The first thing I think of when I think of the University is that I made lifelong friends. Even though I grew up ten miles from campus, I lived in Sanford Hall my freshman year. My parents were supportive of me moving away, and I did indeed make friends. Two of my friends were in my wedding, and I still see them regularly. To this day, I have felt part of the U of M community.

My advisor, Prof. Perry Blackshear, was pretty influential on my student experience, too. He was a pioneer and he started what would become the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the U of M. There is no doubt choosing to secure my engineering degree at the U of M was instrumental to my career. The economy was in a downturn when I graduated, but I got a job right away. I ended up working for 3M for 38 years in many different, exciting roles.

I can't even describe how much I grew at “the U.” I still walk on campus and feel all warm and fuzzy.