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My message to the next generation is : realize the [ JU ] family that came before you and do not be scared to pick up that phone .
Alex Boylan ' 99
President Tim Cost ’ 81 and Boylan ’ 99 during filming of “ The College Tour ." speak in a way that is broadcast sensitive and he did a really good job .”
Boylan exceeded expectations . He not only lost the accent but turned out to be “ the best sales person we ’ ve ever had ,” according to Smith . So when Smith ’ s pitch for a new PBS show called “ At The Chef ’ s Table ” was picked up by the network in 2004 , he offered the hosting job to Boylan . “ The rest was history ,” Smith said .
Since then , Boylan ’ s bright star has climbed , and his work has expanded to include offscreen roles . He has hosted , produced and / or directed numerous television shows and series , including “ What ’ s Cooking with Alex ,” “ Animal Attractions ,” “ Around the World for Free ,” “ The CBS Buzz Tour ,” “ Rach to the Rescue ” for The Rachael Ray Show , and hours worth of destination content for Travel Channel and Lonely Planet . He ’ s also produced hundreds of episodes and segments for Steve Harvey over the years .
THE COLLEGE TOUR
Boylan ’ s career and his innate curiosity has taken him to more than 55 countries around the world . In 2020 , he turned that spirit of discovery to college campuses , teaming up with veteran executive producer Lisa Hennessy (“ The Biggest Loser ,” “ World ’ s Toughest Race ,” “ The Contender ,” “ Eco-Challenge ”) and a first-rate production crew to film hundreds of students at more than 50 colleges or universities around the country .