From a semester abroad to a full-time local

Meet proud Delta Gamma and author Jerramy Fine ’99

Share a bit about yourself! What are you up to now?

I was born in Colorado. After graduating from the University, I moved to London and have been here ever since.  Currently, I’m finishing up my fifth book and first novel, Royal Resistance, and working part-time for Democrats Abroad.

What are your most cherished memories from your time at the University of Rochester?

Honestly, I loved every minute. There is something magical about that stage of life when your only obligation is to study something you love, surrounded by people that you cherish. I will always treasure the instant camaraderie of my freshman year hall, the excitement of joining a sorority my sophomore year, my London internship in Parliament the following year, and the intense bittersweetness of senior year – knowing the magic would soon come to an end.

How did campus life and any co-curricular involvement (clubs, organizations, teams, etc.) impact your personal and professional growth?

Delta Gamma was an incredible crash course in leadership and the strength of women in numbers, but my UK semester abroad changed my life irrevocably as it triggered a desire to return to London after graduation, reshaping my entire trajectory.

What University resources or initiatives were most impactful to your next steps after graduating?

I remember walking through the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C. with my resume, knocking on every University of Rochester alumni door (including the door of Josh Shapiro ’95, current Governor of Pennsylvania, who was only a staffer at the time) – all greeted me warmly, with tips for people on the Hill who were hiring. I went to The London School of Economics and Political Science for my masters in the end, but I’ll never forget the job prospects that opened up for me that day in D.C.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life?

The University of Rochester gave me my best friends, a springboard to the life abroad I’d always dreamed of, and even, as of a few years ago, a new literary agent (Jason Bartholomew, ’96.)

What sparked your initial interest in volunteering with the University? What role(s) have you held?

I’ve always been keen to show my devotion to the University and how it changed the life of a Colorado farm girl like me. I love volunteering at the University of Rochester booth at the US university fair in London and explaining to prospective UK students why the University is such a great place to study. I also love contacting students from my home state and being the first to tell them the exciting news that they’ve been accepted to the University of Rochester.

What advice do you have for fellow alumni and friends who may be interested in taking a more active role in our alumni and friends’ community?

I truly believe that the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young. Reconnecting with the college phase of life, when the world was our oyster, is good for the soul. Even if you meet University alumni who are older or younger than you, we all have a shared experience that has made us who we are today – and you can’t help leaving an alumni event with a smile on your face, feeling like you’re 21 again.