After another spring semester of typically harsh winter weather in Western New York, it seems Timothy Tobin, class of 1989, has the right idea.
He is currently located in Tempe, Ariz. as president and CEO of Enterprix, a company that develops technology to make sensors and chips that are used in consumer electronics.
Because of his good marks as a physics major at Geneseo, Tobin received a full scholarship to study Microelectronic Manufacturing and Engineering at R.I.T. After graduate school, Tobin was hired by the Motorola Corporation and moved to Arizona.
"They're smart about bringing you out there during March and April when it's cold in New York," he said with a laugh.
Despite his current physical distance from his alma mater, Tobin said he remains close with the people and places associated with his college experience.
With family still living in the Rochester area, Tobin said that he typically makes it back to Geneseo once every three years, if not more frequently. "When you start driving into town, you have this experience of the same feelings that you had in college," he said. "It's really cool."
Tobin said he remembered a visit to campus in which he saw his former physics professor Stephen Padalino give a presentation. "It was interesting to come back and see your professors, you learn things about them that you didn't know before," Tobin said. Tobin also named math professor Gary Towsley as a memorable teacher.
"Geneseo's phenomenal in that you make so many great friendships that span the test of time and many miles," Tobin said. He explained how his involvement with the fraternity Sigma Nu Chi defined his Geneseo experience. "It was a learning experience in many ways," he said. "We had a pretty good diversity in our organization, dealing with all different opinions. It opened my eyes as to what it is to be a leader."
Tobin said he believes his experience in a fraternity has helped him in business today. "Fraternities and sororities get a bad rap for being social organizations," he said. "But the social aspect prepares you to go out in the working world. There's always a networking aspect to business."
Thinking of his experiences traveling to countries such as China and Singapore with his current company, Tobin said he encourages current students to keep an open mind. "The world economy is getting smaller," he said. "I suggest going through life seeing all different cultures, and learning as much as you can."