I Am Ann Arbor

Recruiting and amateurism in collegiate athletics is obviously a hot topic right now, but did you know it was an issue 100 years ago as well? Greg Dooley from MVictors.com comes on the podcast to talk with Rishi about Fielding Yost, the Godfather of Michigan Football, and how is rivalry with Amos Alonzo Stagg of the University of Chicago created headlines that still ring true today.

Rishi and Mason take the show on the road to visit Abra Berens ('04), the executive chef at Granor Farms and author NY Times bestselling cookbook "Ruffage: A Practical Guide to vegetables". Abra talks about growing up on a farm, cultivating her love of food at Zingerman's, and the path that led her to culinary fame.

In this episode, we meet "Dr. O" - Oluwaferanmi (Feranmi) Okanlami (MD '11) - the Director of Medical Student Programs (OHEI) as well as the Director of Adaptive Sports (MCHAMP), not to mention a Clinical Professor at Michigan Medicine and Spokesperson for the Adaptive Sports community. Dr. O's speaks about his inspiring journey, one that led him down the path to become a champion for equality and inclusion through sport.

Olivia Walch is a PhD in Applied Mathematics (UM '16), but that may be the least interesting thing about her! Olivia comes on the podcast to explain how her diverse interests are tied together, and shows us how "chill" math is.

You can learn more about Olivia and her work here: http://oliviawalch.com/

We are taking a few weeks off for the Holidays. South U Stories will be back on January 16th! In the meantime, visit our newest sponsor, State & Liberty, and use code SOUTHU for 10% off your next order.

This week Rishi stops by the University Flower shop, located in Nickels Arcade, to chat with Danielle (Dani) Vignos about her story as a Pre-Law major at Michigan who ended up in the flower business. Originally from the Bay Area, a chance encounter as a caregiver while in school led her to take a chance and set up roots in Ann Arbor.

It's an impressive accomplishment to have reached the peak of just one of "The Seven Summits". Our guest this week, Scott DeRue, has summited not just one, but six of the tallest mountains in the world! Scott currently serves as Dean of the Ross School of Business and takes some time out of his busy schedule to tell Rishi a couple stories from his journey on Mt. Everest.

Everyone knows that collegiate merchandise is big business these days, but not as well known is the fact that the birthplace of collegiate apparel is Ann Arbor Michigan.

Bud VanDeWege visits with Rishi to tell a few stories about Moe Sport Shops, the iconic shop that played a major part in collegiate apparel landscape.

Going to Dominick’s is essentially a rite of passage for any Michigan student. But few who enjoy a slice of pizza or a glass of sangria know the role this Ann Arbor institution played in creating the world’s largest pizza chain.

Rishi visits the Ann Arbor institution Casa Dominick's and interviews owner Richard DeVarti. Rich (founder Dominick DeVarti's son) tells a couple of epic stories about Dominick's and talks about his pride in preserving history.

This week, Phil Brabbs ('04) recounts his role in a Michigan Football Instant Classic against Washington in 2002. The roller coaster of a game paved Phil's philosophy and outlook later on in his life.