Allegheny College announces the launch of Gators on Purpose, a new podcast that explores the lives of alumni whose unexpected academic combinations and the support of the Allegheny community helped shape meaningful, purpose-driven lives and careers.
Hosted by Briana Lewis, associate professor of French and faculty liaison to the Center for Career and Professional Development, Gators on Purpose features candid conversations with alumni across generations, industries, and professions. Each episode highlights how mentorship, community, and Allegheny’s distinctive requirement to major and minor in different academic areas prepare students to do extraordinary things.
“I hope prospective students and families will see the power of this community to shape students’ lives,” says Lewis. “These stories will be from multiple generations of Allegheny graduates; they all feature personal connection and support, whether it’s from a faculty mentor or a coach, or sometimes from more surprising places. Those relationships set students on the path to doing really remarkable things.”
As one of the few colleges in the nation that requires students to major and minor in different academic disciplines, Allegheny is known for encouraging curiosity and creative problem-solving. Gators on Purpose will bring that philosophy to life in each episode.
The inaugural episode features Allegheny College President and 1987 alumnus, Ron Cole, Ph.D., followed by episodes with alumni in varied industries including space aeronautics, professional sports, nonprofit, environmental engineering, and more.
Reflecting Allegheny’s culture of interdisciplinary studies, Gators on Purpose features original theme music composed by Dominic Juliana ’26, a chemistry major and music minor. The intro music is performed by Wendy Plyler, adjunct music instructor, highlighting the collaborative spirit between students and faculty that defines the Allegheny experience.
“What is crystal clear is that their choice to come to Allegheny made a profound difference in their lives and made them the amazing people they are today,” Lewis adds.
Gators on Purpose is available on Spotify. New episodes will be released regularly.
