"Cornell students dream bigger dreams."

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

Monday, April 28, 2014

57. Manabu Oka

Tokyo, Japan · Arts and Sciences


wanchyo@yahoo.co.jp
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/manabu.oka.3


Tell us about what you're doing with your life.

I returned to Tokyo after graduation to join IBM. I moved to AT&T in 2000, and since 2010, I have been the president of AT&T Japan providing IT solutions to large enterprises operating in Japan.

I am married with a 12 year old son who just started Junior High School.

After a looong rest, I returned to the tennis court and also started to pick up golf since 5-6 years ago, really to have fun but also to stay fit! I then started running a bit, and I just made my full marathon debut at the Tokyo Marathon 2014.


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

While I took many useful courses, I feel a bit ashamed to say that the Wine course has left me with good knowledge that I can make use of in real life, even today!

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

I have been attending alumni events in Tokyo for the last few year, and the depth and diversity of talent of the Cornell Alumni network is simply amazing!

If you could change anything about your Cornell experience, what would it be?

I would have explored the campus and its surroundings in my free time, even just waking around and taking some photos. I also would have taken more time to think about my career and life aspirations. (which may have prompted myself to move to the School of Hotel Administration).

Monday, April 21, 2014

58. Lynn Ciccarelli

Staten Island, New York · Agriculture and Life Sciences


Name at Cornell

Lynn Finamore

lciccarelli13@gmail.com


Tell us about what you're doing with your life.
Life is thankfully as busy, and happy, as ever. This year I'll be celebrating 8 years of marriage to my amazing husband. We have a 3 year old son who is our absolute joy, and I am 17 weeks pregnant with baby #2! Professionally, I've been working for HBO now for 17 years. I actually started at HBO back in November of 1995, not long after graduation from Cornell. I am currently VP of affiliate marketing and it is truly my dream job, having been a Communication major. I am very lucky and fortunate to have called HBO my professional home for all these years. And I owe so much of how everything fell into place to my Cornell education.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?

There are so many wonderful memories that, despite the years, do not fade. The friends, the classes, the traditions, the beautiful campus, college town, the challenges, etc. I can't say enough about how my time at Cornell started me off on the right path in so many ways. To me, the Cornell degree has always been a badge of honor, something I'm so proud of, and something for which I am so grateful.

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

Both personally and professionally, I run into felow Cornell grads all the time. And I always feel there is an imemdiate connection, almost a bond between us. It's been an amazing networking asset I've found and sometimes a foot in the door, so to speak.

If you could change anything about your Cornell experience, what would it be?

I wish I took more time to relax and enjoy. Things were always so busy, and I always rushed home on breaks to see family and friends. I wish I took more time to explore the campus and Ithaca, and to more appreciate the moments in between the craziness.

Monday, April 14, 2014

59. David H. Quigley

Brookeville, Maryland · Agriculture and
Life Sciences


dhquig5@gmail.com

Tell us about what you're doing with your life.
My wife, Angela ('96), and I spend our days trying to keep up with our two kids, Hannah (9) and Elliot (3). We live in a small town in Maryland about halfway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and fortunately well within within striking distance of Hershey Park. I am a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where I have practiced environmental law since 1998. My practice covers an array of environmental matters, including transactional, enforcement litigation, regulatory compliance, lobbying and legislative development, so it is never boring.

What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was the most meaningful?

The speech and debate team gave me my life, quite literally. I met my wife there. The skill set I picked up there got me into law school and helped build a career. The people who came before (and some after) have become mentors and sounding boards and probably once a month I turn to that network for advice or assistance. Most importantly, I am fortunate to have so many friends (and family) that I owe to that team. I enjoyed so much about my experience at Cornell, but nothing has had the lasting impact that team has had.

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

Certainly the one I found most useful is Intro to Public Speaking (Comm 101), though not just because my career relies on that particular skill set to a great extent. Through that class, I got involved with the speech and debate team, which is where I met my wife. If you can find a class that prepares you for your career AND your marriage, I would say that is pretty useful. I suppose it should also make it my favorite, as well.

What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left?
At a point when my wife and I had started to fall out of contact, we got a visit from Sharon Detzer of the Ag School's alumni affairs/development office. Meeting Sharon really reconnected us with the community, and she has facilitated my being on a panel at an entrepreneurship event, guest lecturing at a Dyson School environmental class, and getting to work with graduating students on career path questions through the development office. It has been amazing to reconnect in that meaningful way, and I love the opportunity to give back to the school that has given me so much.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?

I lived at 509 Wyckoff with 11 of my closest friends sophomore year. That year had a number of ups and downs, but that house and the camraderie that lived within it was a big up, despite the fact that you could look through the holes in the walls in some of the rooms, and we had to share the house with a raccoon who lived in our oven, the weather (the walls did not always reach the ceilings), and a mole-man who lived in our basement.

Monday, April 7, 2014

60. Tulio and Dianna Hochkoeppler

Buenos Aires, Argentina · Hotel
Administration

Name at Cornell
Tulio Hochkoeppler and Dianna Perkins

dfwdep@yahoo.com
tuliohoch@aol.com

Tell us about what you're doing with your life.
Tulio:
I am currently managing a Four Seasons Hotel and trying to keep up with my daughter, and if any free time comes up—going SAILING!

Dianna:

Getting settled into our family routine after moving from the Maldives back to Argentina.

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

Tulio:
I don't remember the class name, but it was with Prof. Chase during my senior year in which our final was writing a vision statement of our future and I love going back and reading to see how close I have come.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?

Tulio:
Winning Nationals for big boat sailing and going to France to represent our university and our country against 19 other teams.

Dianna:
An amalgamation of memories including HEC nights, my Bryant Av girls, the Theta house, and some wonderful road trips involving flying malomars.

How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?
Dianna:
All the friendships I made directly and indirectly through my years at Cornell.

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

Tulio:
Life is not all about studying, but experiences, and do as many as you can and enjoy meeting your life long friends.

What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left?
Dianna:
Running into a sorority sister (Kuda Huraa) in a cocktail reception in the Maldives.