A JCU Education: One of the Best Investments
Linda Meglin | Class of 1974 | B.A., Communications
Linda Meglin '74 considers John Carroll not only the thread that runs through her life, but also one of the best investments she's made.
"Some of my best friends are the folks I met at John Carroll. I've known them for 50 years," Linda says. "And I see John Carroll as an investment; financial advisors tell you to buy stocks of the things you like. By investing in Carroll, the dividend you receive is that someone else will find the same community, amazing network, and friends for life that you did."
A Trailblazer
Linda entered John Carroll just as the University opened its doors to women students. With the encouragement of her Chester, Connecticut high school chemistry teacher-a John Carroll alum-she applied as an early decision applicant, eager to attend a Jesuit school and get another perspective in a different part of the country.
During her first year at John Carroll, there were only 150 women living on campus; two classes of 75 each. "We were warriors," says Linda. "We represented tremendous change on JCU's campus and not everyone was ready for it, but we were ready for it. It was fun to be a pioneer!"
Success After Graduation
That pioneering, adventurous spirit gave Linda an advantage after graduating with a degree in Communications. She worked for Teledyne Corporation, an industrial conglomerate serving the aerospace industry and the military, and succeeded-first as an advertising manager, then as director of communications, and finally as the first female president of a Teledyne Company, TRL Productions, the in-house advertising agency. After leaving Teledyne in 1995, Linda started her own marketing firm, Meglin Marketing Communications.
"I learned how to deal with the male-dominated environment from Carroll, and I was used to it. I became braver-I didn't just sit in the corner and not say anything," Linda notes. "But I also learned how to be tactful at Carroll, and that presentation and attitude were a large part of being successful."
A Lifetime of Giving Back
As Linda succeeded in her professional life, she remained deeply involved in John Carroll as an active alumna. She was a member and officer of the Alumni Board, volunteer and chair of various reunions, first woman president of the Alumni Association (1985-1986), Silver Quill recipient, admissions volunteer, and Media Chair of the Russert Communications Department. Linda currently serves on the Board of Directors.
"Linda is a perfect example of the John Carroll Experience," says classmate Dave Robinson '74. "There is something a student encounters during their days at JCU that leads to a lifetime commitment to the University and classmates. Linda has nurtured her JCU experience as a class agent, reunion committee chair, alumni association president, and member of the Board."
Dave also points to Linda's dedication to the impact of John Carroll in her work as the writer, director, and producer of "Tim Russert: The JCU Years," a full-length documentary about journalist Tim Russert '72, the longest-serving moderator of NBC's weekly political show, "Meet the Press." Linda worked for three years on the documentary, interviewing Tim's friends and faculty from John Carroll and his coworkers at NBC. The Russert documentary had its screening at the 2022 Reunion, with Russert's son, Luke, in attendance.
Linda's investment in John Carroll doesn't ever lose its momentum. She currently serves on the Advancement Committee and Marketing and Enrollment Committee of the Board of Directors, and is working with Luke Russert and the University planning The Russert Speaker Series.
And while Linda has been a generous annual supporter to JCU over the years, she elevated her support by making a six-figure planned gift commitment to the University through her estate plan. Linda engaged JCU's University Advancement office in this conversation and documented her generous commitment, which will support the University's future.
"The inspiration for my legacy commitment to JCU originated from my mother, who was a champion of education and kindness. Investing in JCU, now and in the future, honors her perpetual encouragement and provides funding to continue the Jesuit tradition."