Vreeland bucks media trends by making Atlanta magazine a success

Despite many news outlets claiming that print media and magazines are dying, there are certainly success stories. Talk to industry insiders and they’ll tell you the magazines that will succeed are ones that are smart, creative, niche-based and personal to their readers. One of them is the Atlanta-based Occasions Magazine, founded by 2002 Flagler graduate Heather Vreeland in early 2009.

Occasions was originally a web-only idea by the communication major, who previously served as a director of marketing for a spa company and a bridal consultant for David’s Bridal. Vreeland wanted to focus solely on weddings before she discovered that there was a craving for events of all kinds by local residents. She also noticed a hole in resources for the Atlanta area.

Williams’ ocean-themed creations showing up in New York, Japan and even Urban Outfitters

It’s easy to spot the inspiration for Ty Williams’ art: bearded sea captains, smiling fish, flotillas of brightly colored boats, surfboards of all shapes and sizes.

Of course, when you split your childhood between the U.S. Virgin Islands and Maine, an unshakeable fascination with the ocean comes naturally. That fascination, combined with his unique artistic style, has helped land the 2007 Flagler grad several high-profile exhibits, installations and even work for well-known surf companies and retailers.

Alumna tackles environmental issues in her adopted language and country with new book

Alumna Margaret Fenwick’s love of learning has taken her places: not only from St. Augustine to Spain, but also toward an impressive career writing, blogging and speaking about environmental issues.

For sports performance coach and alumnus Bryan Meyer, ‘00, training Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard during the off-season is just another day in the office, or rather, another day in the gym.

Meyer graduated from Flagler with a degree in sport management. He now works as a performance coach and will be opening The B Meyer Training Systems, an education-based performance gym in Altamonte Springs, Fla., this summer.

On top of that, Meyer has been Howard’s performance coach for the past four years; he’s also trained Olympic figure skater Patrick Chan, elite BMX racer Randall Neave and Los Angeles Angels minor league baseball player Tyson Auer.

“Training high-level athletes is what most people consider or want to talk about, but making a difference and creating relationships is the best part of my job,” he said. “Making a difference to the youth and helping them reach their potential is what I enjoy most about my career.”

Alum’s latest project examines sustainability in the wake of the Great Recession

As General Motors announced its decision to end production of the Hummer, Flagler alumnus Jeremy Dean released a very different version of the notoriously gas-guzzling vehicle: one that quite literally runs on horsepower.

Documentary filmmaker travels to Haiti to chronicle earthquake’s aftermath

It opens with the sound of lapping waves and shots of a serene, glassy bay. Colorful sheets are laid out on the beach. People walk beneath swaying palms. A child strolls along the sand. A man works on a fishing net by the shore. A boy in a striped shirt stands with arms crossed, staring into the camera.

And you have to wait for it — half an agonizing minute — before you finally get what you know is coming: scenes of destruction from the magnitude 7 earthquake that tore apart Haiti in January.

Knotts, ‘04, photographs Super Bowl for NFL.com

Without a football program, the likelihood of a Flagler alum standing on the field at a Super Bowl is always going to be pretty low — unless, of course, you’re Perry Knotts, ‘04. As a photographer, he’s already been there twice.

Freelancing for NFL.com, the St. Augustine photographer was on-hand when the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts in South Florida this past February. He also worked at the 2009 Super Bowl in Tampa. Flagler College Magazine talked to Knotts about his experience at football’s biggest game:

Alumnus attempts to make sense of college debt

After hitting the hard reality of post-graduation debt, alumnus Logan Abrams, ‘03, decided he would not only figure out how to manage the financial burden, but also write about its impact.

“Debt-U: How Higher Education Breeds a Lifestyle of Debt” is Abrams’ attempt to make sense of how college students are racking up debt without even realizing it.

Abrams’ interest in the subject of debt and finance started in college when he realized he and his classmates had no personal finance education throughout high school. Abrams, like most college students, was making financial decisions without understanding the consequences of his actions.

Alum lands job on hit show ‘Glee’

For St. Augustine native Mark Bailey Jr., ‘08, it was a huge jump from his small hometown to Hollywood.

But that leap of faith has paid off for the alumnus, who is now a production assistant on Fox’s hit show “Glee” and working at Paramount Pictures.

From awards and cocktails to surfing and athletics, alumni weekend had something for everybody.

Photo Galleries

• Markland Reception
• Hugh Shaw Memorial Longboard Classic
• Alumni Awards Luncheon
• Athletics Hall of Fame Induction