Irwin, president and CEO of Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Fla., has made a living out of researching and teaching the public about dolphins. Featuring 20 bottlenose dolphins as well as California sea lions, the center hosts narrated behavior sessions, educational presentations and interactive programs for the public.

Rita Irwin ’77 is president and CEO of the Dolphin Research Center in Florida.

It is also the southernmost manatee rescue operation in the country. As president, Irwin is responsible for taking care of the marine mammals, as well as maintaining the direction and mission of the entire center and its 83 employees.

Despite the stark differences, Irwin still finds a way to see parallels between the paradise-like city she resides in now and the notoriously chilly Port City, especially when looking out into the water.

“We used to look out onto the lake and see the snowstorms coming,” Irwin said. “Now I’m in the Florida Keys looking at the Gulf of Mexico. It’s very similar to being on campus and looking at the lake, but instead of snowstorms, it’s rain storms.”

Born and raised in New York City, Irwin’s first taste of small-town living came when she arrived at Oswego for college. It was an experience she says she still cherishes, and one that helped her make the decision to move to Florida, where she met her husband, Dan Gallagher.

“When I came to the Keys, I was so attracted to the research center and Oswego helped me realize I could move out of a big city. I like the small town experience and Oswego was the only small town I lived in before I came to the Keys.”

Outside of the job, Irwin has also found time to be active in the community, especially in the theatre scene. She recently co-wrote a musical and it is set to debut in March. Titled “Act Now,” the production is about an audition at a community theatre and the lives and decisions of the people at the theatre. A theatre major while at Oswego, she credits her time working on productions at college for her latest accomplishment.

“[Writing and directing a musical was] a lifelong dream of mine. All of the hours I spent in the Oswego theatre have paid off.”

— Kyle C. Gargan ’11

Fabian Loeprick ’10, right, interned during the summer at Korn/Ferry International’s Washington, D.C., offices in a placement arranged by Nels Olson ’89, left, managing director of the Eastern Region and a member of the board and CEO and corporate affairs practices at KFI.

A native of Kassel in Germany, Loeprick is a member of the School of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Board. He leapt at the chance to expand his skills in business management with an internship at the world’s largest executive recruiting firm, with nearly 80 offices in 40 countries.

Olson said he was happy to help an Oswego student, because he knows how important hands-on experience can be. “I am in the field of human capital talent, and having practical experience is vitally important,” he said.

At Oswego, Olson honed his leadership skills in Student Association and Sigma Gamma fraternity, two experiences he feels led to his successful career.

“Oswego was a big part of my life growing up and it’s a terrific institution,” said Olson, whose oldest brother, Lars Olson ’83, also attended. After joining Korn Ferry, Nels Olson participated in the search that resulted in Deborah F. Stanley becoming the college’s 10th president. “It’s a school on the move because of her leadership and I believe in investing in it,” said Olson. In addition to giving back by arranging student internships, he made
a leadership gift to the recent Inspiring Horizons campaign.

Olson joined Korn/Ferry International in 1993 and has conducted many executive searches throughout the world. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in public relations and served in the White House, screening and recommending Presidential appointees and cabinet candidates.

Loeprick’s summer work in research about potential candidates gave him insight into the types of degrees and experiences top firms are looking for, and working in a busy office helped him hone his real-world assets like professionalism, self-confidence, motivation and communication skills.

After further internships in Europe, Loeprick hopes to attend graduate school there. “The people make a place. I cannot say enough good about the amazing team of Korn/Ferry International . . .They really made the experience superb for me,” said Loeprick. “Certainly everyone needs academic basics, but the on-the-job training is a much more intense learning experience.”

— Michele Reed