The Ice Cream + Cake Break: ODU's Alumni Podcast

Dr. Roscoe Scarborough (or Dr. Scar to his students) didn't envision himself as a college professor, but after clicking with the social sciences at ODU, the rest as they say, was history...or criminal justice in this case. 

Ryan Parncutt shares her ODU journey as a student athlete and current grad student. From the recruitment process to finding community as a Covid college student, Ryan highlights the importance of connecting with others and embracing new opportunities. She and Lauren also nerd out about their 6 degrees of separation, being okay with changing your major...more than once, and how we should all embrace the Ice Cream & Cake dance 1000%.

Chris and Lauren nerd out about the Communication major at ODU and their shared experiences having some of the same professors. Chris discusses the change in his career trajectory from 'Naval medical billet' to 'Creative,' ruminates on time spent in BAL and watching Physics students drop pumpkins from it, and advises current ODU students on the importance of networking, asking questions, and not being afraid to fail. 

Fred Tugas discusses being a first-gen college student and also a commuter, finding his community at ODU, and how he has come home in his last two professional roles with the University! 

Nakia Madry-Smith is super relateable when she talks about how crossing a bridge tunnel can be a major barrier to one's mental health in Hampton Roads, less relateable when she discusses her time performing with Pharell's Voices of Fire, but all around absolutely delightful!

Holly discusses her 'superhero origin story,' including having her senior tennis season upended by Covid, doing an unexpected Master's program, and her current journey to becoming a professional tennis player

Meg Turley, Navy Vet, Training Manager for Leidos, and recent ODU Advanced Degree Luncheon featured speaker, talks about making a career switch, finding her niche, and how she plans to apply her newly acquired skills from a Master's AND a PhD at ODU! 

Luke Downing, President of Mode5, which provides world-class technology services to small and mid-sized businesses in Hampton Roads and surrounding areas, talks about freshman orientation, overcoming his fear of public speaking, and returning to campus for piano lessons!

Michael Fisher discusses how he came to ODU based on a photo of the fountain on Kaufman Mall, experiencing 9/11 on campus, and finding his people in ODU Theatre.