Alumni
Alumni News
List of 20 news stories.
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Ari Goldman '16 Works to Improve Wave Dynamics in Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines
A huge shoutout to Ari Goldman '16, photographed on the left! The aerospace engineering Ph.D. student at Auburn University is making waves—literally—in the world of rocket science! He's working in the Combustion Physics Lab under Dr. David Scarbrough, photographed on the right, researching wave dynamics in Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines (RDREs)—a next-gen propulsion system that could slash the size, weight and cost of future space launch vehicles.Why RDREs?- Uses detonation instead of constant-pressure combustion for better efficiency.
- 50%-70% smaller than traditional rocket engines while delivering similar thrust.
- Detonation waves race through the engine at 4,000-6,000 ft/sec, boosting power.
- NASA is exploring its potential for higher specific impulse—a game-changer for spaceflight!
Goldman’s focus?He's studying how fast these detonation waves move, how many can exist at once, and how to control them for maximum efficiency. His work with the MARLEN engine—a record-setting RDRE—has helped double the highest chamber pressure ever achieved in an RDRE!With over 100 successful test fires, Goldman and his team are shaping the future of compact, high-powered rocket engines. The sky isn't the limit—it’s just the beginning!"This has been an incredible program to be a part of," Goldman said in an article for Auburn University. "It’s been amazing to contribute to the design, study the problem, collaborate with experts at Marshall, and bring that knowledge back to Auburn."Way to go, Ari! We're so excited to see what happens next! Click here to read more about Ari's work. -
Caroline Creekmore '22 Recipient of the Braun Jones MVP Award
Big congratulations to Caroline Creekmore ’22!Caroline and her team were among just five finalists in the Rainey-Shepard-Kushel College of Business Plan Competition at James Madison University—out of over 100 teams that entered!Their hard work paid off as they took home second place and earned the Joyce Guthrie Team Award for outstanding collaboration! But that’s not all—Caroline was also named one of just five recipients of the Braun Jones MVP Award!Want to learn more about their innovative business plan? Learn more here. -
Andrew Hair '20 Graduates From American University
Congratulations, Andrew Hair ‘20! He recently graduated from American University with a degree in Political Science and Data Science!
Way to go, Andrew! We're excited to see what your next chapter holds. -
Sammi Rappaport Named Features Reporter at CBS Mornings
Big shoutout to Emmy Award-winning producer and Norfolk Collegiate alumna Sammi Rappaport '14! ✨ After six years of dedication behind the scenes at CBS Mornings, Sammi is stepping in front of the camera as one of their newest features reporters! 🎥🎤We can’t wait to see her shine on air—bringing us the stories that matter with the same passion and excellence she’s always had.Congratulations, Sammi! We’ll be cheering you on! 👏🎬Collegiate alumni...we want to hear from you! Let us know what you're up to by contacting Cayte Brown '08, associate director of alumni, family & community relations, at cbrown@norfolkcollegiate.org. Tell her what you have been up to since you graduated from Collegiate. -
Donate Items to ForKids Toy Drive through Dec. 12, 2024
One way our students serve society is by serving their community, and this holiday season our Student Council Association and Student Government Associations are hosting a ForKids toy drive to benefit local homeless families in need.Last year, thousands of children enjoyed a brighter holiday through this organization, and this year, our students hope to do the same by stuffing the Oak Mobile with donations from Norfolk Collegiate!ForKids Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer DesRoches recently spoke to middle school students about the organization's mission and how students can help other students and families in the 757.ForKids' mission is to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for families and children in Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore.
"What could you do and how could you be a part of our mission, even if you don’t have a driver's license," DesRoches asked students. You can volunteer. Host a toy drive. Help clean our rooms between guests. Talk about ForKids with other people and help educate them, for example.If you would like to help by donating to their efforts, please send new, unwrapped toys in with your student or drop them off at our upper school or lower school entrances now through Thursday, Dec. 12. Click here for a list of requested items. -
Order Your Winter Team Fan Gear, Lululemon Gear Now Through Nov. 14
We are opening our winter sports team stores today through Nov. 13 and it's open to anyone to order not only those with students playing on the teams. These team stores below will be ordered directly through our partner BSN and shipped to the school for pickup.For holiday gifting, we have an exclusive opportunity to order Norfolk Collegiate fan gear through a partnership with Lululemon. These orders will be shipped directly to you in time for the holidays for your favorite Oak fan! Those items can be found here and the shop closes on Nov. 14! Don't wait to order before this specialty item store closes for the year! -
"Pride & Prejudice" Comes to Collegiate Nov. 15-17, 2024
Mark your calendars to join our upper school students as they present their fall play, "Pride & Prejudice" in the Hackey Theater in the Meredith Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.This vibrant production of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," adapted from Andrew Davies' hit 1995 BBC TV series is a delightful comedy of manners that follows the witty and headstrong Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates family, society and her evolving (and often rocky) relationship with the proud yet captivating Mr. Darcy. Filled with humor, heart and fantastic performances, this production brings Austen's beloved characters to life in a way that will leave you smiling and cheering for love and laughter. You won't want to miss this timeless classic on stage!Admission costs $5 for students and $15 general admission (cash and card accepted) and benefits Collegiate's amazing theater department. This is open to the public, so invite everyone!For more information, please contact Brendan Hoyle at bhoyle@norfolkcollegiate.org. -
Bess Renn Participating in Haymakers for Hope Beltway Brawl
Shoutout to Bess Renn '14!
After earning her a degree in Government and Psychology from the University of Virginia, she spent five years in Austin building her career in technology and customer success. Bess now leads the Punchh Senior Customer Success team at PAR Technologies, working closely with brands like Smoothie King, Papa John's, iHOP and Zaxby's to develop custom loyalty programs.Having recently settled in Richmond, Bess has become involved in her community, including participating in the 2024 Haymakers for Hope Beltway Brawl in Washington D.C. on Sept. 19, where she will be stepping into the ring to raise funds for cancer research, care, awareness and survivorship. Visit the Haymakers for Hope website to learn more about Bess' journey.Way to go, Bess! And good luck on Sept. 19!!! -
Reilly Gallagher '20 Gains Invaluable Experience During Kleinfeld Bridal Internship
Shoutout to Reilly Gallagher '22! She's entering her junior year studying Fashion Merchandising at High Point University. This summer she had the opportunity of a lifetime interning at Kleinfeld Bridal, the renowned home of “Say Yes to the Dress” and the world’s largest collection of gowns!"My internship allowed me to shadow various consultants, and learn the art of styling and assisting brides in finding their dream dresses, and model the new arrival of gowns for various designers," said Reilly of the experience. "Additionally, I had the chance to network with top designers such as Pnina Tornai, Netta BenShabu, Lazaro, and Randy Fenoli during Kleinfeld’s weekend trunk shows. This experience has been invaluable in pursuing my aspiration to become a bridal and evening wear designer. Kleinfeld’s has been a significant learning experience and has become a home away from home, thanks to the meaningful connections and friendships I’ve formed with colleagues and brides alike."Reilly is also the vice president of events and programming for Kappa Delta sorority where she oversees and plans their formals, philanthropic events, mixers, tailgates and confidence-building activities. She's also active in several honor societies and the Fashion Forward Club.Way to go, Reilly! -
Braeden Thomson '20 Graduates from Cornell University
Shoutout to Braeden Thomson '20. He recently graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, concentrating in ocean science. He also majored in Environment and Sustainability with a concentration in Environmental Biology and Applied Ecology.As an undergraduate, Braeden engaged in several lines of research with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In Hawaii, he connected sound and spatial ecology in the Palila, helping to shape approaches for conserving this critically-endangered honeycreeper species. He also earned an honors distinction for completing a senior thesis on the oxidative physiology of black-throated blue warblers, a small songbird common to Eastern North America. In addition to research, Braeden was a teaching assistant for field ornithology and oceanography courses.Braeden took a gap semester in spring 2022 to pursue some extra-scholastic endeavors. In March of that year, he traveled through Europe, volunteering at a refugee camp on the Ukrainian border. From April through mid-August he hiked from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail to raise money and awareness for the Ukrainian refugee crisis.This summer, he's spending his time at Shoals Marine Lab in the Gulf of Maine deciding what area of research he wants to pursue in graduate school.Way to go Braeden! -
Bren Coakley Graduates From East Carolina University
Congratulations to Bren Coakley '20. She graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing with a minor in Fashion Merchandising. Bren is currently job searching while enjoying some summer family activities and looking forward to starting her new career.Way to go, Bren! -
Grace Georgo '18 Begins Career with Tennessee Attorney General
Congratulations, Grace Georgo ’18! She’s working as a law clerk at the U.S. Attorney's Office where she’s responsible for working on legal projects with attorneys from both the criminal and civil divisions.This July, she’ll begin working for the Tennessee Attorney General in the law enforcement and special prosecutions division. This division represents the state and various state agencies—including the state’s law enforcement agencies—defending civil rights cases, tort claims, and the constitutionality of state statutes. It also handles a limited number of criminal prosecutions.This fall she’ll also enter her final year at Vanderbilt Law School. Way to go, Grace! -
Kelly Tiblier '04 Graduates from Liberty University
Shoutout to Kelly Tiblier '04! She recently graduated with her doctorate in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University!Way to go, Kelly! -
Ray Tahhan '20 Featured in Old Dominion University Publication
Congratulations, Ray Tahhan '20. Ray recently graduated from Old Dominion University with his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in pre-health.Ray was named a College of Sciences Scholar and he reflects on his time at ODU, his service to the community and the school, his work in the lab on antibodies and vaccines and what his next chapter looks like.
“That was super interesting and super fun, mostly because I got to dive into some of the immunology behind it," he said of his work....I think if students have the opportunity to do research at the undergraduate level in the sciences, they should. It's super beneficial, and it can only help you build practical skills early on, and for me it was a no brainer, and I loved it.”
Ray will be attending Eastern Virginia Medical School's Medical Doctor's Program this fall. Read the article here.Way to go, Ray! -
Seth Smith '20 Spends Summer as Merchandising Intern at Dollar Tree Corporate
Shoutout to Seth Smith '20! He's a senior majoring in Management and Economics at Old Dominion University. He's also spent his summer as a merchandising intern at Dollar Tree Corporate."It has been an eye-opening experience to observe the inner workings of a Fortune 500 company that generates billions of dollars annually," said Smith. "My team is responsible for researching, selecting and managing many of the products customers see in the over 8,000 Dollar Tree stores nationwide, as well as identifying trends and opportunities in the market."The internship will conclude the second week of August and is his fifth internship during his undergraduate career and his second experience with a Fortune 500 company."I've interned with Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP), The Breeden Company/Breeden Construction, and the newly founded ODU Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office," said Smith. "I've gained a plethora of knowledge from every internship I've completed. If there's one piece thing I've learned throughout my undergraduate journey, it's that internships shape the trajectory of where you go in life, especially in business and when you're in college. I've arguably learned more outside of the classroom by engaging in experiential learning opportunities (including internships or LEAP when I was at Collegiate) than I ever have in a lecture hall."Post-graduation from ODU, Seth plans to apply to the University of Virginia for his master's degree. -
Braeden Thomson Graduates From Cornell University
Shoutout to Braeden T. '20. He recently graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, concentrating in ocean science. He also majored in Environment and Sustainability with a concentration in Environmental Biology and Applied Ecology.As an undergraduate, Braeden engaged in several lines of research with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In Hawaii, he connected sound and spatial ecology in the Palila, helping to shape approaches for conserving this critically-endangered honeycreeper species. He also earned an honors distinction for completing a senior thesis on the oxidative physiology of black-throated blue warblers, a small songbird common to Eastern North America. In addition to research, Braeden was a teaching assistant for field ornithology and oceanography courses.Braeden took a gap semester in spring 2022 to pursue some extra-scholastic endeavors. In March of that year, he traveled through Europe, volunteering at a refugee camp on the Ukrainian border. From April through mid-August he hiked from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail to raise money and awareness for the Ukrainian refugee crisis.This summer, he's spending his time at Shoals Marine Lab in the Gulf of Maine deciding what area of research he wants to pursue in graduate school.Way to go Braeden! -
Kelly Tiblier '04 Earns Doctorate in Education
Shoutout to Kelly Tiblier '04! She recently graduated with her doctorate in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University!Way to go, Kelly! -
Forehand '20, Hines '20 and Decker '20 Graduate from Hampden-Sydney College
Over the last few weekends, many of our Collegiate graduates have received their college diplomas and are ready to take the next steps in their adult life. Congratulations to Monroe Forehand '20, Mark Hines '20 and Paul Decker '20 on receiving their degrees from Hampden-Sydney College. -
Ross Bangel '01 Returns to Collegiate to Coach Varsity Golf coach
We love it when alumni come back to the school, especially when they step into the role of coach. This year we welcomed Ross Bangel '01 back as our varsity golf coach. Throughout the season, he helped our golfers learn strategy and the techniques that will help our team continue to grow for the years to come. -
Summer Strength & Conditioning Begins June 10
Summer Strength and Conditioning is back, Oaks! Sessions will begin on June 10, 2024, under the tutelage of Coach Matt Talley, and will continue through Thursday, Aug. 1. Sessions will be held Monday through Thursday daily in the Watt-Baker Gymnasium.- 9-10 a.m. varsity/JV athletes and young alumni
- 10-11 a.m. middle School athletes, families and faculty
- Please note that there will be not be training on June 19 and July 4.
We would love to see you there, Oaks!
Questions? Contact Coach Jon Hall at jhall@norfolkcollegiate.org.
