EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & HOST OF THE COLLEGE TOUR
LOS ANGELES , CALIFORNIA
CLASS OF ' 99
“ People like to say the next generation is not as good as the last generation ; I couldn ’ t think that is further from the truth ,” said Boylan “ When you meet the students that are going to JU right now and the people that they are and the stuff they think about to make this world a better place , that is so much more advanced than when we were graduating . These students are incredible .”
Boylan said it ’ s exciting to see how much the JU campus has grown since his time here . “ If there was a biggest wow factor , for someone who was here 20 years ago , it ’ s opening up that river ,” said Boylan , referring to Dolphin Beach , a sandy student recreational spot on JU ’ s riverfront . “ What an amazing thing to have here .”
While filming on campus , Boylan made sure to catch up with PineRidge founder Jerry Smith , the mentor who gave him his first TV job . And he made sure to tell everyone how grateful he was to Jerry for giving him a shot .
“ He is extremely loyal and never forgets the people who helped him early on ,” Smith later said . “ People tend to sometimes get ‘ the big head ’ when they get successful … Alex has never gotten the big head . He always has maintained that humble spirit . He ’ s out there to elevate you .”
Boylan carries an indomitable , contagious optimism . It ’ s a magnetic force that naturally attracts others and gives them a sense that he ’ s rooting for them . Because he is . It ’ s not a guise for the cameras . In many ways , he embodies the spirit of the Dolphin family .
“ I am still good friends with all the people I graduated with . We help each other out in business ,” he said . “ When you graduate from JU you really are part of a family . And if you ’ re a JU student , call me . You want something ? Call me . You will automatically get a meeting with someone who went to JU . There ’ s people in front of me who have helped me break in through some doors . My message to the next generation is : realize the family that came before you and do not be scared to pick up that phone .”