James Wolynetz Jr (BA Russian and International Relations 1984) writes “As a graduate of the Class of 1984, I‘ve begun to reflect on my great career as a U of D alumnus. After the guidance and instruction of the late Dr. Eugenia Slavov, I was well prepared for a career in foreign relations. Though it took me a few years after graduation to begin utilizing my degree, the wait and perseverance was well worth it. Over the past 35 years, I traveled to what was then Czechoslovakia to teach English and study Czech, resided in the Soviet Union again to improve my Russian, lived in my dream city of Washington, DC utilizing my Russian skills for the first time, returned to Russia yet again as a language specialist for the INS at the US Embassy in Moscow and finally obtained a career position as a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security in Miami, FL which afforded me yet another opportunity to serve my country at the American Embassy in Moscow where I was informally voted “Best Russian-speaking American in the Embassy”! Dr. Slavov would be very proud. Currently, I am winding down my law enforcement career after 20 years and eyeing retirement in beautiful Vermont. If there is one thing I want to say to my fellow Blue Hens, no matter how arduous the path, dream careers do come true! Thank you, UD, for starting me on a great ride!”

James Wolynetz Jr.

AS84