Many Southwestern alumni attend graduate school immediately after receiving their diplomas. Houstonian Kyle Zarosky took a different path after earning a physics degree in 2017. He joined the Marine Corps and served as an Infantry Officer prior to earning an M.B.A. from Rice University this year.

He chose SU “to continue the dream of playing football at a higher level,” he says. His original plan was to enter the engineering dual-degree program, and he worked as an athletic trainer during his off time.

“However, after falling in love with my soon-to-be wife and fostering connections with my fraternity, I decided to stay all four years and pursue a B.S. in physics,” he explained. “The liberal arts fundamentals at SU allowed me to open my thought horizons to what other opportunities are possible. After completing several internships during the summers, I realized serving the country and gaining invaluable leadership traits within the Marine Corps was the direction I wanted to pursue post undergrad.”

While on campus, he took advanced courses in introduction to engineering as well as physics from his favorite professor, Dr. Steve Alexander. His “cherished” memories revolved around his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. He met Olivia Ruane (a Zeta) at a Greek freshman mixer, helped host the annual crawfish boil, and enjoyed the brotherhood while serving as social and philanthropy chairman.

He credits Olivia with supporting his choices after Southwestern which included stops in Virginia and Hawaii with the military. Since returning to Houston, Kyle immersed himself in the Rice Business curriculum, knowing the school supported veterans. He channeled his studies toward a career in energy finance. After an internship at Barclay’s, within the Natural Resources Investment Banking Division, he was offered an associate’s position.

Lest it seem that Kyle is all work and no play, he took his pregnant wife and three children to Disney to celebrate his M.B.A. graduation. He also revealed that last year his family helped him build a backyard chicken coop to beat rising egg prices. He has raised 10 free-range hens, “saving money and teaching his kids valuable life lessons along the way.”

So there you have it: Kyle Zarosky, SU graduate, proud Marine, “Ricer,” investment banker, and chicken farmer. Many paths take Southwestern students from Georgetown to the rest of their lives.

Written by Iris Bullard Foster ’75