Podcast: Gators on Purpose

Episode 01 Transcript

Guest

Dr. Ron Cole ’87, President of Allegheny College

Episode Description

In the inaugural episode, host Briana Lewis sits down with Dr. Ron Cole ’87, President of Allegheny College, to reflect on his journey from student to alum to institutional leader. President Cole shares insights into his undergraduate experience, the mentors and moments that shaped him, and how the Allegheny philosophy of combining disciplines continues to influence his leadership and career.

Listen and Subscribe

Follow Gators on Purpose to hear stories from Allegheny College alumni whose paths demonstrate how unusual combinations of major and minors lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Episode 02 Transcript

Guest

Katie Shipp ‘09

Episode Description

In this episode of Gators on Purpose, Briana Lewis talks with Katie Shipp, Executive Director of I Have the Right To and Pittsburgh Magazine 2025 40 Under 40 Honoree. A psychology major and religious studies minor, Shipp reflects on how Bonner service, AmeriCorps, and law school shaped her path advocating for survivors of sexual assault. After more than a decade practicing law, she shifted to prevention and education work nationwide. Shipp shares insights on community, courage, experiential learning, and building a meaningful career at the intersection of passion and purpose.

Listen and Subscribe

Follow Gators on Purpose to hear stories from Allegheny College alumni whose paths demonstrate how unusual combinations of major and minors lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Episode 03 Transcript

Guest

Isaac Gittens ’14

Episode Description

In the third episode of Gators on Purpose, host Briana Lewis sits down with Isaac Gittens ’14, who translated his passion for football into a career with the National Football League (NFL). Gittens’ journey to Allegheny was sparked by a positive interaction with the football coaching staff, and he worked in the athletic department as a student.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in managerial economics with double minors in communication and Black Studies, Gittens pursued a graduate assistantship at Baylor University with the American Football Coaches Association. Today, Gittens manages pipelines for coaches, officials, and players. He is particularly proud of his work in flag football, as he creates pathways for women in the sport and sees the game reach the 2028 Olympics.

Listen and Subscribe

Follow Gators on Purpose to hear stories from Allegheny College alumni whose paths demonstrate how unusual combinations of major and minors lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Episode 04 Transcript

Guest

Mike Newman ‘94

Episode Description

Description: In this episode, Briana Lewis sits down with Mike Newman ’94 to discuss how his double major in philosophy and English paved the way for his career in law and high-tech entrepreneurship.

Newman shares his journey from a student-athlete recovering from injury to a technology CEO to chairman of the Nicholas Academic Center. He argues that a liberal arts education is the best defense against a rapidly changing professional landscape.

Listen and Subscribe

Follow Gators on Purpose to hear stories from Allegheny College alumni whose paths demonstrate how unusual combinations of major and minors lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Episode 05 Transcript

Guest

Bethany Eppig ‘11

Episode Description

What does a minor in religious studies have to do with technical systems for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)? More than you think!

In this episode, host Briana Lewis sits down with Bethany Eppig ’11, who shares her incredible journey from an undeclared first-year to her career at NASA. Eppig notes how her interdisciplinary education at Allegheny College gave her the foundation to connect ideas in science and policy

Listen and Subscribe

Follow Gators on Purpose to hear stories from Allegheny College alumni whose paths demonstrate how unusual combinations of major and minors lead to extraordinary outcomes.

In Episode 06, Jonathan Spencer ‘79 shares how his math and environmental science studies prepared him to pivot from environmental engineering to human rights advocate.

Release Date: June 30, 2026