 is just around the corner! Our amazing class committee volunteers have been hard at work helping to plan a weekend full of events you won't want to miss! A few of them took some time to sit down with us and share why they volunteer and why they can't wait to celebrate with fellow Spiders at the end of May.Check out our Reunion Weekend schedule and register for events here: reunion.richmond.edu.Editing and production by Charlotte Haneke, Assistant Director of Student & Young Graduate Programming. Music by Oleksii Holubiev and sound effects by Aiko Matsuda from Pixabay.

Cheers to one year of "As Spiders Do!" To celebrate the anniversary of our first episode, we're bringing you a conversation between Maggie, the host of the podcast, and Erin, her best friend from UR. They talk about how they went from random roommates to lifelong friends, traveling the world together, their love of campus traditions, and of course, their favorite show, "Gilmore Girls."Editing by Charlotte Pfamatter, Assistant Director of Student and Young Grad Programming. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

"To have people show up vulnerably and say 'this is what I want to work on' and to be able to coach them on that is an absolute privilege because I know that that's translating into the classroom and impacting young people. And it's a beautiful ripple effect."Today on "As Spiders Do," guest host Alicia Moseley and Tamisha Williams, '06 discuss what it means to chart your own course, following joy in life and in your work, and why developing educators who are diversity, equity, and inclusion belonging-minded can change the world.Visit Tamisha's business here: https://www.tamishawilliams.com/ Learn more about UR Black Alumni Network: https://alumni.richmond.edu/alumni-groups/constituency-groups.html Editing by Charlotte Pfamatter, Assistant Director of Student and Young Grad Programming. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

Love is in the air, and what better way to celebrate it than with this special Valentine's Day episode of “As Spiders Do.” Take a trip down memory lane with us as a few Spider couples share how they got caught in each other's webs. Whether you're single, in a relationship, or simply a hopeless romantic like me, join us as we celebrate love in all it's forms.Editing by Charlotte Pfamatter, Assistant Director, Student & Young Graduate Programming. Sound Effect by floraphonic and music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay.

"In order for me to keep my faith in myself, in my business, and in the life I'm building, I have to be able to sit down and find moments to dream and visualize what that could be like."Today on "As Spiders Do," LaTonia Cokely, '06 shares her life's journey - from first-generation college student, to losing her parents in her 20's, to teaching middle school and most recently, starting her own teahouse. We explore how grief, joy, play and dreams shape our lives and who we are.Visit LaTonia's teashop here: https://adjournteahouse.com/.Editing by Charlotte Pfamatter, Assistant Director of Student and Young Grad Programming. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

Cheers to a New Year and a new season of "As Spiders Do"! We're kicking off the new season with the introduction of our Mini Webisode series. Tune in to hear what six alums are most looking forward to in 2024!Editing and production by Maggie Johnson, '18 and Charlotte Pfamatter. Music by Looptape from Pixabay. Sound Effect by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay.Sign up for our newsletter at this link!Helpful Links:Bold, Joyful OrganizingThreading the Needle: A Fashion Designer's Guide to Successfully Launching Your First CollectionReunion Weekend 2024Osher Lifelong Learning InstituteUR Alumni Association (URAA) Board of DirectorsSpider Athletics

"Being able to be there with the families while in one of the worst days of their life, watching smoke pour out of their house, is an honor and it's a privilege."Today on "As Spiders Do," Dorie Griggs, W'81 shares about her experience as a college sports manager, public relations manager and chaplain. She was the first woman to travel with the UR men's basketball team and as a chaplain, developed new ways to support journalists who are embedded in war zones. Tune in to hear her advice on protecting your mental health in our image-heavy media environment.Editing by Charlotte Pfamatter, Assistant Director of Student and Young Grad Programming. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

"But if you think about where nature is, you know, nature is far away. Nature is on the fringes of our society. Well, who lives in those places? It's Indigenous peoples. So, you know, a lot of these tribes are the longtime stewards of nature. So my work has really changed to be from a science focus to...more about the who and the how than that what."Today on "As Spiders Do," Angelo Villagomez, '00 shares about his work as an ocean conservationist and the power of creating human connection to enact change. Angelo grew up in the Mariana Islands and tells us a little about his family and how his experiences have impacted his life and work.Editing by Charlotte Pfamatter, Assistant Director of Student and Young Grad Programming. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

Join us to explore some of our favorite legends about the University of Richmond! Delve into the stories about the ghosts, spirits and mummies that roam the campus.Narration, editing and production by Maggie Johnson, '18 and Charlotte Pfamatter. Music by Oleg Fedak and Dmitry Taras. Sound effects by Mikhail and Pixabay.

In this episode of “As Spiders Do,” we embark on a delectable journey about the intersection of food and community. Food has always been a catalyst for connection, bringing people together in authentic ways. Join us to hear two stories of alums who started their own food businesses and found community through their work.Episode editing by Charlotte Pfamatter. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

"We've got a nation of people who have not had equitable access or their portal to understanding chemistry has been closed to them. So this opens it up to just about everybody."Today on "As Spiders Do," Colleen Kelley, W'88 shares about what it's like to attend college as a first-generation student, also staying true to your dreams as an entrepreneur and creating equitable access to chemistry.Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.You can find Colleen's chemistry comics at https://kidschemicalsolutions.com/Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

"My story is still being written..." In this episode, Dr. Brad Bongiovanni, R'92 and Jon Chandonnet, R'92 share about their own wellness journeys and their advice on and passion for well-being in all of us. These college friends explore the deeper connections that bind Spiders together long after our time on campus.See Jon's Vibrant U Academy to learn about the 7 pillars of wellbeing: https://www.vibrantuacademy.com/Check out Brad's most recent TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuTthIzf-l4Episode editing by Olivia Huber, '25. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

"I want to be part of changing people's assumptions about what a captain looks like, or what a woman's role is aboard."Today on "As Spiders Do," Becca Guillote, '07 shares all about her meandering life, from living in Ghana, to sailing 4,000 miles to French Polynesia to starting a business on the shores of Seattle. Tune in as she shares the triumphs and challenges she faced while chartering her own course through life.Editing by Olivia Huber, '25. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

"It's one of those, if you know, you know. If you know about Richmond, you know how special it is, then you get it." Today on "As Spiders Do," Sarah Bowers, '12 shares about the meaning of legacy through her connection to University of Richmond and her best ways to navigate change, whether in the workplace or your personal life.Editing by Olivia Huber, '25. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.Click here to see the episode transcript.

Today, we're bringing you part two from our live interview with Jamie McShane, R'88 and Marc Provissiero, R'89 where they answer the audience's questions about mental health, trends in the entertainment industry and the role of AI in screen writing. Thank you to Jazzmin Reid, '16, Todd Flora, '93, Seth Lewandowski, '04, Andrew McReynolds, '05, Grace Brady, W'88, and Maura Soden, W'78 for being part of this episode.Editing by Olivia Huber, '25. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

To kick off our show, we're bringing you a live interview with two Spiders you may recognize from the silver screen. You'll hear from “Wednesday” actor Jamie McShane, R'88, and Emmy-nominated, Gotham-award winning producer and manager Marc Provissiero, R'89, about persevering to make it big in Hollywood and about their time together at the University of Richmond.Editing by Olivia Huber, '25. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing alumni@richmond.edu.

Welcome to the As Spiders Do Podcast! Tune in to hear what we're all about and get ready for our first episode, coming soon!Drop us a line at alumni@richmond.edu if you know an alum we should feature!Editing and music by Olivia Huber, '25.Click here to see the transcript.