Alumni Spotlight: Megan Gloss ’03
Clarke: Can you tell us a little bit about where life has taken you since your time at Clarke?
Megan: I recently began my 23rd year at the Telegraph Herald, where I am the Features Editor, overseeing arts and culture coverage in the tri-states, but also editing Her magazine and BizTimes.biz magazine, along with fellow Clarke alumnus Anthony Frenzel ’05. Through the TH, I also have had the opportunity to lead trips abroad for readers, including to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Paris, London and next fall, Kenya. I have had various pieces appear in newspapers and magazines across the country and internationally.
Somehow, I have found the time to continue to carve out a professional career as a vocalist, performing primarily with opera companies and symphony orchestras, but also dabbling in musical theater and jazz. Through Centrally Rooted in Dubuque, I have a voice studio including approximately 30 students of all ages. And I enjoy teaching and practicing yoga.
I’m very proud to serve on multiple boards in the community that reflect the areas I’m most passionate about, including the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra and the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra League, the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, Centrally Rooted and the National Alliance of Mental Illness. I also serve on various committees, including the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra’s education and outreach efforts and the Grand Opera House’s play reading and season selection committee.
I’ve also had the honor of emceeing a variety of fundraising events for nonprofits and charities, as well as serving as a keynote speaker for organizations.
Clarke: How do you feel your time at Clarke prepared you for some of these opportunities?
Megan: Clarke provided me with the capacity and encouragement to have a well-rounded education and to embrace multiple outlets to get involved. That set the tone for finding the many opportunities I’ve had to get involved and to contribute to my community.
The saying, “If you do what you love, you never have to work a day in your life,” is cliché, but true. My goal is for the work I continue to do to matter, make a positive impact and hopefully inspire another generation to follow their own pathway.
Clarke: What does your relationship with Clarke look like today?
Megan: Musical Menus was always a highlight for me, and I’ve had the opportunity to return and perform several times over the years as an alum. It was always a unique and fun way to perform with friends and fellow music makers – as well as enjoy some amazing food at the end of the night!
I occasionally have had the opportunity to return to Clarke to speak with students in both Communications and Music to share more about my career trajectory, what they can anticipate entering the workforce today and how you can embrace a non-traditional, multifaceted career, particularly in the arts.
My advice to them and all students is to get involved. Not only is it an asset to your community, but it greatly informs you who you are and what you’re passionate about. Align yourself with people you admire and learn everything you can from them. I once had a theater director share with me, “You always want to be in the room with people who are better than you.” That was valuable advice because it encouraged me to be open to lifelong learning and growing in a humble way. The other great piece of advice I received from former Clarke instructor David Resnick: “If your ship doesn’t come in, swim to it.” If the opportunity you seek isn’t out there, don’t be afraid to be the one who creates it. The world will always need innovators.
Ironically, both Communications and Music have been impacted by recent cuts to programs the university provides. I empathize because it’s a challenge all smaller, private institutions like Clarke are facing. But I will say, without those programs, the landscape of Dubuque and the surrounding community’s arts and cultural landscape would look vastly different. “Field of Dreams” was filmed in Dubuque because of a Clarke alumna. The Dubuque Arts Council, Grand Opera House, Bell Tower Theater and Rising Star Theatre Company exist because of Clarke alumni. Many of those theaters’ productions are spearheaded by those with strong connections to Clarke. The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival thrives thanks to a student who began her education at Clarke. Centrally Rooted was founded by a Clarke alumna and includes several teachers on its staff with Clarke ties. There are many working artists and arts educators inspiring our next generation of creatives in the community. And as a Clarke alumna, I’m greatly involved in our area’s arts scene, in addition to being tasked with making decisions on how the arts are covered by our leading local news provider. This is Clarke’s legacy in action, and my hope is that the university realizes the value in it and continues to inspire future students to continue contributing creatively to the community, even if those programs are no longer present in the same way.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Megan! Do you know a member of the Clarke alumni community we should highlight? Submit your nominations for a future Alumni Spotlight by emailing alumnirelations@clarke.edu.
Interview edited for length and clarity.