Last week, I had the honor of receiving Carnegie Mellon University’s Alumni Achievement Award at a special ceremony in the beautiful College of Fine Arts building, where I spent many days and nights practicing piano as an undergraduate.
I also had the opportunity to tour campus with my family and reflect on my time there, the things I learned, and the people who supported me and helped me get to where I am today.
Photo gallery in the Cohon University Center on campus
Looking back, I never could have predicted that my studies in piano and environmental science would eventually lead to a career working with the Safe Drinking Water Act and helping make sure communities have access to safe drinking water.
I’m especially grateful to my parents, who made Carnegie Mellon an option for me, and to my children and husband, who have supported me all the way. Special faculty members at Carnegie Mellon inspired me, encouraged me, and opened so many doors for me. I am grateful to so many, but especially Eric Grotzinger, Terry Collins, Ralph Zitterbart, Jared Cohon, Barbara Lazarus, and Indira Nair.
As Uncle Ben and Spider-Man remind us, with great power comes great responsibility.
I had an amazing opportunity to study at Carnegie Mellon, and with that opportunity came a responsibility to put what I learned to good use. I’ve dedicated my career to fighting for safe drinking water and protecting public health.
My hope is that all of us can find ways to use the skills, opportunities, and voices we have to make the world a little better and improve people’s lives.
