Spring 2016

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Ever wonder about those strange designations we use throughout Northwestern to identify alumni of the various schools of the University? See the complete list.

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Guy benson

Guy Benson

Photo by Bill Arsenault

Guy Benson had to make a tough decision while studying journalism at Northwestern: politics or sports. Politics turned out to be the right choice, as he is now the political editor of the conservative website Townhall.com, a Fox News contributor and co-author of a book about today’s political climate. End of Discussion primarily critiques the left—primarily but not exclusively, he notes—for exploiting weaponized outrage and hypersensitivity to “win” arguments by preventing them from happening. The book is also where Benson came out as a gay conservative, which quickly garnered media attention. He doesn’t view the two characteristics as opposites, saying his worldview is shaped by a variety of priorities. Benson lives in Arlington, Va. (See “Senior Watch: Right for Radio,” summer 2007.)

 
 

Eddie George ’09 MBA

Eddie George

Photo by Erick Anderson, EAFOTO

Eddie George, who amassed more than 10,000 yards during his nine-year career as an NFL running back, made his Broadway debut as Billy Flynn in the hit musical Chicago during a seven-week run at the Ambassador Theatre in January. George, who lives in Nashville, recently played the lead in a Nashville Repertory Theatre production of The Whipping Man. He has also played the title roles in Nashville Shakespeare Festival productions of Othello and Julius Caesar. (See “NFL Pros Come to Kellogg,” winter 2009.)

 
 

 
 

Peter Shapiro ’95

A successful producer and club owner, Peter Shapiro recently promoted the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary tour. Shapiro’s gig with the band’s “Fare Thee Well” shows held special significance for the longtime Deadhead — he followed the band and made the documentary And Miles to Go: On Tour with the Grateful Dead while studying film at Northwestern. The anniversary shows were attended by more than 360,000 fans. Shapiro, who lives in New York City, produces concerts for many bands, in addition to owning popular music venues in New York, such as the Brooklyn Bowl and the Capitol Theatre. He is also publisher of the music magazine Relix. (See “Lights, Camera: Access!” fall 2001.)

 
 

Mike Greenberg ’89

Mike Greenberg

Photo courtesy of ESPN

ESPN broadcaster Mike Greenberg and his Mike & Mike co-host Mike Golic will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcasting Hall of Fame in April. Greenberg and Golic have co-hosted the weekday morning show on ESPN Radio for more than 15 years. Greenberg, a 20-year ESPN veteran who lives in Westport, Conn., has written three books, including his second novel, My Father’s Wives (William Morrow, 2015). (See “At the Top of Their Game,” spring 2008.)

 
 

 
 

Arlynn leiber presser ’85 jd

After experiencing a year of losses, ArLynn Leiber Presser wrote Remembrance, which was performed to sell-out crowds last April at the Community House in Winnetka, Ill. The play explores concepts of love, sacrifice and the fear of being forgotten after death. Since its debut, the interactive play has been purchased by four other venues in Chicago. This is Presser’s seventh play. (See “Face to Facebook,” fall 2012)

 
 

Leslie pietrzyk

Leslie PietryzykAward-winning author Leslie Pietrzyk (see “The Write Way,” spring 2014) has told personal stories of loss and grieving through her work. Inspired by the death of her first husband, Robert Rauth Jr. ’82, her latest book is This Angel on my Chest (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2015), a collection of short essays about moving on after an intense loss. It won the 2015 Drue Heinz Literature Prize. Pietrzyk returned to Northwestern in November as part of the English department’s “Return Engagement” series. Her next novel is set at the University.