Return to the stories you loved in 2025
A globe-trotting couple whose romance began in a Carnegie Mellon cafeteria. A digital security expert who loves building in-real-life networks. A Tartan engineer at the top of her game who hopes to help others reach the same heights.
There is no shortage of success stories among Âé¶¹¹Ù꿉۪s alumni. But these Tartans are the people who grabbed our attention — and yours — over the past year. Read on for our most-read stories of 2025.
Looking ahead
“I've always had a great affinity for Carnegie Mellon. It gave me a lot of opportunities in life and it can give other people a lot of opportunities in life.â€Â
— Cameron Brown, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Class of 1995
Cameron came to Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø to pursue a drama career and switched later to economics. But his overall experience at Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø has led him to a career as a software engineer — and a lifetime commitment to his alma mater.
Around the world in 40 years
“Every full-time job I've had, either directly or indirectly, has a thread back to relationships and contacts from Carnegie Mellon. All the way through, I still retain strong friendships, colleagues and professional relationships with Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø people.â€
— Steve Miller, College of Engineering, Classes of 1980 and 1983
Steve Miller and Pat Meyer met at Carnegie Mellon and began a decades long relationship that’s taken them from Pittsburgh to Japan, from Singapore to Connecticut.Â
10 Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø alumni honored for impact and achievement
“This year is a double celebration — 125 years since Âé¶¹¹Ù꿉۪s founding and 75 years of the Alumni Awards — so it’s the perfect time to honor where we’ve been and where we’re headed. What a milestone year to cheer on this incredible group of Alumni Award honorees! Their drive, creativity and generosity light the way for every Tartan.â€Â
— Joanna D. Lovering, president of the Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Alumni Association Board
For 75 years, the Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Alumni Association has taken time each fall to recognize a group of outstanding Tartans, and this year’s class of Alumni Award recipients had the special honor of receiving their award in a double-anniversary year.
Engineering the next success story
“I work in the metals industry, which is still male-dominated throughout much of the world. Early in my career, I regularly met with senior industry professionals in parts of the world where female engineers could not get jobs working in their field. I was introduced based on my Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø degree and experience. It made them decide to listen as I might have something important to say.â€
— Catherine Houska, College of Engineering, Class of 1982
Catherine is an internationally recognized expert in architectural and structural metallurgy, a career path she began once she had her Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø degree. She knows the value of a Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø education, and she hopes to help upcoming engineering students find the same success she’s had over the years.
Network connections
“I think the biggest thing that Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø teaches you is the ability to learn as you need to, because a lot of the courses that I did, even machine learning and stuff like that, I had no prior background in. A lot of those courses have added value by showing me how I can learn on the job, and that's what I've been doing on this AI stuff as well, because I don't have a background for it necessarily.â€
— Anish Menon, College of Engineering, Class of 2011
Anish is a security software engineer at Netflix, which dovetails nicely with his Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. But while at Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø, he learned two other skills he says have been just as helpful: being adaptable and being adept at building a professional network.