While many University of Delaware graduate students take a traditional career path into
academia—with outstanding success—others choose a path less traveled. Here are just three graduates who have pursued exemplary and unusual careers.
Awista Ayub
[Photo courtesy of University of Rochester]
Touchstones of your UD experience
"Overall, my entire UD experience provided me with an
opportunity to more deeply explore the work that I had been
involved with in international development prior to enrolling.
Without a doubt, my work with professors both through the School of Public Policy and Administration as well as through
my graduate assistantship with the Sports Management
Program where I worked with Dr. Matthew Robinson was key
toward broadening my personal and professional growth while
at UD."
UD influences on your career path
"While I had extensive firsthand experience working in the
field of international development prior to enrolling in the
MPA program, my graduate assistantship experience with
Dr. Matthew Robinson is one that I continue to be grateful for.
With Dr. Robinson, I had the opportunity to manage several
large-scale international sport development projects associated
with the U.S. Department of State, the United States Olympic
Committee, as well as the National Basketball Association. I
traveled to India in support of a UD and NBA partnership,
marking my first trip to the country. I continue to be grateful for
Dr. Robinson's guidance and support prior to, during and since
my time at UD."
What you love about where you are now
"Through my work with Seeds of Peace, I have the unique
opportunity to work with bright, talented and enthusiastic
youth in the region (Afghanistan, Pakistan and India) as they
work toward promoting peace and mutual understanding in
their respective countries. The work is both challenging and
inspirational and gives me hope that a new generation of
leaders has the ability to create long-lasting change not only in
their own lives, but also in the lives of many others in their
sphere of influence. As a city, Mumbai inspires me. Since
moving here, I have come to appreciate many things in life that
we often take for granted. I have also learned to give back
whenever possible and to feel a greater sense of compassion
for others."
Gerald Cloud
[Photo courtesy of William Andrews Clark Library, UCLA]
Touchstones of your UD experience
"Without a doubt my career was launched by the experience
and training I gained while working in the University of Delaware
Library Special Collections Department, where I was trained first
by Tim Murray and Rebecca Johnson Melvin as an archivist and
then by Senior Library Research Fellow Mark Samuels Lasner as a
bibliographer and rare book specialist. The librarians encouraged
me as a young scholar and provided the insights and the introductions
that I would require for a career in rare book librarianship.
Craig Wilson, assistant director of collections, and Vice Provost
and May Morris Director of Libraries Susan Brynteson were also
enthusiastic supporters from whom I learned a great deal. It is
difficult to describe their generosity without seeming to exaggerate."
UD influences on your career path
"In the English department, professors J.A. Leo Lemay and
Charles Robinson encouraged me to pursue the field that interested
me most, in my case librarianship, and not to settle for the
presumed path of an English Ph.D. if it didn't suit me. Professors
Lemay and Robinson showed me through their own scholarship
and their broad knowledge of both academia and libraries that
an English doctoral student has many choices upon graduation,
providing the right preparation is made during graduate school.
Although neither Professor Lemay nor Professor Robinson were
official members of my dissertation committee, they offered invaluable
mentorship and no-nonsense advice throughout my time at UD."
What you love about where you are now
"Rare book libraries are where it all comes together: literary
scholars and historians, curators and librarians, and book
collectors and booksellers all converge to study history, literature,
science, architecture, art and the material record of human
activity and knowledge. knowing that I am contributing to the
preservation of the books and manuscripts holding that
knowledge is an inspiration."
Evelyn Maurmeyer
Evelyn Maurmeyer earned her Ph.D. in geology in 1978. She
began her teaching career at Franklin and Marshall College, later
forming the environmental consulting firm Coastal & Estuarine
Research, Inc. in Lewes, Del., where she is currently involved in a
variety of coastal environmental issues, including shoreline
stabilization, wetland creation and restoration and permitting for
boat docking facilities, marinas and dredging projects. She has
served as adjunct faculty in UD's College of Earth, Ocean, and
Environment since 1982, where she shares with students how
geology and oceanography intersect not only with each other but with society. Maurmeyer was recently inducted into UD's Alumni Wall of Fame.
Evelyn Maurmeyer
[Photo: Kathy Atkinson]
Touchstones of your UD experience
"First and foremost, my professors provided me with a solid
academic background in all of the courses I took and exposed me
to a wide range of geological environments during many field
trips and oceanographic cruises. Participation in regional and
national professional conferences was encouraged and greatly
broadened my knowledge in the field of coastal geology. My
fellow graduate students were a memorable part of my graduate
experience; many have remained friends and colleagues over
the years."
UD influences on your career path
"The 1972 summer course Recent Sedimentary Environments,
taught at the UD Lewes Campus by Dr. John C. (Chris) kraft,
introduced me to Delaware's beaches and marshes, and initiated
a lifelong fascination with coastal environments. I am grateful for
Dr. kraft's continued guidance as an adviser and mentor."
What you love about where you are now
"I formed my environmental consulting firm, Coastal &
Estuarine Research, Inc. over 30 years ago, and I still enjoy
working on new and challenging projects every day. My work
involves a perfect mix of field research and office time, which
allows me to see projects through from beginning to end. I love
my work, and I love living in Sussex County!"
