My first “real world” job interviews took place on the second floor of that building adjacent to the now Collis Center on campus. I remember one interviewer who, upon reading my resume as we were walking down the hallway to the designated interviewing room, challenged me to a foot race. I had run track, as had he back in his college days. It seemed like an innocuous “ice breaker” back then—one that I did not take him up on at the time. I did get the job and—as they say—the rest is history. According to a recent article: “Thanks for Your Job Application—Shall We Begin at the Squat Rack?” I would significantly compromise my job prospects today if I did not acquiesce to that foot race. Apparently, sizing up a prospective employee or employer through gym workouts of bench presses, jumping onto boxes and pushing weighted sleds is the new normal in evaluating job applicants. Normal?

More relevant, however, is that this particular article featured our very own Laura Fried Yecies. Recently, a prospective employer invited Laura—with no warning or heads up—on an hour-long “walking interview” that she proceeded to go along on, high heels and all. Affectionately describing herself as “a high-tech CEO by day and a mom of four (plus two daughters-in-law who I adore) and grandmother of one by night,” whether in high heels or sneakers, Laura passed on that particular job offer. However, she continues to employ her veteran software and Internet services skills, most recently as COO at Mobilize. Laura and husband Steven Yecies ’84 have called California “home” for more than the past 25 years and while she remains a serial tech entrepreneur, Laura (wisely) keeps her work and exercise separate. In fact, if you are ever in the Palo Alto area, you will most likely cross paths with Laura hiking around the Stanford dish.

Turning now to a cabin on a lake in Montana in a national park. No cell phone. No Internet. Little company for most of the 25 days you are there, except a solar-powered laptop and a mountain of research. For some that might sound like harsh punishment. But Matthew Dickerson considered it a prize to be sought—and seek it he did! Middlebury College computer science professor by day and outdoors and nature writer by night, Matthew was selected as one of the summer artists-in-residence at Glacier National Park for the month of June. In addition to his recent books, Trout in the Desert and Downstream: Reflections on Brook Trout, Fly Fishing, and the Waters of Appalachia, Matthew’s works also include historical novels, fantasy novels and books exploring environmental aspects of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Of particular focus during his residency in Glacier will be study of native cutthroat trout and their habitat. Stay tuned for more from Matthew.

Until our next column update, send news—we will print it here.

All the best to all of you!

—Leslie A. Davis Dahl, 83 Pecksland Road, Greenwich, CT 06831; dahlleslie@yahoo.com; (203) 552-0070; John MacManus, 188 Ringwood Road, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com