Hillsdale Alumni Newsletter Archives

Political Junkie: Tyler O’Neil Authors New “Woketopus” Book

When Tyler O’Neil, ’12, started working on a book in February 2024 that detailed the “dark money” manipulating the federal government, he hoped it would be a relevant topic. Woketopus is performing well, and as a senior editor at The Daily Signal, O’Neil can focus on his writing and future projects.

Monumental Storyteller: Sculptor Sarah Hempel Irani Hopes to be a Mentor to Others

Sarah Hempel Irani, ’00, considers herself a monumental storyteller. But she doesn’t use words to tell her stories. The figurative sculptor uses clay, bronze, and stone to fashion her complex three-dimensional narratives out of her studio in the artsy community of Frederick, Maryland.

Hometown Hillsdale: Shane Spahr, ’92

Shane Spahr, ’92, epitomizes a Hillsdalian. Born and raised in Hillsdale, Shane appreciates the tight-knit community and his Hillsdale College education that helped shape him into the person he is today.

A Life in Baseball: Miller’s 40-Year Career as a Sportswriter, Author

He’s covered 29 out of the last 30 World Series, interviewing some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball along the way. Scott Miller, ’85, has made his passion for baseball into a career covering the national pastime. The award-winning journalist and author of two baseball books said he can’t imagine doing anything else.

New Assignment: Stanton Joins Alumni Relations Team

For David Stanton, ’98, it all comes back to Hillsdale College. In January of 2025, Stanton literally came back to Hillsdale College, this time as the senior director of Alumni Relations and is ready to serve the College in his new capacity.

Survey Says…

The Alumni Office is happy to report that alumni are pleased with the College and its efforts. Our survey partner said Hillsdale alumni had higher scores than the national average in many areas, including value, campus atmosphere, campus opportunities, institutional outreach, religious values, financial aid packages, and student services.

Charger Blue to Maize and Blue: Barnett Begins 30th Year at University of Michigan

Jennifer Wallman Barnett, ’93, uses the skills she honed at Hillsdale College, both in the classroom and on the court. The senior class salutatorian who majored in accounting used her expertise in finance to rise to the chief administrator of the Psychology Department at the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.

The Hillsdale College Alumni Dozen

With the start of the new year, senior director of Alumni Marketing Doug Goodnough, ’90, likes to reflect back on the year that has been. Here are the 12 interesting alumni he met for the first time over the course of 2024 (in no particular order or ranking).

May by the Bay: Becoming a Physician

Veteran David May graduated from Hillsdale College in 1988 with his degree in political economy, but went on to become a physician. Despite not taking a political economics career path, May still values his Hillsdale education.

Hometown Hillsdale: Greg Bailey, ’89

He has spent his life devoted to many things: his family, the family accounting business, the local hospital, the City of Hillsdale, and several non-profit organizations in the Hillsdale community. He’s Greg Bailey, ’89.

What Does It Mean to Be an Alumnus/Alumna of Hillsdale College?

The 1844 Society aims to connect and engage both students and alumni. Thanks to some local alumni participation, the 1844 Society provides unique experiences for its student members. A recent Continued Conversations event was hosted by Nate Stewart, ’95.

Back in Iraq: Anna Cannon in Her Second Year Teaching in the Middle East

Anna Cannon, ’22, considers teaching her mission. After graduating from Hillsdale College, she taught at a public charter school in the Bronx, New York, but she was hungry for more. Now in her second year with Mar Qardakh, Cannon said she is enjoying the experience immensely.