2019 LYCOMING COLLEGE LC MAGAZINE SPRING

“I supervise the business department in the Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) at the Free Library of Philadelphia. As a business librarian, I specialize in curating information, providing research services, and coordinating programming and special events for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Philadelphia. I love working one-on-one with entrepreneurs. In the BRIC, we offer research appointments in the use of business databases and other resources such as Census and open data tools. It is very rewarding to work through a problem with an entrepreneur because they know their industries so well and work so hard to create a thriving business, and they really appreciate the resources. I get to dig deep with them to find competitors, their target audience, and market research, as well as research demographics. I came to be a business librarian by chance, but my education at Lycoming prepared me to be a well- rounded and thorough researcher. My background in art history and history helped me realize that I like to research and led me to librarianship. I also enjoyed Snowden ’til 2 way too much. It should have been a sign!” “I specialize in website design and development using WordPress CMS. In 2015, after graduating from Lycoming with my Bachelor of Arts in corporate communication, I founded RUBI Digital, the Digital Reinvention of Universal Business Initiatives. Starting out, I began building websites free of charge for businesses in the Coatesville and Philadelphia area. I saved money to fund and build my clients’ websites by creating my own podcast and commercials and even becoming my own barber and photographer. On March 6, 2018, I became a full-time entrepreneur. Since then, I have shaped RUBI Digital into a full-service web design company with resources to provide websites with amenity services such as copywriting, SEO marketing, and brand development. Today, RUBI Digital creates websites for local businesses and clients in Philadelphia and throughout the country with a mission to build websites that ‘improve lives and help small businesses grow.’ I’m passionate about inspiring millennials and empowering individuals who struggle to find the balance between their career and creativity. My goal is to one day speak, travel, and teach web design in as many states and schools as possible so that our students can learn how to manage their own brands or find their niche in their dream career.” “In March 2010, I was asked to coach an eight week Running 101 course by my triathlon coach. I had four women in that class. I admitted that this was my first time leading the class and that we were in it together. That approach worked because my athletes continued to show up and bring their friends. Loyal to my honest and no-holds- barred approach, and to the friendships they were forming with each mile they conquered, they showed me that this was my calling. Because they all knew I was an Ironman, many who sought to venture into triathlon asked me to help them. In response, I developed my triathlon coaching program separately over the next two years. As I honed my specialty as an endurance coach, my identity as ‘Coach T’ developed into my own company in 2014. CT3 Racing is an individual coaching program that has a team support structure for endurance runners and triathletes. Athletes work with me to establish goals, test limits, and dream big. I have coached over 400 people through the marathon distance and over 150 triathletes. I’ve had 40 Boston Marathon finishers and 69 athletes start and finish an Ironman with 100 percent success! It was without a doubt the wonderful opportunity Lycoming offers its students by virtue of its size and need for all to take part to make things happen. Being a resident advisor and learning so much about how to help those with issues beyond myself. Pledging and serving as a leader in my sorority. Getting to be a part of the swim team despite not being recruited. Wine Dine & Act Fine being the signature experience that truly helped prepare me to hold the confidence and grace for whatever the business world offered. Engage. Disagree. Support. Celebrate. All this is what carries through and what makes me the coach I am today.” S Business Librarian, Free Library of Philadelphia Dwayne Hallager ’14 Major: corporate communication Minors: business administration, media writing www.digitalrubi.com Founder & Owner, RUBI Digital President & Owner, CT3 Racing Gillian Robbins ’09 Majors: art history, archaeology/ culture of the ancient Near East Minor: European history www.freelibrary.org/bric Taneen Carvell ’88 Major: art www.ct3racing.com 23 www.lycoming.edu