"Cornell students dream bigger dreams."

--Frank H.T. Rhodes, Cornell University Commencement, May 28, 1995

Monday, August 26, 2013

92. Adam Capes

Atlanta, Georgia · Arts and Sciences


adam.capes@g2gcollection.com

Tell us about what you're doing with your life.
I am married to a wonderful woman named Rachelle and we have two amazing children - Chloe, 11 and Aidan, 8.

After selling out a luxury residence fund called Equity Estates last year, I started Getaway 2 Give, or The G2G Collection, as a social enterprise that offers membership in an exclusive collection of high end vacation homes and experiences that dramatically improve people’s lasting happiness through what we call the 3 Keys: Relationships, Personal Growth and Contribution. We have residences in places like NYC, The Bahamas, Chicago, San Fran, Cabo, Deer Valley, Anguilla, Tuscany, as well as yachts, safaris, voluntourism trips and more. 

But the best part of my job is that we're changing the way charities raise money, as every time a member joins, half of the membership fee ($7,500) goes to the member's favorite cause. We've already raised over $700,000 for more than 50 great charities.


How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?

I started a newspaper at Cornell, The Campus Globe (originally called The Greek Globe) and that experience has shaped my business career.

What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left?

I ran into someone from my freshman dorm in line to see the Sistine Chapel. I've also met Cornellians in top hotels around the world and the owners of my favorite restaurant in Atlanta are Cornellians.

What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?

It means that I was fortunate enough to receive the best college education out there, and have a ton of fun at the same time.

Monday, August 19, 2013

93. Juv Marchisio

Haworth, New Jersey · Agriculture and Life Sciences



Tell us about what you're doing with your life.
While I always keep busy working as a senior brand manager at B&G Foods and running after my 2 kids, my true passion of late has been the publishing of my first book called Dan's Dumb Decision. It is a fun children's book with a moral to the story ("never run away from home").

I actually wrote the book almost 30 years ago as part of a 5th grade English assignment. Now with my own children Christian and Brooke growing up, it felt like a good time to share it with others.

The book is a true family effort. Original inspiration from my mother, current inspiration from my wife and children, and wonderful illustrations from my father-in-law, Pedro Anlas.

The book is available as an E-book through www.authorhouse.com,www.bn.com, and www.amazon.com ($3.99 currently). Currently considering sharing some of the book profits to help aid local educational programs and initiatives.


What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was the most meaningful?
Being part of Cornell Entrepreneurs

What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?

It means taking pride in what you do and having a work ethic that is second to none.

What are you most looking forward to at Reunion 2015?

Hanging out with old friends and touring the campus to see all the changes that have taken place over the last 20 years.

Monday, August 12, 2013

94. Anne Johnson

Tucson, Arizona · Engineering


Name at Cornell
Anne Catlin

aecjohnson@gmail.com

Tell us about what you're doing with your life.
After two rounds of grad school and working as an operations research analyst and strategist in the defense sector for many years, I recently escaped the corporate world to do something more fun and less paranoid. I am now a real estate investor, and I opened an elite personal training facility with an unlikely business partner. The gym allows me to spend plenty of time at recess, and I enjoy helping people change their lives for the better. Owning a small business is a lot of work, and I am busier, far more productive, and far more fulfilled than I ever was when I had a corporate job. I don't get to relax much, as I also have a third-grader (Natalie) and a kindergartner (Ryan), and my husband is a Delta pilot who is gone much of the time. I have extra motivation to teach them to be self-sufficient!

What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found the most useful?
As an engineer, my favorite classes were all in the other colleges! Wines has probably been the most useful class for real-life application. I also completed a concentration in classics, and believe it or not, I used my knowledge from Medieval Art History, Greek Mythology, the Roman Experience, and the Comic Theater quite a bit, especially when I lived in Germany and traveled around Europe. I could identify architectural features and sound like an Ivy League-educated smart-ass.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?

I have so many great memories that I don't know where to start. Snow football in the dark freshman year; sneaking Ben & Jerry's and Jolt cola into the Cocktail Lounge conference rooms with friends while studying for finals as a sophomore; laughing so hard I couldn't breathe during lunch at Oakenshields; traying on Libe Slope. Prof. David Mankin's Thanksgiving lecture in Greek Mythology was a classic. The list goes on. At Reunion '10, I particularly enjoyed the smell of Barton floor in the morning, which took me back to all of the "fun" I had as a cadet.

What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell this year?

Be aware that you will probably change course several times during your career, at Cornell and beyond. If you start a major and realize later that you would rather do something else, have the courage to make the change! Also, seize opportunities for spontaneous fun whenever possible. You will forget how to expand the Navier-Stokes equations, but you will remember the midnight snowball fights, forays into the gorge just because the sun came out, unplanned dinners out with random people, and other diversions that were definitely not on your calendar.

Monday, August 5, 2013

95. Mary Celenza

Los Angeles, California · Agriculture and Life Sciences

Twitter: @evilcannoli


Tell us about what you're doing with your life.
Since Cornell, I've been working in the television industry as a director and a producer. Currently, I'm the co-executive producer on a reality competition show about special makeup effects called Face Off on the Syfy Channel.

What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found the most useful?

I absolutely loved Film and Performance. The class blended performance art and filmmaking and was a great discussion about how art is different to everyone. That class really impacted how I approach my work today.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?

I loved performing with the Skits-O-Phrenics. My parents surprised me on my final performance senior year and it was so amazing that they could be there for that silliness. As one of the group's original members, (it just celebrated its 20th anniversary), it's crazy to think there are members in the group who are now younger than the group itself!

What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell this year?

Enjoy your time and explore. Explore alternate ideas—just because you start in a major doesn't mean you'll love it. I started in biology and while I do love the science itself, I found that I really wanted to explore a different type of creativity. Also, enjoy the beauty and nature of Ithaca—it really is lovely.