Jenny Wood Shangraw graduated from Aquinas College in 1971 and then worked at the Grand Rapids Public Library, specializing in business, demographics, economics, and cultural history.  This knowledge led her to become the Business Information Cybrarian for West Michigan’s economic development organization.  Participating in Generation Swap allowed her to share current business and economic trends while learning about the ambitions, challenges, and daily college life of the Aquinas College students.

Hannah Bowen is a mentor for Trio SSS program at Aquinas College. She is a junior majoring in environmental science and minoring in coaching. She is on the Aquinas softball team. In her free time Hannah likes to crochet.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth. 

Dan Measday is 76 years old and a 1970 graduate of Aquinas College. A native of New Jersey, he has lived in Michigan for over 50 years. Dan is a sports fan and follows baseball, football, ice hockey, and golf.

Cristian Zacharias is a sophomore at Aquinas and is from Grant, MI. He is studying Business Administration & Sports Management. He enjoys playing soccer, Magic: The Gathering, writing poetry, and being a general nuisance to his supervisors. He isn’t exactly sure about his career plans but hopes it will involve the sports industry given his passion for soccer.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth. 

Cindy Ritter grew up in Detroit and has lived in Grand Rapids for 55 years. She began her career as a dental hygienist and later became an elementary school teacher after graduating from Aquinas.  She is now retired but stays busy with her five sons and 16 grandchildren, her church (St. Robert), as a Kent County CASA and refugee resettlement volunteer, and with scrapbooking, softball, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes.

Abby Kozal is a senior at Aquinas College, graduating with a Bachelor’s in English with a Writing Emphasis and minoring in Studio Arts. She has been an active member of the Aquinas community as a Writing Center Consultant, TRIO SSS Peer Mentor, and Culture Editor for the student newspaper. Abby is also very involved with the Theatre Department.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth. 

Kate Schirmer grew up in Grand Rapids and later moved to rural Newaygo County. She raised two boys and worked as a swim teacher before returning to school as a non-traditional aged student to get a teaching degree. For 20 years she taught 4h grade in Fremont Michigan.  Katie is now retired and is a 15-year cancer survivor.

Jessy Gomez is a new Aquinas College graduate. She majored in Spanish and is now exploring options for life after college.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

Tom Miller is a Michigan native. He’s lived much of his life in the Grand Rapids area, as well as having spent several formative years in Kalamazoo and Pennsylvania. He retired a few years ago from a career as a lawyer. Since then, he’s been a regular Osher Lifelong Learning Institute student, community volunteer, traveler (with his spouse), struggling golfer, and – most fun of all – “Grandpa.”

Carson LePage is a junior at Aquinas College studying Theatre and minoring in Communication. He hopes to one day work on Broadway and to break into the film industry.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth. 

Steve Murray was born and raised in the Grand Rapids area and has spent his entire life in West Michigan. In retirement he enjoys hanging with his dog, watching grandkids’ sporting events, taking Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes, and plugging into various volunteer opportunities whenever possible.

Olivia White is a sophomore at Aquinas College majoring in Elementary Education. She is hoping to teach upper elementary students.  Olivia is involved in various activities on campus such as Student Activities and Orientation, Education Club, Dance Team, and more.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth. 

Penny Murray's 72-year life journey is founded on faith. She is blessed with 3 children and 9 grandchildren, satisfied in 44 years of nursing, and partnered today with Steve in the joy of life-long learning. Aquinas has provided classes for a degree-seeking adult student, and OLLI has been an amazing growth opportunity in retirement for her.

Jessica Kean is a junior at Aquinas College pursuing a BSc in Health Sciences. She is from Brighton Michigan, where she has four of the coolest dogs in the world. She is looking forward to participating in the Mohler-Thompson Research Program this summer on campus!

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

Marty Arnold taught writing at Aquinas College, was a journalist, editor, and a non-profit administrator. Since retiring she has published two novels and is re-wilding her yard.

Emma Pearson is an Aquinas College sophomore majoring in biochemistry. She loves spending time with kids and animals and is interested in pursuing pediatric medicine.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth. 

Diane Friar was a CPA and worked with a local firm for 37 years, where she became a partner. She worked for many years in litigation support and business valuation, work she greatly enjoyed. She retired in 2014 and has been attending Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes since then. An alumna of Aquinas College, she has two grown children and two grandchildren.

Ashley Snyder is a junior at Aquinas College. She is majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She also plays for the Aquinas softball team. Her plans for the future have undergone recent revisions. She no longer wants to pursue a career in genetic counseling, but instead has discovered an interest in careers in the field of therapy.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth. 

Gary Eberle is a professor of English emeritus at Aquinas College. He is the author of eight books of fiction and nonfiction, a two-time recipient of the Teacher of the Year award, and in 2019 was inducted into the Aquinas College Hall of Fame.

Aidan Raffaele is a senior at Aquinas College from Cadillac, MI, studying political science. He enjoys playing golf. After graduation, he plans on attending law school, and hopes to pursue a career in environmental protection through law and policy.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.