1991 — Full-Time

Sonya Grier has been named tenured associate professor of marketing at the Kogod School of Business at American University. In addition to teaching courses in integrated marketing communications and social marketing, she will continue her research on the social effects of marketing and the relationship between marketing and health.

Susan Murtagh writes: "It's been a while since I checked in, so here we go with about six years of updates:

"In 2001, I met my husband, Rory, on a cycling trip in Tuscany. We got engaged in Paris in 2002 and married in Chapel Hill, N.C. in September 2003. Rory hails from Dublin, Ireland, so our relationship definitely has an international flavor!

"In April 2006, we traveled to the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan on a cycling and hiking trip. We visited the Tiger's Nest, saw some unbelievable scenery, made an epic 6,000-plus-foot climb on our bikes, and were treated to a remarkably simple, peaceful and happy culture (electricity and the Internet were introduced in 2001). This was in stark contrast to our few days in Bangkok!

"In May, I was admitted to the doctoral program in leadership at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Public Health in the department of health policy and administration. This is a newly formulated 'distance education' program aimed at preparing healthcare industry leaders for senior roles. My cohort colleagues hail from such diverse backgrounds as the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and organizations working with AIDS in Africa and gender issues in Latin America. If all goes according to schedule, I will have successfully written and defended my dissertation by May 2009.

"I am still working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, currently as director of operations and strategic planning. Last year, I was responsible for negotiating and executing an $800 million contract with the State of North Carolina. It was a challenging and rewarding experience; I learned a tremendous amount about state politics and contract law — talk about on-the-job training!

"In our spare time, Rory and I travel to our second home in the mountains of Asheville, N.C. (home of the Biltmore House and Chimney Rock). I am also president of a local bicycle-racing club, serve on several boards and keep busy in general!"