All about Alumni60 Seconds WithAutumn HaagMilestonesSHE’s a REfERENCE ARCHIVIST from Boston who,as a teenager, was fired from her first summerjob. And in June, Autumn Haagappeared for the first time (and, as it turnsout, the last) on Jeopardy. Lisa Bryn Rundlequizzes Haag, who earned a master <strong>of</strong>information studies in 2007 at U <strong>of</strong> T, onthe experience.When did you first realize you were a trivialover?I grew up watching Jeopardy. And I just liked knowing things that my sister didn’t know.We’d play Trivial Pursuit growing up and it was one game I could beat her at.So how did you do on the show?I lost horribly.How did you feel about that?The guy who won was so dominant it was hard to feel too bad. He was really good.What made you choose Jeopardy? Other shows might have been easier.I don’t have an interest in being on any other game shows. I didn’t want to be on TVper se, but Jeopardy has serious nerd cred.Would you consider appearing on Downfall – the show where the trivia questions aremuch easier, but losers jump <strong>of</strong>f a skyscraper? (You are on a big bungee cord, but still.)Nooo. If it was something wimpier than bungee jumping, maybe – like running a mile.What surprised you the most about being on set?It’s a silly thing, but I was totally blown away by it: Behind the podiums, there’s actuallya hydraulic lift to even out contestants’ heights.I guess they can’t have someone standing on a stack <strong>of</strong> books. So were you able toexploit your Canadian connection at all with famed Canadian host Alex Trebek?I was really hoping I’d be able to. They ask you to come up with five things that are interestingabout you for Alex to ask about, but my Canadian connection didn’t get chosen.What did he go with?Well, I got fired from my first job, when I was 14. I was picking strawberries and I was letgo for eating too many.Is there one particular clue that is now seared in your memory forever?Yes! I got one <strong>of</strong> the Daily Doubles right! The category was 12-letter words and the answerwas “Egyptologist.”Do you have a favourite bit <strong>of</strong> trivia?Hmmmmmmm.Maybe I should have given you a buzzer.Oh, OK. Maybe something like… the Massachusetts state doughnut is the Boston Cream.The weekend before your episode, the New York Times <strong>Magazine</strong> had a story about acomputer that’s going to compete on Jeopardy. Do you have any advice for it?Wear comfortable shoes.Match your trivia knowledge against Autumn Haag’s. Answer selected Jeopardy questionsat www.magazine.utoronto.ca.Two U <strong>of</strong> T alumni and threefaculty members have beennamed to Canada’s Top 40under 40 list, which is run byCaldwell Partners Internationaland honours outstandingyoung people. Dr. Eve Tsai(MD 1995, PhD 2004) is a neurosurgeonand lead researcherinto spinal cord injuries at theOttawa Hospital. Robert Normandeau(<strong>MB</strong>A 1999, LLB1999) is president and COO <strong>of</strong>Clarke, Inc., an investmentcompany. Pr<strong>of</strong>. Ike Ahmed <strong>of</strong>ophthalmology and visionsciences is a world-renownedeye surgeon. Pr<strong>of</strong>. DanielDurocher <strong>of</strong> molecular geneticsis the Canada ResearchChair in Proteomics, Bioinformaticsand FunctionalGenomics. Dr. Subodh Verma<strong>of</strong> surgery and pharmacologyis the Canada Research Chairin Atherosclerosis.Several alumni and facultymembers have been named tothe Order <strong>of</strong> Canada, this country’shighest civilian honour.Michael Wilson (BCom 1959TRIN), former Canadian ambassadorto the U.S., waspromoted to the highest rank <strong>of</strong>companion. Named <strong>of</strong>ficerswere astronaut Julie Payette(MASc 1990), mathematicianand playwright John Mighton(BA 1978 VIC, MSc 1994, PhD2000) and Pr<strong>of</strong>. EmeritusMladen Vranic <strong>of</strong> physiology.Named members wereEdmund Clark (BA 1969 UC),president and CEO <strong>of</strong> TD BankFinancial Group; Pr<strong>of</strong>. EmeritusStephen Clarkson <strong>of</strong>political science; Mary JoHaddad, an adjunct member inhealth policy, management andevaluation; Mary Ellen Jeans(Dip P and OT 1968), presidentand CEO <strong>of</strong> Associated MedicalServices Inc.; composer AnnSoutham (Lic Dip Mus 1963);actor and director R.H. Thomson(BSc 1969 TRIN); and Pr<strong>of</strong>.Kue Young <strong>of</strong> the Dalla LanaSchool <strong>of</strong> Public Health.PHOTO: Courtesy <strong>of</strong> “jeOPArdy!” produCTions, inc.50 WWW.MAGAZINE.UTORONTO.CA
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