Success after EWU

The other day I saw an intersting article posted on the website of Eastern Washington University's (the school I attend if you didn't know) website. It was a list of people who graduated from EWU that have gone on to be "something". I was pretty impressed with the list but I am sure that those of you reading that have graduated college have even more impressive lists to pull from since the schools are larger and probably a little more elite (ie. KU,BYU,MSU and even Purdue) but anyways here's the list from "my" university in little Cheney, WA it goes to show ya that it doesn't really matter where you go, there are brilliant people all over. (my comments are in red)

Jess Walter (’87 BA journalism) achieved new literary heights in 2006 when his newest book, The Zero, was named a finalist for the prestigious National Book Award. (Haven't read it but I guess this is a novel about the day after 9/11 or something)

Kris Monaghan (’03 BA recreation management) a 15-year LPGA Tour player, went to Beijing, China, in 2006 to become the first LPGA golf professional at Central Golf Beijing.

Luke Clausen (’01 BA business) can lay permanent claim to being the greatest bass fisherman in EWU history. He caught an all-time record three-day bag limit of 56 pounds, two ounces, to capture the Super Bowl of professional fishing - the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic and the $501,000 that went with it.

Angela Pixton (’83 BS nursing) is the first female commissioner of The Washington State Potato Commission. (I wonder what that job consists of?)

Mohammed Al Falasi (’98 BA business) heads up operations in Pakistan for Emaar Properties, the world's largest property development company.

Linda Boggs (’84 BA reading, ’88 MA school administration) was named a National Distinguished Elementary School Principal of the Year in 2003 for her work at Blue Ridge Elementary in Walla Walla.

Colin Cowherd (‘85 BA radio-television) can be heard every weekday on ESPN radio interviewing the biggest newsmakers in sports as host of “The Herd.” (I was surprised by this one because this is someone I listen too when at work quite often, and I had no idea.)

Todd McFarlane (’84 BA general studies) is creator of the Spawn comic book series and current co-owner of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.

Thomas Hampson (’92 BA government) is a Grammy-nominated opera singer.

Launi Meili (’90 BA liberal studies) took home the gold medal in women’s three-position small-bore rifle shooting at the 1992 Olympic Games.

Michael Roos (’05 BA business) is a starting offensive tackle for the NFL's Tennessee Titans. (Michael is one of Jenny Schlenker's-Emily's best friend from High School- husband's best friends and was in their wedding so this is someone I've actually met, it's pretty cool to watch someone in the NFL you have a connection with.)

Tom Thompson (’72 BA general business) was named the Nation’s Restaurant News Chain Leader Operator of the year in 1998 for his work as chief operating officer of CKE Restaurants Inc., parent company of the Carl’s Jr. restaurant chain.

Larry Rencken (’84 BA marketing) is CIO for Welch's. The Concord, Mass., company is the world's leading producer of juices, jams and jellies.

Mary McCormick Busse (’74 BA radio-television) is CEO of MBI Media in Los Angeles. She’s listed in the Who’s Who in Entertainment, 1st Edition, and Who’s Who of American Women, 15th Edition.

Scott Schaefer (’85 BA radio-television) was nominated for a Directors Guild of America Award as part of the directorial team for Showtime’s Penn & Teller special. Schaefer previously won three National Emmy Awards for writing for Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Terry Langston (’78 BA professional accounting) is a co-creator of the blockbuster board game Pictionary. (Interesting, I thought this game had been around forever)

They forgot an important one:

Thomas Bybee (hasn't graduated yet) ran in and WON- in his age division- the 2006 Chief Joseph Run in Laurel, MT.