Alumni Encounters Around the World
The world is smaller than you think—especially when you’re a Badger! From Pacific Island beaches to New York City cafés, UW–Madison alumni run into each other all over the world.
NEW YORK
Jacob Erlichman (BBA ’19)
Equity Research Associate Analyst, The Buckhingham Research Group in New York City
I was doing some work at a coffee shop on the Upper West Side in New York City with a current student and we were talking about topics related to UW–Madison. The gentleman sitting next to us suddenly chimed in about his time at UW in the ’80s and how his career had taken him from Los Angeles to New York, through several different industries. I realized through this alumni connection the valuable principle of not necessarily planning too far ahead, and letting your journey play out.
TAHITI
Curtis Rochette (MBA ’11)
Senior Associate, Bridge Investment Group in Salt Lake City
I am Polynesian and was living in Tahiti in 2014. I was walking through a beachcomber hotel when I heard, “What’s up, dude!” Not knowing how this person even knew that I spoke English, someone pointed at the visor I had on with the motion W. I knew immediately it was a Badger—two of them—honeymooning there. I run into Badgers and Wisconsin folks all across the U.S., but in another hemisphere? Amazing.
MEXICO CITY
Jeff Schlinsog (BBA ’84)
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Milwaukee
I was at the International Actuarial Association meeting in Mexico City in November 2018. At lunch I sat at a table of attendees—none of whom I knew. To my immediate left was Jeng-Shiu "Daniel" Ye (MS ’96), a fellow Badger. Not only were we fellow Badgers of the same major, we had several friends and contacts in common. Never underestimate how many fellow Badgers are out there!
PHILIPPINES
Bill Graf (BBA ’11)
Partner, Kreindler Graf in Madison
I was in a hostel on the beach in El Nido, Palawan, wearing a “Wisco” shirt while checking in and two people spotted me and yelled, “Go Badgers!” Turns out they were in Air Force ROTC with some of my friends, and we had a handful of friends in common. Badgers really are everywhere. You can be walking a beach solo on the other side of the world and run into people you know. You’re never alone when you’re a Badger.
