Descending into the summit crater of Ecuador's Cotopaxi volcano was not exactly in his post-Colgate plans when Branden Christensen '06 came upon his final semester.

Christensen had just finished applying to volcanology graduate programs across North America when he and his geology professor, Karen Harpp, flew to Quito, Ecuador, for an academic conference. The trip became not only an opportunity to share their findings on the geochemical evolution of the volcano on Floreana Island in Galapagos, but also an eye-opener toward an internship possibility.

"I was so blown away by the frequency of eruptions occurring in Ecuador, as well as the local culture, that I withdrew my applications to graduate school when I got back to the States," Christensen said.

While finishing his last semester, Christensen worked with Ecuador's geophysical institute to create a position tailored to his interests.

He embarked on a nine-month internship with the Instituto Geofisico in mid-August 2006. Just three days later, a major eruption of the Tungurahua volcano added thrill and adrenaline into Christensen's already profound excitement.

Training began at the Tungurahua Volcano observatory, where he was introduced to the equipment used to monitor continued volcanic activity. Daily, he worked with volcanologists to assess the threat to the surrounding populations.

"I observed the natural, social, economic, and political effects of volcanism," he explained.

Working side by side with institute employees, Christensen helped maintain the extensive network of equipment used to monitor volcanic unrest. The work brought him to the flanks of Tungurahua, Cotopaxi, Cayambe, and Reventador volcanoes.

Christensen braved the conditions of Tungurahua as it sent columns of rock and ash up to 7 kilometers high above the crater rim, to install seismic and Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment.

"I carried car batteries and equipment to the summit of Cotopaxi volcano — a glacially clad 19,500-foot peak — and then descended with a team of volcanologists into the summit crater to install thermal camera equipment," said Christensen.

Covering more than volcanic and glacial terrain, Christensen also trekked through the jungle and camped at the base of a remote volcano, Reventador, where reports of volcanic activity needed to be confirmed or denied.

When not monitoring volcanoes, Christensen could be found in Quito, the capital.

"Ecuador was the closest place to heaven," he said. "I was working on and climbing volcanoes, learning to speak Spanish, and immersing myself in a new culture."

Christensen attributes his preparedness for the internship to his undergraduate experiences working with Harpp for three years, performing research on volcanic rocks from Antarctica, Iceland, and the Galapagos Islands. He was also able to travel with her to Canada, San Francisco, Chile, and Ecuador to present their findings.

Although Christensen has since started a new path in medicine, the unexpected internship intensified his enthusiasm for witnessing eruptions: "[Volcanoes] are a strong passion of mine. I will never abandon studying them." — Rachel Pancoe, editorial intern

When Lauri Curtis Hadobas '77 isn't leading American Airlines' 17,000 flight attendants, she's keeping the peace among her three teenaged children. When she isn't working with a group of Indian employees to devise vegetarian meals for the Delhi service, she's planning family dinners. Many people would find juggling a full-time career as American's vice president for onboard service with a bustling family life overwhelming, but Hadobas is flying high.

Determination has fueled Hadobas throughout her life, even in times of uncertainty. Having majored in social psychology and Spanish, she intended to pursue a social work career, but a senior-year internship at a child abuse agency in New York City left Hadobas disheartened with the field, feeling like she couldn't begin to make a dent in the world's problems. Some serious soul searching and a desire to use her Spanish-speaking skills inspired her to explore the transportation industry. With the help of the alumni office, she wrote to six alumni involved in travel and transportation. One of them was Otto Becker '38, then senior vice president of sales and services for American Airlines.

Hadobas's gumption became readily apparent to Becker as soon as they sat down in his office and she told him, "I want to be a vice president of American Airlines." In retrospect, Hadobas appreciates how kind it was that he did not laugh her out of his office. Instead, Becker hired her as a flight attendant, and went on to serve as her mentor until his death just a few years ago.

Although it may have been a lofty ambition for a college senior, over the next 14 years, Hadobas proved she had what it took to achieve her goal. Now responsible for "everything in the cabin except for the cockpit," Hadobas oversees the "in-flight product," from the snacks and meals to the interior design to the service, and is a frequent spokesperson for American in the national media.

Life balance was another important goal, she said; she made sure when she began having children that they would be her number one priority. This mind-set has helped the mom of a 16-year-old daughter and 14-year-old boy-girl twins stay grounded. "When they call and they need me, I leave. When I come back, the work is still here; it doesn't go away and the planes keep flying," she stated matter-of-factly.

Hadobas navigated through the turbulence caused by September 11 and, with the slow and steady return of the company's health, is just now able to shift her focus back to developing innovative services, such as testing two forthcoming onboard services, Internet access and a new business class seat that is fully flat at an angle.

Hadobas credits Colgate with providing her the necessary tools for changing courses and being successful.

"Colgate gave me a sense of community and the life experiences to get along with different people," she said. And her social psychology courses have served her well. "I `get' people, which is sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse," she joked. "But it's a good match for this job." — Aleta Mayne