I was thrilled when Dave Blow asked me to write an article about my days and experiences at Castleton. There were so many great times at CSC, how do I keep it to 15 inches? This is the hardest piece – yet also the easiest – I’ve had to write.I’ve always been the type of person that tries to make the most of the situations I am confronted with. I feel that if you put forth the effort, you will be rewarded ten-fold. I entered CSC with that mentality – and was determined to work hard and establish myself in the college community.

The year was 1986 . and I was a freshman. I moved into a triple in Ellis Hall, and once I got settled, I was ready to begin my journey.

I had a lot of help along the way. One of the best aspects of CSC is the interaction between faculty and students. The classes were small and the faculty not only knew the names of all the students in their classes, they had insight into the students’ personality and career track. Professors like Dr. Joyce Thomas, and Dr. Bob Gershon were huge influences. Nearly 20 years later, I still use their guidance daily. I was a Communications major concentrating in Journalism with a minor in Art. Prof. Terry Dalton, who is no longer teaching at CSC, was my mentor. It was through his support that I achieved the goals I set for myself while at CSC – and the basis of my success in the years since.

While at Castleton I was VERY involved in student life. I was a member of WIUV, and later became News Director. I was active in student government where I was VP of Academics. I was an SOS Leader. I belonged to numerous other clubs, such as the Literary Club, and Student Performing Arts Committee. I was selected to be the student liaison on the Cultural Affairs Committee, and was honored to be a student representative on the Presidential Search Committee. But the group that had my heart and soul was The Spartan.

I started out in composition, became a staff writer, and then associate editor. By the end of my freshman year, I worked my way up through the ranks to become the editor-in-chief. I held that post through early senior year, when I then stepped down and became a contributor – taking on an internship at the Addison Independent newspaper in Middlebury.

The Spartan was such an immense experience. Computers were just introduced and the idea of being able to put together a newspaper from start to finish via “desktop publishing” was new. We worked as a team – and made The Spartan a newspaper that the entire CSC community anticipated and was proud to call their own. There were many sleepless nights, but also many wonderful experiences – such as the interviews with luminaries (Maya Angelou, Helen Thomas and Julian Bond were memorable), the ability to sculpt the newspaper from its look to its content, and the many great lasting friendships acquired along the road. I will always remember my Spartan experience with fondness.

After graduation, I decided to alter course and pursue my newly acquired love of desktop publishing. I took a position working as the lead designer for a printer in Torrington, Conn. and soon thereafter, was a founding partner of the successful design firm, TnT Typesetting.

Over the years, I have worked for a variety of clients, from nationally known to locally recognized, including Neiman Marcus, Citibank, Ford, ESPN, and Mohegan Sun Casino.

Life then threw a curve ball, and in 2002 I moved to Huntington Beach, Calif. Purple Fusion Graphics was developed in 2002 as the west coast version of TnT Typesetting. I added web design to my palette in 2000, and have since partnered with SkullCo Technology Solutions as their lead web designer. I have also developed and taught courses on computer-aided design to students and designers throughout the country.

In addition to serving clients on both coasts, I enjoy serving the community. I am the Entertainment Coordinator for the Connecticut Agricultural Fair, and I head their marketing and design committee along with the Fair President (who, by the way, is CSC Grad Todd Gelineau, class of ’92).

Times have changed throughout the years, but my interests still lie in building a strong relationship and understanding between copy, print, design, marketing strategy and business – the same principles I learned from my years at CSC and working on the Spartan.